Posts

10. Gutterbug (2019) There’s a whole world of indie cinema that people are missing out on because it’s not on the big screen or circling Cannes.Gutterbugis one of those movies, exposing the bittersweet truth of homelessness. Andrew Yackel stars as Bug, living life in the gutter (literally) when the extremities of punk culture leave him high, dry, and penniless. The glamour of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t last long when you’re not a millionaire rockstar with a double bed to come down in....

10. Babylon (2022) Though it may not have been well-received by critics due to its meandering story, there’s still a lot to love aboutBabylon. Directed by Damien Chazelle, the story follows the lives of several actors and their rises and falls through Hollywood. The glitz and glam of Tinseltown mesmerize us, but we can’t help but feel that all of what we’re seeing is superficial. And that’s exactly what Chazelle is getting at: it’s all emptiness....

10. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) The Silence of the Lambsis pretty far down on our list because it doesn’treallyfeature an interrogation or hostage scene, but it’s still a memorable film about finding a woman who’s taken captive. Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is the FBI agent tracking down “Buffalo Bill,” a serial killer who preys on young women. To better understand him, she needs to consult another serial killer: Hannibal Lecter....

10. The King of Comedy (1982) I understand it may seem weird to start this list with a comedy film. However,The King of Comedybelongs on this list as it effectively uses black humor to highlight the psychology of a kidnapper. The story follows Rupert Pupkin, a man who dreams of becoming a comedy superstar. He fantasizes about appearing on the late night television show he watches, and it isn’t long before he realizes he’s willing to kidnap someone to get that spot....

10. Whirlpool (1970) By far the oldest entry on our list,Whirlpoolis also one of the most influential for how it pushed the boundaries of cinema. A young model named Tulia (played by Vivian Neves) is approached by a middle-aged woman named Sarah (played by Pia Andersson). After being invited to stay in the countryside with her, Tulia meets Sarah’s nephew Theo (played by Karl Lanchbury). However, it doesn’t take long for Tulia to suspect that something is wrong....