2016

Film Inquiry's Best Articles Of November 2016
THE HANDMAIDEN: A Forward-Thinking Period Piece

The Handmaiden is director Park Chan-wook’s most explicit film to date, if only in its portrayals of warped male sexuality contrasted with the comparatively emotive sexuality of women.

THE UNCONDEMNED: A Heartbreaking Real-Life Courtroom Drama That's Slow To Start
THE UNCONDEMNED: A Heartbreaking Real-Life Courtroom Drama

The brave Rwandan women and the inspiring conclusion of The Uncondemned make it a heartbreaking, human, and empowering watch, and it reveals an important part of forgotten history.

Movies Opening On Cinemas On February 10 - A UNITED KINGDOM
A UNITED KINGDOM: A Feel-Good Biopic Done Right

A United Kingdom has plenty of flaws, but more than makes up for them with a heart and an affection that is utterly intoxicating.

DOG EAT DOG: Arthouse Meets Grindhouse
DOG EAT DOG: Arthouse Meets Grindhouse

If you are looking for a pleasurable and visual exciting crime thriller from a cinematic legend, you should definitely give Dog Eat Dog a try.

HOMO SAPIENS: A Portrait Of Humanity In Absentia
HOMO SAPIENS: A Portrait Of Humanity In Absentia

How can an unconventional documentary lasting 134 minutes and consisting entirely of the juxtaposition of naturalistic scenes be a compelling and rewarding cinematic journey capable of matching the most innovative 3D IMAX movie for sheer scale, awe and engagement?

A DEATH IN THE GUNJ: An Exploration Of Isolation
A DEATH IN THE GUNJ: An Exploration Of Isolation

Some films just break your heart. They wheedle their way in with a warm embrace, and find a way to really stay with you, leaving you with deep a sense of loss, and yet, gratitude. A Death in the Gunj is one such film.

LITTLE MEN: A Missed Opportunity To Explore The Human Cost Of Gentrification
LITTLE MEN: A Missed Opportunity To Explore The Human Cost Of Gentrification

Little Men is a quiet character study that manages to demonstrate the effect gentrification has on two families, without ever uttering that word or making it a thesis rallying against the modernisation of different communities.

TROLLS: Sugar High Study In Primary Colors
TROLLS: Sugar High Study In Primary Colors

Trolls is aimed as squarely at parents as it is the kids, who likely won’t be as familiar with the terrifically tressed toy trolls as they were say, Angry Birds. Probably not a problem. A comeback seems likely.

CHRISTINE: A Compelling But Tragic Character Study
CHRISTINE: A Compelling But Tragic Character Study

In July of 1974, television reporter Christine Chubbuck committed suicide on a live news broadcast. This is not a spoiler for Christine, as the film concentrates on the tragic events that led to its title character’s fall.

SAVING MES AYNAK: Making Archaeology Harrowing
SAVING MES AYNAK: Making Archaeology Harrowing

Saving Mes Aynak’s central figure, Qadir Temori, is an Afghan archaeologist more Don Quixote than Indiana Jones, fighting forces from all sides threatening to wrench from his country what is deemed the most significant find of the century.

ELLE: A Complex & Challenging Exploration Into Lurid Territory
ELLE: A Complex & Challenging Exploration Into Lurid Territory

Elle faithfully transcribes the original book “Oh…”, presenting masochistic and sadistic elements as comedy in the darkest form.

HACKSAW RIDGE: A Film Of Contrasts That Seamlessly Works
HACKSAW RIDGE: A Film Of Contrasts That Seamlessly Works

What helps to distinguish Hacksaw Ridge is that, at its core, it is a film that attempts to combine the seemingly contradictory qualities of pacifism and the violence associated with patriotism.

Is There Another Bias Going On At The Oscars?
DOCTOR STRANGE: A Gentler, Smarter Superhero

The very idea of “The Batch” being in a Marvel film with Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams was an incredibly inviting prospect.

YOU'VE BEEN TRUMPED TOO: A Wasted Attempt At A Timely Documentary
YOU’VE BEEN TRUMPED TOO: A Wasted Attempt At A Timely Documentary

Imagine waking up from a coma and finding out that one of the nominees in the 2016 presidential election was a thin skinned egomaniac, with a penchant for airing his racist, misogynist and ableist views (and a platform that allows for homophobic views to boot). Imagine if you found out that he’d already set a precedent for his appalling behaviour, yet he was still inexplicably marching towards success, planning to grab the American electorate by the pussy. Having this news broken to you as your comatose body reanimates and prepares for a life in a new, quasi-dystopian future, is the only way you are likely to be shocked by any of Donald Trump’s antics.

ICE GUARDIANS: A Persuasive Argument For The Maligned Enforcers
ICE GUARDIANS: A Persuasive Argument For The Maligned Enforcers

Ice Guardians will broaden everyone’s view on the disparaged enforcers, framing itself as a plea to those who have sided against the bruisers without giving it much thought. After all, the lumbering men are just that, men, and Ice Guardians captures them and their role in all its complicated glory.