Loved This Movies

The Sea Inside

Ramón has been a bedridden quadriplegic for thirty years. His only window to the world is his room, from which he imagines the sea where he once sailed as a child—the sea that taught him about life, gave him vitality, and ultimately took it away after a terrible accident left him paralyzed. His only wish is to end his life with dignity.

Winner of the 2004 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the movie features a powerful performance by Javier Bardem that essentially lifted him out of obscurity. This melodrama deals with the issue of self-determination of one’s own body, though at times I feel it deliberately tries to provoke emotion, something I generally don’t like in films. What’s also sad is that, despite being from 2004, very little progress has been made on the issues it raises even after all these years.

The film does not always depict illness with realism for the viewer—perhaps because it shied away from doing so—except in a few moments. This may be why the unexpected ending could shock part of the audience.
What I also found very good is that it highlights and sketches out the pain of those who care for people in such conditions, even though many supporting roles are not given the necessary space.

It’s a difficult film to watch, mainly because of its subject matter, but I believe it’s worth giving it a chance.

Train To Busan

A virus sweeps through South Korea, escalating into a pandemic that turns people into the living dead. The only survivors are the passengers aboard a high-speed train bound for Busan.

For me, it was one of the big and pleasant surprises of that year—and one of the best zombie films ever released in cinemas.
Horror, relentless action, disaster-movie intensity, and just the right dose of melodrama all come together in this inventive Korean film that breathed new life into the tired zombie mythology. Without unnecessary, time-consuming introductions, it throws you straight into the story.
I have to say, I absolutely loved the little girl and her performance. Especially in the ending (no spoilers), she truly touched and moved me.
The action scenes are sharp and finely tuned, all set within the claustrophobic and cleverly designed environment of the train. I also really appreciated that the film carries deeper messages—about capitalism, its deadening effect, and the alienation of modern life.
Beyond the little girl, all of the cast delivered strong performances, which is one of the reasons behind the film’s success.
Some moments (like the train derailment) stretch realism a bit, and the almost “obsessive” emphasis on family—making it feel at times more American than Korean—might come across as odd. But it never manages to throw you out of the film’s atmosphere, thanks to its fast pace, gripping suspense, and overall energy. For me, it’s a must-see and thoroughly entertaining movie—especially if you’re a fan of the genre.