Tanya K. (Kabita100)

Sometimes referred to as the thinking man's Psycho, Peeping Tom is a dark and disturbing look at obsession and the Super Ego. Karl Boehm is perfectly cast as the outwardly vulnerable Mark, whose handsome features and soft manner would pass the scrutinizing approval of every mother. Every mother that is except Mrs. Stephens, and given the subject matter it seems prudent that only a blind woman would be able to 'see' into such a troubled soul. And yet, to our own discomfort, we like Mark which makes us question ourselves. Powell goes a step further and lays bare the sleazy side of otherwise polite society (- the elderly gentleman near the beginning buying pornography could be anybody's grandfather). All this was too brazen for the reserved UK audiences of the time who slammed this work as the 'sickest and filthiest film', yet it's precisely the artistry behind the grittiness that lays bare Powell's mastery of the camera. Unique angles intensify feelings of doom and horror at a subconscious level, while scenes seamlessly dissolve into each other to a score that lingers in wait for the next victim. It's a sad irony that this complex and suspenseful character study, so ahead of its time, was so misunderstood; whereas Psycho cemented Hitchcock into the annals of film legendry, Peeping Tom destroyed Powell's career.

Finally - a documentary that captures not only the human side of Gould, but his essence as well. A virtuoso of our time, it's always been easy to dismiss Gould's eccentricities, yet Director Michèle Hozer actually takes the trouble of making us understand them through intimate interviews which give insight to Gould the man rather than Gould the musician. Rare archival footage and personal recordings further expose an individual with a quirky sense of humor who really wasn't that different to the rest of us in terms of his lifelong search to find love and human connections, while also trying to strike a balance between his professional and personal life. Humble but assertive, Gould lived and breathed music, was was adaptable to technology and had a mind for business. A visionary, not only was he ahead of most in understanding the significance of recordings vs. concerts, but he was also a consummate performer who picked up on the importance behind marketing his untypical image. With this in mind, one begins to question how many of his idiosyncrasies were exaggerated, at least during the early years. For those unfamiliar with his work, this biography also gives a brief explanation as to why this man is still lauded by his peers in the classical music community. 'Genius Within' is a respectful and touching nod of acceptance to a man who throughout his life felt like an outsider standing at the fringes of society looking in.

This film is about celebrity worship and casting Brad Pitt as the only really well known actor was a brilliant move. Casey Affleck's portrayal of Robert Ford is riveting; he plays him as creepy yet pitiful in his painfully pathetic attempts at being respected. The viewer can't help but cringe at Ford's desperation and lack of self-esteem. Apart from the fantastic acting, the film is a complete visual treat, putting a new twist on an old genre. Soft lighting and wide angles give the movie a Zen-like quality by capturing the beauty of the landscape as well as subtext in dialogue.