Seeing movies with no idea of what they are about ? That was the rule 20+ or 30+ years ago but thanks to imdb and multiple sources , one can get a fair idea of not only the plot but also the ‘ratings’, to form an informed decision . So based on all this homework, I had highlighted 5 movies per day. Discretion proved better than valour 😊 and I ended up with 10 movies over three days instead of the planned 15. Here goes the list of films for day 1 .
The Portuguese House (2025) – Original title: Una quinta Portuguesa. Writer, Director : Avelina Prat. Language : Portuguese
Fernando is a quiet geography teacher , whose Serbian wife Milena suddenly leaves him without any explanation. He goes on a rambling trip and meets a gardener Manuel, who describes his life without any commitments and shows him a letter from a Portuguese orchard owner , about a new offer. Next day during breakfast Manuel dies of a heart attack and Fernando decides to take his place . Soon it is apparent to the owner Amalia, that “Manuel” doesn’t know much about gardening . Yet, she keeps him and soon he learns on the job. Both respect each other and share an occasional evening of wine. Six years later, when he wants to sell his flat in Spain , to get the money to plant a new orchard, he learns that he cannot sell it as Milena is paying the bills. When he returns , he finds that the woman called Milena is not his wife…
I was sublimely happy to see this film as there was no violence, no sex, no foul language . It had a snail like pace – almost as if we are watching events unfold undramatically in front of us, as if sitting in a room and watching the world go by. The charming interactions between the gardener, his housekeeper and her six year old son, the sudden cloud on the horizon in the form of the woman who only has his wife’s name – all these and more point to the core idea of roots and identity as the central theme of the film (at least it appeared to me like that). Beautifully shot . Charming all round performances.
My Rating : 4 out of 5 stars
Peak Everything (2025) . Writer Director : Anne Émond. Language: French and English.
Adam is a neurotic self obsessed 45 year old man , taking care of dogs, who believes that climate change will end the world, sooner than we think. He has a “lumino therapy” device whose support number he calls and soon falls in love with an unknown customer support executive Tina. While talking to her, he hears a loud crash on the phone and rushes to Tina’s office hundreds of miles away, to see that her office has been damaged in an earthquake. He goes to Tina’s house, sees the family and they think him to be totally weird…
This is as whacky as they make it. At first I thought it was a French film but halfway through when a sign “you are leaving Ontario” appeared in the film, I understood why the film was bilingual. Adam’s increasingly neurotic obsession unhinges Tina’s steady life. Adam’s father is also concerned why his son is unmarried and so neurotic. This is a nice case of modern obsessions made fun of in a healthy way. After all its not for nothing he is named Adam (hint hint) . An absolutely weird whacky film I enjoyed thoroughly.
My rating : 3.5 out of 5
Barren Land (2025) Original title: Tierra de nadie. Director: Albert Pintó. Language : Spanish
Three friends in a coastal town are caught in events that they can’t control. Mateo is a tough honest police officer. Juan is a small time criminal looking for that big score that will make him a millionaire. Benito is a café owner , who is increasingly tempted to join the burgeoning narco trade. All are under pressure from the narcos who are killing without any abandon, anyone who stands in their way. Despite Mateo’s best efforts , the casualties start rising , including some corrupt officers from his department…
This is an excellent police thriller that slowly and steadily builds up towards its climatic shootout .We are often anxious as to what will happen to the three friends and whether the friendship will survive the growing pressures of the narco trade and all the consequences that go with it. Superb action, stylish photography and a ‘standard’ story , told in a refreshing way.
My rating : 4 out of 5
Once upon a time in Gaza (2025). Director : Arab Nasser. Tarzan Nasser. Language : Arabic
Yahya works in a restaurant . The restaurant owner Osama is a taxi driver and also deals in selling prescription medicines illegally. He is killed by a corrupt policeman . Years later, Yahya is asked to play the part of a revered martyr for a unique film – a war film made in Gaza. Predictably things start unravelling as the policeman also peeps in from time to time to look in on the ‘shooting’ …
This is one of those films where you think you know everything about the story until the ending leaves you with “heck – I didn’t see that coming”. Somewhat whacky and a slice of life in Gaza . The realistic locations add to the overall somewhat bleak story about the bleak existence of the people in Gaza , as seen through Yahya.
My rating – 3.5 out of 5
Thank you for sharing these reviews for movies which we (by we I mean Indian audience like me) will never encounter. Will need to watch them to appreciate your reviews in depth.
I wonder if any of these or the subsequent ones you’ll review are available on any OTT platform in India.
OTT will be surely difficult except for the big name Hollywood movies. Unless you have access to some non English / European / other language OTT channel.