Contemplating the afterlife is a past-time that humans have endeavored with since perhaps the first moments of sympathy for the loss of a human life. The question, eternally, of where does one go when one’s life ends has been the work, almost foundationally, of religion since human records began. Defending Your Life is not trying to be religious, or even satirical, in the matter. Does it want....

Fantastic Planet explores the idea of human beings being pests in a surreal world. Almost miniaturized to being classified as Earth-bound termites, humans are labeled as “Oms” by the giant blue anthropomorphic creatures, who treat them as pets and play things. The entire film is actually less surreal than anticipated, as it follows a linear narrative. What passes as surreal is mainly the....

  The most startling thing about the emergence of 12 Years a Slave is its undeniable dominant casting performance. In particular, the flawless drama created by its black actors. In an almost humiliating manner, these actors flawlessly displayed the blemishes of Hollywood and Tinsel Town’s incapability to cast black talent. Sweepingly, this drama proved the talent is there, in....