Dirty Pretty Things

Teaser: An illegal Nigerian immigrant looking for a way to find money and a life in London uncovers a terrifying group doing horrendous things in a hotel where he works.

Best Feature: The acting is incredible, especially Ejiefor. There is constant suspense, to the point where this movie could be classified as a horror-thriller. Taps into a segment of society, not often documented and makes a very intriguing film out of it.

Worst Feature: Not necessarily the most fluid thriller. Has some plot weaknesses.

This movie is on here largely because of the uniqueness of the plot. The way they weave what, at first, seems to be an exploring of the life of immigrants into a daring crime thriller is impressive. It includes two great performances from two actors who would later go on to act in defining roles, with Ejiofor (Red Belt, Children of Men) and Tautou (Da Vinci Code, Coco Before Chanel) really driving the movie home.

My Ranking: Top 10 Entire Drama Genre
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dirty_pretty_things/

Blue Valentine

Teaser: A couple with an embattled past goes through tough times in a very complicated marriage.

Best Features: Knockout performances by both Gosling and Williams. The movie makes you feel, in ways that most romantic dramas do not. Has one of the greatest scenes in a love movie of all time.

Worst Features: Ending feels very abstract, while the movie spends its entire time dealing with real human emotions in a very literal and powerful way.

This movie is just powerful. I have not felt this much natural emotion from just watching a movie since Requiem for a Dream. It is very depressing, in the sense that things are bad for this couple, however, the scenes feel real and engaging. I do not remember how long this movie is, but it feels like 5 minutes because of how engrossing it is. It doesn't make the Top 5 just because of how deep the genre is.

My Ranking: Top 10 Entire Drama Genre
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blue_valentine/