86 Melrose Avenue

So I recently had the opportunity to watch 86 Melrose Avenue, and the experience left me deeply moved. This film, directed by Lili Matta a great director, is a powerful exploration of human emotion, trauma, and connection. Set in an art gallery in Los Angeles, the story takes a dramatic turn when an ex-Marine, Travis, takes a group of people hostage. What unfolds is not just a tense situation but a profound journey into the hearts of the characters.

As I watched the film, I found myself becoming increasingly invested in the characters. Each one is crafted with such depth and vulnerability that it's impossible not to feel a connection. Dade Elza's portrayal of Travis, a man struggling with PTSD, is particularly compelling. His performance brought tears to my eyes as I witnessed the pain and desperation that drove him to such extreme actions. Anastasia Antonia's character, Nadia, added a sense of warmth and hope to the narrative, making the emotional highs and lows even more impactful.

A great movie that catches me from the first minutes and keeps me until the end ... Congratulations I liked the message of the movie and I loved the end ... a must watch!!!

In this spectacular, emotional spin on a heist film, we are able to see a rare ensemble film that exposes the lives and interconnectedness of all characters involved. In a time of such great divide it it exposes how very necessary it is for viewers to nurture their empathy and recognize that everyone has a story that brings them to the present moment. Masterfully shot and brilliantly executed, director Lili Matta gives viewers something that is both entertaining and introspective. There were a few cliches that detracted from spectacular flow of the film but overall it was extremely well done. Great filmmaking. Important message.

Now hostage situations have long been a staple of the crime and thriller genres, which makes it somewhat hard to infuse new life into a pretty much standard situation - but 86 Melrose Avenue does pretty well at that, as it focuses not just on the central conflict on hand but pulls back to paint a bigger picture, one that involves the fates of several of the hostages in relation to the perpetrator, and even the art exhibited at the gallery mirrors the goings-on in a way, making this more than just your standard thriller but also some sort of social commentary - which is only augmented in the post-finale interviews that really give the thing substance. And thanks to a relatable cast and a subtle directorial effort, this has become a very compelling and pretty unusual movie.

Loved the story ... it brings forward cultural differences and real case scenarios that could happen to anyone of us ... I enjoyed it !!!