I just saw two films back to back.

The Red Canvas is a martial arts drama about a man and his strained relationship as well as a big tournament on the titular red canvas.

The story turned out to be surprisingly compelling by juggling the two storylines about family and the tournament and mixing them together in the end, and the actors did a decent job. The fight choreography and cinematography are amazing; the fight scenes are mind-blowingly epic in a good way with enough lingering shots mixed with frenetic pacing to really get your blood bumping. The final battle alone is a highlight as the hero has to go through not only a physical but psychological battle as well.

What really elevates this film, however, is the score by James Peterson. I never expected to hear a powerful orchestral score for a martial arts film, and Peterson really delivered a beautiful yet brutal score that really complements the story on screen. The final, 11-minute cue titled "Ballet for Brawlers" is a highlight and it really makes the final battle epic as it goes through all the leitmotifs that the score had presented earlier in the film. All in all this film is worth watching if you enjoy a compelling mix of brutal fights and an emotional family drama.

Another film I saw was Gilda. The story's about a small-time gambler who ends up in a casino at Buenos Aires and his relationship with the casino's owner and Gilda, the owner's wife.

The first thing I have to praise about it is the sparkling chemistry between the leads: Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth really steal the show with their amazing acting and how they really elevate the love-hate relationship between their characters to an epic level. Cinematography is wonderful as well with slick camera moves, use of perspective and manipulation of shadows and light to set the right mood.

The music is really memorable as well with tango rhythms being played in the background, but the most memorable scenes are the musical bits with Gilda singing. The song that I really liked was "Amado Mio" which is definitely one of the most stunning moments in film history. The film as a whole is definitely worth watching if you enjoy good music, a surprisingly complex plot and film noir elements.