Cloud Atlas (2012)

A fantasy-drama with a romantic, sci-fi feel to it, Cloud Atlas is a strange beast that overwhelms the viewer with 6 story-lines that span our past, present and future. The casting is massive and helps tremendously, so prepare to know almost everyone and to see them recycled in unrecognisable ways over the ages. I particularly enjoyed the freed-slave friendship and a clone named Somni's awakening story but there's something for everyone here. Short vignettes from each period invite you to explore the depths of the links between each story, to your own preference, and the heroic flow on of events over time is subtle and charming. The visuals are truly brilliant and while the soundtrack leans heavily on the Cloud Sextet, it binds their shared history together just nicely. My least favourite story was, funnily enough, the 'current' 2012 one but the oddly comedic, great escape for old people still had its merit. Buy it, watch it again and again and keep your mind open over the years. 

10/10