10 stunningly beautiful movies that will make time freeze

"The Tree of Life (2011), directed by Terrence Malick

Overview: The Tree of Life tells the story of a 1950s Texas family, focusing on the memories of the eldest son Jack (Sean Penn) about his childhood and his relationship with his father (Brad Pitt) and mother (Jessica Chastain). The film explores themes of family, spirituality and the nature of being.

Critics' opinion: "Terrence Malick's distinctive vision is writ large on screen, and The Tree of Life may be incomprehensible to some, but for those willing to venture into its existential themes, it is a poetic and visually compelling masterpiece.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), directed by Wes Anderson

Plot: "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is a comedy drama set in the fictional republic of Zubrowka, centered on the adventures of Gustav Aitch (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel, and his friendship with Zero Mustapha (Tony Revolori), a young lobby boy. When Gustav is accused of murder, he and Zero embark on a crazy adventure to clear his name and reveal the true culprit.

Critics' opinion: "Typically stylish but deceptively thoughtful, The Grand Budapest Hotel shows Wes Anderson once again using a rich visual medium to explore deeply emotional ideas.

"Amelie" (2001), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Overview: Amelie is a romantic comedy set in Paris, centered around the actress Amelie (Audrey Tautou), a shy waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her. While helping others find happiness, she begins to fall in love with a quirky young man named Nino (Mathieu Kassowitz).

Critics' opinion: "The upbeat film Amélie is a lively, quirky charm, showcasing Audrey Tautou as a delightful heroine.

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), directed by Ben Stiller

Plot: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a comedy drama about a man named Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), a dreamer who works as a negative manager for Life magazine. When he discovers that the missing negative is the cover image of the magazine's latest issue, he embarks on a global adventure to find it.

Critics' opinion: "The film is not without ambition, but The Secret Life of Walter Mitty fails to back up its grandiose intentions with enough content to back up the spectacle.

"The Fall" (2006), directed by Tarsem Singh

Plot: "The Fall" is a fantasy adventure set in 1920s Los Angeles and India, the story of a young girl named Alexandria (Katinka Untaru) and her friendship with a bedridden stuntman named Roy (Lee Pace). Roy tells Alexandria an epic story of adventure and revenge, which she imagines in vivid detail.

Critics' Opinion: "Surreal and visually stunning, The Fall is a breakthrough in director Tarsem Singh's imagination.

"The Shape of Water (2017), directed by Guillermo del Toro

Plot: "The Shape of Water" is a sci-fi drama set in the 1960s and centres on a mute cleaner named Eliza (Sally Hawkins) who falls in love with an amphibious humanoid creature (Doug Jones) held captive in the government research centre where she works. When Eliza sets out to rescue her amphibian lover, she faces resistance from the facility's brutal security chief (Michael Shannon) and her own limitations as a person.

Critics' opinion: "In The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro displays his best visual qualities, which are complemented by an emotionally gripping story enlivened by Sally Hawkins' superb performance.

"Life of Pi" (2012), directed by Ang Lee

Plot: The Life of Pi is a terrific adventure drama based on Ian Martel's bestselling book. The story follows Pi (Suraj Sharma), a young man who survives a shipwreck and finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean, with only a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker to keep him company. Trying to survive and bond with the tiger, Pi reflects on his life and the nature of being.

Critics' opinion: "A 3D adaptation of a book that is supposedly impossible to film, Ang Lee's Life of Pi achieves the near-impossible - a striking technical achievement that is also emotionally satisfying.

"Faun's Labyrinth" (2006), directed by Guillermo del Toro

Plot: "Faun's Labyrinth" is a dark fantasy drama set in Spain in 1944, during the early years of Franco's dictatorship. The story follows a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who discovers a mysterious maze in the forest and meets a faun named Pan (Doug Jones). Completing a series of dangerous tasks to prove that she is the real princess of a magic kingdom, Ofelia encounters the harsh realities of the Nazi regime and the horrors of war.

Critics' opinion: Pan's Labyrinth is 'Alice in Wonderland' for adults, where the horrors of reality and fantasy are blended into an extraordinary, mesmerising fairy tale.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), directed by Michel Gondry

Overview: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a romantic drama about a couple, Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet), who, after a painful break-up, undergo a process of erasing their memories of each other. When Joel's memories begin to fade, he realises he still loves Clementine and struggles to keep the memories of their relationship alive.

Critics' opinion: "With a clever, imaginative screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and an equally bold directorial touch by Michel Gondry, Eternal Sunshine is a twisted but sincere look at relationships and heartache.

"In the Mood of Love" (2000), directed by Wong Kar-wai

Plot: In the Mood of Love is a romantic drama set in 1960s Hong Kong, focusing on the relationship between two neighbours, Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung), who find out that their spouses are having an affair. As they grow closer and develop feelings for each other, they struggle with their sense of duty and the social norms of the time.

Critics' opinion: "With its lush visuals and touchingly beautiful themes, In the Mood of Love is a masterful work from director Wong Kar-wai.