• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Films To Watch Before You Die #34 – Black Swan (2010)

December 29, 2011 by admin

D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…

Black Swan, 2010.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel and Barbara Hershey.

Black Swan is another dark tale from director Darren Aronofsky and again deals with obsession and self-destruction. This time out Aronofsky has made the obsessive world of ballet his setting and the efforts made by Nina (Portman) as she tries to be the best dancer she can be soon turn her world upside down.

Nina is selected to play the lead role in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake for a prestigious New York ballet company, but being a mild mannered and quiet girl she struggles to play both the white and black swan convincingly. The former being gentle and timid and the latter aggressive. Pushed by her ballet director, Thomas (Cassell), she edges herself closer and closer to her physical limits.

Threatened by the arrival of rival dancer Lily (Kunis), whom she believes is trying to take her place; Nina becomes obsessive and her personality changes. Also blighted by strange visions, dreams and happenings the fine lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur wildly for Nina. Her world grows darker and darker as she begins to destroy her relationships and personality in order to become the black swan. Her story almost mirrors the ballet itself and her transformation from white swan to black is the driving force behind the narrative.

Black Swan was a critical and box office success upon its release and earned itself an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, Aronofsky a nomination for Best Director and Portman a win for Best Actress. Aronofsky’s dark and dynamic vision of ballet is just a visceral and shocking as any of his other films and as always has audiences on the edge of their seats with their toes curling.

Black Swan is a film you must see before you die because it is an unnerving and uncomfortable way to experience the dark world of ballerinas and the efforts they must place upon their bodies and minds in order to achieve the absolute perfection that they strive so hard for.


D.J. Haza

Follow my blog at http://djhaza.blogspot.com/
Follow me at http://www.facebook.com/djhaza

Originally published December 29, 2011. Updated April 10, 2018.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Creepy Cabin Horror Movies You May Have Missed

10 Great Cult B-Movies of the VHS Era

MTV Generation-Era Comedies That Need New Sequels

Great Director’s Cuts That Are Better Than The Original Theatrical Versions

10 Great Forgotten Gems of the 1980s You Need To See

8 Must-See Cult Sci-Fi Movies from 1985

Ten Action Sequels The World Needs To See

The Essential Films of John Woo

Great Movies That Are An Absolute Masterclass in Acting

The Bourne Difference: The Major Book vs Movie Changes

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

Top Stories:

10 Must-See Comedy Movies From 1995

Why the 80s and 90s Were the Most Enjoyable Era for Movies

Blu-ray Review – The Diabolical Dr. Z (1966)

10 Horror Movies Ripe for a Modern Remake

Movie Review – Black Phone 2 (2025)

Movie Review – After the Hunt (2025)

2025 BFI London Film Festival Review – Nouvelle Vague

10 Must-See Boxing Movies That Pack a Punch

2025 BFI London Film Festival Review – Blue Moon

90s Guilty Pleasure Thrillers So Bad They’re Actually Good

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Essential Modern Day Swashbucklers

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

10 Movie Franchises That Need To End

Crazy 80s Cult Movies You Might Have Missed

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles and Opinions
  • Write for Flickering Myth
  • About Flickering Myth
  • The Baby in the Basket