No pearl discovered here

The Oyster Princess (1919)

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch this film stars Victor Janson, Ossi Oswalda, Harry Liedtke and Julius Falkenstein. The spoiled daughter of a rich oyster merchant demands a husband while a broke prince needs a rich wife.

The plot of this film is fairly basic and just about fits in a case of mistaken identity to the 60 minute run time. There are a lot of references to American consumerism and mass production in execution of the film but none of these seem to really go anywhere and really contradict the ending if anything. While there are some funny moments I would not say this film is funny through out.

3/5

Stealing horses

Romance of a Horsethief (1971)

Directed by Abraham Polonsky this film based on the novel of the same name stars Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Jane Birkin and Henri Serre. As Russia goes to war with Japan in 1904 Polish horse thieves find themselves out of work.

The plot of this period film is fairly thin and disappointingly all the big name actors are shifted to supporting roles. There is not really a lot of romance involved and all round this seems like a token effort. Some of the image and sound quality is not always the best making it hard to find much to recommend this film on.

2/5

Marvel's gamble

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Directed by James Gunn this film based on the comic of the same name stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. Stuck working together a bunch of space criminals must save a planet from destruction.

It might have been a bit gamble for Marvel to launch a big budget film based on one of it's lesser known properties but this film succeeds and tons of personality. All the way through this is a fun ride that is certainly entertaining but maybe not that deep. I enjoyed most of the action sequences even if they do rely heavily on CGI.

4/5

Cold

Frozen (2013)

Directed by Chris Bruck and Jennifer Lee this film based on “The Snow Queen” stars the voice talent of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad. A princess has magic ice powers she struggles to control and shuts herself away after accidentally harming her sister with them.

This film has been a massive smash hit but after watching I found myself struggling to understand why. To me the plot seemed fairly generic of the fairy tale genre with only a slight nod to something different at the end and does not stick that closely to it's source material. Most the animation and musical numbers are fairly decent but my heart was left cold so maybe it has something to do with me not being the target audience of this film.

3/5

Whatever floats your boat

Noah (2014)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky this film inspired by the biblical story of Noah stars Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson and Ray Winstone. A massive flood to wash the Earth clean is coming and one man is charged with building an ark to save the animals.

This is certainly a biblical epic unlike any you have seen before and could easily be a tale of a post apocalyptic future rather than a mythical past. Inevitably the film has to embellish without source to fill the long run time and while it is always entertaining I am not sure purists will be pleased. For me the plot never really went anywhere interesting with the subject matter but it is mostly well made.

3/5

Dragons be here

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Directed by Peter Jackson this second part of the adaptation of “The Hobbit” stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch and Evangeline Lilly. Our heroes finally make it to their destination and face off against the dragon under the mountain.

There are some changes between the novel and film, most notably the inclusion of a female elf character which works pretty well in my opinion but may upset purists. I found the plot works pretty well but maybe the themes of greed and fathers lives reflecting on their sons are not explored as deeply as they good be. There is a ton of CGI but it does seem that Jackson has curbed some of his excesses here providing a ton of good action sequences.

4/5

Bricking it

The Lego Movie (2014)

Written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller this film features the voices of Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell and Morgan Freeman. An average construction worker in the Lego world must help save the universe from a bad guy.

This film has tons of personality and with it's irreverent take on standard genre plots is a lot of fun. The ending was a little heavy handed for me but the script really gets both the ethos of playing and creating. You can find loads of great little details hidden in the film but at times it did move a little quickly for me.

4/5

Tarzan Bond and the Goldfinger thief of tribes

Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)

Directed by Robert Day this film stars Mike Henry, David Opatoshu, Manuel Padilla, Jr. and Nancy Kovack. Now living in the city Tarzan is recruited to stop a villain taking gold from a remote tribe in central America.

This film is an odd mix of James Bond style plot mixed with a transplanted Tarzan who has little to do with the literary character. Mostly the story just about hangs together but certainly this is just a cash in on a name and film style. There is a lot of stock footage used and at times it's clear this film was made on the cheap.

2/5  

No real ghosts

The Haunted Castle (1921)

Directed by F. W. Murnau this film based on the novel of the same name stars Arnold Korff, Lothar Mehnert, Olga Tschechowa and Paul Bildy. Aristocrats meet for a shoot at a castle in Germany when a Count suspected of killing his brother turns up uninvited causing problems with his brother's widow.

While the titles suggests a horror film and the presence of F. W. Murnau makes you hope for an expressionist film we get neither here. The plot is a fairly bland murder mystery where we do not even get to see the murder take place. There are the smallest hints of what was to come from Murnau in the direction but not enough to make this film stand out.

3/5

A bad time for a trip to the woods

Antichrist (2009)

Written and directed by Lars von Trier this film stars Willem Dafe and Charlottte Gainsbourg. Following the accidental death of their child a husband who works as a therapist tries to help his wife over come her grief.

This film is beyond dark and contains images that are pretty much impossible to watch. That being said this is a really interesting exploration of grief and it is full of symbolic depth. There are some beautifully shot sequences that contrast with the grim stuff leaving an usual horror film that will stay with you.

5/5

To rise above self interest

Interstellar (2014)

Directed by Christopher Nolan this film stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, David Gyasi and Bill Irwin. Planet Earth is dying, to survive humanity must look to the stars.

Without doubt this film is standing on the shoulders of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and while I do not think it hits the heights of that film or Nolan's own earlier film Inception (2014) I do still think this is a great film in it's own right. There are elements of the story I was not entirely convinced with but they ultimately ended up working. The films is a really good of study of human nature, especially our instinct for survival and how that may help or hinder our chances for survival as a species. I thought both the special effects and heavy use of science were handled really well while Hans Zimmer delivers another outstanding sound track.

5/5

The old switcheroo

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Directed by James Bobin this film features the Muppets, Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Ty Burrell. As the Muppets go on a world tour Kermit is replaced by an evil doppleganger.

While the previous Muppets film came across a bit like fan fiction at times at least he had personality which this film seems to lack. Having an average plot and being filled with cheap cameos does little to make this an interesting film. Bringing in Gervais and Fey was a great idea but maybe both should have been allowed a run at the script as well.

3/5

A bloody tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow (1986)

Directed by John Woo this film stars Ti Lung, Leslie Cheing and Chow Yun-Fat. One brother and his best friend work for the triads while the younger brother becomes a policeman, guess how things turn out.

The plot of this film is fairly simple and has some nods to film noir as well as Jean-Pierre Melville. Pretty much the story does it's job and holds together but that is never what you come to a John Woo film for. What you want from this film is the director's trademark action sequences and while this is one of his earlier films that action is still there with some over top the gun fights.

4/5  

Does what it says on the tin

Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

Directed by Jason Eisener this film stars Rutger Hauer, Molly Dunsworth, Brian Downey and Gregory Smith. Arriving in town on the train a hobo dreams of buying a lawnmower but ends up cleaning up the streets with a shotgun.

There is some personality to this over the top violent homage to exploitation cinema which just about carries the film. While there might be some interesting things to say about homelessness and peoples attitudes to them as well as inner city crime this film always takes the easy route rather than having anything interesting to say. Some of the film is funny and it always keeps you entertained at least.

3/5  

The poor and the oil

Miracle in Milan (1951)

Directed by Vittorio De Sica this film stars Francesco Golisano, Emma Gramatica, Paolo Stoppa and Guglielmo Barnabo. In post war Italy an orphan that was found in a cabbage patch has grown up and helps run a shanty town for the poor.

There is plenty of Christian allegory in this story but it is not done in such a way as to beat you over the head with a theist agenda. The story covers classic neorealist subject matters such as poverty but has a Capra style fantasy level to it. It is really interesting to see the fusion of styles and the special effects hold up pretty well given the era and budget this film was made on.

5/5

Cold

Winter's Tale (2014)

Directed by Akiva Goldsman this film based on the novel of the same name stars Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, Jessica Brown Findlay and Jennifer Connelly. In 1916 a thief falls in love with a dying girl and the forces of darkness try to stop him using a miracle to save her.

While this film attempts to mix reality and magic it ends up being more a mix of piffle and bad dialogue. For all the talent involved here this is a decidedly weak effort that leaves me wondering how it all went so wrong. The plot is a bit cliché and offers little beyond thin melodrama.

2/5

One man and his dog

Umberto D. (1952)

Directed by Vittorio De Sica this film stars Carlo Battisti, Maria-Pia Casilio and Lina Gennari. An old man struggles in poverty with a land lady that wants rid of him and only a young maid that shows him any kindness.

This is one of the classic films on the neglect of old age with the title character suffering on as a burden to those around him. Unlike a lot of other films in the neorealist movement despite the seemingly sad end the film moves towards there is a hint of hope at the end. Using non actors and plenty of location shooting keeps the film grounded in the real world and this is a good watch.

4/5

Blank pages

The Book Thief (2013)

Directed by Brian Percival this film based on the novel of the same name stars Sophie Nelisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer and Nico Liersch. Germany 1938, a girl is adopted by a poor couple and they struggle to live through WW2.

While this is a really well made and told story I am not sure it ever has anything interesting or new to say. There is plenty of realism and the story captures life in Germany during the war well but as much as I enjoyed the film I felt like it was a little empty or too easy. I really liked the cast and there are some good performances but again nothing much stood out.

3/5

Love and the future

 Her (2013)

Written and directed by Spike Jonze this film stars Joaquin Pheonix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Chris Pratt. In the near future a letter writer falls in love with his artificial intelligence operating system.

Exploring some really interesting ideas this film is more relevant than you might think and creates a classic romance in a non tradition way. While the film does not fully explore all the possible ramifications the areas it does look at leave a full fleshed out and thought provoking tale. I really enjoyed the cinematography, vision of the future and the performance of Scarlett Johansson which uses just her voice.

5/5

The perils of love

Nights of Cabiria (1957)

Directed by Federico Fellini this film stars Giulietta Masina, Francois Perier, Amedeo Nazzari and Franca Marzi. After being robbed and nearly drowned by her boyfriend a prostitute slowly opens up to the idea of companionship again.

The plot of this film is a great tale about the human desire for love and the cycle of disappointment it can bring. Without spoiling things too much you can see the ending coming a mile off and have to watch in horror as events slowly march to their inevitable conclusion. Compared to some of Fellini's other films maybe the direction here is a little more standard but this is still a film well worth watching.

4/5

Blame god

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Directed by Rob Reiner this film with a script from Nora Ephron stars Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan and Carrie Fisher. We follow a man and a woman from when they first meet over twelve years of their lives and how they become friends.

The plot of this film is surprisingly insightful and does a good job of exploring the relationships between men and women. What I like most is that the script is not overly melodramatic, has plenty of humour and never feels like it is giving in to cliches. There is one scene that is obviously very famous now but the whole film is well made and an enjoyable watch.

5/5

All star, no quality

Breakthrough (19179)

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen this sequel to Cross of Iron (1977) stars Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Rod Steiger and Curd Jurgens. A German sergeant and his unit are transferred to France ahead of the allied invasion.

Despite having a solid cast this is a low quality sequel that wants to trade on star power alone. The plot is some fairly basic stuff that involves the July 7^th plot and the clash between average soldiers and fanatics in the German army. Production value is pretty low here and it is hard to find much to recommend this film on.

2/5

No taste

Jungle Man-Eaters (1954)

Directed by Lee Sholem this film in the Jungle Jim series stars Johnny Weissmuller, Karin Booth, Richard Wyler and Bernie Hamilton. Our jungle expert helps protect a tribe against a man that wants to smuggle diamonds.

Much of the plot here is fairly simplistic and the short run time does not allow for much depth. There is the same suspect stereotypes and despite the title there are actually no cannibals in the story at all. Unlike the last film in the series I saw there is no blacking up at least but does not make this a much better film.

2/5

Jungle rubbish

Jungle Manhunt (1951)

Directed by Lew Landers this film in the “Jungle Jim” series stars Johnny Weissmuller, Bob Waterfield, Shelia Ryan and Rick Vallin. An expert jungle guide helps a woman reporter hunt for a missing American and investigates strange attacks on the local tribes.

As you might expect this film is filed with ugly stereotypes and a fair amount of white actors “blacked up”. The plot is paper thin and barely has any character development as the film runs just over an hour long. If you can get past all those problems you still have the wooden acting of the lead actor to contend with.

1/5

So near yet so far

Cheap Thrills (2013)

Directed by E. L. Katz this film stars Pat Healy, Sara Paxton, Ethan Embry and David Koechner. Two men down on their luck run into a rich couple in a bar who offer to pay them to do increasingly crazy things.

This is one of those films that seems to constantly teeter on the edge of doing something really interesting but never quite gets there. While there are some funny moments you would not say this film is funny through out and I do not think that the characters ever really fit the dark conclusion of the film. Maybe another couple of drafts would have helped the script fulfil it's potential but as it is this is not the worst way to spend 90 minutes.

3/5

The summer heat

Labor Day (2013)

Directed by Jason Reitman this film based on the novel of the same name stars Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin and Gattlin Griffith. A teenage boy and his mother spend labor day weekend in their house with an escaped convict.

Initially this film is incredibly ominous but settles into a story of frustrated sexual urges and coming of age for the protagonist. Nothing about the plot is that impressive and in some areas you could say it's a little worrying but it does the job. Where this film excels massively is the direction and acting which keep the film constantly moody as well as rife with sexual tension.

4/5

Christian rubbish

Black Nativity (2013)

Directed by Kasi Lemmons this film based on the musical play of the same name stars Jacob Latimore, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson and Jennifer Hudson. A single mother sends her teenage son to stay with the grandparents he has never met before.

Every opportunity is taken to ram home the Christian message here but the heavy handed preaching just show cases what I find so disturbing about religion at times. There is plenty of hypocrisy from supposedly Christian characters and all of the terrible behaviour is just forgiven at the end because Jesus. Before I watched this I was not aware it was a musical and I have to say I do not really think that the music added much, more just turned this into a 90 minute church visit.

2/5

No doubt it's shit

Reasonable Doubt (2014)

Directed by Peter Howitt this film stars Dominic Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, Erin Karpluk and Gloria Reuben. A district attorney kills a man in a hit and run while drink driving then finds himself stuck as prosecutor for the case.

Initially the film starts off as a fairly interesting moral dilemma then chucks all that out for a pretty average 90s style thriller. In retrospect there are some parts of the film that make no sense at all and in the end this film is a real disappointment. It seems like there are a couple of missing scenes but the problems appear to stem mostly from the script rather than the execution of this film.

2/5

No Panic

Panic in the Streets (1950)

Directed by Elia Kazan this film stars Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, Barbara Bel Geddes and Jack Palance. A military doctor and a police captain work together to try and hunt down the first cases of plague in New Orleans.

There is not much panic involved in the plot of this film as the characters actually do a pretty good job of stopping a potential disaster. In the end this is a pedestrian effort that does not really get carried away with things or have very high stakes. The direction is not exactly impressive and all in all this is a very middle of the road film

3/5

Crossings

Frontera (2014)

Directed by Michael Berry this film stars Michael Pena, Ed Harris and Eva Longoria. A former cop investigates the death of his wife that was witnessed by two immigrants trying to get into the US.

This is a fairly even handed look at the problems of the US's southern border but does focus more on the plight of Mexicans attempting to enter the US. There is not much of a mystery here but the plot of the film moves along fairly well. While the film may offer some possible solutions to the problems face they are simplistic at best.

3/5

No one is innocent

Le Cercle Rouge (1970)

Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville this film stars Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonte and Yves Montand. A man just released from prison meets up with an escaped convict and plans a heist.

It may take a while for this film to get moving but it is a good slow burning crime film that builds up to an impressive robbery sequence. Much like Le Samourai (1967) there is minimal dialogue and the script focuses on the nuts and bolts of the action. The silent robbery sequence is really impressive and while this film is not to everyone's taste it is a really well made film.

4/5

Exposition and CGI

I, Frankenstein (2014)

Directed by Stuart Beattie this film based on the graphic novel of the same name stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski and Miranada Otto. Frankenstein's monster is caught up in a war between the servants of heaven and hell.

There is a ton of potential in the set up of this film but it is all largely squandered as exposition regularly fills in instead of character. It is not surprising that the same writer also created the Underworld series as a lot of the same material is recycled here. Apart from exposition the only other thing on show here is CGI by the bucket load and a suspect growl from Eckhart.

2/5

Age appropriate relationships

Last Vegas (2013)

Directed by Jon Turteltaub this film stars Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Mary Steenburgen. A group of old men head to Las Vegas for a bachelor party.

There is very little original here and the plot plods along through the predictable beats. What you can say is that this film is consistently average and neither strays too far either way into being good or bad. Most of the cast could sleep through this script and occasionally seem like they are doing so, personality is what is really missing here.

2/5

Not the one with cannibals

La Strada (1954)

Directed by Federico Fellini this film stars Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina and Richard Basehart. A young woman is sold by her mother to be an assistant for a travelling strongman.

The plot of this film is a fairly simple but well told story of redemption. While the film may not be as fantastical as some of Fellini's other films it is filled with charm and the story has a great level of emotion to it. Clearly the best thing about this film is Giulietta Masina's excellent performance, she was perfectly cast in the role but the dubbing of Anthony Quinn is slightly off putting.

4/5

Polar monster

The Thing from Another World (1951)

Directed by Christian Nyby this film based on the novella “Who Goes There?” stars Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan and Robert Cornthwaite. Something strange has crashed near a science base in the Arctic, military and civilians investigate.

The plot of this film is fairly basic is not much more than a sci-fi B movie. Compared to the 1982 version of this film this adaptation lacks the suspense and tension leaving the film a bit flat. Some of the special effects are not great and the monster is never really scary.

3/5

Being yourself

Daayraa (1996)

Directed by Amol Palekar this film stars Nirmal Pandey, Sonali Kulkarni, Neena Kulkarni and Haidar Ali. The day before her wedding a young woman is kidnapped and raped then travels with a transvestite.

While not perfect this is a surprisingly liberal look at issues of sex, gender roles and transsexual identities. The story follows the journey of a young woman from being closed minded to having much more open views. Not all of the musical interludes were to my taste and while I gather at least one was supposed to be a parody of the traditional Bollywood style it went over my head.

4/5

No spine, no balls

English Vinglish (2012)

Written and directed by Gauri Shinde this film stars Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou and Priya Anand. An Indian woman is made fun of by her husband and daughter for her lack of English and has to go to New York to help with her niece’s wedding.

There are some interesting ideas to be looked at here with the clash between traditional and modern India explored through language but instead this is more of an overly sentimental and simple story. What I really did not like about the film was the ending as promotes the idea of staying with what is essentially a family that does not respect you to prove them wrong. Some of the musical interludes seemed odd as they used a male singer to give insight into the female protagonists feelings which did not work so well in my opinion.

2/5

Because you are a character does not mean you have character

The Five Man Army (1969)

Directed by Don Taylor this film stars Peter Graves, Bud Spencer, James Daly, Nino Castelnuovo and Tetsuro Tamba. A group of stock characters is assembled to rob a train in Mexico during the revolutionary period.

I only checked out this film as it was co-written by Dario Argento and sadly the script and plot are not up to much. This is a standard heist film with paper thin characters and no thematic depth. About the best thing you can say about this film is that it is not terribly made but beyond that it is not a classic of the genre.

2/5

Americans love a criminal

Lawless (2012)

Directed by John Hillcoat this film based on real events stars Shai LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain and Jason Clarke. During Prohibition three brothers from a rural county bootleg moonshine and come up against corrupt law officers.

The plot of this film is a classic American mythologising of it's criminal past that fits in well with the tradition of romanticising the illegal and ruthless. Not a lot makes the story stand out from the slew of similar films that come out from Hollywood. John Hillcoat has directed some really impressive films but this is probably his more average and while I am a big fan of Guy Pearce his performance tends towards camp and is a bit out of place really.

3/5

SEAL recruiting film

Lone Survivor (2013)

Directed by Peter Berg this film based on real events stars Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana. A four man Navy SEALs team goes on a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan but are discovered by the Taliban.

It seems the events of this film stick fairly closely to real events even if there are a few changes here and there. What disappoints me about the script is that it focuses on the brotherhood of being a SEAL rather than the more interesting relationship between the survivor and the locals that aid him. There is plenty of realism in the execution of the film and it is really well made but I am not sure it does a lot to stand out against many similar films out there.

3/5

A civil war

Shame (1968)

Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman this film stars Liv Ullmann, Max von Sydow and Sigge Furst. An apolitical couple living on a small island get caught up in a long running civil war.

Much like other Bergman films the focus of this film is psychological and a lot of the conflict internal. This is not my favourite Bergman film but did explore some interesting ideas about what people would do to survive. I like the way the story keeps the larger events fairly ambiguous and in general the film is pretty well made.

4/5

Mailing it in

You've Got Mail (1998)

Directed by Nora Ephron this film based on the play “Parfumerie” stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Two New Yorkers that communicated anonymously through email unknowingly become business rivals.

I found the previous collaboration between Ephron and these stars to be a bit worrying and there is some really odd behaviour in this rom-com too. Essentially the protagonists start out having emotional affairs and towards the end the male character tricks the female one by playing off his online and real identity which is pretty messed up. There is some charm to the film and it does seem ahead of it's time but the more you think about the plot the worse the central characters look.

2/5

Marrying off your daughter

An Autumn Afternoon (1962)

Directed by Yasujiro Ozu this film stars Chishu Ryu, Shima Iwashita, Keiji Sada and Mariko Okada. A widower is convinced by his friends that it is time to help his daughter find a husband.

I enjoyed Tokyo Story (1953) and this is another dialogue heavy, slow moving drama by the same director but I found it to be less enjoyable. The milieu of the Japanese social structure of the period when it comes to marriage is not exactly universal so at times I found it hard to connect with the story. Ozu is famous for his style of direction which is present here but is not really always to my taste.

3/5

Disaster drive

Getaway (2013)

Directed by Courtney Solomn this film stars Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez and Jon Voight. A former racing car driver discovers his wife has been kidnapped and he must follow the kidnappers instructions.

I wish I could say this was a shit version of Drive (2011) or the Transporter series but this film is beyond terrible. The plot is stupid and the script has plenty of suspect dialogue. For an action film the direction and editing are terrible, completely getting in the way of any impressive stunt.

1/5

They wants our white women

King Kong (1933)

Directed by Merian C. Cooper & Ernest B. Schoedsack this film stars Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot and Robert Armstrong. A famous filmmaker charters a ship and hires a young woman to play the lead role in a mysterious project.

The story of this film is well known by now but most watching will quickly pick up the underlying racism in the plot. Apart from the distasteful undertones this is a fairly average action plot that goes a long at a nice pace. What keeps people coming back to this film are the impressive set pieces and the special effects that hold up surprisingly well as they combine to make some iconic sequences.

4/5

Rotten romance

Lootera (2013)

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane this film partly inspired by the short story “The Last Leaf” stars Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha. West Bengal 1953, the daughter of a rich man falls in love with a handsome young archaeologist.

There is about half an hour in the middle of this film where it threatens to get interesting but otherwise is it is a pretty interminable love story. What really broke the story apart from it being fairly cliché was that I found it nearly impossible to summon up any sympathy for the lead male role after the reveal. It is a shame the plot of the film is so weak because the cinematography is actually really beautiful and captures the landscapes well.

2/5

Rocky meets Raging Bull too late

Grudge Match (2013)

Directed by Peter Segal this film stars Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin and Kim Basinger. Two ageing boxers are convinced to stop back into the ring after thirty years to settle a long running grudge.

There are plenty of decent elements to build on in this film but sadly the script always seems to be a token effort. It is like the film makers thought they could live off the legacy of Rocky (1976) and Raging Bull (1980) but this film is 30 years too late and in needed of a rewrite or two. Even the boxing match at the end seems tired and lazy like it's stars.

2/5

So much interest in class it could be British

Grand Illusion (1937)

Directed by Jean Renoir this film stars Jean Gabin, Marcel Dalio, Pierre Fresnay and Erich von Stroheim. During the First World War French officers of different class are thrown together as POWs.

This film is really the father of all POW films which follow and you can see elements that have reappeared in numerous other films. Primarily the film is interested in ideas of nationality and class that change thanks to war which is does a good job of exploring. The film is well made and has the occasional decent location but is mostly shot in a studio by the looks of it.

4/5

Boom goes the H bombs

Aftermath (2012)

Directed by Peter Engert this film stars C. J. Thomason, Monica Keena, Edward Furlong and Andre Royo. A group of stranger in Texas try to survive the aftermath of an all out nuclear war.

The plot of this film is fairly simple and does little more than show case the affects of radiation poisoning. With a really short run time this film adds nothing to the genre and does not have any character progression to speak of either. There is some suspect acting, annoying editing in the main action sequence and the odd dodgy line as we head towards an ending that just makes you feel like you wasted your time.

2/5

Indian gigolo

B.A. Pass (2012)

Directed by Ajay Bahl this film based on the short story “The Railway Aunty” stars Shadab Kamal, Shilpa Shukla and Dibyendu Bhattacharya. An Indian college student starts a relationship with a married woman and she helps him become a gigolo.

It is interesting to see the usual genders of characters reversed in this tale of sex work and disaster. The plot is fairly good but not especially unusual or original. There are some decent performances but there is not a huge amount to celebrate here.

3/5

Reflections

Persona (1966)

Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman this film stars Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann. A young nurse is asked to look after an actress who refuses to speak.

This is a really intriguing film but one that is certainly not to the tastes of everyone as the experimental nature of some of the direction can be off putting. The plot involves two characters that are the mirror opposite of each other and poses many existential questions to the audience. There is also a strong theme of the gender roles forced on women that runs through the film. While some of the direction was a little annoying in my opinion there are some excellently composed shots and the film is riveting through out.

5/5

100% not the IRA

 Odd Man Out (1947)

Directed by Carol Reed this film based on the novel of the same name stars James Mason, Kathleen Ryan and Denis O'Dea. Members of an IRA like group rob a bank but things go wrong with one of the gang injured and on the run.

The plot of this film takes a fairly even handed look at the terrorism of the period and maybe for my money is a little too sympathetic to the point of view of the republicans. What the film does well is keep a decent level of tension and show plenty of different points of view so we get the full spectrum of people trapped with in the conflict. Compared to The Third Man (1949) this film lacks the stark film noir cinematography but is still a really good watch.

4/5

Struggle for the soul of Australia

Walkabout (1971)

Directed by Nicolas Roeg this film based on the novel of the same name stars Jenny Agutter, David Gulpill and Luc Roeg. A teenage school girl and her younger brother from England become lost in the Australian outback.

This film is a classic tale of the clash between Aboriginal Australia living with nature and modern the urban preconceptions of white settler Australia. There are a number of changes between the source material and the plot of this film but it appears to keep the themes largely intact. You really get the sense of culture clash between the English children and the Aboriginal youth that helps them as well as there being a strong sexual under current in the film. There are some good performance and the editing which harks back to Soviet Montage really helps emphasise the themes of the film.

5/5

Too much the highlight reel

Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

Directed by Justin Chadwick this film based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris. We follow the life of Nelson Mandela from young boy to President of a free South Africa.

The main problem with this film is that it tries to show a little bit of everything rather than showing any of the key moments in any real depth. There are plenty of parts of Mandela's life that could have been the focus but get short shrift, for example I would have like to have seen a lot more on the decision to go from peaceful protest to violence. Idris Elba is the best thing in this film and gives and impressive performance in the lead role.

3/5

Confusion of red & white

 The Red and the White (1967)

Directed by Miklos Jancso this film stars an ensemble cast of Hungarian and Russian actors. Communist Hungarian volunteers are caught up in the chaos of the Russian civil war of 1919.

This is a really surprising film that despite being commissioned to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the revolution is actually a strongly anti war film that pretty much condemns both sides. Both the direction and the plot always keep us at arms length, never settling on a central character with events often happening in the distance so much like in a real war we are often uncertain of what is happening and to who. There are some really nice uses of the camera and you have to say it is a bold choice to make a film about the futility of war set during the communist revolution behind the red curtain.

5/5

All the President's lions

A Lion Is in the Streets (1953)

Directed by Raoul Walsh this film based on the novel of the same name stars James Cagney, Barbara Hale and Anne Francis. In a Southern state a roving peddler marries a school teacher and tries to launch a political career.

There are inevitable comparisons between this film and All the King's Men (1949) which frankly is a better version of this type of story. While this is a serviceable effort the plot sort of goes through the motions rather than exploring the protagonist and his decent into corruption in detail. The film is well made thanks to it's veteran director and experienced star but really needed to be longer to get more detail in.

3/5

Burn them all!

Witchfinder General (1968)

Directed by Michael Reeves this film based on the novel of the same name stars Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy and Hilary Dwyer. During the English Civil War a lawyer takes advantage of the chaos going from village to village hunting witches for money.

This film has something of a cult following but I found it to be pretty average. It might be seen as violent for it's time but the story never really gets to grips with the misogyny or jealousy of the set up like say Day of Wrath (1943). About the only surprise I had from this film was that it was not a Hammer Horror production as it feels like it would fit right in with their films.

3/5

No shame

Shame (2011)

Directed by Steve McQueen this film stars Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale and Nicole Beharie. The life of an emotionless sex addict is upset when his sister forces her way back into his life.

This is an interesting film but in my opinion it ended up ultimately being unfulfilled, much like the life of the protagonist. For me the film never really manages to draw a clear line between the problems of the protagonist and the unhelpful puritanism of the world around him. I really enjoyed the direction and performances that keep the film moody through out.

3/5

A dream case

Sherlock, Jr. (1924)

Directed by and staring Buster Keaton this film also features Kathryn McGuire and Joe Keaton. A young cinema projectionist who dreams of being a detective falls foul of his rival for the love of a girl.

The best part of this film is the long dream sequence which dominates the film and leaves you wondering why the framing narrative was really necessary. Once we do hit the dream sequence there is plenty to enjoy with the usual stunts and comedy. Transitioning between the real and dream sequence actually uses some pretty impressive special effects and camera tricks that are worth watching for.

4/5

The well

Vihir (2009)

Directed by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni this film stars Madan Deodhar, Alok Rajwade and Mohan Agashe. Two teenage cousins reconnect at a gathering for their extended family but find they both have different out looks on life.

If you do not like art films then this film is not one for you, the second half in particular is slow moving, minimal on dialogue and becomes increasingly ambiguous which can be a bit tedious. The plot has some interesting philosophical depth but sometimes the mundane tasks of the day to day life of the characters seems to get in the way of exploring the themes of the film. Being beautifully shot certainly helps the film and I think there is plenty to gain from it but this is not one for all audiences.

4/5

To seek a great perhaps

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Directed by star Ben Stiller this film based on the short story of the same name also features Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine and Sean Penn. A fantasist that works in the negative lab for Life magazine has to go on an adventure to find a missing negative.

Much like the previous adaptation this film departs heavily from it's source material and has little in common with the earlier adaptation either. While this version is enjoyable and has some charm of it's own I think it lost a little of depth of exploring the role fantasies play in our lives. The film looks really great and captures some of the more interest landscapes really well but never really becomes more than average.

3/5

Chugging along

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Directed by Charles Reisner this film stars Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Marion Byron and Tom Lewis. The captain of an ageing steamboat awaits the arrival of his son who has been educated in the city and turns out not to be what is expected.

Essentially there is one famous stunt that draws people to this film and while it is well done it's far too clearly the highlight of the film. The plot is pretty simplistic and nothing to write home about. There is humour but not as much as in The General (1926) so while the film is enjoyable it is not Keaton's best.

3/5

Corruption and tea

Ek Cup Chya (2009)

Co-directed by writer Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar this film stars Kishor Kadam and Ashwini Giri. A bus conductor from Indian and his family struggle to deal with a ridiculously large electricity bill they have been sent by mistake.

At times the plot of this film comes over as a public service announcement about the Indian Freedom of Information act but it does have a little charm to it. It does take the film a little while to get to it's conclusion but it is a fairly light and easy watch. There is some humour but it is again mostly fairly light.

3/5

Cycle of life

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

Written and directed by Kim Ki-duk this film stars Oh Yeong-su, Kim Young-min and Seo Jae-kyung. We follow the life of a Buddhist monk through the seasons in different years of his life.

I found this film to be fairly slow moving and while it is filled with Buddhist iconography as well as themes it did bore me a little. There is plenty to take from this film but it never really connected with me. The natural setting provides a great back drop for the film and is excellently shot.

4/5

Mostly peace

War and Peace (1956)

Directed by King Vidor this film based on the novel of the same name stars Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer. We follow the lives of Russian aristocrats over a long period involving two French invasions of Russia.

While this may be called War and Peace the story is mostly peace as it focuses on the various up and downs of the love lives of the various characters. The plot has to condense the contents of the novel and really comes off a bit as whining about aristocratic problems while the country burns around them. At over three hours the film is a bit of a slog that really could have done with focusing more on the war part for my taste.

3/5

Prenom shit

Prenom Carmen (1983)

Directed by Jean-Luc Godard this film stars Maruschka Detmers, Jacques Bonnaffe and it's director. A young woman falls in love with a guard while robbing a bank and they run off together to stay at the apartment of her senile uncle who is a washed up director.

Everything I liked about Godard in the past seems like pretentious wank here which is a real disappointment to say the least. The story maybe be based on the opera Carmen but the film does everything possible to be obtuse for no good reason and some elements completely divorced from reality. I found the direction to be annoying and more often than not got in the way of the story rather than aided it.

2/5

India with caste

Fandry (2013)

Written and directed by Nagraj Manjule this film stars Somnath Awghade, Suraj Pawar, Chhaya Kadam and Kishor Kadam. In rural Indian a teenage boy from the lowest caste has a crush on a girl from a higher caste.

This is a tale of classism/racism that we are rarely exposed to in the West and the film does a great job of showing how life can be for those living in extreme poverty. The plot never sensationalises or goes for melodrama, it always keeps the love story at arms length in a refreshing manner. In all this is a well made film that shines a light on an different subject and is not your average coming of age tale.

4/5

All the dark secrets

August: Osage County (2013)

Directed by John Wells this film based on the play of the same name stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor and Chris Cooper. Family return home to help an old woman with cancer after her husband's suicide.

The play this film is based on won the Pulitzer Prize but I found the plot just heaped on over used element after over used element ending up being far too much. I do not think the story is especially believable or insightful but it is still watchable through out. It helps there is a great cast and Meryl Streep gives an amazing performance as always but it is not enough to elevate the film.

3/5

Running away to and from the circus

The Circus (1928)

Written and directed by star Charlie Chaplin this film also features Al Ernest Garcia, Merna Kennedy and Harry Crocker. You know who visits the circus with predictably silly results.

While the plot of this film is fairly simple there is more than an element of it that reflects Chaplin's own career with the contemporary coming of sound threatening to leave him behind like the circus does his character at the end of the film. Using a circus as a back drop is a great choice and provides endless material for the slapstick comedy of which the star is best known. As with any Chaplin film it is funny through out and has a lasting quality.

4/5

Wrong medium

Goodbye World (2013)

Directed by Denis Hennelly this film stars Adrian Grenier, Gaby Hoffmann, Ben McKenzie, Berry Bishe and Caroline Dhavernas. Thirty something college friends visit a couple living off the grid as a major event cuts out power for the whole nation.

While there are some interesting ideas here the view point of this film is always too American centric. The story actually seems like it would have better fit a pilot or first season of a television show as it tries to cram in far too much character back story at the expense of dealing with the events of the story. Generally the film is fairly well made and acted but is kind of a disappointment.

3/5

Beginning the Indian new wave

Garm Hava (1973)

Directed by M. S. Sathyu this film stars Balraj Sahni, Gita Siddharth, Fraooq Shaikh and Dinanath Zutshi. Uncertanty faces a family of Muslim shoemakers in India following the partition of India in 1947.

This film does a really good job of framing the problems facing it's central characters and showing the subtle nature of the prejudice they face. Largely the film is shot on location and while once or twice there is a slightly invasive use of music this film is considered one of the first new wave films in India. Very occasionally some of the film stock used is not of great quality but it does not have a big impact on the film which is still a really worth while watch.

4/5

No play, no fun, no entertainment

Play (2011)

Directed by Ruben Ostlund this film stars Yannick Diakite, Sebastian Blyckert and Kevin Vaz. Two white and one Asian boy are robbed by a group of black boys in Sweden.

In Sweden this film proved to be really controversial but I just found it profoundly boring. Some will claim that the plot holds a mirror up to the viewers own prejudices but I found the basic story takes too long and offers little in sight into the reasons for the situation. Long static takes may have been an artistic choice but to me they just add to the dull nature of this film.

2/5

A little bit of sci-fi in your revolution

Aelita: Queen of Mars (1924)

Directed by Yakov Protazanov this film based on the novel of the same name stars Yulia Solntseva, Igor Ilyinsky and Nikolai Tseretelli. A man in Moscow becomes obsessed with travelling to Mars after a strange signal is heard from space.

Despite the sci-fi premise unfortunately most of this film is based on Earth and centres round the domestic life of the characters. A lot of the plot of the novel has been chucked out in favour of revolutionary dialectic which is a real disappointment and I think the conclusion to the film may be a rather large plot hole. What is really impressive about the film are the Mars sequences which have amazing sets and costumes even if they are sadly underused.

4/5

Jobs jobbie

Jobs (2013)

Directed by Joshua Michael Stern this film based on real events stars Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney and Matthew Modine. We follow the life of Steve Jobs as he goes from directionless college student to running one of the biggest technology companies in the world.

This biography goes for the warts and all portrayal of it's and while it does show both the negative and the positive there are questions over the accuracy of a lot of the film. The film does a good job of showing the affect Apple had on the market but as a biography it seemed to miss out key points of Job's life like what made him reconnected with his daughter. Ashton Kutcher does a good job in the lead role but at times I think the film strays too much into hero worship for my taste.

2/5

Gordon Gecko on steroids

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Directed by Martin Scorsese this film based on real events stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie and Kyle Chandler. A young stock broker wants to make it big and does so by setting up a firm making questionable trades.

Right from the off this film is hilarious, playing the debauchery and dark humour to the maximum. The plot not only looks at the greed of Wall Street but also highlights how it is pervasive through society as a whole. As with any Scorsese film the direction is at minimum accomplished and often excellent with a 3 hour run time never seeming too long thanks to the direction as well as some great performances.

5/5

Blood bath

Countess Dracula (1971)

Directed by Peter Sasdy this film stars Ingrid Pitt, Nigel Green, Sandor Eles and Lesley-Anne Down. Following the death of her husband an ageing Countess bathes in the blood of young women to look youthful again.

Nominally this film is based on Elizabeth Bathory but is essentially a pretty standard Hammer Horror film. One change from earlier films from Hammer is the move towards including more nudity and heading towards sexpoiltation. Mostly the film is well made and the old age make up on Ingrid Pitt holds up surprisingly well.

3/5

Dance over sustance

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Directed by Stanley Donen and star Gene Kelly this film also features Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor and Jean Hagen. As silent films are about to be replaced by talkies one star tries to fend off the attentions of his long time female co-star.

Let's be honest here most of the time the plot of this film is a tenuous at best excuse for the lavish song and mostly dance routines. Often the dance routines pretty much take over as the spin out massive sequences which are really impressively staged with some serious scale. While the story may leave something to be desired what we do get is always entertaining and nearly always highly impressive.

4/5

Writer slackers

Sulemani Keeda (2014)

Written and directed by Amit Masurkar this film stars Naveen Kasturia, Mayank Tewari and Aditi Vasudev. Two aspiring film writers slack off and do anything but write as one tries to get over a sudden break up.

Despite all the posturing this film ends up being a fairly standard romantic-comedy but manages to avoid a cliched ending which is a nice change. The film moves along at a pretty decent clip and the characters do have a certain amount of charm to them which helps. If you are a big follower of Indian cinema there are a number of famous cameos near the start but they went over my head so added little to the film.

3/5

Thriller in Manila

Metro Manila (2013)

Directed by Sean Ellis this film stars Jake Macapagal, Althea Vega and John Arcilla. A poor Filipino farmer moves to the capital with his young family in the hopes of getting a job to make some money.

Despite a some what slow start this tale of poverty and exploitation gradually transforms into a thriller with hints of Training Day (2001). I really enjoyed the plot which explores a story that is somewhat universal, people leaving rural communities and being exploited in the anonymous urban sprawls. The direction is good as is the acting but never really goes above and beyond genre standards.

4/5

Kidding around

The Kid (1921)

Written and directed by Charlie Chaplin this film stars it's director, Edna Purviance and Jackie Coogan. An abandoned child is discovered and raised by a tram while it's mother becomes successful and searches for it.

This was Chaplin's first feature length film and it does a good job of mixing comedy with elements of drama. While there is plenty to laugh at the film also highlights the cruel nature of society when it comes to the poor and unfortunate. There are some really funny sequences but you would not say this is a film jam packed with jokes.

4/5

Not magic

47 Ronin (2013)

Directed by Carl Rinsch this film based on the Japanese legend stars Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano and Ko Shibasaki. In medieval Japan an evil lord with the help of a witch gets a rival sentenced to death so he can steal his land and daughter.

This is one of many adaptations of this story and this one strays the most from real events as it puts a large fantasy element into the story with monsters and magic. Where the film goes sideways is in the inclusion of these fantasy elements as it gets far too far away from the heart of the original story in favour of cheap action. For my taste there is far too much CGI and not all of it done that well, ultimately this comes off as a highly suspect American take on a part of Japanese culture.

2/5

Doesn't float my boat

All is Lost (2013)

Written and directed by J. C. Chandor this film stars Robert Redford. On a sail boat in the Indian Ocean a lone sailor attempts to survive a series of misfortunes.

I was a big fan of Chandor's first film so I was really looking forward to this film and there is a lot of skill used to bring off a whole film with practically no dialogue and only one actor. Redford does a good job in the lead role but the film never asks us anything about the nature of survival like The Wall (2012) for example. Unfortunately while the film always holds your attention it never becomes more than a straight survival peace and the ending is an annoyingly cheesy cliché.

3/5

Kite cutter

Gattu (2012)

Directed by Rajan Khosa this film stars Mohammad Samad, Naresh Kumar, Jayanta Das and Zoya Arshad. A nine year old orphan lives with his uncle and works at his recycling business but is obsessed with flying kites.

This is your pretty standard coming of age tale and while the setting of a poor region of India is a little unusual there is a fair amount here you will have seen before. What really carries the story is personality of the protagonist but again that is not overly unique. There are some nice kite flying sequences and this is a good watch but nothing much beyond that.

3/5

No fear

The Fearmakers (1958)

Directed by Jacques Tourneur this film based on the novel of the same name stars Dana Andrews, Dick Foran, Marilee Earle and Mel Torme. After enduring years of torture and brainwashing a veteran of the Korean war returns home to find his business has been taken over by a conspiracy.

In the premise for this film there are plenty of good elements that could build up to an interesting thriller but none of them are capitalised on. The plot ends up coming off as a fifth rate version of The Manchurian Candidate (1952) in nearly every respect. Even some of the acting is suspect here with the main culprit being Mel Torme with some decidedly campy fiddling with his glasses.

2/5

Troy had it coming

Helen of Troy (1956)

Directed by Robert Wise this adaptation of the Trojan war stars Rossana Podesta, Jacques Sernas, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Stanley Baker. The wife of a Spartan king runs away with a Trojan prince and all of Greece attacks Troy to get her back.

There are a number of departures from the classic Greek legend in the sort of this film and it does not add any thing to the story. What we have is a pretty standard sword and sandals piece that drags a little towards the end. Really the film lacks star power and occasionally it does seem like things have been done on the cheap.

2/5

Put your lips together and blow

To Have and Have Not (1944)

Directed by Howard Hawks this film based on the novel of the same name stars Humphrey Bogart, Walter Brennan, Lauren Bacall and Dolores Moran. In the summer of 1940 a fishing boat captain in Martinique becomes embroiled with a young woman and the French Resistance.

Claiming to be based on the Hemingway novel of the same name this film is one of those adaptations that is really in name only as it diverges from it's source material so much. Much of the plot here is essentially a lightweight version of Casablanca (1942) which is a real disappointment given all the talent involved behind the scenes. Often the on screen chemistry between Bacall and Bogart is sighted as enough to carry this film but I am not so sure.

3/5

Taking a piss

Powder Room (2013)

Directed by MJ Delaney this film based on the play “When Women Wee” stars Sheridan Smith, Jaime Winstone, Kate Nash and Oona Chapin. An underachieving 20 something woman spends a night out reconnecting with an old friend she is trying to impress while avoiding her fellow slackers.

Plays do not always convert well to the screen and this is one of those films that is painfully obvious it was converted from a short play that barely stretches to fill the run time. While the setting of the story may be somewhat unique none of the story is and at times it feels underdeveloped. Ultimately this comes across as a film that needs more work and some of the cast are not really utilized to their best.

2/5

Indian road movie

The Good Road (2013)

Written and directed Gyan Correa this film stars Shamji Dhana Kerasia, Sonali Kulkarni, Ajay Gehi, Keval Katrodia and Poonam Kesar Singh. Three different sets of people travel down the same road in India with their stories over lapping.

This film shows us the rural road ways of India and seems to do a pretty good job capturing the lives of people we do not normally see. The two children being polar opposites is a nice touch the different experiences of people based on class and gender but I am not sure it ever pushes the ideas far enough. Using predominantly non-actors is a nice touch that works well too.

3/5

An animal becomes a man

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954)

Directed by Hiroshi Inagaki this film based on the novel “Musashi” stars Toshiro Mifune, Rentaro Mikuni, Kuroemon Onoe, Kaoru Yachigusa and Mariko Okada. Two peasants seeking fame and glory leave their village to try their luck in a large up coming battle.

This film is the first part of a trilogy and to an extent it really does show but the story still holds together well even if it always feels like the first part of a larger story. The plot deals with the central characters transformation from an animal to starting on the road to becoming a man. With plenty of decent action and set pieces this is a good watch.

4/5

Shining example

The Shining (1980)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick this film based on the novel of the same name stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers. A couple and their son go to spend the winter as caretakers at an isolated hotel in the mountains.

Kubrick puts on a master class of menace and foreboding in this film that is full of creepy moment after creepy moment. Where I find the film to fall a little short is that maybe it lacks the thematic depth of Kubrick's other work and the novel on which it is based. At times Shelley Duvall's performance seems weak to me but that could well be due to the massive stress Kubrick is known to have put her under.

4/5

Change and change-ability

Ship of Theseus (2013)

Written and directed by Anand Gandhi this film stars Aida El-Kashef, Neeraj Kabi and Sohum Shah. Three different stories set in India are connected by medial transplants.

Taking it's cue from the Theseus paradox this is one of the more thought provoking films you will see for a long time that asks it's viewer to consider a multitude of questions. At times the story progresses a little slowly but it is always engaging. Generally the film is well made and there is at least a couple of really impressive landscape shots.

4/5

The Bigfoot Project

Willow Creek (2013)

Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait this film stars Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson. A couple go into the woods hunting for Bigfoot.

Essentially this is the Bigfoot version of The Blair Witch Project (1999) but much worse. I found the film to be decidedly boring with pretty much every element having been taken straight from and done better in The Blair Witch Project. I suppose some of the acting is not bad but that is about the only praise you can throw at this film.

1/5

Metal nightmare

Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)

Written and directed by Shinya Tsukamoto this film stars it's director as well as Kei Fujiwara and Tomorowo Taguchi. A businessman and his girlfriend knock down a metal fetishist then leave him to die in the woods.

This film is a cyberpunk nightmare that while completely bizarre and made on the cheap is full of crazy images. You could easily read the plot as a metaphor for a man that is uncomfortable with his genre and/or sexuality and I think it works really well that way. While the film maybe a little on the short side it works really well and is unlike anything else you will see.

5/5