Adoration Directed by Atom Egoyan After a string of critical flops, Atom Egoyan is back in a big way with the rich and vibrant Adoration, a complex portrait of teenhood, grief and simmering sociopolitical tension. Smart but oddball teen Simon (Devon Bostick) makes an unusual association while translating an article regarding Israeli airport security for …
“…grim atmospheric tale of madness and isolation.. tortures the viewer with its rich landscapes and violent twists.” Dark Nature Directed by Marc de Launay With a Chopin fueled drive into the horrific, Marc de Launay’s grim atmospheric tale of madness and isolation, Dark Nature, tortures the viewer with its rich landscapes and violent twists. Following …
Our column “Hidden Gems” is dedicated to those great films that many people have overlooked and or have found trouble finding distribution across the globe. Must Love Death Directed by Andreas Schaap Offhand, it’s difficult to think of another film that features both a “meet cute” and a nail gun, but in his first feature, …
Dream Home Directed by Ho-Cheung Pang Probably the only horror film to involve the housing crisis, Dream Home wastes its creative concept by being unfortunately muddled. Though the protagonists’ obsession with owning a home at the sacrifice of her family and moral integrity could have been fascinating, the film is ultimately shallow and confusing. Despite …
Interweaving seemingly irrelevant storylines, Fish Story is about the interconnectedness of all aspects of our existence. It isn’t, however, a film about fate. It is about finding splendour in irrationality, and our individual potential to shape the world.
Clash Directed by Le Thanh Son It’s never a good sign when even non-fans of a given genre can spot the clichés pervading a particular piece. Whether you own a collection of imported martial arts movies, or you wouldn’t even see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon despite its Oscar nominations, it’s hard to imagine any viewer …
The Violent Kind Directed by The Butcher Brothers In The Violent Kind, members of a motorcycle gang are terrorized by supernatural forces while at an isolated cabin. A mostly disappointing evocation of classic b-movies, the film nonetheless shows a lot of creative potential. Blending gang violence, apparent demonic possession and crazy science fiction, the film …
“It’s hard to pigeonhole Symbol in any particular genre, but I would best describe it as a live-action Looney Tunes cartoon on crack.” Symbol Directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto While watching Symbol, for a fleeting moment I wondered if someone had slipped something in my drink or sprinkled an illicit substance on my popcorn. What else …
“There’s a potentially great movie trying to get out of the mediocre one that is Doghouse, a trashy horror comedy that’s disappointingly refined.”Doghouse” Doghouse Directed by Jake West While Jake West’s Doghouse would not be the first low-rent horror movie to be accused of misogyny, the British horror comedy’s claim to fame is that it …
“A film that like it or not delivers exactly (and only) what its title implies which is enough to lure the most satiated genre fans.” The Human Centipede (First Sequence) Directed by Tom Six An all-too-familiar setup finds a couple of pretty American tourists (Ashley C. Williams and Ashlynn Yennie) stranded in the woods when …
We Are What We Are Directed by Jorge Michel Grau Screenplay by Jorge Michel Gray 2010, Mexico The completed version of Jorge Michel Grau’s We Are What We Are had its North American premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival and left audiences very content on their way out. In the same way, Let The Right …
Over the years, Meir Zarchi’s 1978 rape-revenge film I Spit on Your Grave (aka Day of the Woman) has been labeled everything from an expression of raw, feminist rage to a cinematic sex offense. And there’s no doubt that Steven R. Monroe’s 2010 remake be equally polarizing, as it’s more graphically violent by at least …
Mai Mai Miracle Directed by Sunao Katabuchi Mai Mai Miracle is the story about growing up amidst a changing world. Set ten years after the Second World War, life in rural Japan is at a turning point. Inspired by the stories her grandfather tells her, nine year old Shinko, creates elaborate fantasy worlds about the …
No grand achievement, Despicable Me nevertheless proves to be a satisfying hour and a half of fun for the family. Despicable Me Directed by Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud Two supervillains compete for the chance to steal the moon from the sky, but before Gru, the more experienced bad guy and the protagonist, can pull …
Now in its 11th year, the UK’s premier horror, fantasy and extreme cinema festival is once again destined to bring terror and carnage to London’s West End, the Film4 sponsored Frightfest which runs for five days over the August Bank Holiday weekend at the Empire cinema looks certain to showcase the very best in genre …
While sloppy at times, Robert Zemeckis’ Death Becomes Her is an often delicious trifle, of which the core ingredients are so rich that the film is as much fun as any of Zemeckis’ comedies (if not quite as polished). Death Become Her Directed by Robert Zemeckis Although it managed to walk away with the Best …
More than 30 years after its initial release, Brian De Palma’s Carrie remains the ultimate revenge tale for anyone who wasn’t home-schooled. Carrie Directed by Brian De Palma One doesn’t necessarily have to be a horror aficionado to instantly recognize the monstrous image of Sissy Spacek covered in blood from Brian De Palma’s masterpiece, Carrie. …
Marwencol Directed by Jeff Malmberg One of the more downright inspirational films here is Marwencol, the story of accidental artist Mark Hogencamp. After being targeted and beaten outside of a club one night, Hogencamp came out of a coma with severe physical and mental damage. His personal attempt at recuperation was to construct a 1/6th scale reproduction of a small …
Mandrill Directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza Chilean director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza and his action star collaborator, Marko Zaror, are three films deep now, with a fourth (in 3D!) on the way. Clearly they’ve found a formula that works for them, but I’m not as convinced. There’s plenty of buzz around these guys, and they’re hyping …
The Fantasia Film Festival began in 1996, screening Asian films from Hong Kong and Japan, with a sprinkle of Japanese anime, but throughout the years, the festival has gradually expanded its focus to include genre films from all over the world. This year, the Fantasia Film Festival opens a new category called Camera Lucida; in …
“Class of Nuke’em High is a great intermediary between the higher-end Troma productions such as the Toxic Avenger franchise and the ‘sexy comedies’ Kaufman focused on earlier in his directing career.” Class Of Nuke’em High Directed by Richard W. Haines Every Troma Entertainment release provides a sense of familiarity to its viewers; not only because …
Pulling John Directed by Vassiliki Khonsari If the name John Brzenk doesn’t ring a bell, don’t worry: he’s just an airline mechanic for Delta. But since 1983, he has also developed and cemented his legendary status as the greatest professional arm wrestler of all-time (as certified by the Guinness Book of Records). His utter dominance …
Lebanon Written / Directed by Samuel Maoz Oscar Wilde once said: “As soon as war is looked upon as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular.” There are few modern nations that have a better understanding of the truths of modern war …