Movies > Staff picks archive, 2005-2006

Au revoir les enfants = Goodbye, children.
This wonderful French movie was originally released in France in 1987 and was only released in DVD format in 2006. It is a semi-biographical story of director, Lois Malle's experience at a boarding school for boys during the German occupation of France. During the terribly harsh winter of 1944, 12-year-old Julien is confused by the arrival of a new boy, who he discovers is using a false name and is protected by the teachers, when bullied by other pupils. The two eventually become friends, but nothing prepares Julien for the dreadful end to their friendship and the end of his own childhood innocence. This is a beautifully filmed, powerful and moving film, giving one small glimpse of the horror that was World War II. (Linda)

Crash.
Set in Los Angeles over two days the lives of seemingly unconnected people are connected following a car crash. The film interestingly explores a number of themes including racism and intolerance. Strong performances, by Don Cheadle, Terrance Howard, Matt Dillon and Ryan Phillipe. (Julie)

Match point.
I loved Match Point which I thought was very different from Woody Allen's other films, but it still worked well for me, and is my favourite of his films. (Chris Q)

An unfinished life.
Contains a bit of everything - romance, humour, action. (Wendy)

Grey Gardens and The Beales of Grey Gardens.
In a crumbling East Hampton house full of racoons, cats and soiled furniture live an eccentric mother and daughter, Edith Bouvier Beale and Little Edie. Perhaps the documentary is exploitative, but the two are the artists of their decay and love to perform, dress-up, argue, and reminisce on camera. First released in 1976, Grey Gardens became a cult and camp success with Little Edie more concerned about her "revolutionary" outfits than poverty. Criterion has done a nice job with these new transfers. (Karen)

Hoodwinked.
A good story for Adults and children alike. (Brigid)

Double indemnity.
The dialogue crackles, Barbara Stanwyck's lips threaten and promise, and her hairdos confound in Billy Wilder's classic noir. Based on a book by James M. Cain, with a screenplay by Wilder and Raymond Chandler - that's pedigree. Makes one want to organise secretive assignations in a grocery store, planning death amongst the canned peas. (Karen)

Good night, and good luck.
(Robert)

Sione's wedding.
(Kini)

A history of violence.
(Jason)

The Prestige.
"The Prestige" tells the story of two stage Magicians in late 18th Century London who become bitter rivals over the secrets of a magic trick. The Prestige is directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento) from the novel by Christopher Priest, and tells the story of two stage Magicians in late 18th Century London Robert Angier & Alfred Borden (played by Hugh Jackman & Christian Bale). They become bitter rivals after Angier blames Borden for a stage accident that kills his wife and becomes obsessed with unlocking the secret behind Borden's stage illusion 'The Transported Man'. This leads to them committing various acts of sabotage upon each others stage act, which culminates in Angier's final act of revenge upon Borden - or so it seems. Bale really has to be one of the best actors of his generation, an actor whose movies people will be watched in 50 years, as opposed to any of Hollywood's big marquee names. He mesmerizes in this movie, as the thickly accented Borden, making up for a pace that some may find slow. Jackman is equally good as the less sympathetic Angier, and a great supporting cast includes Scarlett Johansson as the assistant that falls for both Bale & Jackman, Michael Caine as the illusion designer, & David Bowie as electrical genius Nikolai Tesla. (Mark)

An Inconvenient Truth.
Quite simply, everyone needs to see this movie. It's Al Gore's PowerPoint presentation giving the irrefutable facts about global warming and what we can do about it. The world changed after this movie was released. Seriously, if you don't believe in global warming you should at least understand the arguments right? (Jenni) (Kymberly)

Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story.
(Kymberly)

Little Miss Sunshine.
(Kymberly)

Brick.
It's a hard boiled film noir, set in an American High School and it really works. It's hip, cool, twisty and awesome, the actors are all perfect and it got a cult following as soon as it screened in the film festival. (Jenni) (Kymberly) (Mark)

Thank you for smoking.
Hilariously terrifying movie about the greatest spin doctor ever. Nick Naylor works for Big Tobacco and he is good at his job. Its proof that Hollywood can make comedies which are actually smart as well. (Jenni) (Kymberly)

(Some forthcoming to WCL)

The Illusionist - a celebrated Viennese Magician comes under the investigation of agents of a sinister Crown Prince... (Mark)
Waves: The Diaries of Chinese International Students in New Zealand - A little independent New Zealand documentary. It's about Chinese teenagers attending Hutt College and the impact this displacement from their culture has on them. Five different students, five different approaches to the situation. It is both heart breaking and eye opening. (Jenni)
The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (Kymberly)
The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang (Kymberly)

Prison break. Season one
If you missed this show and have been wondering what all then hype is about, or missed some key episodes and lost track of what's happening, now's your chance to check out one of the best TV dramas of 2006. The premise is this: Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is convicted, and scheduled for execution, for the murder of the Vice-President's brother. His brother Michael (Wentworth Miller) believes he's been framed and decides to break him out of the maximum security prison he's been sent to. How? The firm of architects he works for was a sub-rosa contractor in the prison's re-fitting, and all he has to do is 'hide' the prison blueprints in an elaborate full body tattoo, get himself incarcerated, and hatch his escape plan. Meanwhile on the outside Lincoln's lawyer (and old flame) tries to unravel the convoluted conspiracy that put him behind bars. The genius of the show lies not only the way it uses the physicality of the show's location in the plot's momentum and suspense, but the way the 'unknown elements' that comprise his fellow inmates continually add new twists and challenges to his plan. Some local critics have panned the show's implausibility, but if you immerse yourself in the show's world you'll be rewarded with some of the best edge-of-your-seat drama around. Currently library copies are Zone 1 only. (Mark)

The Good life. The complete series 1 and The fall and rise of Reginald Perrin. The complete second series
If Tom Good, of 'The Good Life' really lost it, if he didn't have fabulous Felicity Kendall to understand and Margo to harass and his garden, if Tom Good really turned forty and lost it, lost everything, then he would be Reginald Perrin. It's not a flippant comparison. Both came out in the mid 1970's, dealt with similar themes - mid-life crisis, 'dropping out' making new starts, the difficulties there-in, but look at Reginald Perrin's photo on the case of 'The Complete Second Series'. Something malignant sprouts out of that grin and something is missing in those eyes. Where Tom Good recycles, plants, quietly and frantically mocks Jerry, Reginald Perrin collapses, visits the doctor and hallucinates hippopotami, instead of his mother-in-law. Reginald Perrin fakes his own death, adopts a moustache, calls himself South American and walks to his own funeral, into his own house with grieving family members present and promptly starts a relationship with his own wife. It's surreal, bawdy, and black and some parts would not look out of place in Bunuel's 'Exterminating Angel' or 'Discreet Charm'. Tom Good is good, he's likeable, and he's incompetent and proud and therein lies most of the comedy and most of the pathos. I can imagine Tom and Reginald as neighbours, Tom's hand in good nature extended and Reginald's staying firmly in his pockets. (Monty)

Good night, and good luck
George Clooney directs and co-writes this low key tribute to journalist Edward R Murrow. The film takes its title from Murrow's sign off phrase and uses history to offer a strong allegory on today's media and television industry. Filmed in crisp black + white, the film deftly weaves in scenes with the ensemble cast and original footage from the time, as Murrow takes a stand against the over-zealous anti-communist witch-hunts orchestrated by Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1953-54. David Strathairn is mesmerizing as the chain-smoking Murrow, an idealistic yet wearied realist, and a great ensemble cast includes Clooney as his producer, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Daniels, Frank Langella as CBS boss, and Patricia Clarkson. (Mark)

Prime
Hilarious. It's a bit of a Mrs Robinson type movie. Female lead (Uma Thurman) is 37 year old divorcee and she ends up dating a 24 year old guy. The twist is that Uma's therapist (played by Meryl Streep) is also the mother of the 24 year old. Professional ethics and parental responsibility are both put to the test! I particularly liked that this one didn't have a sappy happy ending (sorry if that spoils it for you). (Kini)

The grid mini series
The Grid was given a bit of a short shift when it screened earlier this year on TV, taken off after low ratings, with the final episodes all screening in a row late one night. All of which would imply it was somehow second rate, which couldn't be further from the truth. A joint BBC-Fox doco-drama in the style of Syriana and 24, it tackles the rise of terrorism with nuance and intelligence. When a sarin gas attack in London fails, an alliance of American and British intelligence agents work together to track down the ringleaders. Playing out over 6 episodes, and several continents, the show focuses on the professional, as well as personal, lives of the ensemble cast (of agents as well as terrorists) led by Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott. Recommended. (Mark)

The land girls
Brilliant - girls on a farm in wartime England. Farmer hates them, his wife plays mother to them, and son ends up sleeping with two and falling in love with the third. Wonderful, funny, sad, romantic. And sorry, once again not the happy ending you expect. (Kini)

A history of violence
One UK film mag rated this as the best movie of last year. While it is David Cronenberg's most accessible movie, it falls somewhat short of all the laudatory reviews it garnered. Small town diner owner Tom (Viggo Mortensen) is just an average guy, until some thugs try to rob him and he ends up (fairly skilfully) killing them. The attention garnered from this brings a scarred villain (Ed Harris) to town, who claims to know Tom as Joey, and threatens the idyllic peace of his life with his wife (Maria Bello) and 2 children. Supposedly a multilayered examination of the affects of violence on people's relationship (sexual and familial) ultimately the film is weighed down by its own pretensions. The twist in the middle is fairy predictable and doesn't really lend the film the weight it so clearly wants (arguably it would have been a better film if the twist was the opposite of the one portrayed) so by the time the end rolls around it can't hide its Graphic Novel origins. Still worth a look in, even it doesn't live up to its press. (Mark)

Serenades
Set in Australia, two young children become friends growing up on a mission - an Aboriginal girl called Jila and Johann the son of the German pastor. Jila is taken from the mission by her father, an afghan cameleer. She is sworn to his faith and when she grows up that means an arranged marriage. When Johann shows up again, she begins to question this life that has been chosen for her. It is supposed to be a romance but actually I thought it was more about issues of identity and religion than 'romantic'. (Kini)

Kitchen stories
An uptight Swedish researcher sits on a tall stool in the corner of a grumpy Norwegian bachelor's kitchen and charts his subject's route each time he crosses the kitchen to make tea. Unsurprisingly, the two men warm to one another in the standard opposites attract/buddy movie way, but it's still damn cute. The stylish cinematography makes great use of period detail. As a parade of identical 1950s cars and caravans cross the Swedish/Norwegian border and the participants grumble about having to drive on the right-hand side of the road, and one knows the charming curmudgeons will soon experience the warmth of friendship amidst the snow. (Karen)

Point blank
This classic John Boorman directed post-noir thriller was filmed in 1967, and is based on the first novel in author Richard Stark's series about ruthless, amoral thief Parker (no first name). Renamed Walker for the movie the part is played with stone-eyed menace by Lee Marvin. Betrayed when his wife and best friend gun him down 'point blank' after a successful heist and leave him for dead, Walker survives and kills his way up the crime food chain in search of his stolen money. Walker wants what he's owed - no more and no less - but his encounters with the modern corporation like crime Syndicate create the dichotomy of styles that make the movie so distinctive, blending old style Noir with the French New Wave style. Renown for its surreal ending that could be interpreted several ways. Remade more traditionally, though quite well, with Mel Gibson as the lead character (now called Porter) as Payback in 1999. (Mark)

Lolita (Lyne) and Lolita (Kubrick)
No, Kubrick's Lolita didn't preclude the need for another adaptation. Kubrick captures much of the nervous giddy humour of the book's first half with jazzy music, slippery dialogue and wonderful visuals, but James Mason isn't a handsome or cunning Humbert and Peter Sellers as Quilty disrupts the flow with random flamboyance when he should lurk in the shadows like a devil. 1997's Lolita, directed by Adrian Lyne, skips the froth and creates disturbing and sad mood, especially with regards to Dominique Swain. However Nabokov's cleverness and humour is less obvious, and despite the great acting, Jeremy Irons as a tortured romantic Humbert lessens his deviousness. So: both worth seeing, but a tale of half-truths told in first person and written by a genius with word-play, is never going to be matched on film. (Karen)

Harvie Krumpet
A beautiful and funny claymation story about a man who endures a multitude of darkly amusing difficulties. This is the story of the life of one of the small people, with a big heart. We follow his life through Tourettes, ostracism, heartbreak, lightning strike, love, infertility, Thalidomide, Alzheimers, nudity, kindness, and the joy of the morning sun. Told in the manner of a bedtime story, it may make you laugh, cry, and hug your nearest. 2003 Academy Award winner. (Michael)

House M.D. Season one
'My name is Dr. Gregory House. I am a bored, certified diagnostician with a double specialty of infectious disease and nephrology. If you're particularly annoying, you may see me reach for a bottle of Vicodin. It's mine! You can't have any. And no, I do not have a pain management problem, I have a pain problem. But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm too stoned to tell...' welcome to the world of House. Whether continually at odds with his hospital administrator, sarcastically manipulating his best friend, or torturing his residents, as he goes about solving complex medical cases that baffle other doctors, Hugh Laurie (Blackadder, Jeeves & Wooster) is nothing short of brilliant as the toxic, pill-popping, House in this addictive medical show. The anti Gray's Anatomy. (Mark)

Mysterious skin
When he was 8 Brian came to in the crawl space under his house, bleeding, with 4 hours missing. Neil at the same age experiences the special 'friendship' of his little league coach. As the years pass Brian becomes an introverted teen who believes he was abducted by aliens, while Neil becomes a reckless young hustler who longs for the 'loving' relationship he once had. When Brian starts to remember parts of his missing time his search leads him to a boy he identifies as Neil... This faithful and frank adaptation of Scott Heim's novel won't be to everyone's taste but its multi-layered story builds to a strong emotional finale. Worth watching for the acclaimed performance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Neil. (Mark)

Mozart & the whale
Excellent, quirky, funny. Basically it's a romance between two young people who meet at an autism support group. He has a talent with numbers and she connects with music and painting. But neither is very good at connecting with people. (Kini)

The office. Season one (U.S Version)
It was never going to be as, I don't know, English as the original, but the first NBC series, shifted from Slough to Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a lot funnier and multi-layered than you'd expect. After a pilot that merely copies the original, the series takes off at a tangent, with fine performances from Rainn Wilson and Jenna Fischer in particular. Same characters, different names, same cringe. (Neil)

Boston legal. Season one
When David E Kelly's legal drama The Practice slumped in the ratings he fired all the key cast and brought in James Spader to play Alan Shore, an 'ethically challenged' lawyer. The season was such a hit that Spader and late season guest star William Shatner (as legal 'legend' Denny Crane) got their own spin-off show Boston Legal, as Shore goes to work for Shatner's firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Initially seeming another Ally McBeal, the show became something fresh and original, with Shatner's hammy interpretation of the egomaniacal Denny contrasting perfectly with Spader's deft portrayal of a cynical, charismatic, self loathing Shore - who follows his own complex moral code. Great supporting cast adds to the shows appeal, especially Candice Bergin's late season appearance as Schmidt. (Mark)

The wire. The complete second season
The previous season saw the Wire crew disbanded when they began to follow the drug money of drug king-pin Avon Barksdale upwards to the dirty politicians. But the grudge of a police major against a union head on Baltimore's struggling cargo docks sees the crew eventually re-assemble. At the same time that detective McNulty (demoted to harbour patrol) discovers a dead body linked to 13 dead Russian girls in a cargo container, and the investigations begin to merge. Some critics consider the 'virtual novel' style of the Wire rate it on par with The Godfather as epic crime story telling. Flawless characterization sees a sprawling plot that depicts political manoeuvring & crime at every level of society. (Mark)

ae fond kiss
Despite a pretty predictable storyline this is a good romance film. Casim, an Indian Muslim boy meets Roisin, an Irish catholic girl and falls in love, despite his family having made plans for him to marry his cousin. It's set in Glasgow so the language brings in some extra humour. (Kini)

The ice harvest
A fairly faithful adaptation of the neo-noir book by Scott Phillips sees John Cusack playing Charlie Arglist, a lawyer for a local mob boss (a deranged Randy Quaid). It's Christmas Eve and Charlie and his dodgy colleague Vic (Billy Bob Thornton) have stolen 2 million dollars from their boss. However their plans to leave town that night develop a few hitches in the forms of Charlie's drinking buddy Pete - now married to Charlie's ex-wife - (a great Oliver Platt), femme fatal Renata who runs a local strip club, a heavy who may be onto their scheme (and who's still dangerous even while locked in a trunk) , and an impending ice-storm. A somewhat predicable series of double crosses, bloodshed, and twists ensue but Cusack and Platt help lift the film above the average. (Mark)

Inside man
A clever bank robbery movie by Spike Lee has Denzel Washington play an NYPD cop trying to outwit a bank robber (Clive Owen) who has conceived the perfect crime.Unconventionally plotted with a great supporting cast including Christopher Plummer as the sinister bank President, and a great Jodie Foster as a trouble-shooter brought in to negotiate. Clever and multi-layered, this on stands out from the usual Hollywood thriller fare. A great watch. (Mark)

Devil's playground
This documentary follows the fortunes of a group of Amish teenagers in Indiana who are let off their leash at the age of 16 for their rite of passage, Rumspringa, during which they can experience the "English" (i.e. non-Amish) way of life before deciding whether or not to join the church. Fascinating, depressing and moving, the film also spotlights the emptiness at the core of our own lives. (Neil)

The game
Underrated David Fincher movie that sees Michael Douglas give a great performance as a rigidly controlled investment banker just turned 48, the same age that his father was when he inexplicably killed himself. For his birthday his rebellious younger brother (Sean Penn) gives him a gift certificate to a group called 'Consumer Recreation Services' who provide 'what's lacking' in their customers lives. Before he even realises the 'game' has begun, a strange serious of incidents begin to occur, gradually knocking away the underpinnings of his privileged existence. A current business deal becomes involved & he gradually begins to question the motivations of the mysterious CSR. An ordinary waitress seems to be the only person he can trust... A thinking persons thriller, that only relies on action to ratchet up the paranoia and tension that is generated when you can no longer trust reality to be 'real'. Douglas is brilliant, as is Deborah Kara Unger as the waitress. A tad farfetched at times, but worth it, especially for the great 'twist' at the end. (Mark)

Written on the wind
How many glasses of rye whisky can Robert Stack, millionaire alcoholic, drink in eighty minutes? Watch Lauren Bacall's flowing silk dress tumble down the stairs towards Rock Hudson's rock hard arms! The cinematography! The style! Those damn oil rich Hadley's destroying each other at the dinner table! Who is the father? Unrequited love! Yellow sport's cars tearing up gravel on that fateful corner! In CINEMASCOPE!' (Monty)

Broken flowers
Jim Jarmusch's minimalist approach to film making anchors this movie, & in the end whether you like it hangs on the appeal of that technique. Bill Murray plays an aging Don Juan who gets a mysterious pink letter telling him he has a 19 year old son. His mystery-novel loving neighbour (Jeffrey Wright) encourages him to investigate the possible senders, even down to arranging his travel itinerary (complete with directions, maps, & a mix CD of 'travelling music'). What follows is a kind of existential road movie of sorts. Murray's performance is great but the film really needs someone for him to play off (a la Scarlett Johansson in 'Lost in Translation') & the oblique ending may not satisfy everyone. Not the breakout film that some critics suggested, but worth a look in if you like something other than the usual mainstream Hollywood fare. (Mark)

Threads
Threads ranks as one of the most frightening docu-dramas ever made. Set in the English city of Sheffield during the "present" (1984), it covers a fictitious build-up of tension between the Soviet Union and the United States to the point where the Cold War becomes "hot" and it erupts in a nuclear holocaust. The first third of the film does not greatly concern itself with who is responsible for starting the war or the politics behind it - rather it humanises the conflict by focussing on the lives of a young married couple and their respective families. They appear almost oblivious to the growing international political tension which we glimpse through catching brief snatches of television news broadcasts and radio reports - reflecting perhaps the powerlessness of everyday people to influence such events. Threads was originally made for television by the BBC in 1984 and received a single broadcast on New Zealand television on the same day as its UK premiere. Such was its impact that by the following day the film had became the lead story on the front page of Wellington's Evening Post. Threads has aged well with excellent direction, pace and editing - only hairstyles and obsolete models of British cars give away its 1980s vintage. The makers of the film also tried to make the depiction of nuclear war and its probable aftermath as realistic as possible by employing prominent scientists (including Carl Sagan) and the UK Ministry of Defence as advisors. Though the Cold War has ended, Threads remains a chilling tale of what might have been - and what theoretically could still become a reality. (Gabor)

A love song for Bobby Long
Slow moving southern-gothic starring Scarlett Johansson & John Travolta, in which Travolta plays the title character, a wounded, booze soaked ex-English Professor, who lives with his former teaching assistant who is supposedly writing a book about him - in between all the drinking, hanging out, & quoting authors - in a ramshackle house owned by an old friend. When she dies she bequeaths a 1/3rd share of the house to her estranged high-school-dropout daughter (Johansson), and her appearance disrupts the lives of the two men, acts as a catalyst for change, and slowly reveals the secrets that lie at the heart of their relationship. Travolta hams it up as the boozy Bobby & Johansson holds her own in this weighty atmospheric tale of redemption and penance. (Mark)

Shall we dance
The main character Mr Sugiyama signs up for dance lessons thinking he will get a beautiful dance instructor. But he ends up with a more mature teacher in a group class. There are so many comic moments, crazy dance-obsessed characters and good storylines that this one is not to be missed! In fact I enjoyed it so much I ended up watching it twice. The second time I watched with a friend and he said the storylines/characters were very similar to the American (Richard Gere/ J Lo) version. But he thought the Japanese version was much funnier. I have not seen the blockbuster one myself. I will probably watch it now - but have a feeling it won't come close to this delightful little film. (Kini)

Sin city
A visual extravaganza of over the top graphic violence portrayed in a graphic comic monochrome style. The action is full-on and the gore relentless but pared back slightly by the black and white visuals and sparing use of colour to dramatic effect, so the copious blood is often white. However the story line, linked by three main male hardcore characters with hearts of gold but physically brutal, is not for the squeamish delving into child kidnap, prostitution and cannibalism. It will assault your senses and your stomach in a powerful and shocking fight between bent cops and angelic call girls. (Martin)

Munich
An adaptation of the book Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team Spielberg's Munich uses the idea of revenge to underpin a story of the effects of violence upon those who carry it out, the cyclic nature of terrorism, & ethical compromises. The Israeli government recruits Avner (Eric Bana) to lead a team of 'freelance' agents, to hunt down (and kill) the PLO terrorists responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Israeli athletes the 1972 Olympics. The 'agents' are portrayed as ordinary and fallible as opposed to 'professionals', with botched bombs, disagreements, & increasing paranoia, and the violence is bleakly realistic. Inspired by events rather than based on them, it's not quite as good as it should have been, but still offers a fascinating insight into the mindset behind the still troubled Middle East. (Mark)

One missed call
Japanese horror movie which basically updates the premise of 'The Ring' to cell phones. A Japanese girl receives a voicemail message of what sounds like her own voice screaming, and the date of the message is one day into the future. When she dies in exactly the way the message predicts, and others follow, her friend sets out to track down the source of the phone calls. Suspenseful & not as weird as other Japanese films... but still pretty weird. The ending is typically oblique. For fans of the Ring movies, Dark Water, Audition & the like. (Mark)

Secrets and lies
I thought this was one of the best Mike Leigh films. The story line is about an extremely dysfunctional family and how one particular event acts as a catalyst for enormous change. Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn and the rest of the cast give great performances. A very moving film, I thought. (Chris Q)

The cat's meow
A dramatisation by Peter Bogdanovich of one of Hollywood's most famously unsolved murders. In 1924, the incredibly powerful newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst held a lavish party aboard his yacht (with guest such as Charlie Chaplin, gossip columnist Louella Parsons & Hearst's mistress actress Marion Davies) which ended with the mysterious shooting of producer Tom Ince. No one was ever charged with a crime, and to this day lurid accounts of what actually transpired & even who was aboard differ dramatically, & The Cat's Meow recreates one of the most widely held theories as to what happened. Kirsten Dunst stands out as Hearst mistress, and comedian Eddie Izzard is surprisingly good as Chaplin. While it may be more of a 'fable' than an attempt to be entirely accurate in its depictions of the characters, it still makes for an entertaining period piece. (Mark)

Postmen in the mountains (Na shan na ren na gou)
This is an emotional and fascinating look at the growing generation gap in China. In a remote area in China postmen walk the post routes which often take a week or more then simply start again. The father character has been walking such a route his entire life in order to provide for his family. His son however simply sees a world of opportunities available in the cities. The movie is based around the father looking to pass on his job to his son, with the inevitable conflict of modern and traditional views between father and son. (Michael R)

The 40 year-old virgin
40-year-old Andy Stitzer has a cushy job at an electronics superstore and a nice apartment that includes a collection of action figures. But at 40, Andy is still a virgin. His friends think he's a bit of an oddball, but they consider it their duty to help Andy out of his dire situation and decide to go to great lengths to help him. But nothing works until he meets Trish, a 40-year-old mother of three. Andy's friends are excited by the possibility that "it" may finally happen, until they hear that Andy and Trish have begun their relationship based on a mutual no-sex policy. Full of laughs this movie will keep you giggling until the 'moon is in the seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with mars...' (Belinda)

Jeeves & Wooster
This delightful television series is worth a visit or revisit, whether for the charms of Wodehouse's language or the skill of actors Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as dopey Edwardian toff Wooster and perfect gentleman's gentleman Jeeves. One doesn't watch (or read) Jeeves & Wooster for the plots - always Wooster stumbles into an unwanted engagement, always Wooster is forced to steal an antique or policeman's hat for an overbearing young lady, and always Jeeves sets things right with a cunning plan and a correction to Wooster's mis-remembered quotations. And always Wooster plays with a yellow rubber ducky in the bathtub. If the viewer feels odd about feeling fond of a world where valets rue the declining poshness of their masters and the idiot sons of aristocrats play cricket with buns at The Drones Club, then you can return to your social realism after watching the 4 series. The first two series are particularly fine. (Karen)

For All Mankind
Directed by Al Reinert. There have been numerous documentaries about the Apollo missions to the moon. However almost all of these have concentrated on the science and technology involved in this colossal undertaking. For all mankind takes a different approach - looking at the human side of Apollo missions, often from a spiritual perspective. The only voices heard are from those astronauts who had the remarkable opportunity to walk on the surface of the moon while the digitally re-mastered footage is some of the most stunning documentary films ever shot. The accompanying music composed by Brian Eno (later released on his album Apollo : Atmospheres and Soundtracks) underscores the beauty and wonder of the astronauts experiences. (Region 1) (Gabor)

John Safran vs God
Australian Jewish atheist John Safran investigates religion, and I laugh my head off. He gets a fatwa placed on Rove, is beaten with a wooden plank by Japanese Buddhist monks, buys Mormon underwear, awards his Israeli passport to the Australian Palestinian who does the best impression of him and undoes an African curse on the Australian soccer team with a blood ritual. Often the humour is generous rather than nasty, due to Safran's warm nature, and he pontificates against his scrabble buddies and atheists alongside more sacred groups. The fascinating final exorcism is one of the most disturbing and intimate bits of television I've seen. (Karen)

Deadwood. First season & Deadwood. Second season
Season One: The town of Deadwood, South Dakota in the weeks following the Custer massacre is a lawless sinkhole of crime and corruption. Into this uncivilized outpost ride a disillusioned and bitter ex-lawman, Wild Bill Hickok, and Seth Bullock, a man hoping to find a new start for himself. Both men find themselves quickly on opposite sides of the legal and moral fence from Al Swearengen, saloon owner, hotel operator, and incipient boss of Deadwood.
Season Two: 1877. The transformation from camp to town is imminent. Unsavoury new arrivals, looking to cash in on the lucrative anarchy, and a government of outsiders usher in an era of hard decisions and brutal power struggles among the camp's founders. Seth Bullock is the new sheriff and forced to stand his ground against two conniving brothel owners: cutthroat Al Swearengen, and his chief rival, the cunning Cy Tolliver. The women of Deadwood also prove their mettle in this dangerous town of scheming misfits.
Deadwood will appeal to those who 'preciate cigarettes, whusky, an' wild, wild women'. Warning - if you don't enjoy swearing, nudity, outrageous violence, racism, sexism, prejudice or every kind or swearing (yes, there's a lot of that!) then don't watch it. However see past that, it's actually a very funny, clever, gritty series and one that will have the man in your life slapping his thighs and laughing with much merriment. (Belinda)

Remember me (Ricordati di me)
This is the story of an Italian family in turmoil. Each of the four family members believes they are destined for better things and each pull away in their own unique direction from the family itself. The story itself doesn't sound like anything especially original. The story is told so well though, that it will have your full attention all the way through. This is particularly so with the father/husbands main story line of which you will find yourself desperate to see the conclusion. (Michael R.)

Luther
This movie tells the true story of Martin Luther, a brilliant sixteenth century German monk who dared to challenge the corrupt practices of the Roman Catholic Church, in particular the selling of indulgences to pare off time spent in purgatory. Luther preached that man was saved solely by Christ's sacrifice and had no need of priestly intervention. The people supported him, resulting in the German church separating from Rome with widespread rioting, destruction of anything connected with Catholicism - churches, church decoration - and huge loss of life. Happily Luther was freed from house arrest in time to stop this carnage and oversee the establishment of the Protestant church in his country, which was the start of a Northern European trend. Joseph Fiennes gives a wonderful portrayal of Luther's extraordinary courage, his concern for the poor and underprivileged and his struggles with his own conscience. He is ably supported by Bruno Ganz, as Luther's mentor Father Johann von Staupitz, Peter Ustinov as the wily German prince Frederick the Wise, and Claire Cox as the former nun who becomes Luther's wife and mother of his six children, the nobly born Katharina von Bora. The movie is lavishly filmed in Germany, Italy and Czechoslovakia and is worth watching for its stirring portrayal of life in late medieval Europe as well as a richly emotional account of Luther's remarkable journey. (Sue)

The constant gardener
My dad and I watched The Constant Gardener last night. We both really enjoyed it and thought it was an intelligent watch. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see a movie that has intrigue, suspense and romance. However be warned, it is not light at all and another staff member who has seen it did not like it as they felt it was too much like a documentary. (Pru)

Love me if you dare (Jeux d'enfants)
Don't be put off by the title; this is a typically brilliant French comedy that is the epitome of what makes French film great. The two main characters grow up together constantly trying to outdo the other through dares. They literally never stop even once both have 'grown up' and moved and the consequences are sometimes hilarious and sometimes disastrous. A must see for any fan of French film. (Michael R.)

My architect: a man, his buildings, his secret lives: a son's journey
Last year's but still the most amazing doco I've seen for a long time. (Ellie B.)

The Idiots (Idioterne)
The members of a near-commune forsake their middle-class complacency to confront society. Led by Stoffer, they act like idiots, pretending to be spastic and performing socially unacceptable acts in public. Sometimes funny in a really idiotic way, sometimes just idiotic, this Danish film will have people squirmingly amused or completely affronted by its non-pc nature. (Belinda)

Breakdown
This surprisingly gripping B-movie thriller sees a couple (played by Kurt Russell & Kathleen Quinlan) breakdown in the desert during a cross country move to California. Luckily a passing trucker offers to give Quinlan a lift to a nearby diner, while Russell stays with the car. Becoming worried when they don't return he hikes to the diner, only to find that no one has seen his wife and things only get worse when the trucker claims to have never seen him before. Reminiscent of movies such as Duel, Dead Calm & Deliverance it never presents anything startlingly original, yet writer-director Jonathan Mostow (who later went on to direct Terminator 3) fills even the most conventional action scenes with adrenaline edge of your seats moments. Russell is outstanding as your bewildered 'everyman' who finds himself trapped in a surreal nightmare, and the great J.T Walsh (in one of his last roles) is perfect as the devious redneck truck driver. (Mark)

Baghban
A love story straight out of Mills and Boon (Delhi edition)... With singing! And dancing! A married couple approaching the retirement of the husband, deeply and delightfully in love, are faced with the prospect of placing themselves in the care of their four sons for whom they have sacrificed and dedicated their lives. This does not go as expected, as the sons (and their respective wives/girlfriends) are not so thrilled by the "imposition". However, love triumphs as it should, in all the ways it should. Hooray! This story takes us on a journey of the heart, to the places of discovery wherein true affection, friendship, and love are found. It could also be considered a bit of a caricature, offering rather a light-hearted and rose-tinted view of romance and of human character, with pretty simplistic personal motivations. You could see this one as a bit of a laugh or a bit of a weep, however you are inclined to view things. Just don't expect in-depth spiritual or philosophical analysis - it is after all a Bollywood romantic comedy. (Michael)

The end of suburbia : oil depletion and the collapse of the American dream
This 78 minute documentary explores the idea of the American Dream since World War II, and the massive explosion in suburban sprawl which in turn has been a large part of the countries complete dependence on oil. The End of Suburbia explores what will happen to the American way of life once oil depletion beings. Added to this thought provoking documentary are the views and opinions of James Howard Kunstler, writer of the humorous, yet deadly serious book 'The Road to Nowhere', which foretells the end of Suburban life as we know it. Also included are two vintage short films, 'In the Suburbs', and 'Destination Earth'. If the message presented here for viewers is too hard, then the amazing footage of American Consumerism from the 50s onwards will amuse and astound. (Linda)

Monsieur Batignole
Summer 1942, Paris is under German occupation. A butcher partly responsible for a Jewish family's deportation, hides Jewish children and helps them to safety. A heart warming story of courage under fire. (Belinda)

Heathers
It's great to see this film out on DVD. Although it seems a bit dated with its 80s fashions particularly - note the extended use of scrunchies! - the black humour of the story still holds up well. A great bonus is the dvd's retrospective doco which includes most of the original cast, director and writer - and the original ending. (Fiona)

North & south
The BBC does it again! Classic adaptation of this (mostly) grim novel of the Industrial Revolution, set in the Lancashire cotton mills. Thoroughly convincing re-creation of the period. Sinead Cusack (of the great Irish acting family) gives us the perfect doting dragon/mother, and almost conquers the Lancashire accent. It's in two 2-hour discs, so is easily digestible in a week. (Chris F)

The Woodsman
I didn't know the theme of this movie as I had not seen any reviews. Not sure I would have picked it up if I had. It follows the release of a child molester from prison. He has an apartment within metres of a school playground and he begins to watch and diary the events taking place. At work he tries to keep a low profile so his secret won't be discovered. When he meets Vickie she sees the real Walter and accepts him for who he is. It's a great character piece - the viewer is both repulsed by Walter but feels sorry for him at the same time. Kevin Bacon really gave a stunning performance in this role. (Kini)

Wicker park
Had never heard of this one! Only picked it up because it starred Josh Harnett. It was a bit of a surprise find. The film throws you a little off guard as you start at the end (as you do with so many films these days) but then the director gives you little pieces of the background story at a time. It was actually quite a clever little film with a few twists that kept me guessing. It was a bit predictable towards the end once all the pieces fitted together, but certainly worth watching. (Kini)

Best in show
2 DVDs I've seen recently that I thought were really funny are Best in show, about the participants and their dogs in an American dog show, and by the same director - Christopher Guest - and equally funny The mighty wind about the reunion of a 60's folk trio. His films usually have pretty much the same cast in them and I think they are highly talented comic actors. (Chris Q)

Vera Drake
I really enjoyed Vera Drake, an excellent character film with an exceptional & powerful performance by Imelda Staunton. Quite an unassuming and delightful little women. The other characters in the film had a certain fifties innocence and naivety about them that was quite refreshing. (Kini)

The thorn birds
I have just sat on my day off and watched all four discs of The Thorn Birds, a collection of 465 minutes viewing on reversible discs and I have to admit that I did enjoy it. It has been many years since I saw it (it came out in 1983) and I remembered little or even none of it. Made me realise how much I have always a) disliked Barbara Stanwyck and b) liked Richard Chamberlain. Good story with strong characters. (Jacqui)

Spanish prisoner
Somewhat impenetrable yet thoroughly entertaining this complex thriller written and directed by David Mamet takes its name from an old fashioned con-game. Joe Ross (Campbell Scott) is a naive good guy who invents the 'process', a mathematical formula that when applied to a business context will make his company (or any other) a staggering amount of money. On a trip to a Caribbean island to present the 'process', he meets Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) a smooth businessman. Back on the mainland he begins to suspect his company will not reward him fairly for his new invention, and turns to his new friend for help. But this is just the beginning in a series of convoluted twists and turns which leave Scott unsure just who he can trust, if anyone. Scott is good as the 'boy-scout' inventor, but it's Martin who steals the movie playing against type, as the mysterious Jimmy Dell. Mamet's usual top notch supporting cast weighs in with great performances, especially Rebecca Pidgeon as Joe's new assistant. (Mark)

The fall and rise of Reginald Perrin. The complete series 1
Ever wanted to tell the punters what you REALLY think, sabotage the boss' fishing tournament, or fake your own suicide and attend your memorial service as someone else? I didn't get to where I am today by not watching The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, the complete series on DVD. Marvel at how little society has changed since the Seventies, cringe at replicas of your work colleagues and their catch phrases, and ponder the actualisation of the prophecy of GrotTM. Prepare yourself for a mid-life crisis as you sympathise with Reggie and his increasingly odd behaviour! Observe the crushing bureaucracy of working life as it was then and IS now, and beware that creeping feeling of dissatisfaction that accompanies this legendary, cutting series! Pack a suitcase full of new clothes, false teeth and moustaches... it's Great, it's Super, it's The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin! (Anna H.)

House of sand and fog
I really enjoyed the DVD of The house of sand and fog. Ben Kingsley's performance was unforgettable, particularly when his son is dying. I think this movie is a reminder not to let possessions get too much of a hold over you, certainly not to the point of your life being destroyed. Also maybe don't watch this movie if you are feeling a bit down. (Chris Q.)

Soft fruit
It may seem like an overdone story: Mother is dying, the dysfunctional family gathers, love and personal strength triumphs. So what make this movie any different? For a start, the earthy Australian setting resonates well, and the characters are recognisable. Everyone's pain is visible, without being unbearable to watch. It includes the father trapped in anger, the lost son, unhappy and insecure sisters, and their loving mother, all staggering towards acceptance and exposing their soul's beauty in the process, with plenty of smiles along the way. This is a genuine story of redemption. It is funny, gritty, slightly mad, and 100% real. Recommended accessories: a bottle of wine, a fire, and maybe a small pack of tissues. (Michael)

Red eye
Horror director Wes Craven takes to the skies in this tightly constructed b-thriller that packs a fair amount of tension into just 80 minutes. Resourceful heroine (Rachel McAdams) is a hotel concierge whose flight home to Miami takes a turn for the worse when her friendly seating companion (Cillian Murphy) turns out to be holding her father as an unwitting hostage, in return for her using her position to alter the itinerary of a Homeland Security official so he can be assassinated. A seemingly limited premise sees Craven extracting all the tension he can from the cramped physical confines of the plane. Some of the tension leaks out when things reach the ground and a simple chase/run sequences ensue, but good characterisation & strong performances from both leads (especially Murphy as the delightfully menacing villain) raise the movie above the usual fare. (Mark)

The constant gardener
An engrossing dramatic/thriller based on the novel of the same name by John Le Carre. Justin Quayle, (Ralph Fiennes) works for the British High Commission in Nairobi. He is also a passionate gardener. His wife, human rights activist Tessa Quayle (Rachel Weisz) is found brutally murdered and while Justin seeks to uncover the truth, he discovers conspiracy and corporate greed which has taken the lives of innocent victims. Along the way Justin also learns a lot about the love they had for each other. The film is predominately set in Kenya and includes beautiful scenes of the landscape as well as busy street scenes of Nairobi. (Julie)

The Apu trilogy
This box set features the three titles that make the Apu triology by the famous Indian director Satyajit Ray. They are Pather Panchali, Aparajito and the World of Apu and are based on the novels of Bibhutibushan Banerjee. All in Bengali with English subtitles, they relate the story of Apu, his growing up in a poor rural village, to his study in the city and eventually marriage to a family of his own. This is an amazing work of cinematography, epic in proportion. The Apu trilogy is a visual beautiful film and at times very sad and moving, but also really uplifting and life affirming. Also include are extracts from the BBC Omnibus The Cinema of Satyajit Ray, Production notes by Satyajit Ray's biographer Andrew Robinson and a documentary "The world of Apu master class". A truly inspirational film. (Linda)

Swimming with sharks
A thoroughly nasty movie about getting ahead in Hollywood. Frank Whaley plays Guy, a new film school graduate who lands a job as assistant to notorious Hollywood executive Buddy Ackerman (Kevin Spacey) and soon finds that Buddy is the boss from hell, prone to egomaniacal tantrums, verbal tirades and the hurling of coffee cups & paperweights. When 'satisfying' Buddy starts to include his new girlfriend (Michelle Forbes) Guy snaps & violently turns the tables. What happens next is the'heart' of this ironically savage black comedy. Spacey clearly relished the role of the caustic Buddy, hurling abuse & hissy fits at every opportunity, yet when the tables turn he is able to present Buddy in a sympathetic light that humanises his actions. The shocking ending is a truly vicious piece of satire on the death of idealism the price of ambition. (Mark)

Ong Bak
This 2003 Muay Thai martial arts movie exhibits the best and worst of the genre. Best are the exhilarating chase scenes that considerately answer your yelps of "did I just see what I think I saw?" with instant action replays. Also, the Muay Thai moves are refreshingly physical compared to now overly-familiar elegant wire work. The worst: poor acting, redundant story (a stolen sacred Buddha statue, blah blah), often nasty violence, and a pathetic squeaking female character (her voice is pure nails-on-a-chalkboard). Nonetheless, Ong Bak shows that the Thai film industry has great promise, and if you're bored of the martial arts genre, this movie might be different enough. (Karen)

Two-lane blacktop
An existential road movie about alienation, disconnection & longing, 'Two Lane Blacktop' features singers James Taylor (as The Driver) and Beach Boy Dennis Wilson (as The Mechanic). Emotionally closed off, the characters live to race, talk about racing, practice racing, or work on their 55 Chevy; their flattened affect barely rising when they pick up - and compete for the affections of - a sexy hitchhiker (The Girl) or are challenged by an obnoxious driver (The G.T.O) to race to Washington for 'pinks' (car ownership papers). Weird yet strangely fascinating, non-actors Taylor & Wilson give off detached druggy performances that are perfectly suited to the film's abstract tone, an endless pursuit of something that can never be found. Supposedly the inspiration for the Bruce Springsteen epic 'Racing in the Streets'. (Mark)

Oldboy
OK, last things first, don't see this if a movie about the transgression of societal mores will "freak you right out". Apart from that (and even I felt distinctly uncomfortable at times) this is one rootin'-tootin'-shootin' rollercoaster-ride of a revenge flick, plenty of laughs, lots of violence (mental and physical), and a convoluted end game that even a Bond supervillan would be proud of (but more sick'n'twisted). A bit disjointed in places in the 2nd half, but - guess what - it's based on a Graphic Novel (a Comic for you heathens) and that's often par for the course in the change of format. (Karl)

The Getaway
Jim Thompson threatened to sue over this adaptation of his novel, stars Steve McQueen and the married Ali MacGraw were sleeping together after either the first day or the first week on the set, co star Al Lettieri (brother of a New York Mafioso) was incensed that all his best scenes were mysteriously cut, and when director Sam Peckinpah saw McQueen version of the film (McQueen's contract gave him final cut) he urinated on the TV screen screaming 'This is not my movie!' Welcome to "The Getaway": McQueen plays a bank robber whose wife, MacGraw, cosies up to a local politician to get him released. The catch? He has to split the share of his next bank job with the corrupt Sheriff. What follows is a succession of double crosses as McQueen pulls off a smooth bank robbery; it's just getting away that's the problem. Despite its turbulent making this is a classic 70s caper/chase movie full of classic iconic scenes, some of which were completely improvised, and shows why McQueen is regarded as the 'King of Cool'. (Mark)

Little Britain. The complete second series
Second series of the British television comedy, featuring old characters such as Vicky Pollard, Emily Howard, Dafydd Thomas and Sebastian Love, plus new characters such as Bubbles de Vere, Carol Beer and Judy and Maggie. Series two is even funnier than the first - it's a complete crack-up! (Belinda)

Crash
An uptight Brentwood housewife and her opportunistic DA husband, a Persian convenience store owner, his daughter & the gun they buy to protect his shop, a black police detective & his Latina partner investigating the shooting of a black cop by another (white) cop, an African-American television director and his light skinned wife, a Hispanic locksmith and his scared daughter, two race-riffing car-jackers, & a rookie cop and his racist partner all feature in this surprise Best Picture Oscar winner. Writer/Director Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby) merges the lives of all these characters in a mosaic of interlocking segments similar to such works as Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts'. The result is a challenging and rare movie that overtly examines 'race' against the situations & emotions in which these people meet and interact. A great ensemble cast features Don Cheedle, Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Terrence Howard, Thandie Newton, Brendan Fraser, Ryan Phillipe as well as many lesser known actors. A must see. (Mark)

Alias. The complete first season
Before he created Lost, J.J Abrams conceived this genre bending series. A female fronted family drama played out under the guise of a "Spy" series with elements of 'Mission Impossible' & 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Jennifer Garner plays Sidney Bristow who works for SD-6, a secret division of the CIA. When she decides to finally tell her fiancee the truth about her life he is killed and she discovers SD6 is really not a CIA organization after all. Deciding to become a double agent she is shocked to find her estranged father is also a double agent for the CIA, working against SD-6. Each episode stands alone, but an over-arching plot involving collecting the artifacts of Milo Rambaldi (a Da Vinci like genius), flows through the first season - and continues through the 2nd, 3rd & 4th seasons as well. Pieces hidden within his paintings and works can be assembled into a 'device'... just no one knows what its purpose is exactly. Clues are gradually revealed as Sid tries to hide what she does from her friends (they think she works for a bank) re-connect with her father (Victor Garber) trust her new CIA contact (Michael Vaughn) and outwit her SD-6 boss (Ron Riffkin). A hugely entertaining and original series, its centre is held by Garner whose strong acting portrays the action orientated missions and the emotional underpinnings of the character with equal skill, which is now coming to the end of its 5 season run. (Mark)

Glengarry Glen Ross
The first rule of selling real estate? A.B.C - Always Be Closing. If a bunch of grown men shouting at each other for an hour and a half is your idea of good viewing, then this is the movie for you. A cast of acting heavyweights including Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, Jack Lemon & Alan Arkin portray competitive real estate salesmen in this adaptation of David Mamet's Pulitzer prize-winning play. Things are not going well at Premiere Properties & the salesmen have been told that any agent who fails to meet his quota will lose his job. Those who 'close' will get the brand new sales 'leads' for the new property 'Glengarry Glen Ross', but then the new 'leads' go missing... Outstanding acting prevails in this dialogue heavy movie, often regarded as a critique of 'Reaganism'. You can feel the desperation to 'sell', especially in the performance of Lemon. Worth watching just for Alec Baldwin (in the movie for less than 10 minutes) as a 'motivator' sent form head office who delivers a 'pep' talk that has to be heard to be believed - a scene that became so infamous it was spoofed on 'The Simpsons'. (Mark)

The boondock saints
On the street of Boston, someone's doing the city a big favour and bumping off the mafia. Locals call the killers "angels" and the police consider them heroes. The hit men, well, they believe they're on a mission from God. And with that kind of backing, these guys think they are unstoppable. Brilliant characters, funny, original and clever - I liked it a lot! (Belinda)

Be cool
Based on the novel by Elmore Leonard, this is the story of a gangster-turned-music mogul, Chili Palmer. With an eye on advancing his new career, Chili romances the sultry widow of a recently murdered music executive and poaches a hot young singer from a rival manager. Soon Chili discovers how dangerous the music industry can be. This is absolutely hilarious! From "you ain't woman enough to take my man" country video by the Rock to 'homey' Vince Vaughan's hip hop tripping, every scene has a giggle in it somewhere. Be sure to watch the special features. (Belinda)

Serenity
It's not perfect, but if you were fond of the TV series, you'll need to see Serenity. And watch all the extras. The movie follows easily digestible SF/action movie conventions, so it is also accessible to non-Firefly followers. The large, compelling cast is badly serviced by the movie format - forced to concentrate on a few individuals (captain Mal, traumatised genius River), the movie is cruelly cursory in its treatment of others. Nonetheless, Serenity confirms that the characters (with their humour and sometimes warm, sometimes bristling interactions) are better developed than most of their big screen counterparts, and that its sci-fi/Western vision of the future had potential for years of more episodes. Plus, the explosions are bigger than Firefly and Whedon gives us another interesting female warrior. (Karen)

The Woodsman
Kevin Bacon in an amazingly nuanced performance plays a convict recently released from prison. He gets an apartment opposite a school playground, a job at a lumber factory, and begins a tentative relationship with a colleague, none of which seems unusual - except that Bacon's character, Walter, is a paedophile. Desperate not to re-offend, shunned by all his family except his brother-in-law, Walter lives in fear of discovery by his co-workers. Focusing on the present the movie offers little of Walter's past, except therapy sessions that imply rather than explain. Bacon's performance is a career best as he portrays Walter's every action with a self-loathing awareness of his 'disease'. Such difficult subject matter makes this a hard film to 'enjoy' and ones response vacillates from feeling sympathy to repulsion, for the character. The scene in a park where Bacon tries to entice a little girl to sit in his lap is genuinely gruelling, but its 'resolution' is in many ways even worse. A strong supporting cast includes Benjamin Bratt as Walter's brother-in-law, Kyra Sedgwick (Bacon's wife) as the colleague who enters into a relationship with him - even after she becomes aware of his past - & Mos Def as a cop who 'watches' over Walter. (Mark)

Sideways
I loved it for the storyline that dealt so well with the relationship between the two main actors - two people with very different personalities. I also loved the 'wine talk' and learnt quite a bit about it. (Chris Q)

Avalon
In a future world, young people are increasingly becoming addicted to an illegal (and potentially deadly) battle simulation game called Avalon. When Ash, a star player, hears of rumours that a more advanced level of the game exists somewhere, she gives up her loner ways and joins a gang of explorers. Even if she finds the gateway to the next level, will she ever be able to come back to reality? Had really cool special FX. (Belinda)

Hell on wheels: the tour of heroes
You don't need to be the slightest bit interested in cycling to find this documentary exhilarating. Hell on wheels follows the 2003 Tour de France, focusing on the Team Telekom, particularly the warm relationship between Erik Zabel and Rolf Aldag, plus adorable physio Eule. With speed, danger, crashes, aching bodies with peculiarly developed muscles, gorgeous French scenery, pumping music and mad Tour followers, the film is fascinating except when its rush is broken up by historic interludes with an odd historian. (Karen)

Doctor Who 2005
Who'd have thought it'd be good. Christopher Eccleston nimbly contrasts child-like enthusiasm and sadness (he's the last of his kind) to distinguish himself from previous Doctors; Billie Piper strikes a crowd-pleasing balance between a sparky heroine and confused human. There are historical episodes (the Blitz, Dickens & Victorian zombies), the future (including the end of Earth), and a few too many episodes in the present. Some of the humour is juvenile (with farting alien Slitheens), a few longer story-arcs would have allowed more depth, and there's a mis-judged romance, but still, it's good enough for those of us raised on Tom Baker. (Karen)

Pieces of April
Don't judge it by the cover. Very real. A bit edgy but although it has funny bits I wouldn't call it a comedy. Best flick we've seen in a while. (Pru)

The gleaners and I
This highly recommended documentary by French New Wave director Agnes Varda, who was born in 1928, explores the legal, age old French custom of gleaning. That is taking another's rubbish and finding a use for it, or particularly in France, gathering fruit and vegetables left after harvesting, by machine or manual labour. Varda travels the country, talking to many people from very different socio-economic groups, that all practise gleaning, from necessity to obsession. This documentary shows a very different view of France, the countryside and its people, than the tourist aspects we have come to expect. Also included is a special sixty minute follow up feature by Agnes Varda, The Gleaners and I: two years later. This is a very interesting different documentary. (Linda)

Kiss kiss, Bang bang
Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) is a small time petty thief who literally stumbles into a Hollywood audition for a big budget Private Eye movie. Digging his 'authenticity', the producers fly him out to L.A for a screen test and foist him on consultant Perry Van Shrike (Val Kilmer) a gay private eye who goes by the nickname 'Gay Perry'. At a party in L.A he meets high school crush Harmony Faith Lane (Michelle Monaghan) and together they drag Kilmer into a convoluted mystery involving Perry's latest case, a murdered girl, a rich ex-B Movie actor & Harmony's little sister, all the while inspired by their childhood hero Johnny Gossamer, a 50s paperback Private Eye. Written & directed by Shane Black who was one of the highest paid (& youngest) screenwriters in the late 80s & early 90s with films such as Lethal Weapon & 'The Last Boy Scout'. Burning out, after the commercial failure of 'The Long Kiss Goodnight', Black spent most of the next 10 years as a semi-recluse before making this critically acclaimed comeback. Black delights in turning the tables on all the Hollywood 'buddy-movie' conventions that he helped create, sending up Hollywood while paying homage to the pulp fiction novels he was inspired by growing up. Stylish credits and chapter titles, outrageous scenes, and great chemistry between Kilmer & Downey make this one of the most original movies of 2005.

Spooks
A great suspense thriller. Realistic. (Alistair)

Hotel Rwanda
A film that everyone has to see. Based on one man's personal mission to save as many people as he could from massacre by checking them into the luxury hotel where he worked. It's a film that makes you think - there's just enough to evoke some 'westerner' guilt without losing a great plot and storyline. (Kini)

Bad Santa
Exceptionally good use of the F word which appealed to my warped sense of humour, and as a person who hates Christmas, it is also excellent to watch in the 'season'! (Kini)

Grizzly Man
I just can't get this film out of my craw. Timothy Treadwell, self-appointed 'guardian' of the native Grizzly Bears of Alaska, is finally devoured, along with his girlfriend, by his 'friends' the bears after 13 summers of co-habitation. The tale is fascinating in itself, but Herzog combines interviews and Treadwell's original footage with his own, chilling commentary to paint a haunting portrait of the extreme 'otherness' of the natural world. An interesting thematic companion to that other great animal movie of 2005 - King Kong. (Thomas)

Garden State
Romantic, introspective and so beautifully shot. (Jenni)

Steamboy
An amazing action filled Victorian Steampunk sci-fi adventure. (Jenni)

Bride & prejudice
Colourful. (Chris)

We also liked:

The Edukators
What can I say, it was just good & original. (Chris)
Downfall (Jason)
The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse (Neil)
Station Agent (Julie)
The motorcycle diaries (Kerry)
Batman Begins (Kate)
The World's Fastest Indian (Ellie H.)
Goodnight and Good Luck (Ellie B)
Turtles can fly (Kylie)
Broken flowers (Neil)

Murder One. Season one
TV shows with story lines that take place over an entire season seem commonplace these days, but when the little seen Murder One debuted in 1995 this was a wholly original concept - a murder trial playing out in 23 chapters. Created by Steven Bocho (NYPD Blue, LA Law) the show tells the story of prominent defence attorney Ted Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) who takes on the high-profile case of Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick), a bad-boy actor accused of strangling his 15-year-old girlfriend. As Hoffman and his savvy associates pursue the truth, it becomes obvious that shady billionaire Richard Cross (Stanley Tucci) is manipulating the case, confounding Hoffman and the LAPD investigator (Dylan Baker). Hugely influential on later shows such as 24, but also hugely entertaining with plenty of twists & great performances from everyone (especially Benzali), stellar writing and top notch production. Years ahead of its time. (Mark)

The machinist
Actor Christian Bale shed an alarming 63 pounds to play the title character of this movie, a lathe operator who has not slept in over a year. As the effects of insomnia ravage his appearance, the mental state of Bale's character begins to disintegrate into confusion and paranoia. Cryptic notes start to appear on his fridge and a gruesome 'accident' at work, involving a colleague that it seems only he can see, lead him to believe he is the victim of a conspiracy. Is there really a conspiracy? Has lack of sleep finally driven him insane? Or is the truth something else entirely? The tension and paranoia build slowly, reminiscent of Hitchcock's Vertigo, and make for one of the creepiest & most psychologically complex movies ever made. Unlike other recent psychological thrillers that end with a 'clever' twist, the surprising ending resonates in a way few films do, and adds to what's come before as opposed to just it explaining it. (Mark)

A great day in Harlem
In August 1958 photographer Art Kane coordinated a group photograph of all the top jazz musicians in NYC for a piece in Esquire magazine. 57 musicians representing 3 generations of jazz history gathered for the photo shoot which took place in front of a brownstone near the 125th Street station. The documentary, narrated by Quincy Jones, includes interviews with many of the musicians in the photograph who look back on the events of that day, and shows film footage taken by Milt Hinton and his wife. The photo finally appeared in the January 1959 issue of Esquire. An additional short feature on Dizzy Gillespie, 'The Spitball Story' also by Jean Bach, is icing on the cake. (Chris F)

The Salton Sea
Val Kilmer stars in this underrated noir thriller set in the world of speed freaks ('tweekers'). He plays Danny, a low-life meth freak who, unknown to his friends, is also an informant for a sleazy cop (Anthony LaPaglia) & his partner. When a Chinese cowboy offers him some serious money to set up a drug deal with a demented nose-less speed dealer called Pooh Bear (a brilliantly freaky Vincent D'Onofrio) the two cops decide to get in on the action. But Danny is not exactly who he seems to be. An edgy, intriguing thriller, brilliantly edited & shot, it reveals a complicated story in a unique way, as Danny's real motivation becomes apparent building to a shocking ending in the desert. (Mark)

PlayTime
Jacques Tati's comedic masterpiece... that bankrupted him. Well what do you expect when you build a whole city (Tativille, with all the buildings on wheels!), with airports, office high rises, and motorways, to film an international French movie in 70mm, that has no subtitles, but fantastic sound. Not that you need to understand what's said, as it's mostly half-heard snippets of dialogue (quite a bit in English) which are obvious in context. Playtime is probably one of the 'busiest' movies visually that I've ever seen, something is going on in every corner of the screen, with little dramas being played out throughout the film. In fact there is always something new to discover in repeated viewings. Rating: 4 Parapluies. (Karl)

The Thirteenth Floor
Unfortunately released at the same time as The Matrix, this film lacked the big stars, hype & action sequences of that movie, but in many ways is as good, if not better. Based on an obscure 1950's Sci-fi novel (previously filmed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder as World on a Wire) the story has Craig Bierko as Douglas Hall a computer software expert who, along with his partner, has developed a computer-generated virtual world (based on 1937 Los Angeles) that they are able to 'download' into, and take control of the 'Units' that live in it. However when his partner is murdered, leaving Hall a cryptic message on his phone, and his partners mysterious daughter (Gretchen Mol) arrives and begins to shut down the project, he begins to believe clues to his partners death are somewhere inside the virtual world. But what he discovers is far more than he imagined... A great overlooked movie, a kind of 'thinking man's' Matrix for fans of films like Gattaca & Cypher. (Mark)

Tin men
Tin Men is a classically delightful comedy. Set in 1963 Baltimore, a time long before the fears of global warming or oil depletion caused any thought. Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito Richard play two, less than honest aluminium siding salesmen obsessed with their status symbol the American Cadillac. After a minor accident damages their beloved vehicles, an all out, no holds barred war develops. The one up-man-ship vendetta causes havoc with their work, their relationships, their sense of reality and, worse of all, their beloved Cadillacs. Supporting cast includes Barbara Hersey and John Mahoney (better known as 'Marty Crane' from TV's Frasier). A great soundtrack is dominated by the best of The Fine Young Cannibals (who also appear as the band in the local dancehall where the sales guys hang out). Also included is a short documentary on the fake stone-cladding that crept all over Baltimore's buildings in the 1960s. This is a real enjoyable, very funny movie (Linda)

The Wire
The best TV show you've never heard of is HBO's 'The Wire'. Created by crime reporter David Simon (author of the book 'Homicide: A year on the killing streets' that inspired the TV show of the same name) & Ed Burns a ex-Baltimore cop, this 13 episode show is as fascinating as it is addictive. After a mid level drug dealer is cleared in a murder case maverick Detective Jimmy McNulty (a star turn by Dominic West) tries to get a task force set up to bring down drug kingpin Avon Barksdale, who controls a south Baltimore housing project. Richly layered, gritty & authentic, the shows split perspective chronicles the operation of the drug dealers - with their logical but ruthless code - and the ambiguity of the police bureaucracy as the case becomes more and more complex. The show depicts a moral gray zone that seems so real at times it feels like a documentary. Finely drawn characters, amazing writing, and a great ensemble cast make this the greatest piece of crime-television since the first season of The Sopranos. (Mark)

The League of Gentlemen, Season one
This unique British comedy series features murderous incestuous shop owners Tubbs and Edwards, the toad loving Dentons, a disastrously inept vet, Pauline the unemployment restart officer from hell and dozens of other wonderful characters, mainly played by the same three men. The make-up, costumes and body suits are marvellously done, and it took me several episodes to figure out who was playing which characters. The League's stage show won the Edinburgh Festival's prestigious Perrier Award, and then moved to radio and television, and the years of character development show with the depth behind the comic portrayals. The addicted viewer eventually falls in love with the most gruesome and cruel characters, and the movie buff and horror fan will delight in the clever references. (Karen)

Bad Santa
NOT one to take home for the kids at Xmas... Baaad Santa. Now this was everything I expected it to be, with a little bit of well placed schmaltz to undermine the relentless low-brow-slapstick-unPC-Santablasphemy of it all. Not that the 'awwww-how-sweet' lasts longer than the blink of a eye, and of course gets ripped to shreds the next second, but it does let the audience take a breath as we see Santa plunge yet again back into the merde. Rating - Three and a half Elves. (Karl T.)

Spartan
When a neighbouring state would plead for military aid, Leonidas, King of Sparta, would send one man... Writer/Director David Mamet's new movie is an immediate genre classic. Val Kilmer plays a Special Ops leader brought in when it appears the President's daughter is missing has been abducted. Her kidnapping leads to a ring of human traffickers, but then her body is found drowned at sea along with one of her college professors. Is she really dead, or has she been sent down the 'pipeline'? Kilmer's new partner raises some unanswered questions & Kilmer's character - a 'do-er' rather than a planner - is forced to become the Spartan of the title. An adult thriller that dares to be convoluted and intelligent, while making a statement on political expediency. A great supporting cast includes William H Macy & Ed O'Neil. (Mark)

Moog: a documentary film
For all of its 70 minutes, this documentary is a delight, mostly because its subject - Bob Moog, inventor of the Moog Synthesiser - is a compelling person to watch on screen. He died very recently, in August 2005, and it is fortunate that filmmaker Hans Fjellestad has allowed Moog to tell his own story in this film, because it affords us a glimpse into a warm, wonderful mind. Rather than a dry, excitable history of the synthesiser, we are treated to intimate sequences where Moog shows us around his organic vegetable patch or plays the theremin beside a flowing upstate river. The musicians featured in the documentary (Money Mark, DJ Spooky, Keith Emerson among others) just seem like... well, musicians. But Moog, white-haired, bespectacled, softly-spoken and nostalgic, reminds us that true genius is not a performance, nor an affectation. (Thomas)

Firefly. The complete series
A 'space-western', equal parts John Ford, The Magnificent Seven & George Lucas; Firefly is set in the year 2517 and takes its name from the Firefly-class spaceship which the central characters call home. After the loss of the war the outlying planets resemble the 19th-century American West, with little government. Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds buys the ship 'Serenity' to scrape together a way of life for himself and his crew by making cargo runs and performing other tasks, legal or otherwise, while avoiding the 'Alliance' that now controls all the colonized planets. A weird sounding premise, the show was cancelled by Fox after only 11 episodes had been aired (in the wrong order) but is actually a great show, full of fully realised characters, deadpan humour, spaceships, western-style gun fights, and the odd poignant moment here and there. Recommended. The success of the DVD box set in the U.S resurrected Firefly as a big screen movie ('Serenity'), showing in N.Z this year. (Mark)

Soft Fruit
This is the debut movie of director New Zealand born Christina Andreef, who also wrote the script. Soft fruit is a darker feel good movie set in a small town in Australia and tells the story of four very different siblings returning home to nurse their dying mother Patsy. It is the first time in 15 years they have all been together. To the father Vic whose eccentric behaviour, has obviously been inherited by his children, this amounts to home invasion. The three sisters and brother all bring their own emotional baggage on the visit of which they attempt to cope, with little understanding from Vic, to ensure their mother's last days are happy and memorable for all of them. Memorable they will be. This funny, warm movie is accompanied by a great sound track, which includes music from OMC and Nick Cave. The DVD also includes three short films made by Chistina Andreef. (Linda)

Bubba Ho-tep
Elvis (Bruce Campbell) didn't really die. Instead he swapped places with a renowned Elvis impersonator and now lives out his Twilight years in an East Texas rest home, contemplating whether he could get Priscilla back and - if he could - whether he could still get one up. When residents at the home start dying mysteriously, Elvis & his friend 'Jack' (Ossie Davis), an elderly black man who believes he is J.F.K, find the cause of the trouble is an Egyptian Mummy preying on the souls of the elderly. So donning Rhinestone suits & Zimmer frames they decide it's time to 'take care of business'. Campbell gives a brilliant performance as an aged Elvis. Never playing it for cheap laughs, his moments of reflection on the loss of dignity and self, the emptiness of celebrity culture, & life's unfulfilled expectations are oddly poignant. This hilarious B-movie is part comedy, part schlock horror, part Elvis lives! - but all classic. (Mark)

The greatest jazz films ever
The title of this 2 DVD set is self-explanatory, it really is a collection of historic films which many jazz fans will have heard of even if they've never seen them before. Spanning the two decades from the early 40s to the 60s, just some of the legendary performers are Lester Young in 'Jamming the blues', Miles Davis with Gil Evans in 'The sound of Miles Davis' and Charlie Parker with Dizzy Gillespie (check out the evil look Bird gives the square white TV presenter when he introduces Dizzy as 'Diz' before their performance of 'Hot House'). The set also includes the complete 1957 'Sound of jazz' which bought Lester Young and Billie Holiday together for one last time. Just expect to envy anyone who had the chance to see these legends when they were alive, unlike the sad state of jazz today. (Rob)

Mr. and Mrs. Iyer
Mr and Mrs Iyer tells the story of a bus journey from one end of India to Calcutta, while also exploring a number of issues. Meenakshi Iyer, a Tamil, and her son are returning to Calcutta to be re-united with her husband. Most of the occupants of the bus are Hindu except for an elderly Muslim couple and a Bengali photographer, also Muslim. Mrs Iyer asks the photographer to help with her unsettled child and they chat along the way. The bus is then hi-jacked by some rioters and Mrs Iyer saves the life of her companion by calling him her husband. Throughout the rest of the journey she increasingly becomes dependent and intrigued with the photographer. The movie is beautifully acted and includes spectacular scenery of India. (Julie)

Laura
Darryl F Zanuck, founder of 20th Century Fox once declared that Gene Tierney was 'unquestionably the most beautiful woman in movie history', and 'Laura' more than shows why. Dana Andrews plays a tough Homicide Detective who falls in love with the portrait of career girl/murder victim Laura Hunt (Tierney). But when Laura suddenly returns alive, he has to figure out who the dead girl is, who shot her, and more importantly, if Laura was the intended victim. Full of great lines Otto Preminger directs this stylish murder/mystery with a great supporting cast that includes Clifton Webb as an acid-tongued journalist who was Laura's mentor, & Vincent Price as her vacuously charming playboy boyfriend. The DVD also comes with two biographies; one on the tragic life of actress Tierney, and the other on the career of Vincent Price as one of cinemas most versatile villains. (Mark)

Beauty and the beast (Belle et la bete)
The inter-species romantic fairytale is even odder in Jean Cocteau's hands. In the 1945 movie's most famous scene, Beauty runs in dream-like slow-motion, deep into the Beast's castle past watching statues and human armed candle holders. Jean Marais's feline Beast is more attractive and compelling than the insipid prince he turns into, as Cocteau intended. If you want really odd, watch it with Philip Glass's score, handily included on this typically wonderful Criterion edition. (Karen)