With painterly mise-en-scène and the subtlest of CG effects to aid the camera's fluid movements... Taxidermia always compels us to stare wide-eyed at the screen in awe as much as disgust.
Three generations of grotesque goings on in Hungary.
Song is superb in the central role, taking his character through an emotional arc that would be a challenge for any actor, but never less than convincing.
A taxi driver burdened by debt agrees to take a journalist to a city under quarantine, without really understanding what he's getting into.
It’s a wonderfully subversive act...but on its own merits (which I’m sure is how Panahi would want it to be judged) it seemed to me overlong, repetitive and self-indulgent.
An Iranian director forbidden to make movies works as a taxi driver, and installs hidden cameras in his cab…
An angry powder-keg of a film, exploding the reactionary myth that under certain circumstances torture can be acceptable, serviceable or even necessary.
An unflinching look at the Bush administration's policy on torture.
Hrebejk and Jarchovsý deftly employ humour as a way of mocking and undercutting their anti-heroine while preventing their overall point about power and corruption from becoming preachy.
A teacher creates a climate of fear in the classroom.
A great film in every way, never smug, somehow managing to juggle comedy and political purpose without one becoming more important than the other.
A disillusioned actor joins a team of five specially selected all-American heroes aiming to thwart evil terrorists in Parker and Stone's attempt to make a Jerry Bruckheimer movie using puppets.
While everything looks fabulous and the narrative - based on the novel by Angeles Mastretta - is engaging to a point, there's a sense that we're only getting part of the story.
Passionate melodrama set against the backdrop of post-Revolution Mexco.
The comedy is generally broad but by extension travels well, breezily utilising stereotypes (fiery Spaniards versus hesitant Brits) that audiences are readily familiar with.
After an Englishman moves to Madrid, only to be jilted by his girlfriend, he find he has to learn to live and love the Spanish way.
An enjoyable slice of nearly-noir, the Teckman Mystery is close to being a fossil-record technothriller.
A biographer researching a book on a pilot who died during the test flight of a new plane falls in love with the pilot's sister. As he uncovers more about the test flight, people connected with the case begin to die.
This is a crisp and well made thriller. It confidently moves the story with its universal themes of secrecy and the abuse of power to France, and grips all the way through.
Years after the event, a man still haunted by the apparent murder of his wife starts to receive mysterious instructions.
Saeed Taji Farouky and Michael McEvoy's bleak snapshot of life in the Afghan National Army comes as a sharp reminder of the impact of 'unfinished' conflict on local populations for whom an 'exit strategy' is not an option.
Follows two soldiers from the Afghan National Army over the course of their first year fighting without NATO support.
A truly rare opportunity to take a very personal journey into the life of one of Hollywood’s greats.
Acclaimed cinematographer Haskell Wexler is the subject of his son Mark’s documentary focussing on their complex relationship and his father’s illustrious career.
Changing the main character's sex from a man to a woman is the most obvious and radical idea Taymor brings to the table, and it succeeds in deepening several of the piece's key relationships.
Usurped by her brother, Prospera lives in exile with her daughter and faces a power struggle against the monstrous Caliban.
The use of abstract visuals, however, not only forces us to focus more intently on what is being said in the section about Miriam but also encourages us to become attuned to the 'everyday' life we are seeing.
A road trip reveals the stories of two women facing up to the methods used by powerful cartels to control individuals, while state authorities turn a blind eye.
Overall, though Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles certainly isn’t terrible, its biggest problem is that it will always lie in the shadow of Cameron’s unrelenting vision.
TV series follows Sarah in her quest to save her son from the terminators.
This is a gruelling experience that forces the audience to look at events in today's 'liberated' world and consider the cost for those directly involved.
Three American friends returning from a trip are arrested at customs and taken to a strange backwoods camp where they suddenly realise their lives are on the line.
Schroeder balances the film with a considerable amount of material from other sources. From ex-girlfriends to surviving members of the Khmer Rouge, they all have interesting contributions to make.
Documentary about a lawyer who defended some of the 20th Century's most notorious figures.
There’s no doubt that Nevern captures the constant sense of danger, mixed with moments of anarchic exhilaration, that make up the world of people like Terry – the editing is frenetic and the soundtrack suitably pumped-up.
A film student follows a small-time criminal for a college project.
Tsukamoto's preoccupations with meta(l)morphosis, body horror and unchecked masculinity remain firmly in place, as does the writer/director's way with outrageous images and ideas.
