Reviews by James Benefield

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  Don't Look Now (1973)

  Review preview for Don't Look Now

  All of this visual and intellectual discourse is tied together with two excellent central performances.

  A couple who have lost their child go to Venice to recover, but the husband is haunted by visions of a small figure in a red coat.
• 
  Viva (2007)

  Review preview for Viva

  The film’s playful innocence seems somewhat cold and calculated.

  A frustrated housewife decides to explore her wild side in this sexploitation spoof.
• 
  The Stressful Adventures Of Boxhead And Roundhead - Brothers In Arms (2008)

  Review preview for The Stressful Adventures Of Boxhead And Roundhead - Brothers In Arms

  Although it’s unique and the animation style interesting and effective in conveying its subject matter, there doesn’t seem to be quite enough substance to sustain the running time.

  The peace and quiet of B and R is shattered by the advent of war.
• 
  Without You (2008)

  Review preview for Without You

  It has no plot, dialogue or characters, yet is completely entrancing for its entire duration.

  Exploration of London's industrial suburbia.
• 
  The Black Dog's Progress (2008)

  Review preview for The Black Dog's Progress

  It’s a big ask for the audience, and I think it is something that depends upon personal taste as to whether or not the experiment works.

  Flip books tell the disturbing story of the black dog.
• 
  Lucky Old Bag (2009)

  Review preview for Lucky Old Bag

  A fairly straightforward piece, imbued with many quirky touches.

  A penny proves a lucky charm for a woman down on her luck.
• 
  Salem Al Fakir - Astronaut (2008)

  Review preview for Salem Al Fakir - Astronaut

  Adds up to an almost magical experience.

  Kubrick-inspired animated pop video.
• 
  Guest In The House (1944)

  Review preview for Guest In The House

  Although it attempts film noir status, Guest In The House is ultimately only a partly successful melodrama, which is as watchable as it is due to the excellent performances.

  An unhinged house guest spells trouble for a psychiatrist and his family.
• 
  Fear In The Night (1947)

  Review preview for Fear In The Night

  A surprisingly rich, inventive film noir in many ways.

  A man dreams of murder and wakes to the suspicion it may have been a reality.
• 
  Funuke: Show Some Love You Losers! (2007)

  Review preview for Funuke: Show Some Love You Losers!

  The opening sequence is both grisly and weirdly humorous, creating an ambivalence which haunts the rest of the film.

  A struggling actress finds herself embroiled in family conflict after her parents' death.
• 
  The Boy Who Plays On The Buddhas Of Bamiyan (2004)

  Review preview for The Boy Who Plays On The Buddhas Of Bamiyan

  Alien subjects do require human angles to connect with viewers, and this film manages it well.

  An optimistic documentary following a refugee family who live in a cave besides the ruins of the giant Buddha statues blown up by the Taliban.
• 
  Cabal In Kabul (2006)

  Review preview for Cabal In Kabul

  It’s hard to tell whether the subjects’ playful bickering is either toned down or accentuated for our sake.

  A documentary about life in Afghanistan.
• 
  Warlords (2007)

  Review preview for Warlords

  Although far too narratively dense to become the international crossover hit this is nevertheless a fairly engaging, visually sumptuous film.

  Nineteenth century battle epic about blood brothers who find their bond is tested.
• 
  Dead Poets Society (1989)

  Review preview for Dead Poets Society

  Sentimental and broad but well made and enjoyable.

  An inspirational teacher transforms the lives of boys at a strict private school.
• 
  Bitter Moon (1992)

  Review preview for Bitter Moon

  An enjoyably salacious, seedy experience.

  An Englishman gets more than he bargained for when an American on his cruise ship offers to tell him the story of his relationship with a beautiful but dangerous woman.
• 
  Mary Poppins (1964)

  Review preview for Mary Poppins

  There are great debates about what the best children’s film of all time is, but Mary Poppins surely has to be a strong contender.

  The dull lives of a banker's family are filled with magic by a rather unusual nanny.
• 
  Urbania (2000)

  Review preview for Urbania

  Takes a while to settle down into a comfortable, consistent tone, however, it's wonderfully unpredictable.

  A lost soul wanders the streets of New York looking for a mysterious stranger.
• 
  Sea Of Love (1989)

  Review preview for Sea Of Love

  What the film does well is to provide an air of sheer unpredictability.

  A detective hunting a serial killer pursues a suspect by dating her, but finds himself falling in love.
• 
  The Fifth Commandment (2008)

  Review preview for The Fifth Commandment

  Yune’s not just wooden, he’s a charisma vacuum.

  An assassin-for-hire finds his latest job cuts close to home.
• 
  Modern Times (1936)

  Review preview for Modern Times

  Contains some of the little tramp’s most iconic movie moments.

  A factory worker struggles to come to terms with a rapidly changing world in this silent comedy classic.
• 
  Trailer Park Of Terror (2008)

  Review preview for Trailer Park Of Terror

  The decent cast, the unusual soundtrack and the imaginatively sadistic set pieces are all good value for money.

  A bus load of high school kids stumble upon a trailer park full of blood-thirsty zombies.
• 
  Australia (2008)

  Review preview for Australia

  Australia undercuts its cinematic insecurities with heart, soul and imagination.

  Sprawling epic sees English toff and drover bond over cattle and kids.