Noi the Albino: film about a teenager needing a purpose and anchor in life … like a proper film
Dagur Kari, “Noi the Albino” (2003) This is a curious film where little happens and then all of a sudden, something happens and bang … THE…
nausika
13 Beloved: clever comedy horror movie with surprisingly deep ideas
Chukiat Sakveerakul, “13 Beloved” aka “13: Game of Death” (2006) Your name is Phuchit and you labour rather unenthusiastically as a sales rep in a company…
Pusher: highly recommended viewing about small-time heroin dealer
Nicolas Winding Refn, “Pusher” (1996) Just managed to catch this film last night after seeing a video copy for loan in a video rent shop earlier in…
Chinese and Chinese-language Films
Ye Yan aka Legend of the Black Scorpion aka The Banquet: Chinese adaptation of “Hamlet” is Much Ado About Nothing
Feng Xiaogang, “Ye Yan” aka “Legend of the Black Scorpion” aka “The Banquet” (2006) Source: www.chinese-embassy.org.uk An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s famous revenge play “Hamlet”, this…
Love and Other Crimes: romantic comedy deals with love and change in a society caught between Communism and corporatism
Stefan Arsenijevic, “Love and other Crimes” (2008) For a romantic comedy, this film sure looks bleak with a bleary run-down urban setting of endless grey residential…
German and German-language Films
Metropolis (directed by Fritz Lang): trite plot and mawkish ending let down an impressive and stylish film
Fritz Lang, “Metropolis” (1927) Picture source: www.tobatheinfilmicwaters.com The version of “Metropolis” I saw recently is the restored and digitally remastered one done under the supervision of…
Citizen Kane: interesting film but it privileges style over substance
Orson Welles, “Citizen Kane” (1941) Notwithstanding its tag as America’s greatest film or the world’s greatest film – usually bestowed by American film critics, of course!…
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance: disturbing film about vengeance and how it distorts humanity in a warped society
Park Chanwook, “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance” (2005) “… Lady Vengeance” is the third of South Korean director Park Chanwook’s revenge-themed movie trilogy that began with “Sympathy…
Citizen Dog: comedy with one-dimensional heroes and disappointing plot
Wisit Sasanatieng, “Citizen Dog” (2004) Living in Australia with its huge Hollywood fixation, even though Hollywood’s output of films has declined a lot since the Global…
To Catch A Thief: there’s fluff and then there’s fluff, Hitchcock-style
Alfred Hitchcock, “To Catch A Thief” (1955) A clever light-hearted comedy crime caper set in southern France, this was one of Grace Kelly’s last films before…