German and German-language Films
Oh Boy: a young man without purpose and focus comes to accept responsibility and care for the world
Jan Ole Gerster, “Oh Boy” (2012) Debut film for German director Jan Ole Gerster, “Oh
Author: nausika
The Promise: a slurpy romantic melodrama overshadows significant historic events
Terry George, “The Promise” (2016) A film about the Ottoman Turkish genocide of Armenians and
The Mummy (directed by Alex Kurtzman): action thriller / horror film with no horror, few thrills and silly action
Alex Kurtzman, “The Mummy” (2017) Somewhere in this hokey action blockbuster film is a story
Masquerade: a historical drama inspired by a bizarre episode in a Korean king’s reign becomes an inquiry into good government and social class
Choo Chang-min “Gwanghae: Wang-i Doen Namja / Masquerade” (2012) Korean actor Lee Byung-hun may be better
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Neruda: an exploration of how stories are created and shaped by those who exercise political power
Pablo Larraín, “Neruda” (2016) Very loosely based on an episode in Chilean poet-politician Pablo Neruda’s
Australian and New Zealand Films
David Bowie Iconic: an unedifying trio of interviews with rock star legend
?, “David Bowie Iconic” (2016) From the packaging, I thought this DVD was supposed to
Australian and New Zealand Films
Tudawali: biopic of Australia’s first Aboriginal film star, torn between two worlds and their values
Stephen Jodrell, “Tudawali” (1988) Made as a TV movie, “Tudawali” shines a light on the
Topkapi: an uneven and slight heist film possessed of zest, colour and joy
Jules Dassin, “Topkapi” (1964) His heist film “Rififi” proved to be such a classic that
Dark Horse: a bleak and surreal comedy satire on dysfunctional middle class suburban families
Todd Solondz, “Dark Horse” (2011) A bleak comedy expressing despair over the human condition, “Dark
Mash-up of all previous Alien franchise flicks delivers an uneven story in “Alien: Covenant”
Ridley Scott, “Alien: Covenant” (2017) British director Ridley Scott must have taken all the criticisms