The Kinematograph: a familiar and bittersweet story done better by others
Tomek Baginski, “The Kinematograph” (2009) Here is a bittersweet story of a lone inventor labouring to produce the first moving picture with sound and colour only…
nausika
The Wolf of Wall Street: a film of empty and numbing spectacle and comedy sketch
Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) Adapted from the 2007 memoir by the former convicted stockbroker swindler and current motivational speaker Jordan R Belfort,…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Zero: not quite reaching the levels of infinity in ambition and scope
Christopher Kezelos, “Zero” (2011) A heart-warming little short that could have been a lot more than it was with a bigger budget and more ambition, “Zero”…
Inside Llewyn Davis: a tricksy film that does no justice to the early 1960s American folk music scene
Ethan and Joel Coen, “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013) Inspired by and based loosely on the life of Dave van Ronk, “Inside Llewyn Davis” follows a week…
Tolerantia: a plea for religious tolerance and diplomacy over war
Ivan Ramadan, “Tolerantia” (2008) An animated 3D short made in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2008, “Tolerantia” is a plea for religious tolerance. Set at the end of the…
Middle Eastern Films, Russian and Soviet Films
The Syrian Diary: a valuable historical document giving an alternate viewpoint on the Syrian civil war
“The Syrian Diary” (Rossiya 24, 2013) Made for Russian television, this documentary follows Rossiya 24 reporter Anastasia Popova and a Syrian army unit she is attached…
North American Films, Northern European Films
Dancer in the Dark: a manipulative film with a conservative and disheartening message
Lars von Trier, “Dancer in the Dark” (2000) Lars von Trier’s one attempt at making a tractor musical is the third and final installment in a…
Floating Weeds: a graceful work of compassion for human frailties
Yasujiro Ozu, “Floating Weeds” (1959) In the hands of a lesser director, the soap opera plot of this film would have become sensationalist drama, soon to…
Review of Films I’ve seen in 2013
Dear Readers, Another year has passed, it’s time for another summary of what I consider to be the best films I’ve seen at the cinema, on…
Philomena: a gentle film gingerly side-stepping the exploitation of young women and their children for profit
Stephen Frears, “Philomena” (2013) A gentle film about an elderly woman searching for the son she was coerced into putting up for adoption half a century…