The Collector: a moving story of outsiders in a post-apocalyptic police state dystopia
Ihsanul Huq, “The Collector” (2021) A very moving story thanks to its lead actor Frank
Chinese and Chinese-language Films
Land Reform in the Philippines: a detailed history lesson on the failure of land reform and its effect on a nation’s development
“Land Reform in the Philippines” (Asianometry, 17 October 2022) For most of its existence as
Australian and New Zealand Films
Mongrel: minimally styled film posing the question of what makes a human or a monster
Nik Kacevski, “Mongrel” (2021) A very minimalist little film, featuring just two actors, “Mongrel” poses
Thelma & Louise: a tale of freedom and independence found and misused with devastating consequences
Ridley Scott, “Thelma & Louise” (1991) Two best friends – one a waitress whose musician
In Captivity: freedom versus slave comfort and security in a future dystopian hell
Michael Koerbel, “In Captivity” (2011) Superficially in the style of a “Truman Show” situation comedy,
Together Forever: maudlin romance tragedy becomes a tale of murderous greed and a revenge vendetta
Rebecca C Scott, “Together Forever” (2022) A well-made film, driven almost entirely by its characters’
The Rebellious Colony of Mali: an introduction into the geopolitics of western Africa
Carlton Meyer, “The Rebellious Colony of Mali” (Tales of the American Empire, 14 October 2022)
An appealing heroine stuck in an unoriginal plot in “Alita: Battle Angel”
Robert Rodriguez, “Alita: Battle Angel” (2019) Based on Japanese manga artist Yukito Kishiro’s cyberpunk “Battle
Laboratory Conditions: tight little mystery film with an unexpected horror twist
Jocelyn Stamat, “Laboratory Conditions” (2017) A very tight little film with an unexpected twist, “Laboratory
Batman Begins: lengthy superhero origin film juggling psychology study and action
Christopher Nolan, “Batman Begins” (2005) I admit that getting to watch this film in its