Aliens (dir. James Cameron): overstretched plot meets redeemed heroine in Vietnam War fable
James Cameron, “Aliens” (1986) Sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, this is a very different movie:
The Host (dir. Bong Joonho): political and social commentary combine with strong characters in monster flick
Bong Joonho, “The Host” (2006) Often billed as a horror film, “The Host” actually has
Buddha Collapsed out of Shame: charming child actors carry a bleak and pessimistic message
Hana Makhmalbaf, “Buddha Collapsed out of Shame” (2007) Charming and delightful with two small child
Not “Frenzied” enough: a re-run of familiar ideas for Hitchcock but no more
Alfred Hitchcock, “Frenzy” (1972) Coming at the tail-end of the UK film director’s illustrious career,
Alien (dir. Ridley Scott): unique sci-fi/horror film with much to say about human society
Ridley Scott, “Alien” (1979) In the wake of news that Ridley Scott has started work
Brazilian Films | Portuguese-language Films
Elite Squad: powerful and thought-provoking study of police corruption and violence
Jose Padilha, “Elite Squad” (2007) An examination of corruption and brutality in a special forces
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
The Motorcycle Diaries: road trip through South America is a hard slog
Walter Salles, “The Motorcycle Diaries” (2004) A film about two guys in their 20s riding on
French and French-language Films | West African Films
Johnny Mad Dog: clear anti-war message let down by generic portrayal of film’s events
Jean-Stephane Sauvaire, “Johnny Mad Dog” (2008) A film of child soldiers set in an African
Inside Job: hard-hitting documentary about 2007/08 Global Financial Crisis
Charles Ferguson, “Inside Job” (2010) For many people, this incisive documentary on the immediate origins
True Grit (dir. Joel and Ethan Coen): revenge film plays straight and narrow with problematic heroine
Joel and Ethan Coen, “True Grit” (2010) Adapted from the 1968 novel of the same
