Catfish: a film with a surprising and humbling twist
Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost, “Catfish” (2010) Call it a fake documentary, call it a
Dororo: a fun escapist samurai-fusion film let down by cheap effects
Akihiko Shiota, “Dororo” (2006) Based on the original manga by Astroboy creator, Osamu Tezuka, “Dororo”
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
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
Pusher: highly recommended viewing about small-time heroin dealer
Nicolas Winding Refn, “Pusher” (1996) Just managed to catch this film last night after seeing
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:
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
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
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
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