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 on “Prometheus”, the movie prologue to “Alien”, it’s timely to revisit…
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 unit of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro state in…
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 a motorcycle through South America in the 1950s should have been…
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 country experiencing a long and protracted civil war, “Johnny Mad Dog”…
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 of the 2007 – 08 Global Financial Crisis will prove a…
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 name by Charles Portis, “True Grit” can be read as both…
Niloofar: moving story examines ideals of honour, tradition and predestination
Sabine el Gemayel, “Niloofar” (2008) That familiar maxim “Less is more” applies as much to making movies as it does in composing music and creating other…
The Draughtman’s Contract: perhaps too multi-layered but enjoyable all the same
Peter Greenaway, “The Draughtsman’s Contract” (1982) British director Peter Greenaway’s first full-length feature film is a lovely feast for the eyes and ears, and the…
The Shooting Party: stodgy, genteel film detailing decay of British nobility
Alan Bridges, “The Shooting Party” (1985) Mainly notable for being the last movie to feature James Mason before his death in 1984, this film about a group of…
Orlando: lavish and lovely lightweight film with nothing to say
Sally Potter, “Orlando” (1992) Based on British writer Virginia Woolfe’s novel “Orlando: a Biography”, this film by Sally Potter is a flimsy work that fails to…