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 Angel Alita” series, this film works as both an origin story…
Coming of Age Films
Australian and New Zealand Films, North American Films
Red Rover: a sparing character study of human behaviour in extreme situations
Brooke Goldfinch, “Red Rover” (2015) In less than 15 minutes, “Red Rover” explores very minimally in a character-driven study the reactions of individuals and a community…
My Salinger Year: a small-scaled film that never leaves its comfort zone
Philippe Falardeau, “My Salinger Year” (2020) A film about finding your own voice and creative outlet, and being able to express that creativity, “My Salinger Year”…
Two & Two: a study of how an individual dedicated to the truth can live in a police state society
Babak Anvari, “Two & Two ” (2011) Notable for its minimal grey and dreary setting which throws all the audience’s attention onto the dialogue, the plot…
Tokyo Story: a study of social and economic change in Japan during the 1950s
Yasujiro Ozu, “Tokyo Story / Tokyo monogatari” (1953) Under the precise and careful direction of Yasujiro Ozu, this family soap opera becomes a character study of…
Italian and Italian-language Films
Bad Tales: voyeuristic survey of dysfunctional families in alienation
Damiano and Fabio d’Innocenzo, “Bad Tales / Favolacce” (2020) A survey of three families living in a dull suburban estate on the outskirts of Rome, “Bad…
Italian and Italian-language Films
The Goddess of Fortune: how the passage of time and random events change people and relationships
Ferzan Özpetek, “The Goddess of Fortune / La Dea Fortuna” (2019) On the surface, this very visually stunning and colourful film appears to be a heart-warming…
Latin American Films (Spanish language), North American Films
La Carnada: one boy’s road to Hell paved with love and concern in a spider web of exploitation
Josh Soskin, “La Carnada” (2014) In a poverty-stricken town in Mexico not far from the border with the United States, 13-year-old Manny (Angel Soto Jr) is…
Australian and New Zealand Films
The Silver Brumby: a subdued and unexciting film of human greed and obsession
John Tatoulis, “The Silver Brumby” (1993) Notable mainly for featuring a very young Russell Crowe near the beginning of his acting career, this film is framed…
Awakenings: a spooky Gothic retelling of the classic Henry James story
Bhargav Saikia, “Awakenings” (2015) Inspired by and closely based on Henry James’ famous novella “The Turn of the Screw”, this short film is conventional in its…