The Virgin Spring: a profound and moving work on vengeance, justice and the remoteness of religion
Ingmar Bergman, “The Virgin Spring / Jungfrukällan” (1960) Perhaps not so celebrated as “The Seventh
Tag: Horror
Ex_Machina: style is part of the substance in a low-budget SF film that tackles complex issues
Alex Garland, “Ex_Machina” (2015) At first glance, Alex Garland’s directorial debut flim “Ex Machina” looks
Invocation of My Demon Brother: not an essential film to see for Kenneth Anger fans
Kenneth Anger, “Invocation of My Demon Brother” (1969) If like me, you’ve already seen a
Scorpio Rising: an amazing concoction of film collages, music and themes
Kenneth Anger, “Scorpio Rising” (1964) One of the most amazing concoctions of film collages and
Troll Hunter: comedy horror flick works in popular Norwegian stereotypes and fears of a police state
André Øvredal, “Troll Hunter / Trolljegeren” (2010) Inspired perhaps by the example of “The Blair
Funny Games (English language version): an ultimately empty and boring remake that misses the point of violence in American films
Michael Haneke, “Funny Games (English language version)” (2007) Austrian director Michael Haneke originally had wanted
Australian and New Zealand Films
The Plumber: quirky character study commenting on the gulf between social classes and the sexes
Peter Weir, “The Plumber” (1979) Originally made for television, this low-budget film combines the psychological
Oldboy: arthouse film trappings cannot disguise a flimsy plot, flat characters and an empty message
Chanwook Park, “Oldboy” (2003) When I saw this film the first time over a decade
Australian and New Zealand Films
The Cars that Ate Paris: oddball comedy horror satire on society and technological fetishism
Peter Weir, “The Cars that Ate Paris” (1974) Acclaimed Australian director Peter Weir’s directorial full-length
The Manchurian Candidate: a layered and intense film on the abuse of power
John Frankenheimer, “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962) At some point during the Korean War in 1952,