Oct 18, 2004 The Bird People in China by Takashi Miike (Review) Even with its flaws, The Bird People in China is downright heart-tugging compared to Miike’s usual fare.
Oct 18, 2004 One Nite in Mongkok by Derek Yee (Review) As strange as this may sound, it’s been a long time since I was so overjoyed and thrilled to have seen a film as dark and troubling as this one.
Oct 17, 2004 Shaun of the Dead by Edgar Wright (Review) It’s almost subversive at the same time, the way it blends such solid characters with plenty of gore and some wicked humor.
Sep 28, 2004 Napoleon Dynamite and Nostalgia Trips I think the reason I reacted so strongly to the movie is that it was very nostalgic for me.
Sep 21, 2004 The World by Jia Zhang-Ke (Review) As the film continues, it gradually becomes a treatise on the all-too common topic these days of modern alienation.
Sep 21, 2004 The Ninth Day by Volker Schlöndorff (Review) ‘The Ninth Day’ is a thoroughly engaging and thought-provoking thriller from start to finish.
Sep 21, 2004 Kontroll by Nimród Antal (Review) The film never lives up its vast potential but consistently underperforms right through the lackluster ending.
Sep 21, 2004 Schizo by Gulshat Omarova (Review) Although the film has several double crosses and twist or two, it’s the furthest thing from a crime thriller that you could find.
Sep 21, 2004 Niceland by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (Review) Niceland is not a bad movie, but it fails simply because it doesn’t seem to trust the audience at all.
Sep 18, 2004 House of Flying Daggers by Zhang Yimou (Review) House of Flying Daggers has moments of brilliance that are simply unmatched.
Sep 18, 2004 Symmetry by Konrad Niewolski (Review) A Polish prison film that raises interesting questions about the law and morality in general.
Sep 18, 2004 The Overture by Ittisoontorn Vichailak (Review) Of all of the films I saw at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, The Overture was easily the most sentimental and honest.
Sep 18, 2004 Automne by Ra’up Mcgee (Review) Like the classic French crime thrillers, Automne exudes coolness and atmosphere.
Sep 18, 2004 Undertow by David Gordon Green (Review) Undertow should serve only to further cement David Gordon Green’s reputation as a young filmmaker.
Sep 18, 2004 Throw Down by Johnnie To (Review) Put mildly, I found this film a complete waste of time.
Sep 18, 2004 I Heart Huckabees by David O. Russell (Review) A smart script and some amazing acting keep this quirky philosophical movie running at a good pace.
Sep 18, 2004 The Machinist by Brad Anderson (Review) An intriguing premise is pretty much squandered on a finale that’s derivative and underwhelming.
Sep 18, 2004 After the Day Before by Attila Janisch (Review) A haunting and ominous treatise on memory, space, death, and sin.
Sep 18, 2004 Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence by Mamoru Oshii (Review) No doubt about it, Innocence is a very impressive work, but I’m lefting wanting even more.
Sep 13, 2004 Last Life in the Universe by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Review) The film moves with such quiet grace and sublimity that I found myself completely arrested throughout.