Le Plaisir

Max Ophuls adapts 3 stories from Maupassant. The first one is amazing, with a graciously moving camera and a theme that is more than current, all are very good.

Inland Empire

Despite the cheapo digital camera used by Lynch, the film looks absolutly beautiful, in a dark and muddy way. As usual the soundtrack and lightening are awesome. The whole thing is very dark, and mysterious, violent and shocking, even scary at times. it's a bit long though and Lynch could do with someone like Barry Gifford to help him makes things tighter. Laura Dern is superb, in now a long line of woman tormented by men, Hollywood or the media. Beautiful.

24 Hour Party People

I have been far more affected by the passing away of Anthony H Wilson than by the recent death of Bergman and Antonioni. Factory and the whole Manchester scene obviously meant far more to me, with lots of found memories.

Crisis

The first film directed by Ingmar Bergman, under the supervision of Victor Sjostrom, is quite charming if very predictable, since it's obvious the young innocent girl from the village will be perverted by the big city and come back home.

Volver

I am now much more fond of Almodovar, again with a very moving story, kind of surnatural at times, very colourful, some times funny and sometimes sad, with great actresses, including Penolope Cruz.

Maniac

Legendary for its shocking status as one of the video nasties banned in Britain in the early 80s, and still banned i believe. NYC at its sleaziest, a pretty bad film though, especially the last 20 minutes are really dumb, very violent and a bt twisted, no that scary, good bloody effect from Savini.

Zodiac

Savides and Fincher create a wonderfully looking looking film and receate the late 60's and 70's in SF, the score is great, lots of good actors, the story is ok, and fairly classic serial killer one, so not groundbreaking on that front.

Overlord

A fairly unique film that is fictional but relies heavily on archive footage from the Imperial War Museum, the rest is wonderfuly shot by John Alcott. Fairly abstract and meditative.

La cage au folles

As an homage to Michel Serrault, in his most famous role, but far from being his best film, some funy bits and good decor and costume, but not that funny.