Reviews

Xala is set during Senegal's first days of independence from France, and is about a government official (Leye) who's using some dirty money to marry a third wife. When he attempts to consummate his new marriage to a beautiful-young woman, he finds himself unable to perform. His impotence is known locally as the 'Xala' curse. What ensues is an expertly crafted criticism and skewering of the Senegalese government and bourgeoisie as Leye goes to great lengths to find a cure. Told with comedic wit, Xala is a technically proficient film written by the director and based on his 1973 novel of the same name. The freeze-frame and graphic match from the finale is simply unforgettable. You can really feel the sweltering African heat in every frame. S

Tony, written by the director and based on his 2005 short film, is a great example of the disease that "lets the bad guys win", which is plaguing independent films nowadays. In this vain attempt to be edgy, the film follows around socially-inept Tony as he encounters nothing but hostility and gives back nihlistic hate and misdirected retribution. His encounters are far too convenient, although, one would expect someone like Tony to focus solely on moments like these. Tied with the filmmakers' apparent laziness in thinking-through the central character, the film shows an incredibly unrealistic approach to victim struggles. On a similar note, the film claims to be "social realism" yet there is not a shred of human truth in any facet of this film. Furthermore, Tony is peppered with far too many red herrings, which throw the viewer around; leading us in one giant loop of illogic. Shameless-ly (pun on Exec. Producer Paul Abbott intended) exploitative, it provides no answers to so many questions that should have been passing thoughts on the road to a more crafted story. What ever happened to the bad guy going up in a ball of White Heat(1949) making us feel at least a shred of sympathy for them? S

A series of scenic shots of a dilapidated rural community: Karl Childers awkwardly walks, turns and stares directly into the camera; capturing the viewer into his world. Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed and starred in this intense character study of an anti-hero Karl Childers, a slightly mentally-handicapped man just released from the "nervous hospital" after killing his mother and her lover many years beforehand. Thornton creates such a captivating and well-crafted character, urging the viewer to really get inside his head. Thornton's performance is elevated by the sheer brilliance in every single shot: from the blocking, to the long takes and right down to the well-paced editing. J.T. Walsh bookends the film with two disturbing monologues. This is the definition of a great narrative and a director who knows exactly what he is doing. Sling Blade is the mighty seed needed to nourish any film lover's eyes, heart and mind. S

I Stand Alone contains one of the biggest emotional releases I have ever experienced from a film, followed by the infuriating sensation of being stabbed in the back immediately after this cathartic release. Never before have I felt so many shockingly complex thoughts and emotions being brought to the screen as vividly as director Noé has done here. I Stand Alone, or "One Against All", is the sequel to the director's short film Carne(1991), which is wonderfully summarized at the beginning with a photographic montage and break-neck narration. Here, The Butcher (Philippe Nanon) has been released from jail and attempts to start a new life with his mistress. She has promised him a new butcher's shop in the small suburb where they move to, but soon finds out that she has lied to him. Thusly, he decides to go back to Paris and reconnect with his daughter. Noé spares none of the encyclopedia of film technique which he so obviously holds and creates a film of immense intelligence that deserves to be viewed and discussed. The Butcher's haunting voice over carries the film and viewer into the mind of a deeply troubled Frenchman, punctuated with well executed outbursts of violence. Philippe Nanon reprises this role at the beginning of Noé's follow up film, Irreversible(2002). This is a film that will violate the viewer and their beliefs, a film that is seldom made and seldom matched. We truly need more films like this, which force the viewer to confront and refine their beliefs. "WARNING: You have 30 seconds to leave the screening of this film." S

From Alex Winter of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, comes this hilarious romp chocked full of amazing and creative uses of special effects. This cult favourite follows the story of vain actor Ricky Coogan (Winter) who accepts a promotional job for a company that produces a controversial fertilizer called "Zygrot 24". In order to investigate the chemical's effects, Ricky travels to South America, only to find himself on a mutant-freak farm run by Randy Quaid. Freaked is teeming with off-the-wall performances, zany effects and original jokes. Look out for the great animation in the opening credits, Keanu Reeves as Ortiz the Dawg Boy, and a subtle tip-of-the-hat to Naked Lunch. S

This film only warrants to be used as toilet paper during The Day After (1983) (TV). From the real killings of a turtle to that of a spider monkey, this film is about an NYU professor who goes to South America to salvage the film recordings and find the crew who were sent to investigate a cannibalistic tribe. Soon he returns to New York to view the tapes with his peers. They discover the crew's heinous intent in South America - which seems to be bent on destruction and violence along with the poor portrayal of the native tribes. Filled with offensive and graphic scenes such as rape, murder and the killing of numerous live animals, the story speaks on a very shallow level about violence in the media. The footage from the crew is filmed in a very gritty cinema verité documentary style, somewhat convincing the viewer that what they are seeing is in fact real. Although this is somewhat intriguing, the film fails to produce anything but a ultra-violent pseudo-snuff film which makes you want to get into a Delorean, kick in up to 88 and drive into a brick wall. This review is a warning: DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM! Not even for those with a strong stomach. The crew's footage will most likely shock and disgust you, and not in a good way. No wonder the director spent some time in jail due to this - above all else - loathesome piece of celluloid. S

Cronenberg wrote and directed this movie after his turbulent divorce and child-custody battle with his ex-wife. The plot follows Dr. Hal Raglan (Reed) who is investigating Psychoplasmics, an experimental form of therapy which tries to unlock patient's deep-rooted problems, and using it to treat Hindle's wife (Eggar). But once some eerie murders take place Hindle sets out to investigate Cronenbreg's psychological puzzle. From The Baron of Blood's early career comes one of his most intense films, highlighted with outstanding performances and gut-wrenching cuts. The Brood is filled with subtle imagery and religious connotation as well as Cronenberg's trademark shocking effects. Submit yourself to the terror. Submit yourself to Cronenberg. S

A man (Williams) living in Alaska who is in serious debt issues tries to solve his money problems. His plan is to pass off a frozen corpse he has recently found as his long lost brother, in order to collect his large life insurance policy. It seemed like such a Simple Plan(1998), but two bubbling soon-to-be gangsters and an eager insurance adjuster have different things to say. This quirky low-key movie is definitely worth while, even just to catch Holly Hunter as Williams' Tourette's-afflicted wife. S

Bret Easton Ellis' haunting and controversial 1991 novel about a psychotic business executive who specializes in "Murders and Executions" is brought to life with some trimming here and there, most likely to avert a high rating and to not displease viewers with uncut visual depictions of the already graphic novel. Christian Bale gives a stellar performance as the maniacal Patrick Bateman which absorbs the viewer into his world of delusions, stained sheets and prostitutes. The supporting cast is great as they reflect upon Bateman's ever crumbling façade. S

Bad audio dubbing, sub-par CGI, camp acting and Bruce Campbell. All these factors make this movie a very enjoyable ride not to be taken at all seriously. Bruce Campbell and Renée O'Connor (Xena: Warrior Princess) play astronauts who return from a space mission to find that giant termites have invaded earth and enslaved humanity. The movie provides many great moments like finger amputation to improve work morale as well as Campbell's shining chin as he delivers one-liners with his patented bravado: "Just call me a... great healer." A must for Campbell fans. S

The Adventures of Pricilla, Queen of the Desert is a wonderful story highlighted with stunning cinematography, excellent costume design and outstanding performances. The story is concerned with three drag-queens who get a gig in the middle of the Australian desert. Through these characters the film touches on subjects of alienation, found and forgotten love, friendship and hardship. Mostly set on their road trip through the desert, they travel in a lavender bus, which over the course of the film is subjected to hate crimes and breakdowns; becoming a symbol for its femme-masculine inhabitants and what they have endured. The Adventures... is truly original and entertaining from its highs to its well executed dramatic lows. S

Witness the acting prowess of Eric Freeman as he delivers immortal lines like:

"... I... Don't... SLEEP!"

"Naughty!"

and the greatest moment captured on film... ever!

"GARBAGE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!"