cliodhna @Filmaster

Academy Awards Best Picture 2011

Hi folks, I know how much y'all love the Oscars, so I've made it my business to check out all of this year's nominations for Best Picture. Here for your reading enjoyment, are the 2011 runners and

Krwawy diament (2006)

It's 1997 in Sierra Leone. The civil war is at its height. Rebels are fighting government troops for control of the country. However, this battle is not only against the government troops, but also

Ludzkie dzieci (2006)

'Children of Men' starts dull, and ends up boring. That's the one line review for people in a hurry, and to be honest, is as much time as is worth spending on this poor effort. It's the United

Not bad for a French zombie movie. Normally, a zombie movie, let alone a French one, wouldn't be my first pick. But hey, a change is as good as a rest. My experience of zombie moves is limited to 'Shaun

Drzewo (2010)

It's a tale told many times before. A beloved husband and father suddenly dies, and the family left behind have to come to terms with their grief. In this case the family are Dawn O'Neil, and her three

Karate Kid (2010)

Jackie Chan plays Hong Kong Phooey, the mild-mannered janitor. He's number one super guy, quicker than the human eye. He's got style, a groovy smile, and a car that just won't stop. When the going gets

Zostawić Las Vegas (1995)

Nicholas Cage is Ben, a successful screenwriter whose addiction to alcohol has lost him his wife and family. When he also loses his job, it is the point of no return. He packs up and heads to Sin City,

Jeż (2009)

Eleven year old Paloma appears to have it made. She lives a life of ease with her wealthy parents and elder sister in a fancy Parisien apartment block. However, despite all the external trappings of comfort,

Jack, jakiego nie znacie (2010)

I seem to be in a bit of a biopic groove at the moment. Next up is 'You Don't Know Jack', another made-for-television effort. If, like me, you don't know Jack, Jack Kevorkian is an American doctor

Mo (2010)

First off, this isn't the 2007 teen comedy, also called 'Mo'. This 'Mo' is a (made-for-television) biopic about the life of Mo Mowlam. For those who don't know, Mo Mowlam was that rarest of beasts, a much

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

Phillip Morris is Steven Russell's lover. Russell is a real, living person. He's still serving his 144-year sentence in solitary confinement for amongst other things, faking his own death. It seems an

Miłość na żądanie (2003)

Jeux d'Enfants would normally translate as Children's Games and that's how it starts out. Set somewhere in modern day (circa 2003) France, eight year Julien befriends his eight year old classmate, Sophie.

W rytmie serca (2005)

I picked this up on the strength of recently watching 'A Prophet' (2009) which is the latest offering from the same French director, Jaques Audiard. 'A Prophet' is excellent, and I was hoping for equally

Niczego nie żałuję - Edith Piaf (2007)

I'm not a great fan of biopics, and I wouldn't normally take the time to watch a French one about the life of Edith Piaf. However, seeing as she died in the village where I now live, and the choice at

Samarytanka (2004)

As a white, northern-European female I am fascinated by the insight that film can give into other periods in history, and especially, other countries and cultures. It's sort of a vicarious way to travel.

Hausu (1977)

If anybody asks, I like my films gritty, real and painfully honest - think 'Leaving Las Vegas', 'The Wrestler' kind of thing. But every so often, I have to admit a secret weakness for the phantasmagorical

Wyspa (2000)

On paper, it's not great. A Korean film about fishing, where the main character never speaks. That's 'The Isle'. Hee-Jin is a young woman responsible for the administration of a remote Korean fishing

Kisses (2008)

I picked this up randomly in my local library. Set in modern-day Ireland, twelve year old Dylan (Shane Curry) and his best friend and next-door neighbour Kylie (Kelly O'Neill), go on the run to Dublin

Gorzkie mleko (2009)

Ah, The Milk of Sorrow. It's a bit like a very long bus trip to a far away destination, through a barren, deserted landscape. You drive along for hours, and nothing much happens. You gaze out of the window

Biała wstążka (2009)

It's in German, and it's black-and-white. So we're not off to a good start in terms of mass popular appeal. At least it's not about The War. Or is it? War never seems to be very far away in German films,