Wings of Desire

Release date: 17 May 1987 (Cannes Film Festival, France)

Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) are angels who spend their days roaming Berlin before the fall of the Wall eavesdropping on the conversations of ordinary folk. While slow to start and void of plot as traditionally understood, patience is rewarded in viewing what is really a combination of poetry and stream of consciousness brought to film by director Wim Wenders. Wings of Desire is deep on umpteen levels and full of messages that still ring true today: who are you? why are you here? is love worth it? When Damiel falls in love with the beautiful trapeze artist Marion (Solveig Dommatin) and opts to fall from grace, we have an answer as sure as the truths espoused by Peter Falk (playing himself). This is a beautiful film and an artsy film, sure; but in the end isn't it better you be challenged to see yourself differently upon leaving a movie theatre?

My rating 9 out of 10.

The Red Violin

Release date: 10 September 1998 (Toronto International Film Festival)

This Canadian film, directed by the brilliant François Girard, traces the life of a violin crafted in 1681 Italy, that has come to auction in present day Montreal. Filmed in flashbacks amid the violin's history in an Austrian monastery, the hands of gypsies, the hands of a crazed English violinist, and the Chinese cultural revolution, we learn of its fabled roots in the death of its maker's wife, the beautiful Anna Bussotti, whose blood gives the violin both its magical powers, fame, and name. The film is anchored by Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Charles Morritz, the expert brought in to confirm the violin's authenticity. The Red Violin is an adventure, and a mystery, and a journey on so many levels and is a film best described as rich. It is rare in film today in that it is intelligent. Well worth a rent if you're looking for 2 hours of utter immersion in the ethereal power of love and music.

My rating 9 out of 10.

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveras

Release date: 13 July 2005 (Philippine Independent Film Festival, Manila)

This is a Philippine film directed by first-time director, Auraeus Solito. It weaves the story of a ladyboy named Maxi (a very good Nathan Lopez) with his family's life of petty crime in Manila. Maxi shares his home with Paca, his dad (played by Soliman Cruz) and his two older brothers, the always moody Boy (Neil Ryan Sese) and always manic Bogs (Ping Medina). Maxi is mother to the older men who spend their day placing bets and stealing then selling cell phones. When a new cop on the block Victor (VR Valentin) arrives to rescue Maxi from a thrashing, the stories collide. Maxi, who everyone accepts as a girl in boy's clothing, is instantly infatuated. However, Victor is a cop and when Boy ends up killing a student, Maxi is faced with having to support his family or his 'love'; with some mellow-dramatic - if tragic - consequences. The Blossoming of Maximo is filmed in a gritty, in-the-moment style that works despite the occasional problems director Solito has with lighting, and flow, and while the story is here and there (I suspect more a problem with the subtitles then the acting), it is oddly refreshing to see a gay lad portrayed with such honesty.

My rating 7 out of 10.

Shutter Island

Release date: 13 February 2010 (Berlin International Film Festival)

Martin Scorsese directs this wonderful psycho-thriller based on Dennis Lehane’s novel that stars a gaggle of superstar actors including Leonardo DiCaprio (US Marshall Teddy Daniels), Max von Sydow (Dr. Jeremiah Naehring), Ben Kingsley (Dr. John Cawley), Michelle Williams (Dolores Chanal), Jackie Earl Haley (George Noyce) and Mark Ruffalo (Chuck Aule). It’s 1954 Boston and off the coast lays fictional Shutter Island, home to the worse of the worst of the criminally insane. There an is-he-good-or-is-he-not Dr. Cawley works with the inmates trying to ground them in the reality of their crimes. We’re given to believe that Marshall Daniels is brought to the island to investigate the disappearance of an inmate. What evolves however is a descent into the madness murder can birth, told in flashbacks and hallucinations. While sold as a horror, this film is actually a brilliant psycho-thriller that is captivating from beginning to end. It’s worth getting stranded on this island; ideally watching this film in the dark and late at night.

My rating 8 out of 10.

Love in the Time of Cholera

Release date: 4 October 2007 (Festival do Rio, Brazil)

Mike Newell directs this adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s Nobel Prize wining novel of the same name that concerns itself - wholly - with one man’s 50-year fascination with one woman in turn of the century Columbia. When Florentino Ariza (Javier Bardem) meets the beautiful Fermina Daza (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), the daughter of a nasty mule trader, it is love at first sight. Thereupon ensues a lifetime of obsession that endures even after Ariza is spurned as Fermina marries the doctor Urbino (an excellent Benjamin Bratt). While the movie is dropjaw beautiful to watch, the richness of the novel is lost in its translation to film. Its other challenge is the unlikeableness of Bardem in his role which does put a damper on things when he finally does get to bed the aged yet still regal Fermina.

No where near a thousandth as good as the novel, gives this sojourn in a time of cholera my rating of 5 out of 10.

PT 109

Release date: 19 June 1963 (Hollywood, USA)

When President Kennedy was elected Hollywood was already working to mythologizing him, and PT109 was Warner Brother and director Leslie H. Martinson’s effort. Recounting in fanciful detail Kennedy’s captaining of the PT109 torpedo boat which ends up sunk by a Japanese destroyer, it has Cliff Robertson playing an ever-good Kennedy as he shepherds his survivors to a wee island in the Pacific. The crew survives the coral reef, finds food and shelter and is eventually rescued - with much thanks to an Aussie - so that Kennedy can head into Presidential fame. The film is overly long - even by 1963 standards - and could do with a ruthless editing. The acting is solid, if wooden, as Robertson, Robert Culp, Norman Fell and a very young Robert Blake all do their utmost to contribute to the awe that was (and continues to be) America’s fascination with the first family of rum-runners cum political dynasty. Released in June 1963, its poignancy was that much more pronounced when Kennedy was assassinated in November.

My rating 5 out of 10.

Transporter 3

Release date: 26 November 2008 (France)

The Transporter genre continues its proven formula with this better than-Transporter 2 outing that has our hero Frank Martin (Jason Statham) driving a frisky lass named Valentina (a dreadful Natalya Rudakova who is in dire need of acting basics) from Marseilles to Odessa. Valentina is the kidnapped daughter of a Ukranian Minister being blackmailed into signing off on a nasty shipment of toxic waste. The angle being used to get our hearts racing in this version is the fact both Frank and Valentina have funky bracelets cum bombs strapped to their wrists that will go off if they wander more than 30m from Frank’s uber cool Audi. Directed in full action mode by Olivier Megaton, Transporter 3 has an excellent bad guy in Johnson (Robert Knepper) and the refreshingly comic Inspector Tarconi (the always excellent François Berléand) to break the ice now and again. While no new ground is broke here, and the spur of the moment love affair between our driver and his package spoils a good chuck of the movie, Transporter 3 still has enough gas to keep you interested. Go Frank go!

My rating 7 out of 10.

One Week

Release date: 8 September 2008 (Toronto International Film Festival)

A film only a Canadian could love. It is built in a two solitudes vein with a man facing nature on a motorbike while battling the great big theme of mortality. One Week is a cross-Canada road trip starring Joshua Jackson (as Ben Taylor). Ben is advised he has terminal cancer and has but a couple years to live. To sort through the complex emotions birthed by such a diagnosis, he heads west - abandoning his fiancé and parents - in search of Mr. Grimm, a phantasmagorical something-or-other his father told stories of when he was a wee lad. On route, Ben faces the vastness that is Canada and reinforces the country’s largeness by visiting Canadian homages to size: the Big Nickel in Sudbury; the Giant Goose in Wawa; the Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay; the largest teepee in Medicine Hat. Typically Canadian in every quirky way, this film directed by Michael McGowan is worth the trip and proves that it’s the journey not the destination that matters.

My rating 7 out of 10.

Fourplay (aka Londinium)

Release date: 2001 (Unknown)

This is a strange 2001 romantic comedy written; directed (and starring) Mike Binder who plays Ben, an American sitcom writer arriving in London to take up work. There he meets Allen (a mis-cast [and obviously desperate] Colin Firth), his wife Carly (Mariel Hemingway) and a French make-up artist who becomes his girlfriend, Fiona (a gorgeous Irene Jacob). The four eventually end up switching partners thanks to the conniving of Carly and Ben. It’s all very odd and the writing is reminiscent of Wood Allen on ecstasy. The characters and their motivations are all superficial and aside from watching the oh-so-beautiful Irene Jacob grace the screen (let’s see more of her please!) the film’s a disaster. Fourplay is one man’s indulgent view of relationships that’s both unbelievable and unwatchable.

My rating 2 out of 10.

Cowboys & Angels

Release date: 14 May 2003 (Cannes Film Festival)

This is a good film with just enough comedy, oddness and seriousness to make you want more. Hapless civil servant, Shane (Michael Legge) and gay art student Vincent (Allen Leach) live together in wee Limerick, Ireland. Shane is a shy, geeky artist-wannabe in love with lesbian Gemma (Amy Shields). Vincent is a sensible, fashionable artist with common sense to spare. What evolves are two stories as Vincent helps Shane shed his geekiness only to see him sink into the Irish drug culture as a means to fund his own way into art school. Directed by David Gleeson, Cowboys & Angels treads these two story lines capably - giving us some stock and shock scenes sure - but endearingly so nonetheless; and both leads are great.

My rating 7 out of 10.

The Perfect Assistant

Release date: 2 January 2008 (USA)

Dreadful fun to watch, The Perfect Assistant is just plain awful on every level imaginable. Directed by some hapless dolt named Douglas Jackson, who should have his credentials revoked, it has uber-psychotic executive assistant Rachel Partson (Josie Davis) in uber-fascination mode with her employer David (Chris Potter). With a story rifted from Fatal Attraction, The Perfect Assistant is perfect in nothing save its brutal embarrassment for all involved: bad acting, bad script, bad direction, bad, bad, bad … in fact so bad, it is a film you’ve got to watch.

My rating for the fun of all its badness, 1 out of 10.

Taking Woodstock

Release date: 16 May 2009 (Cannes Film Festival)

Ang Lee directs his take on the behind-the-scenes story of the family that made Woodstock happen - the Tibers. Centre stage is Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), the gay son of Jake and Sonia who returns from his career in New York City to offer the Woodstock organizers his town, tiny Bethel, NY, as ground zero for the hippie invasion. While you never see the concert, you do hear it, and there are shots reminiscent of Michael Wadleigh's classic 1970 film, Woodstock. Sadly amid all the noise there are but two standout performances - kudos to Imelda Staunton who works wonders as Elliot's over-the-top-Jewish-mother-from-hell, Sonia; and Liev Schreiber as Elliot's ex-marine transvestite chief of security, Vilma. Highbrow reviewers will claim anyone not liking this film 'didn't get it'. Wrong; Ang Lee needs to try a toke or three on some weed and to learn to be less crafted in his film-making. Taking Woodstock is an exceptionally well made film, yes, but it completely lacks any vibe or heart and is about as groovy as watching paint dry. A depressingly slow and exceedingly boring 'tribute' to Woodstock, this soulless venture will make you glad you missed the concert. Avoid.

My rating 2 out of 10.

The Ugly Truth

Release date: 16 July 2009 (Hollywood, California)

When romantically challenged TV producer Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) saves her morning show by agreeing to hire sexist radio show host, Mike Chadaway (Gerard Butler) she gets more than she expected. Chadaway's take on love reflects the ugly truth that men are scum and driven solely by sex; something Abby cannot abide. Enter Colin (Eric Winter), the proverbial 'man of her dreams'. Mike agrees to lend Abby a hand in wooing Colin in exchange for peace on the morning show set. Naturally, what ensues is Abby's realization that Colin is like everyman while Mike realizes he may have to tinker with his own self-perception as he falls in love with Abby. It's all a "been-there-seen-that" sort of film. The Ugly Truth is silly and funny (witness Abby's restaurant scene with electric panties on!), but that's it. Capable actors hit all their lines here but with cliche after cliche The Ugly Truth is a little hard to swallow.

My rating 6 out of 10.

Black

Release date: 4 February 2005 (Australia)

Black is an overacted ripoff of The Miracle Worker with a Bollywood bent. As such, it's worth a watch because - come on - when are you ever going to have that sort of a wonky mix? Better still, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali opts to mix pretentious English lines freely amid the Hindi. It's a wondrously strange brew and this reviewer had visions of Lilies dancing his head, almost as if Bhansali had initially conceived his film as a theatre piece. Frankly, the ripoff aside, the 'look' of this film is stunning. Amid the weirdness Amitabh Bachchan does a fine - if Malkovichian - job as 'Miracle Worker' Debraj Sahai to Helen Keller's Indian doppelganger Michelle McNally (Rani Mukherjee). Black won a slew of Awards of the International Indian Film Academy back in 2006 and is such a bizarre mix of styles and so overwrought it's well worth renting on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

My rating 7 out of 10.

Crank 2: High Voltage

Release date: 16 April 2009 (Germany)

Crank 2 is yet another fine example of why filmmakers should not make sequels. The first Crank film - while brutally violent to its core - was stupid enough to walk the fine line of farce. In this latest venture, our star Chev Chelois (Jason Statham) has his - wait for it now - heart cut out and given to a Chinese triad boss. With a mechanical ticker in its place, Chev roams a stylized Los Angeles to get it back. While such silliness worked the first time around, Crank 2 while full of action yes, fails to engage as it's truly just too nasty on every level imaginable. Wholly unwatchable - sadly - there is nothing redeemable about this film and Statham should be plain ashamed of himself. This film forgot its farce.

My rating 0 out of 10.

Terminator Salvation

Release date: 14 May 2009 (Hollywood, USA)

Directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol (aka McG), Terminator Salvation is a very good action film that lacks soul. Well acted by Christian Bale (as John Connor) and Sam Wotherington (as Marcus Wright) and with an engaging story that continues to weave the past/future of our hero, John Connor, the film works well as a visual smorgasbord. Sadly, that power is lost as the emotional bits ring hollow since they are so dreadfully blatant, and as such, carry no meaningful impact. Smaller roles by Helena Bonham Carter as the evil Dr. Serena Kogan and the always cliched Michael Ironside as General Ashdown add a campy factor to the film that really works.

Terminator Salvation is a furiously fun film, and while soulless, gets my rating of 8 out of 10.

The Proposal

Release date: 1 June 2009 (Hollywood, USA)

The Proposal is one of those films a reviewer drags their feet to attend expecting to detest it immensely as trite, formulaic, and tiresome. So, gosh, what a surprise seeing it - lesson learned. Starring Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate, a dragon-lady book editor in the Devil Wears Prada-mold and Ryan Reynolds as her much hackneyed executive assistant, Andrew Paxton. When the dragon-lady is faced with deportation due to a citizenship glitch, she browbeats Andrew in agreeing to marry her ... in Alaska. Toss in a Department of State bureaucrat bent on proving it's all a farce marriage; Andrew's parents, Grace (the always wonderful Mary Steenburgen) and Joe (Craig T. Nelson) and Andrew's free-wheeling grandmother, Annie (Betty White) and you have a pretty wonky, and hilarious, two hours of nuptial zaniness. Directed, perfectly, by Anne Fletcher and with a nod to Pete Chairelli's great writing, The Proposal is worth a walk down the aisle.

My rating 9 out of 10.

Adventureland

Release date: 19 January 2009 (Sundance Film Festival)

Director Greg Mottola seemed to believe a movie about his teenage adventures at an amusement park would make a good film. Unfortunately translating his recollections to the screen leaves this reviewer bored senseless. Jesse Einsenberg plays James, a kid with artsy aspirations to visit Europe before starting college that go awry when his dad is demoted and James is forced to cancel the trip to work as a game attendant at Adventureland. There he meets the love of his life Em (Kristen Stewart) and an assortment of circus freaks he calls friends. The acting is solid but the vibe is all wrong as the film struggles to decide if it is trying to be a comedy or drama (it falls woefully flat on both fronts). To use the film’s own tag line to sum-up, “It was the worse job film they ever imagined”. Avoid.

My rating 0 out of 10.

Domino

Release date: 25 September 2005 (Montreal Film Festival)

Based on a true story that is truly unbelievable, Domino recounts - granted loosely - the story of Dominio Harvey, a near-do-well lass from England who tossed aside her silver spoon upbringing and modeling career to become a bounty hunter. Keira Knightley stars as Domino and Mickey Rourke in his pre-The Wrestler days (though you can see the seeding of that character here) is Ed Moseby, Domino’s bounty hunter boos. A host of stars play minor roles in this wonky tale that’s so far-fetched it works, including: Jacqueline Bisset, Dabney Coleman; Macy Gray; Mo’Nique; and Brian Austin Green even. While the story is a shamble, what makes this film work is its style. Directed by Tony Scott, it is a collage of images and song that play like an MTV video. While decidedly not for everyone - Domino is a film you’re going to hate or love, no middle ground - its tongue-in-cheek campiness and totally off kilter approach was both refreshing and fun.

My rating 8 out of 10.

Suspect Zero

Release date: 27 August 2004 (USA)

Aaron Eckhardt is Thomas Mackelway, an FBI agent with a past, who is sent to Albuquerque to investigate the murder of a traveling salesman found with a zero etched on his body. When other bodies start appearing - all serial killers - Mackelway is led to a retired FBIer named Benjamin O'Ryan (an ever superb Ben Kingsley), who has the ridiculous/silly (take your pick) skill of being able to 'see' what serial killers see. Rolls eyes. Directed by E. Elias Merhige, this is a thriller built in the Seven-style and has Carrie Anne Moss stumbling around - looking pretty granted - as Mackelway's sidekick. The hokeyness aside, Suspect Zero is engaging for the most part by fails ultimately as it can't decide who's story to tell - O'Ryan or Mackelway's.

My rating 6 out of 10.