Over at Twitch Kurt has completed his marathon 10 day, 36 film festival coverage I think he’s pretty much deserved a day off, maybe two even. However his final article is the one to catch (if you haven’t caught some of the reviews already), in it he talks of the highs and gives a quick summary of the movies he’s seen. Here are the top ones:
Pusher – Gritty, visceral and willing to go to the bitter end with the story. Drug films are rarely this good. (9/10)
With Blood on My Hands – Pusher II – Bringing family into the equation elevates the sequel above the original. Stunning performance by Mads Mikkelsen. (10/10)
A History of Violence – Successfully walks the delicate line between genre and drama. It is a mainstream film with something to say and another solid entry into the fascinating Cronenberg canon. (9/10)
Caché – Creepy and unsettling take on racism, classism and terrorism. The violence in the film is about 5 seconds long, but it will haunt you for a while. (9/10)
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story – 24 Hour Party People meets Adaptation. Not a single moment of this film is unfunny. (9/10)
The Grönholm Method – My biggest surprise of the festival which creates a new grifter-classic by blending the styles of Mamet, Lumet and LaBute. (9/10)
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance – A sublime closure to the Vengeance Trilogy, which appropriately deals with Atonement. Great visuals and direction anchored around a complex performance by Yeong-ae Lee. (10/10)
SPL – HK cinema has a new shining star in the Firmament. Enough praise cannot be heaped on this new classic in the genre. (10/10)
Hostel – Solid entry into the genre which pumps the adrenaline and isn’t shy about the violence or the sex which are mixed nicely in the subtext. (9/10)
Worth checking some of these out from the reviews. Well done Kurt, get some sleep.
