April 23

Re-releases 

Aaltra (2004) - Dir by Gustave de Kervern, Benot Delpine

Description:

Two rival neighbours end up in neighbouring hospital beds as a result of an accident with a tractor. Both are paralysed from the waist down. Together they travel in wheel chairs across Europe united in their intent of suing the manufacturers of the tractor in Finland... 

My opinion

Shot in grainy black and white and pretty black in the humour department as well, vulgar and tasteless but it has its appeal. Not one I would personally buy but I have seen it twice and preferred it second time around. I would rather have seen a more anarchic edge to the comedy myself.

Distributed by Bluebell Films, yet another new company. 

Previously released by Cinefile.

City Of Lost Children (La Cit des Enfants Perdus) (1995) - Dir by Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Description:

In THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN, an imaginative fantasy from the creators of DELICATESSEN, a prematurely aging mad scientist named Krank (Daniel Emilfork) kidnaps children so he can steal their dreams. However, Krank runs into trouble when his henchmen grab Denre (Joseph Lucien), a little boy whose adopted brother, One (Ron Perelman), is a circus strongman. One desperately tries to find Denre and begs for help from Miette (Judith Vittet), a 9-year-old girl who heads up a gang of orphans. Together, One and Miette finally find Krank's castle, meeting along the way the lost identical brother--the original--of the three clones (each played by Dominique Pinon) who serve as Krank's assistants. French directors Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet once again prove their technical prowess with this dark fairy tale, which features outstanding performances from its youthful cast (most notably Vittet). As is the case with DELICATESSEN, however, their genius in constructing a highly artificial, beautiful, believable world threatens to overshadow the story. But even the fantastic sets cannot compare to the bizarre spectacles that Jeunet and Caro dream up. In one unforgettable scene, a pair of evil Siamese twin sisters prepare dinner, their four arms working perfectly in sync--one holding vegetables for another to chop while a third stirs the soup and a fourth scratches their collective itches. Frequent David Lynch collaborator Angelo Badalamenti creates the chilling, circusy musical score that adds to the film's magic. 

My opinion

The middle ground between Delicatessen and Amelie and it shows, gloriously mad and very enjoyable. This is the third dvd release but I am unaware of any difference between this and the last release.

Distributed by Optimum Releasing

Shogun`s Samurai (Yagy ichizoku no inb) (1978) - Dir by Kinji Fukasaku

Description:

Imperial Japan, 1624. Shogunate General Hidetada has died under mysterious circumstances. It is soon revealed that the General was poisoned becuase he did not want his eldest son to be heir. A war between the eldest son and his younger brother soon erupts in this film directed by Kinji Fukasaku.... Japanese dialogue with subtitles.

My opinion

A LINK to my thoughts on this film. All I can add is that it was unfortunately more than a little boring.

The only difference I can see is the cover design.

Distributed by Eureka Entertainment

Trilogy - One / Two / Three (2002) - Dir by Lucas Belvaux

Description:

In 'One' when a terrorist tries to resume his campaign finds his former colleagues have settled down. In 'Two' when Alain hides his ill health from his love Cecile she mistakenly believes he is having an affair. In 'Three' policeman Manise is forced to balance his wife's morphine addiction with catching the local crime boss.

My opinion

1. Cavale - Crime drama.
2. Un couple patant - Slightly comic relationship drama
3. Aprs la vie - Redemptive drama

Still havent seen Three but one and two are pretty decent films, the good thing is though that each film blurs into the others so you see things from several perspectives, the only other film I can think of that is constructed in a similar way is Brit indie film Gypo.

A great selection of extras as well.

Re-released by Tartan at a lower price.

Fritz Lang Box Set:
Metropolis
Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler (1922)
Metropolis (1927) 
Spione (1928) 
M (1931)
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)

Not much I can add, most of these are very well known classics.

Distributed by Eureka Entertainment


New Releases 

Gabrielle (2005) Dir by Patrice Chreau

Description:

Patrice Chereau's adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novella THE RETURN is a gripping chamber piece in which a bourgeois man's stable, comfortable life is unexpectedly shattered. The time is turn-of-the-century France. 

My opinion

Beautifully staged, outstandingly performed and extremely atmospheric period drama, the house is as much a star as the cast and Im really looking forward to seeing this a second time.

A LINK to arsaib4's review.

Distributed by Artificial Eye

It`s Winter (Zemestan) (2006) - Dir by Rafi Pitts

Description:

A man is fired from his job. Having no more options, he decides to go find work abroad, leaving behind his wife and daughter. Months pass and his family hear no word from him.
A stranger, a mechanic, arrives in townin search of work. His eyes wander to the beautiful young woman whom he hears no longer has a husband. 

My opinion

Unusual for an Iranian film, a series of almost cyclical events revolve around a beautiful woman, almost karmic in tone, slow paced and quite haunting. Another film I'm looking forward to seeing again. 

Distributed by Artificial Eye

The Leos Carax Collection:
Boy Meets Girl (1984) 
Mauvais sang (1986) 
Pola X (1999) 

Distributed by Artificial Eye

Sance (Krei) (2000) - Dir by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Description:

SANCE is based on the 1964 film SANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON. An unhappy couple are granted a temporary burst of purpose when a young girl, kidnapped in a high-profile case, escapes her tormenters and hides in their house. Instead of immediately informing the police, however, the couple decide to plant a series of clues to prove the wife's psychic abilities in locating the girl. But when their plot backfires horrifically, the couple ends up paying dearly for their deception. 

Distributed by Tartan Video

Cheers Trev.