Treevenge (2008)

It's Christmas, I just wanna fuck! What an epic title. Directed by the same guys who gave us 'Hobo with a shotgun' and 'Grindhouse' package. It is a hilarious short film blending Fulci-esquire gore with horror cult films. A magnificent idea about what happens when we mess with forest. It can stand as also as a parody of cheap slasher movies from the 70s and 80s. Foul-mouthed lumberjacks descend on a hillside of trees, cutting them down and trucking them to Christmas tree lots where families paw them, pick one out, take it home, stick it in a stand, and decorate it. The trees experience terror throughout the ordeal: we hear their squeals of pain when axed or sawn, the emotion of separation from family and friends, the fear of the unknown, and the despair they feel during the strange and bizarre rituals of families at Christmas. On Christmas morning, the trees strike back. Man, woman, child, and pet may be in for a grisly end.

 
Treevenge from jasoneisener on Vimeo.

Disconnect (2012)

Here I am back again, after relaxing for a short period. This is a combination of three stories, both dramatic, that will connect before the end. Stephen and Cindy feel alone, disconnected from each other, after their baby's loss. They also have financial issues after they are exposed online. Rich is a successful lawyer but he can't find time for his family. His son, Ben, gets cyber-bullied by two classmates and this is going to be bad for him. The irresponsible kids, Frye and Jason, haven't really understood their fault until Ben commits suicide. Jason's father, Mike, is a widowed ex-cop who tries to raise his son properly but he can't actually. They are strangers, neighbors and colleagues and their stories collide in this riveting dramatic thriller about ordinary people struggling to connect in today's wired world.

Pacific Rim (2013)

After a year of patience I can admit that I am a little bit disappointed of this film. As a child I used to stuck with cartoons like Tetsujin 28, Voltron and even Godzilla film series. I expected more from this gem though. The story is about a war between human race and monsters, known as Kaiju, coming from another dimension through a crack into the ocean. They destroy everything and kill millions of people until the last ones fight back with their massive robots, the Jaegers. The battle is irresolute and even Jaegers can't stop the disastrous invasion. Raleigh, a former pilot who lost his brother at his last combat returns on duty alongside with the untested trainee Mako and will be the last stand of the humans against the mounting apocalypse. The effects are amazing but the development of the characters was really weak and this was a minus point to the plot. The acting was so and so but Idris Elba's performance was even worst. I hope the sequel will be better and Guillermo Del Toro shall give the appropriate attention and will give us the optimum result. Otherwise I will prefer 'Robot Jox' from the late eighties. Again.

Uwantme2killhim? (2013)

Never underestimate the power of the internet. This is a thrilling true story about the friendship of two teenagers. Mark is being passionate with Rachel through the net as they have never been met. He falls in love with her and becomes frustrated when her boyfriend, Kevin, abuses her. She begs Mark to take care of her younger brother, John, a weird guy that often is being bullied by the others at the school. They get closer after Rachel's death and they plan to revenge for her loss as they think that Kevin is responsible for this. Mark has another conversation with Janet, a secret agent working for MI5 that convinces him about the connection of Kevin and John at terrorist acts. Things now are more complicated that Mark first thought about. Another interesting and intriguing film that didn't take the appropriate critics as the acting, the concept and the final approach on this actual event are really good.

In-lyu-myeol-mang-bo-go-seo aka Doomsday Book (2012)

This anthology film is a compilation of three individual chapters, each one delivers with the end of the world. At the first one, a mysterious virus takes humanity down as every citizen starts being a zombie and the salvation is not possible. At the second and most interesting part, a robot is believed to be the reincarnation of Buddha. Placed into a monastery, it is trying to reach enlightenment until the technician of its constructing company arrives and seeks for the problem. But there is nothing to fix so the situation becomes more complicated. At the last chapter, a young girl logs into a strange website and puts in an order for a new pool ball for her billiards-obsessed father. Soon an unidentified meteor heads toward Earth and all human beings flee to underground bomb shelters. The reason of this unexpected disaster could be her e-shopping. All the parts are crazy to the bone and give us an extraordinary sample of great Korean fiction cinema.

Eventyrland aka It's only make believe (2013)

I like Norwegian cinema especially when it surprises me again and again. This is a bittersweet story about a young mother, Jenny, trying to be part of society again and connect back with her daughter Merete, after spending some years in prison for a crime she caused accidentally. A killing where her boyfriend got injured seriously as well. The responsible for that event was Oddny, an unreliable gangster who will betray her once more. This is not the only problem as the the partner of the dead dealer comes back and provokes Jenny to work for him in order to pay him back for his loss. Eventyrland is an atmospheric film, with amazing views of nature land, creating a terrific contrast with the prison environment and her depressing house. Like a fly trapped in a room, hitting all windows to find a way out, Jenny is struggling to escape her fate. It is a sad story, but a beautiful film, very well played and directed. The music part also deserves being mentioned.

Willow (1988)

Dwarf farmer Willow lives peacefully with his family in a small village when they find a baby girl near the river.  This little child is extremely important because it can help to the fall of evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda. The last one sends her daughter Sorsha and General Kael into a mission to bring back the child alive. Willow also is given a task to carry the baby into a safe place and join allies as swordsman Madmartigan, sorceress Fin Razel and the Brownies Franjean and Rool who will help him on this journey. As the fellowship are pursued by Queen's army, they find shelter at an abandoned castle and they fight back. Ages before 'Lord of the rings', there were a few directors that knew how to film an interesting fantasy film. Val Kilmer acts really well and the plot is rather great.

The Iceman (2012)

Based on the real story of Richard Kuklinski, this movie tells about the history of one of the most diabolical self-confessed contract killers in American history. Richard has difficult childhood as both of this parents used to beat him up. So as grew up he became a coldblooded person. He worked as a porn film technician but his mob boss, Demeo, forced him to work for him as a contract killer. He started enjoying that so much that he found many ways to eliminate his targets. He managed to kill over 100 hundred people over twenty years. His family had no idea about his real profession as neighbors and friends were admiring them for being happy and well adjusted. His collaboration with another hit man, Robert 'Mr. Freezy' Pronge, gave him the opportunity to work alone secretly from the mobs, something they didn't like finally. The end was near but he couldn't expect it. A stunning biographical film that portraits the serial killer as well. The performances are exceptional especially Ryder's and Shannon's.

 

The Book of Eli (2010)

A wanderer, Eli, travels along deserted States for the last thirty years. The earth is an empty place now after a nuclear war that ruined the planet. He feels he has a special mission to complete. Going west and reach a safe place for his precious item he has with. The last Holy Bible that keeps him sane and gives him a supernatural power to protect himself from scums and gangs who kill for fun and survival in this chaotic environment. Carnegie is the gang leader in a small town and as Eli arrives there, he realizes that something strange happens and looks forward to find out about newcomer's secret. Carnegie presses his blind lover Claudia to send her daughter, Solara, to look over the situation but Eli is always one step beyond. This post apocalyptic film is just beautiful. It's development is solid, the cinematography is intriguing and Denzel is the right guy to perform the messenger of God in this ruinous world. Even if the ending is a little far fetched.

Eddie the Sleepwalking Cannibal (2012)

Lars Olafssen is a talented famous art designer. He moves to Koda Lake, a small Canadian town in order to work as a teacher in an art school. He is recognized and the director wants him. Soon problems appear at the school as one of its sponsors dies and she leaves Eddie back, a mute weird guy, passionate with cereals living on his own word. Now Lars has to protect him as Eddie's mother property can keep the school opened. Soon he realizes that Eddie has more secrets and his hunger doesn't need only cereals but fresh hot blood. When Eddie is sad, a syndrome that transforms him into a beast awakes. Lars will find a way to be inspirational again, painting on canvas after every murder of Eddie. A crazy black comedy with stunning performances and bloody artistic lines.

Dabangg (2010)

Chulbul is a fearless cop who has been raised with his mother Naini, stepfather Prajapati, and younger half-brother Makkhi. His relationship with the other two male members of his family are not the best instead of his pure love for his ill mother. His manners also are not good and he is not the typical inspector. But this is not a problem for him on his fight against crime. Chedi is a corrupted official of the government working on a secret plan to eliminate a local commissar and set himself as a new candidate. But Chulbul discovers his evil plans and he is getting ready for some action. This is an interesting example of Bollywood action cinema with great cast, lots of beautiful choreography, fun and famous Indian actor, Salman Khan starring again on another cool gem.

Pain & Gain (2013)

Bodybuilder and gym manager Daniel Lugo was dreaming of the American ideals. He wanted more and he was a real poser. He decided with his pals, Paul and Adrian to kidnap Jewish successful businessman Victor Kershaw and force him to sign over assets Lugo believed Kershaw owned him. When the last one identifies Lugo by his voice, they decide to kill him. The trio manage to possess Viktor's property after all and live a rich life. Adrian buys a huge house and get married, Paul starts cocaine and Daniel takes Viktor's house in order to stay in. But Viktor is too tough and survives at last. The gang is still after him so he calls detective Ed for help. When money are over, Lugo plans a new risky operation, to kidnap Frank Grig, another businessman but everything goes wrong. This is a real story that tells you that only life can give you such crazy situations. The performances are great, there is suspense and action in high levels.

Smokin' Aces (2006)

Special agents Messner and Carruthers are investigating the biggest case in the history of Italian Mafia at the States. Mob boss Primo Sparazza takes out a contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel, a snitch who betrayed his organization. Now various hit men from around the globe are ready to rip out Aces heart. From violent Tremor brothers to sexy ebony killer duo of Georgia and Sharice. There are also two more specialists, Soot and Acosta, specialized in disguise and tortures, participating in this deadly rush. Another crew of three ex cops are responsible for Israel's transportation from Lake Tahoe hideout. Chaos will rise with the arrival of the first hit men and an old secret will change agent's Messner faith to its service. An incredible action film, maybe one of the best of the past decade, full of excellent performances from a serious cast as Liotta, Reynolds, Piven and Garcia. 

Half baked (1998)

Thurgood, Scarface, Brian and Kenny are friends since childhood and they have a common love. Their addiction to weed. When the last one accidentally kills a cop's diabetic horse, he is put in jail and is given a 1 million dollar bail. His pals have to find a way to release him as soon as possible because the other imprisoned guys want his 'fruit'. As Thurgood works as a janitor at a pharmaceutical lab, he has easy access to its store and a great amount of Marijuana so he decides to steal it and sell it with friends helping him in order to save the money for Kenny's bail. He meets Mary Jane but he has to tell her lies about his attempt and his illegal passion. Soon dealer Samson hears about Thurgood and he wants to meet him but his intentions are not the best. Another cool comedy from the late nineties with lots of fun and good performances and Snoop Dogg as well.

Los últimos días aka The last days (2013)

Marc works as a programmer at a big company in Barcelona. He realizes day by day that something strange happens around him as people become sick while they come out from buildings. It is only the beginning of a huge epidemic spreading across the planet though. Marc decides to escape from his shelter through the tunnels of the underground and find his wife Julie. He meets Enrique, another decided man who wants to approach his father at the hospital. Together they start a difficult journey to find their beloved ones and they will become best friends even if they don't really trust each other at its beginning. A very interesting idea gave this Spanish film a great opportunity to be a classic sci fi gem that is compromising. When cinematography is combined with an actual script, we can have an extraordinary result.

A night at the Roxbury (1998)

Steve and Doug Butabi are not the typical playboys. Actually the really don't have manners in approaching women and this makes them looking like idiots. Their father also doesn't have the best opinion for them as he thinks that they are lazy, useless and completely irresponsible to work on his fake plants business. Their only ambition is to open their own club. But they need to enter the legendary Roxbury club first and have a taste of its nightlife. There they will meet its owner, Mr. Zadir who will find their ideas for a new club interesting and he will help them. This was a hilarious comedy from the nineties with the original soundtrack reminding you of this incredible era with the worst fancy fashion around and the mega clubs that defined the nightclubbing. Even Jim Carrey had a small comedy sketch with this theme giving a great performance with the starring duo.

Catzilla (2013)

Beware of the mighty kitten that destroys a whole town. No one can beat it until a young woman gives him a new trial. To fight against a similar monster cat and tear the place apart. Funny and enjoyable animation, full of action and dedicated to Kaiju mythology where Godzilla and other famous monsters appeared in Japanese cinema around sixties.

CATZILLA from Platige Image on Vimeo.

Gallowwalkers (2012)

I could say I always liked Snipes's films. But this time it didn't get so well as usually. The problem with this film is the editing. The story is about a colored gunman who seeks for revenge for the rape and death of his wife. We really don't know enough about his roots except he was abandoned from his mother, a witch or something like that. He grew up at the orphanage and then found a shelter at a woman's butcher house. He will find Fab, a young brave man in chains, and he will hire him to help him eliminate the responsible gang for his drama. But there is a curse on him that everyone he dies from his hands shall return to life. This strange mixture of western and undead is just a mess because the director seems to have forgot the lines of cinematography. The sequences are not following the correct order and the whole thing is a violent movie that could be a horror classic but instead of that stays another gem that will fade into oblivion. It's a pity for Snipes though because he acted well again.

An optical poem (1938)

A dance of shapes. A title card tells us this is an experiment in conveying the mental images of music in a visual form. Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody" is the music. The shapes, all two-dimensional, are circles primarily, with some squares and rectangles, and a few triangles. The shapes move rhythmically to the music: receding from view or moving across the screen. Red circles on a blue background; light blue squares; white rectangles. Then, a red background of many circles with a few in the foreground. Red gives way to blue then to white. Shapes reappear as Liszt's themes re-occur. Then, with a few staccato notes and images, it's over. Enjoy August and rest of the summer my friends.

Oblivion (2013)

Jack works as a drone technician on the abandoned Earth, after the war of humans with the alien Scavs. With his wife Vica at the control station, they complete an effective team. But he dreams of a past life years ago before he even lived. With the arrival of female astronaut's  Julia, Jack is going to reconsider about his life and his purposes. Julia is not the only link to his peaceful past though and soon many secrets are going to be revealed and change everything. This is a stunning science fiction gem from the director who filmed Tron Legacy back in 2010. The specifications are about the same and the complete work is amazing. Cinematography is excellent and the whole cast is performing really well. This is a very interesting amalgam of past sci fi movies as Space Odyssey 2001, I am Legend and so many other to mention.
Another good choice for Tom Cruise's filmography.

Ruta Destroy! (2002)

This is a really odd stuff from Madrid of the 00s. Seems like a video clip blending all the acid experience of the rave movement with small music performances. The amateur actors give a real touch to the project and the funny sketches are completing it's purpose. Another alternative cinematic experience for sure. It was on Fantasia Film Festival. Montreal, Canada. You can find it on dvd "Short Gauge Trauma".

The Colony (2013)

In the future, humans have to live underneath the ice due to a climate change that left the planet as a cold desert. One day it started to snow and it never ended. Briggs is the leader of Colony 5, a place where some survivors live and work in an experimental lab in order to find a new place to move and change the temperature of the environment. After a call for help from another colony, he decides to do a rescue mission but what he will find there, it will change the fate of everyone back in his base. Because the real problem out there is not the freeze but the hunger who transform people into beasts. This could be a great film because the intense was real until the first part of it. Dark cinematography and convincing performances from the cast showed that something good could be happened. But after that you will find another cliche end with cannibals running and screaming around. My question is why all the cannibals and the zombies or the mutants have always supernatural powers, who said that if you are a monster you have to be a champ at sprints or can escape from bullets? It's a pity indeed.

Omerta (2011)

In 1930, Mafia gangs fight themselves in the New York slums. On the beat of a devilish music, Teddy Toad and his gang of frogs engage in a battle to pluck the delectable Lady Horny from the grasp of the powerful White Coal. Between love, music and revenge, immerse yourself in the ruthless world of Omerta, and break the code of silence.

Omerta from Omerta Team on Vimeo.

San lau sing woo dip gim aka Butterfly and Sword (1993)

Sing and Ko have met during childhood and they became partners and co fighters in the known martial arts world. Now Sing is a hidden assassin at the services of Ko and he keeps his secret to his beloved Butterfly. Meng wan is another master who works with Sing and he is love with Ko but the last one can't hide her feelings towards Sing. The team has a difficult mission to destroy Suen's martial arts school and kill Suen and his assistan Li Shu Tin. A battle for the survival of the toughest has begun and the trio will challenge extreme situations in order to stay alive and achieve their target. Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeo in great performances at an interesting mixture of drama, action and romance film. Specially recommended at the fans of the old HK productions, this gem will give you the thrills as you will find that this stunning gem paved the way for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Fasle kargadan aka Rhino Season (2012)

Iranian directors always have a poetic view on their cinema and Bahman Ghobadi is not the exception. There is the real story of Sahel, a poet from the shah era who stayed imprisoned for thirty years and after his release, he tried to find back his wife, Mina and family. The responsible for his odyssey was the driver of his beloved wife, a guy who was obsessed with her and jealous about their love so he decided to ruin them permanently. But can you really destroy real love? So after the revolution in Iran back in the seventies he becomes a high rank revolutionary and with this power incarcerates the couple. The new regime put the couple separately in prison. And then they announced Mina that Sahel is dead. So the driver takes the opportunity to press Mina marry him as he belongs to her all these years. But the story isn't over yet and with the return of Sahel a lot of things will go upside down. A lyrical film and a haunting story with many metaphors and beautiful photography. 

Limitless (2011)

This is a kick ass film and maybe one of the best I have seen till now. Imagine a drug that helps you unleash the ultimate powers of your brain including restore all the lost data and the memories you ever had. This happens to hopeless writer Eddie Morra when his ex brother in law gives him a special drug called NZT. Suddenly the looser becomes a hero. The pathetic becomes a successful businessman. The road leads only forward and Eddie becomes enthusiast with the limitless posibilities of his new brain that gives birth to more and more ideas. But after an untrustworthy deal with a gangster and with a hit man on his back, Morra has to define the new horizons that will make his life easier and more secured. Another tycoon, Carl Van Loon, needs Eddie's talent for his own purposes but the last one has to realize the situation first and then escape from the labyrinth of his mind. A crazy sci fi gem with astonishing cinematography, great cast and limitless reasons to watch it. 

Dead man down (2013)

Beatrice is a mysterious woman who watched Victor killing someone in his apartment. After that she threatens to expose his crime unless he helps her paying back another man for her own tragedy that transformed her face with scars making her feeling ugly and having psychological issues. But Viktor's past is even darker while seeking vengeance from his boss, Alphonse, a mobster who tries to find who is behind this evil plan unsuccessfully. Together they will join forces and they will devise a violent and cathartic plan that could change their worlds forever. An atmospheric thriller with great action scenes and excellent cast including Farrell, Rapace and Howard giving emotionally spilling performances. Danish director Oplev still has it and he proved it again. Thumbs up!

Blood (2012)

Another example of bad reputation for Imdb.com where the critics are not representative for a film. This gem should have been rated higher as it is a tight and suspenseful thriller with stunning performances from Bettany, Cox and Graham. Two brothers, Joe and Chrissie, work as police officers are messed into a crime where the one kills a suspect after feeling he is the responsible for the death of a young girl. But after finding out the truth, they both try to hide the evidences. Their ill father, Lenny, will also put them in more troubles than they first found and soon the situation will be extremely difficult. And Robert, another colleague at the force, will start suspecting the duo while watching them behaving weirdly. The cinematography and the plot were great and there is no doubt that this gem was finally good.

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Another really enjoyable animation from Disney based on the classic video game Fix-It Felix. Ralph is the bad guy who destroys the building as Felix repairs it. Ralph wants to change position and be the good guy now because he feels isolated from the other characters of the game. He has to find and gain a medal from another arcade game in order to win their sympathy but as he is used to wreck everything on his way, he enters into a war game and unleashes by mistake a deadly menace to all the other games. Now with the help of Vanellope, a cute glitch character from a cheesy candy racing game, the will try to win the trophy so Ralph will get back his medal and together they will destroy the aliens who threaten their artificial world. Cool story, maybe sometime more childish that it should be, but also entertaining and funny.

After Earth (2013)

Will Smith's last appearance on cinemas deliver a dramatic science fiction gem where a father and a son try to reconnect. The planet Earth has been evacuated one thousand years ago and all mankind has been moved now to Nova Prime planet. But another alien nation is at war with the humans and they send Ursa, hunters to eliminate every human. The only thing that can save someone is to forget fear and be calm, something like an inner power that is not for everyone. Legendary General Cypher Raige takes his 13-year-old son, Kitai, into a routine mission but everything goes wrong when their spaceship crash over planet Earth, an unknown planet and totally different from what we know this era. Cypher gets injured and sends his son into a quest to recover their rescue beacon. This mission will be another way to the transformation of the youngster to an elder character, taking decisions that may cost their lives. So the result is quite good, we have some action but the effects sometimes are not working well. I found the acting of Smith so and so maybe because of his character. Jaden Smith gave a better performance and I think he has it. A good film from director Shyamalan after a long period.

 

The rambler (2013)

This is a strange film for sure. It is a surreal trip into the unknown. Our guide is the rambler, an adventurer that feels he can't stay anywhere but only walking forward. The rambler leaves back his old life after being released from the prison and escape to nowhere. He meets more and more odd people on his way and mess with surreal situations. Alongside with a crazy scientist who thinks he is Frankenstein and experiments with human brain. But not with the best results. He could find love in the hug of a young woman that meet far away at an unknown town but fate plays another game with him. But he can't put it down but always continue his path so his transition to a fearless man will come soon. What is the purpose of all this no one knows though. A crazy gem, not really suggested to masses.

Kimssi pyoryugi aka Castaway on the Moon (2009)

This is another interesting gem from South Korea. Kim is a young man who decides to commit suicide falling from a bridge with unsuccessful results. He lands on a desert island instead, in the middle of the dirty river crossing his town and tries to communicate with the rest of the world. Soon he gives it up and realizes that he prefers to live there isolated and calm. But even on this small paradise if you can say this, there is someone who keeps an eye for him. Another isolated soul totally different that will start contact with him through glass bottles and messages. Will they meet someday? A stunning comedy that begins with a real sense of humor and gives up with dramatic parts of people getting together.

In Bruges (2008)

Ray and Ken are two hit men sent from their boss Harry to relax in Bruges, a small medieval town in Belgium. Ray is feeling terribly culpable for the death of a small child. This happened on his last mission where he had to kill a priest in a church. Ken appreciates him and when Harry decides to take Ray off, he is troubled to take the right decision. To execute his mate or defy his restrict orders from his superior. Ray meets a local girl, Chloe, and dates her. An American dwarf starring on a film will also play a special role on the story. Harry is being frustrated and wild with Ken's final decision and arrives to Bruges ready to take things into his hands. I think this is Colin Farrell's best appearance ever in a movie. Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson are also acting amazingly and the whole thing is just excellent. So deep, dramatic but also funny and some times thrilling.

Bottle - Kirsten Lepore (2010)

Two different creatures are living by the sea. The one is made by snow, the other by sand. They communicate by sending each other various things they find on their shores. Soon the will for the next step of their contact will be bigger and they both decide to meet each other without knowing the consequences. A heartbreaking animation from the States.

Bottle from Kirsten Lepore on Vimeo.

Eva (2011)

Alex works as a robot programmer and he is one of the best worldwide. He decides to return to his hometown and take over a new project of a prototype robot. He meets there his old friend Julia that owns the company and delivers him the work. His brother David, an also successful genius at the robotics has started a new life with Alex's ex girlfriend Lana and their daughter Eva, a smart and perceptive young girl. Alex's return will change everything as secrets among the three adults will be revealed. Alex wants to analyze Eva's character and work with her on some experiments but he doesn't really know about her origin. A bold film with accomplishing scenario and cool effects blending science fiction with drama. Daniel Bruhl gives another good performance here though.

The greatest cereal treat on Earth (1960)

Beware of Henry and his evil breakfast.
A menace from the past threats your happy morning.

Java heat (2013)

This is another cool film that should have been deserved a better rating on Imdb. The reason is obvious as it has an interesting plot, good direction, enough action and Mickey Rourke of course. The last one has a cult appearance though depending on a few scenes as the story runs about the Sultan's dead daughter in Java, Indonesia. An American history teacher teams with a Muslim detective in order to find the responsible terrorist for a number of bombings around the country. The motives are not clear as more proofs come out to the light. The two men are not trusting each other as  they actually work under different nations and cultures but their passion and courage will give them more confidence to continue and finally find the real imposters. Loved this mixture of international action style film.

Mars Attacks! (1996)

What can be the common between the president of the States, a sweet deaf granny, a retired boxer who works as an animator in a casino, an ambitious hotel owner and a couple working on a tv network? All these will witness the historical moment of the contact with the visitors from planet Mars. But due to a misunderstanding, the fellow guests will turn extremely hostile and start the invasion on Earth taking no prisoners. A cool guy and his granny will take part on humans counterattack and find the solution to win this intergalactic battle. Tim  Barton directs a hilarious comedy about aliens back in 1996 and gives us a great parody of classic b movies of the sixties. Jack Nicholson is really pleasurable playing two individual roles as also De Vito, Brosnan, Parker, Fox, Brown and even famous singer Tom Jones do their best.

 

Side effects (2013)

Soderbergh signs an interesting atmospheric film about mind disease and depression. Jonathan Banks, a psychiatrist attempts to fine the cure for Emily Taylor, a woman that has suicide attempts after her reunion with her imprisoned husband, Martin. Banks prescribes an experimental new medication called Ablixa, trying to find the source of her brain damage. When Emily kills Martin in a state of sleepwalking things gonna get serious. Dr. Victoria Siebert who was Emily's last doctor seems to hide some details from her case to Jonathan. The last one faces now law charges for experimenting with his patient and decides to investigate the facts and clear his name. The motivations for this crime will be totally different than what they first used to seem about. Individual cinematography with close ups and actual performances help this film work properly.

Serenade to Miette (2011)

This is a great work of illustrator Toniko Pantoja from Los Angeles. A street magician messes with some mobsters on his way to help a young beautiful acrobat. A small animated film with excellent script, full of action, romance and fun.

Serenade to Miette from Toniko Pantoja on Vimeo.

Assault on Wall Street (2013)

Jim is working whole day as a security guard in order to save money for the cure of his beloved wife Rosie. The last one suffers from cancer and the cost of therapy is high. The couple lives in anxiety as the economic crisis affects their budget and more problems appear soon as Jim looses his funds due to a bankrupt of his financial investment and later his job. The irresponsible behavior of the real culprits makes him angry and he manages to take the law into his hands with disastrous results. This is a really interesting gem with good performances from the starring duo. You can find that Dominic Pursell acts really well and gives us a satisfying performance with dramatic and realistic points. A film about crisis and how people are determined to live with it or not. The solution is in our hands though.

 

A better life (2011)

Life is hard for the illegal immigrant Carlos Galindo from Mexico. Working as a gardener, he tries to raise properly his teenage son, Luis. The last one faces the reality as a path to his own existence divided in two ways. His girlfriend's family has members to a local street gang and the situation at his school is also difficult. Carlos buys his boss's truck and gains an opportunity for a better life depending on a individual business. But due to a mistaken help to another immigrant, he loses his car and after that, almost everything. This was a great film bases on a story about immigration and how people manage their new lives. Combining an emotional story that gets more and more dramatic and astonishing performances from the two heroes, it is a beautiful and realistic film that is completely deserved its Oscar nomination.

Dredd (2012)

I can say this is the best adaptation of the legendary comic book 'Judge Dredd' for sure. In a dystopian America after a world war that ruined everything, population has moved into huge Mega City One. Life is extremely difficult as outnumbered gangs rule over the place and the only one force that combines judge, jury and instant executioner are the urban cops, called ''Judges''. Dredd is one of them and he makes himself up a serious impact for the outlaws. Now with rookie Cassandra, a psychic mutant woman with ambition to join the force, they enter into a huge building of two hundred floors in order to find and eliminate drug lord's Ma-Ma clan. The war begins but the enemies are outnumbered. Will Dredd succeed into his mission and stay alive alongside with Cassy? It is a bleak film, a superior action movie with excellent cinematography, dark atmosphere and a faithful attribution to the original story. Actor Karl Urban gives a more convincing performance as Dredd instead of Stalone's attempt through the nineties.

Dark skies (2013)

Barret family is living peacefully at the suburbs when a series of shocking events disturb their routine. The father, Daniel, is unemployed for a long time and his wife, Lacy tries to support him as also grow up their two sons with love and care. An unknown force invades their home night by night and make all suffer from nightmares. They all also start to have memory blackouts and find themselves into a hypnotizing condition that drive them crazy. What is the purpose of this uninvited menace and what will be the consequences of this arrival upon their house? An astonishing sci fi thriller from the producers of Paranormal Activity (I hate this film) but I think this production is levels ahead anyway. Great suspense and powerful performances from the starring duo as also an accomplishing direction of a mysterious case.

Meet Buck (2010)

Today, Buck is going to spend the afternoon with his girlfriend who's so happy to see him (she's pretty much happy always). But when Buck finds out that her father is not the tolerant and sympathetic guy he expected, the Sunday afternoon turns really bad. Hilarious animation with action and suspenseful sequences and great design.

Meet Buck from TeamCerf on Vimeo.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

When Tim Burton is at the production team of such a film, you probably know that the result is going to be more than satisfying. So you are correct. Abraham Lincoln is the well known 16th President of the States and this film gives us another view of his personality as he is a dedicated vampire hunter. Everything started with his mother's death from a thirsty creature and Lincoln wants to revenge the whole clan whose leader is Adam, an ancient devil. Henry is a mysterious guy that teaches Lincoln the secrets to destroy the monsters but wants him also to execute his orders. We watch the transition of Abraham's life from his teenage years until his election as the president and the difficult years of the civil war that became a real crisis between the living and the dead citizen of America. Astonishing fight scenes with our hero's axe give another dimension at the dark atmosphere of this movie. The plot and the customs are giving a realistic sense of that era and the performances are cool. So are you a patriot or a vampire?

Wu xia (2011)

If you are a fan of action films with a purpose and you also like Donnie Yen, this is your opportunity to spend a couple of hours watching a cool movie. It's about a peaceful man, Liu Jin-xi, living at a small village with his family when two outlaws arrive and they fight with him after an unsuccessful attempt to rob the provision store. He finally eliminates them but this result drives suspicious detective Xu Bai-jiu to investigate the case further. The last one digs deeper into the past of Liu and finds secrets unspoken and terrible things to have been done. He believes that law and physiology of people are overall. But can his instinct always lead him into right conclusions? Wu xia is the type of films that are both entertaining and dramatic, with beautiful action scenes and two heroes fighting at the right side of the law but with different points of view.

Abre los ojos aka Open your eyes (1997)

Years before the 'Inception' film there was another incredible gem based on a story about dreams and virtual reality. It was Chilean director Amenábar that introduced his fantastic tale to us. Cesar is a handsome and rich guy that doesn't care about serious relationships. He hangs out with his friend Pelayo and shares his bed with a strange woman named Nuria that seems to follow him everywhere. Until he meets Sofia and he interests about her even if Pelayo has told him about his feelings towards her. Situation changes when Cesar has a terrible car accident where Nuria dies and he has his face severely disfigured. He feels isolated, being a cripple and lost between dreams and reality. We find him in a jail trying to understand how he entered there and a psychologist tries to help him but can you really escape from the dreams? Excellent scenario and a really good production from Spain of the nineties.

Hoi-sa-won aka A company man (2012)

N.C.M is not just an exporting metal company but also a secret firm of assassins. Ji Hyeong-do is not just the typical employee but also their best killer ready to even sacrifice himself for the company. But after years of service he softens his feelings and try to hide his young assistant Gwon, following his deadline schedule. He has a friendship with  an older member Ban and he often enjoy his company and advices. But when the director discovers the truth, things for Ji become really difficult. Will he survive though the situation that needs him dead and what will be the consequences to his close people? A powerful action film with excellent performances that comes from South Korea, a country well known for its great productions in that style of cinema and not only.

Chop cup (2010)

Excellent and imaginative work from WeAreOm creative team. A game of luck becomes a fantastic trip into another dimension. I really liked this 80s style decoration and creative environment.

CHOP CUP from WeAreOm on Vimeo.

Killing them softly (2012)

America is not a country, it's just a business. That's what Jack thinks about his country. He works as an enforcer seeking for three guys who robbed a Mob protected card game. Johnny Amato was the brain behind all this and he convinced two young junkies, Frankie and Russell to do the job for him. The mission is completed fine but bigger problems appear when the expert killer Jack is looking for them. It's not the typical action film as well including big men conversations and a touch of drama. Brad Pitt is good playing a cold face killer avoiding the human feelings and looking forward finishing the business. Scoot McNairy also acts in a good way. Ray Liotta is just classic. The plot works, there is a little suspense and some stylized murders that complete an interesting crime movie.

Out of a forest (2010)

This is a really good production from Danish animator Tobias Gundorff Boesen. The storyline is excellent especially at the end. It's about a lovely little rabbit enjoying the company of its elders somewhere in the middle of a forest. But the bad wolf wonders around and seeks for his next victims.

Out Of A Forest from Tobias Gundorff Boesen on Vimeo.

Blancanieves (2012)

Spain is always for me on the list of countries that give us quality cinema. This gem is no exception. Pablo Berger shows his artistic taste on the classic Snow White fairy tale. Antonio Villalta is a famous bull fighter giving another routine show while his pregnant wife adores him on the stadium stage. But everything goes wrong as he gets seriously injured and his wife dies while giving birth to their daughter. He can't move anymore and a vicious nurse, Encarna, takes care about him and finally marries him. The little girl, Carmen, lives with her granny until the last one pass away. So then, she moves to her dad's mansion and faces the evil stepmother who makes her life difficult and refuse to leave Carmen see her father. When this happen, Encarna, tries to kill her sending her away and have her secret lover finish the job. But Carmen escapes and finds the seven midgets who are working on a wandering theater company. Soon she finds back her memory and her talent to be a new impressive bull fighter. But Encarna hasn't finish with her though. If you seek for another astonishing silent film directed with passion, mesmerizing photography and dark atmosphere, here is your choice.

 

Seraphim Falls (2006)

I really enjoyed this mixture of classic western and fantasy film. Because it really started with the old classic way of a typical action film and it almost ended at such a surrealistic topic. Carver and his team of headhunters are tracking Gideon at the minimalistic fields of Nevada over the cold mountains and the empty deserts. They want him alive as Carver commanded. But Gideon is a tough guy, ready to kill for survive and escape through the paths. His only weapon is a sharp knife but he is so expert to that, he doesn't finally need for something else. Seraphim Falls is the place that everything started and we will find the reason of this ruthless hunting though several flashbacks. The end is spectacular and gives another dimension to this film as the last characters the two heroes meet, an old Indian and a woman selling drugs in the middle of nowhere, lead to a result probably more philosophical than you think. Liam Neeson is good as always and Pierce Brosnan is apocalyptic as also the rest of the cast work properly.

Journey to the unknown - Kerry Laitala (2002)

Kerry Laitala is an experimental film director living and working at the States. Laitala hand-builds her films, manipulating the surface of the celluloid and exposing each frame individually to create works that stand at the edge of both film and art. This is a gem you can find at the Experiments in Terror dvd compilation. I can describe it as an experimental film including herky-jerky shock-editing & startling noises, rather than definite event, to achieve an audience reaction of tension or horror.

Red Dawn (1984)

This is another beautiful memory from the 80s. A classic war post film telling about a team of youngsters trying to survive from the attack of the Russian invaders. The third World War has been declared and the Russians with the help of Nicaragua and Cuba occupy a big territory of the States. Two brothers, Jed and Matt, alongside with some pals find shelter on the hills and attack back the invaders with hunting rifles, pistols, and bows and arrows. They are few but they have guts and plans to free their land again and they name themselves 'Wolverines' . The casualties from the enemy are lots but soon both sides will loose their best fighters. It is actually a dramatic story, giving another dimension to ordinary heroes. Patrick Swayze acted with realization as also Charlie Seen. There are some problems though at the script as for the Russian roles and the depth of the story as well. But it is still a good movie.

 

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011)

So here we have one of the most expensive and epic Taiwanese productions. A historical part based on the Wushe Incident that is split into two segments, the first being entitled The Sun Flag (tai-yang qi) and the second, The Rainbow Bridge (cai-hong qiao). The attempt of Japanese empire to rule over the Seediq tribes who were living in Taiwan at the end of the nineteenth century lasts for about thirty years after the defeat of the last. The Taiwanese people tolerate Japanese government but their culture is going to disappear through the technological development and social transformation. Mona Rudao is the leader of the mehe bu clan, one of the most violent on the island and the last stand for defensing their land to the conquerors. Now after thirty years of repression and a series of incidents that push his people to their limits, he still dreams of a free nation and believes that the time has come to take back their hunting fields. A real story about gaining freedom with amazing landscapes, great action scenes and historical notes of a proud nation. Plus the extraordinary folk soundtrack that will haunt your ears.

Blackaria (2010)

Welcome to the twisted world of François Gaillard and Christophe Robin. They are also directed the incredible 'Last Caress' back in 2010. This is the second film of a package dedicated to neo giallo. Full of bloody murders and naked beautiful women, it is an ode to neo noir and a trip into horror fantasy. A young woman, Angela tries to understand her nightmares asking for advice from her friend Marco, a psychologist. Her neighbor Anna Maria, organizes orgies at her apartment and drives Angela into the abyss of a weird atmosphere. As Angela finds her dead one day, she discovers that a strange thing happens as she looks through the broken glasses of a magic sphere. What happens to the time and who is the freaky killer wearing the red coat? Angela has to find the solution and escape from this situation as the murders lead to her as for the next victim. It was another interesting attempt from the French directors duo, but I think 'Last Caress' was working better as a plot. There are some cool scenes as the eye sliced by the razor, probably influenced by Bunuel. Maybe with a bigger budget and a better scenario we could have a miraculous result as well.

Création de la serpentine (1908)

An expressive short film from the first years of the past century where a magician shows his tricks to a musician. Great effects and surreal cinematography from Spanish director Segundo de Chomón, an interesting trick film specialist of his age. His imaginative works were really astonishing.

Coriolanus (2011)

This is a very interesting adaptation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus, directed and acted by Ralph Fiennes. Caius Martius, a real child of Rome returns from the battlefields and gains honor and glory. He is proposed to be the Senator but he can't do it as he is so violent and despises the civilians. The politicians take the lead and push him to his limits and finally they banish him as a result. He is so furious that he turns to his enemy. Turrus, and asks him to join forces and attack Rome. Now the game has change and Coriolanus thinks that he is the winner. But never underestimate your enemy or the masks of friends. This is so great, watching modern heroes speaking the language of a classic novel. Coriolanus maybe is not the most famous work of Shakespeare but the whole package here does the thing. Astonishing cinematography, nice score and great performances from Fiennes, Butler, Cox and Redgrave.

 

Still life (2005)

A young man drives into a desolate town where something strange happens. When he involves into a car accident, he realizes that he is the only human around as the city is a residential for lifeless mannequins. Things get worst when he tries to find shelter into a house. Creepy and with a working scenario this short film really made my day. If the budget was bigger maybe we could have a better result though.

Ichimei aka Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)

Takashi Miike takes the risk filming a great remake of Kobayashi's classic Hara-kiri. The storyline is about the same. Hanshiro is an elder samurai tries to help his son-in-law, Motome and his daughter, Miho, to stand on their feet and raise their precious child. The times are difficult due to the unemployment of Hanshiro and the problems the new family face. When Miho's baby gets sicked, Motome takes the responsibility to find more money, entering feudal lord's Iyi mansion and ask the permission to act Seppuku aka Hara-kiri. His last effort to earn some money even if that costs his life will have an unexpected end. But fate has not finished with Hanshiro's family and everything will be ruined at a cold, rainy night. Hanshiro now has to end this story and close the death's circle that makes his soul suffer as he stands alone. Miike succeeded to perfectly picture the bad and uncomfortable situation of a samurai living at a peaceful period in medieval Japan. Astonishing cinematography and beautiful photography that make this film a classic already.

 

Telephoneme (2010)

This short animated gem is based to an educational film from the 60's, titled 'The Alphabet Conspiracy'. There was a young girl, Alice who boycotts her homework and falls asleep, traveling into another world where she conspires with a Mad-Hatter-type to eliminate books and words. But a linguist changes opinion to Alice about the importance of the language. So we can have a happy end as she wakes up and does her homework finally for the the good of humanity. A stunning animation that won lots of prizes worldwide.

TELEPHONEME | MK12 from MK12 on Vimeo.

Django Unchained (2012)

I don't know if Tarantino is going to quit directing cool films after his last one, but he is still one of the geniuses around, completing a full career based on successful remakes and individual spectacular gems that made the world of cinema more interesting. No exceptions for 'Django' as well. Here we can find a slave, Django, being released by the bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz. Soon they cooperate and search for Django's beloved wife, Broomhilda, in order to save her from slavery and confront her temporarily boss, Calvin, who organizes the famous Mandingo fight tournament. You can find some references to the old classic 'Jango' films of the sixties and enjoy the same opening music theme from great Sergio Leone. The performances are astonishing and the script is working as you can have both drama, fun and action at the full package as only Tarantino knows to deliver.