Roma

I find it very difficult to comment too much in-depth on films like this, films which are so essentially personal to the film maker. And although many films to a certain extent will be personal, Roma - like Martin Scorsese's Silence - is so deliberately and deeply rooted in the experiences of the writer/director/cinematographer Alfonso Cuarón …

Трудно быть богом – Hard to Be a God

Er ... that is ... well, I mean ... hmm. Can someone explain to me how I can both totally understand the awe and wonder that people feel for this film, and yet at the same time struggle to appreciate it myself? I'm glad I've seen this, but I don't feel the need to revisit. Ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11sMDQIgggA

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

Certainly a unique debut from director Ana Lily Amirpour. Black and white, limited dialogue, no music other than that which is played on vinyl or cassette by the characters, and a story which can be taken at face value as a vampire story, or can be read on a number of social or political levels. …

8 1/2

I know I have seen this before, a while ago, and I clearly wasn't giving it my full attention as I remember being vaguely complimentary and vaguely dismissive at the same time.What was I thinking?! Having just seen the restored re-release of this 1963 Oscar-winner on a cinema screen, I formally recant any reservations and …

Ida

I think Ida would win the award for the most beautiful road movie ever made. Every shot is so perfectly framed and lit (in black & white) - absolutely breathtaking. Ida is a young novitiate preparing to take her vows, but is first forced to find out about her family before taking the final step. …

The Artist

I had been extremely irritated that this film had made it to the top of so many critics' 'Film of the Year' lists for 2011, when it wasn't even relased in the UK until 31st December. I was even more irritated when I found out that it wasn't actual...