Merry Christmas to all my fans & friends!!!

Chillerama (2011)

Kaufman is the owner of the last drive-in theater at the States and he is ready to showcase a night of rare horror films for his fans. The titles are just crazy: ''Wadzilla'' where a man faces problems with his erections. His sperm shows anomaly and a load is going to transform into a mutated thing that is going to threat the human race. ''I was a teenage werebear'' where we can see the humorous tale of a gay that becomes a creature like a werewolf wearing leather pants. ''The diary of  Anne Frankenstein'' mocks Adolf Hitler and his attempt to create a monster and win the war. But there is a little detail. The monster shall be Jewish. As the films continue playing on the screen, a bunch of teenagers seem to enjoy it without knowing that the terror is outside from their car. Is this story a matter of fiction or reality? A humorous film with great ideas, satisfying performances and big loads of fun. The influences of past terror films are so many to analyze so just sit back and enjoy this marvel of horror.

5150 Rue des ormes (2009)

Another excellent dark film from Canada this time. Who said that a chess player can be sane? Yannick is a talented young man who wins a film direction scholarship at a small town. When he decides to start his project at a peaceful area, he gets involved into a terrifying situation. After an accident with his bicycle, he looks after to hire a cab for taking him back home. But the driver, Jacques, seems to be a serial killer who is maniac about chess games and kills in purpose to rid the world of evil. His family also participates in this paranoia as his teenager daughter, Michelle, is ready to follow her father's steps. His wife, Maude, is unable to control anything and she has been turned to God to please her wills. Jacques's little daughter hates her father and seems to be a useless rebel to his plans. Can Yannick escape from this shit hole and what are the possibilities to stay alive?

Hyultu aka The showdown (2011)

After a battle between Joseon and Ming forces in Manchuria only three soldiers from Joseon survive. They take refuge in an abandoned inn. Soon it is clear that they have as much to fear from each other as from the Ming forces.The two of them, Jang do-young and Hun-myung have been raised together since childhood. In fact Hun belongs to So-beuk clan and this is a matter that turns Do young's family against him. They were both in love with Seo but when Do told Hun that he is responsible for his father's death, everything's gonna change. A game of survival in the middle of nowhere starts and the third man, a poor peasant who has been forced to join them at war will play a special role there. A dramatic story that gives a complete package of suspense and action and a quality cast that gives a good result.

Hesher (2010)

Hesher is just the shit. He is arrogant, lunatic, sexist, loner. He hates everything on this planet. TJ is a young boy who is obsessed with his old family car. The reason is that his beloved mother died in it after a tragic accident. His father is unable to raise him properly after that as he has lost his patience and will to live and he takes drugs. The only one who help them is TJ's grandmother. TJ will meet Hesher at an constructing area and they will have a bizarre relationship based to fear and compassion. Hesher's purposes are not clear and TJ is confused even more with his behavior. They will live together various situations that will get them closer somehow. TJ is also caring about a young girl, Nicole who works as a cashier at the local super market. A tending story with actual performances and cool cast. The metamorphosis of a boy through difficulties and the pain of loss and his change to another person, probably more mature.

Die summe meiner einzelnen teile aka Hut in the woods (2011)

Martin Blunt is a schizo who tries to survive in a difficult world. After his break with his ex girlfriend, he gets in the asylum to follow some therapy. But when he is being released, he is completely lost in a world of misery. He becomes alcoholic and finds difficulties in being part of society again. He can't even understand the rules of the game to stay alive. He looses his house and he sleeps on the road. He goes back to his hometown and he starts thinking of living in the woods. He is not alone on this journey as he finds a mate, Viktor. They have been met at the ruins of a building and they become best friends as they support each other. But is Viktor a real person or another figment of Martin's imagination? A tough story of a man who just wanted to live free, away from civilization and its problems. But society can't let him do it.

Salesman Pete and the amazing stone from outer space (2010)

Pete is a nice and clumsy salesman. But he's also a deadly super secret agent with a microprocessor implanted into his brain by some mad scientists from the government ! He has to secretly stop a bunch of bad guys who stole a magic stone that can change anything into seafood!

Salesman Pete from Salesman Pete on Vimeo.

De rouille et d'os aka Rust and bone (2012)

Stephanie is an attractive woman working at the aquarium as a whale trainer. Ali is a tough man who takes away his child from Belgium and arrives in Adibes to live with his sister and her husdband. Stephanie will meet Ali at a nightclub and the fate will do the job. They will disappear and meet again after Stephanie's tragical incident where she is going to loose both her feet. She is desperate and feels alone. Ali at the other side participates at illegal fight matches on the streets in order to gain some money and raise his son. But he is egoist, unlovable and unable to do it properly. Stephanie is going to touch his secret heart and he is going to make her feel as a human being again. She is the sensitive feeling, he is the raw power. A strong alchemy grows up and makes their souls melt in. A magnificent experience of dramatic cinema with Cotillard & Schoenaerts excellent performances at the first roles. A stunning nomination for 2012 Palme d'Or prize of Cannes Film Festival.

Love of future (2009)

Can a robot feel loneliness? Its attitude may remind to us our cold behavior as humans sometimes. The award wining short film about a love from the future. It was the winner of Shoot it 2009 mobile film festival and special guest presentation in Sessif 2011 festival.

Love Of Future from Nika Lominadze on Vimeo.

Stake land (2010)

At first I thought it could be another zombie film you know. But then I realized it was about vampires. Directed in a boring style that I couldn't stop moaning though. A lot of cliches, I think I will start writing scripts because sometimes I know exactly what is going to happen at the next sequence. Forgive my disappointment but I just say 'Enough is enough'. So this story is about a youngster, Martin, whose family is being eaten by a creature of the night. Hopefully for him, Mister is there to save his ass, excuse my language. Then he learns Martin how to protect himself and kill them after. The men try to reach 'New Eden', a place where vamps do not exist. They meet people, they travel together, people are getting killed, they continue alone. They also have to fight some crazy Christian clan bastards as well. But all these, are looking familiar to me. Anyway, the cast is good, the acting is fine but the direction and the soundtrack really got my nerves because a film like this needs more fun and less dramatic thoughts. But you can try it and think about that yourself.

Portal: No escape (2011)

This was the second short film for Daniel Trachtenberg, that have been made last year. A fantastic short film about a woman who is enclosed into a prison cell. We know nothing about her, the reason she is there except she starts thinking of escape. Until one day she discovers a secret weapon that will help her find her way out. Or not?

Bunohan (2011)

Three different personalities are part of the same family. Each one has to follow the path that fate has chosen for him. Sometimes the lives of people are caught in the web of other people's stories though. This is somehow the story starts as Adil aka Bunga leaves a death match as his best friend Muski organizes their runaway. Deng, the organiser of the match hires Ilham, a violent assassin to finish off Adil. The last one ignores that Adil is his lost brother. Adil escapes in Bunohan, his birthplace and finds out the truth about his origins. His father wants to give him some land but Adil denies everything. At the opposite side, Bakar the third brother wants this land to sell it at any cost. Even if this means the collapse of their family. A metaphysical story about betrayal between members of a family. An interesting gem from Malaysia that was its official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film of the 85th Academy Awards 2013.

Elling (2001)

How difficult is to create a new friendship or to continue some? Elling is a sensitive man who has been living alone with his mother until the age of 40 something. When she dies, he is sent to a state institution. He will meet there another weirdo, Kjell, a gentle giant and female-obsessed virgin. After spending sometime in there, they are being released and ordered to stay together at an apartment in Oslo. Together they will face the difficulties to be part of the society again. Elling has to find the courage to confront his fear of meeting new people and support Kjell on his passion about women. But the symbiosis for these two is sometimes difficult and leads them to funny situations. A touching film about the lost innocence from Norway that was nominated for Oscar.

Monkey shines (1988)

Allan is a strong and handsome athlete that becomes paraplegic after a tragic accident. He loses everything as he can't move anything except from his head's muscles. His girlfriend leaves him for the doctor who saved him and this makes him furious. But as a cripple he is now, he can do nothing until his best mate Geoffrey brings him Ella, a monkey trained to fetch and carry for him around the house, obeying him in all things. Geoffrey who works as a biologist researching human intelligence, has an illegal way to experiment on monkeys and he doesn't tell Allan that Ella was a part of his last project. When Ella starts acting strange, Geff carries back Ella to Melanie, an expert monkey trainer in order to make the suffered animal to behave. But Ella has different plans. Romero directs in a different style than zombies and we applause. Another sharp gem from the master of horror from Pittsburgh.

Ill Manors (2012)

A film about our times. Indeed. Young people trying to survive a living hell. Some are real children of the ghetto as Aaron, a foster young man who along with his energetic and violent friend, Ed, are doing illegal business in the hood. Kirby is the old boss, a drug dealer who spent half of his life in prison and now works for his ex-assistant, Chris, a ruthless gang chief. Katya is another victim of the system, an immigrant who has been forced to work as a prostitute and escaped from the Russian mafia to find a better future for her life and her newborn child. But her nightmare is still on her trails. Michelle is another junkie prostitute, lost in the universe of drugs. All these damaged characters are connecting in a story of blood, greed, pain and rage. A strong experience from the other side of civilization, the one who keeps us vigil and ready. Because every action has a reaction and people from specific environments are just following the path that someone has chosen for them. But hope is still here.

Cesare deve morire aka Caesar must die (2012)

Taviani brothers direct an alternative project, far away from the mainstream cinema. They find some prisoners for serious crimes as homicide, organized crime and drug trafficking at an Italian jail and help them understand more about art. Together they prepare a special public performance of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar. Most of the participants are finding a small opportunity on this project to forget their own problems and try to give their best in order to have a successful workshop. It is an interesting idea fulfilled with human feelings as people from different backgrounds who led them to the underworld, understand the meaning of the art and the work of a great classical author, as Shakespeare was. This film won the 2012 Golden Berlin Bear winner. Salvatore Striano's performance as Bruto is just brilliant and this man actually started working as an actor after his release.

 

Ruby Sparks (2012)

Calvin is a young novelist, famous enough but also a very lonely person. He visits often his shrink in order to find back his lost inspiration. Everyone thinks that Calvin is a genius except himself and his brother who tries to support him. Calvin has dreams last nights, always with the same person who appears there, a beautiful red hair girl, Ruby, who finally inspires him to start his new novel with her as the main character. But one day, as he wakes up, he finds out that Ruby became a real person in his life with funny consequences. So his entire universe comes upside down and this will help him understand his own ego as well. This is a great fantasy film with a stunning scenario and very good performances, from the directors of  'Miss Little Sunshine'. A romantic tale about the unexpected call of love that can happens anytime.

Henge (2011)

Yoshiaki and his wife, Keiko, are a young couple living an ostensibly quiet and happy life when Yoshiaki is repeatedly seized by inexplicable fits, complete with spasmodic jerks and demonic howls. They call in Sakashita, a pudgy, well-meaning junior of Yoshiaki’s at medical school, but he proves to have different plans for Yoshi and wants to keep him internal to the hospital. When the last one escapes from there, things are getting messy and his transformation to a mutant starts with terrible results to everyone. A good film with some bits of suspense, some other funny scenes and a cliche plot that turns into a crazy story. Expect the unexpected but remember always it is still a Japanese film.

 

Brake (2012)

Gabe Torres directs an interesting film at the same style of the successful 'Buried' that have been on the screens two years ago. The story is about the same but it develops at a different environment this time. A man is captivated in a glass box and tries to survive and defend his country, his family and his president from an act of terrorism. He can communicate with the outer world through an old radio receiver but he soon understands that many more people and colleagues are also held and used by force to give information about state department issues and national defense secrets. His ex wife is also a part of this horrible game as also a friend from the agency. Will he make it and what is all about actually?

 

Chernobyl diaries (2012)

When Chernobyl can be a touristic destination, everything can get bad. Especially at the case of a group of American youngsters who decide to end their holidays in Europe in an alternative way. Two brothers whose relationship is at critical levels, two girls and another couple who participates at the same excursion will witness the absolute terror at the abandoned city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. When Uri, their operator vanishes, they found themselves alone in the dark as no one else knows their visit there. Maybe the best film with mutants I have seen after the last remake of' 'The hills have eyes'. The dialogs are not winning any Oscar prize, but the action is here, the suspense also. I can't understand why the fans of the crappy 'Paranormal activity' franchise have different opinion at some forums. The work can be done even without paranormal entities.

Intouchables (2011)

Philipe is a very rich man. But a very unlucky too as he is a person with special needs. He can't move his body except his head. He spends his time sending letters to an unknown woman and as he believes in love with his unique old fashion way. Driss is an immigrant, a guy from the ghetto who tries hard to help his poor family. When he visits Philipe in order to get some papers signed, the last one tries to help him and hires him as an assistant. A strong friendship between these two different characters grows slowly day by day and they are going to share a lot of experiences and moments together. A stunning story based on real events with excellent performances from François Cluzet and Omar Sy, as also from the rest cast. French cinema at its best, I could say.

Mientras duermes aka Sleep tight (2011)

Cesar is a lone man who works as a concierge. He spends time chatting with people who live at the building and help them fixing their apartments. He is in love with Clara, a beautiful young woman who lives alone but he has an unorthodox way to approach her. Ursula, a little naughty girl knows about his secrets and blackmails him in order to serve her wills. But there are more things hidden behind Cesar. His obsession with Clara leads him to a bloody trip to hell and when Marcos, Clara's boyfriend arrives there, the events go wrong. Cesar has a few aces left in his pocket and he is ready to use them and make his plan true. He wants to destroy Clara's happiness because he is incapable of happiness himself. A thrilling story with sociology matters that can give you the creeps. We don't have to deal with ghosts, monsters, or evil because there can be dark souls out there for real.

The cabin in the woods (2011)

Imagine a place you could rest and find peace but instead of that being a member of something bigger and find death. Five youngsters decide to have some days off at a place far away from civilization. When they arrive, they find a peaceful place in  the woods and they enjoy that. But they don't know they are just puppets at a game between humans and gods. They discover an old assortment of strange antiques and relics but they don't know that their decisions are going to affect their lives. And when a girl reads from a book, she awakens a family of deadly zombie killers. They try to escape from this nightmare but it's pointless when a full studio of a secret organization lead them to the hands of the demonic creatures again and again. And there are not only zombies there but a whole world of magic that exists in cages, ready to be released and vanish everything on his way. A great idea that could be more completed with a better cinematography that shouldn't follow the easy path of the cliches.

La leggenda di Kaspar Hauser (2012)

Italian director Davide Manuli takes the real old story of Kaspar Hauser and transforms it on its own unique way representing a rare and bizarre film. It's like nothing you have ever seen with its minimalistic form as Manuli explores the boundaries of cinematography and presents an unexpected and difficult gem that is dedicated to the alternative audiences. Kaspar Hauser was a mysterious young man who appeared in Nuremberg in 1828 with lots of physical and psychological problems and died without a reason a few years later. Manuli sets him on an deserted island in the Mediterranean sea, founded by the Sheriff who tries to understand and approach him. Soon the Duchess who rules the place wants to meet him and find out what happens with him and if he is a threat for her kingdom. What is the purpose of his arrival and is he someone special or just another impostor? You should better understand this film if you tried before the older film 'The enigma of Kaspar Hauser' by another great director, Werner Herzog. Manuli also explores the relationship between man and God and you can see some kind of relation between the path of Kaspar and Jesus. Just open your mind and eyes and enjoy a special experience. Can a dj be a God? Vincent Gallo also gives another great performance on a double role as the Sheriff and his brother, the Pusher.

Chopper (2000)

Can a crazy legendary criminal be also a famous and best selling author in Australia at the same time? At the case of Mark "Chopper" Read, yes it can. This film delivers one of the best portrayals of a psychopath ruling the underground crime business. Chopper spent half of his life in prison for various crimes. He was fearless and had a special friendship with his mate Jimmy Loughnan even if the last one betrayed him several times as well. Chopper's intimate relationship with prostitute Tanya was another devastating part of his life. And of course his paranoia that Neville Bartos, an old enemy still wanted him dead. All these, led Chopper to an insane delirium that contained outbreaks of violence. Eric Bana gives a stunning performance and shows the real face of a man that could be understood only by himself.

Da xia Shen Sheng Yi aka The roving swordsman (1983)

Dugu Ngan is a professional assassin and the only one that has seen Tang's arsenal manual. This is the reason he is hired by the powerful Murung family. Gufang is the last member of it and a vicious mistress who wants to conquer the world. Master Chameleon and Zhi are her loyal assistants. They are all experts in explosives, martial arts and fake identifications. Gufang wants to steal the precious manual because there are written more ways to construct new weapons. Its owner Bai Bing with his friend hero Shen try to save it but Gufang manages to kidnap his daughter Bei in order to trade her with it. Shen with his comrade Yufei try to stop Gufang's evil plans. Another wuxia film from Shaw Brothers telling us about an interesting story of courage and heroic achievements. Check out the epic duel in the mirror maze, probably a tribute to Bruce Lee's classic 'Enter the dragon'.

Hodejegerne aka Headhunters (2011)

It's all about reputation. On that basis, Roger Brown is working as a successful headhunter. He likes to live in style with his beautiful woman Diana on his side. His secret about his happiness is working as an art thief alongside with his partner in crime, Ove, a security officer who helps him deactivating the systems. Ove has two passions, his Russian girlfriend and guns. Everything is under control until one day Diana introduces Clas Greve to Roger at the celebration of the opening of her new gallery. Clas seems to be another charming gentleman but behind the mask you can find a former soldier and a really dangerous man. When Roger attempts to steal a rare painting from Clas's house, everything comes upside down and the chase is on. Impressive thriller from Norway with good cast, an excellent script that could have won a lot of prizes with its suspenseful story and fast cinematography.

The kick (2011)

A rare dagger that costs millions of dollars and is a national treasure for Thailand is kept at a museum. Sd company invites a family of tae kwo ndo experts to perform in order to celebrate the exhibition of the treasure. A mobster wants to steal it and plans a mission. The two teenagers of the family get involved accidentally and take it back. The mafia boss is frustrated and decides to pay back them. Moon, the father, send the youngsters into his brother camp to save some time until the police arrest the mafia. But the mobster follows the tae kwo ndo champions and a lot of fights are happening. A battle to the end for regaining back the dagger. Excellent co-production from Thailand and South Korea. Funny characters and great actions scenes.

Carancho (2010)

"Carancho" is either a slang term or an expression, used in Argentina, to refer to an ambulance chaser, a lawyer who searches for potential clients around traffic accidents or emergency hospital corridors. Between misery and drugs two people try to come closer. Sosa works as an insurance advisor at Foundation, an illegal corporation that steals the money from the accidents that happen often at a small town in Argentina. Lujan is a young doctor, addicted to drugs, who tries the best for the people suffering on the road or the hospital. They meet after another accident and their fates connect them. But Sosa has to face competitors that want him out of game at any cost and things get messy. Dog the mobster tries to threat Sosa in various ways in order to take him out but the dramatic reality will drive everybody to the unexpected end. Argentinian films are always interesting to me and for one more time, this one is another great gem, with good performances and real characters.

Dog soldiers (2002)

Professional soldier Cooper fails to enter the elite squad of captain Ryan after denying to follow a non sense order. Some weeks later, he participates into another squad that is sent on a training mission in the Highlands of Scotland. Something strange happens there though and soon they realize that the rumors about freaking deaths and disappears have real motivations. They soon face a menace that they can't even imagine and when the soldiers fall one by one, they try to escape into the woods. Megan, a zoologist finds them and takes them into her house. She seems to know a lot about the murders and Cooper doubts about her motivations. His agreements with Ryan also don't help the situation. Another thrilling film from U.K. with great horror atmosphere and working plot. You can find some 80s direction style on it.

Juan of the Dead (2011)

Zombies in Cuba? Can it be? Oh yeah. And the solution is one. Juan and his mates, Lazaro and his lazy son California and La China, a fabulous trans with his huge black bodyguard. The team sees zombie's arrival and transformation as a business opportunity. And their moto is simple as that : "Juan of the dead, we kill your loved ones." They try to survive and kill as many zombies as the customer's calls increase each day. But the casualties are often and the company splits. The political issues are here blended with humor and action. The fight scenes are sometimes hilarious and the hopes for a better future look like a dream sometimes. Because this is the point. To dream without thinking and make your best as well. And Juan knows a lot about it. For sure.

Midnight son (2011)

Jacob lives on his own and works as a security guard. His life is going to change soon as he suffers from a disorder that keeps him hungry and make his skin extremely sensitive to the sun light. When he meets Mary, a young junkie, they fall in love. But their relationship has black outs because they both face problems and try to keep them for themselves. Jacob's metabolism makes him thirsty for human blood and the idea of being a vampire freaks him out. But he can't control it any more and he gets into troubles in order to find new portions. Interesting idea that keeps adrenaline high and a really cool film with a different view on the life of the night keepers. The ones that seek for the different and the dark side. 

Backyard aka El traspatio (2009)

A thrilling story based on the real incidents that happened at the city of Juarez in Mexico several years ago. A number of mysterious deaths and rapes and a society that knows but doesn't care. Police officer Blanca Bravo dedicates her job in order to find the solution and discover the real purpose of the macabre killings. Women continue to be found in the desert abused and straggled to death. The police chief knows about it but he doesn't help her and the governor has established serious business with the corporations where the lost women used to work. Blanca's cooperation with the radio producer Peralta make the situation more difficult for her. Things are not obvious and a conspiracy is on the air. An astonishing thriller and a series of murders that never been found at their complete number.

Valhalla rising (2009)

The One Eye, a mysterious warrior. What is his fate and what his past? We can find him in chains as a prisoner at the cold mountains of Norway. His rage is tremendous and his thirst for blood endless. When he manages to escape, he slaughters everybody except a small blond kid who follows him at his lonely path. Soon One Eye finds back some others knights from his place and joins them at a journey to nowhere. Some of them are superstitious and believe that he is cursed and soon problems will come onto surface. They find the promised land but it doesn't look like actually as they thought at first. Really violent film with dark atmosphere and great fight scenes. The cinematography is good but sometimes a bit slower than it should. Another watchable action film that you should try.

Black Venus (2010)

This is another incredible film about the human rights of the black people and the way they were been fronted by the society of Europe two centuries ago. Saartjes Baartman was a domestic who left Southern Africa, following her boss Hendrick Caesar as she believed his fake promises for fame and money if she worked with him at the exhibition. A woman with many psychological problems who was living in fear as well, she tried to survive through the humiliation and the disgrace. All this led her to alcoholism and made her health worst. Caesar meets Reaux, a disgusting guy who tries to persuade to follow him in France and continue the show there. The situation gets bad for the black woman and her life becomes pointless as she ends up being a prostitute. Actually this is a real story and a powerful gem, respectable and stunning. The performances are great and the dramatic sequence is extraordinary.

Everything is illuminated (2005)

A sensitive movie about memories and the remarkable attempt of a young American guy to collect all the things of his family that will keep the past alive and the the thoughts of his ancestors untouchable.  Jonathan Safran Foer plans a trip into Ukraine, with a photograph of his grandfather in his pocket and the name of a village in his mind. He arrives at Odessa and hires a funny group of Heritage Tours, compiled by a gruff old man, his English-speaking grandson and their deranged dog. The trip is interesting through the beautiful countryside of Ukraine and the quest for the lost village continues. What happened there, will change the lives of the three men for sure and will give them a bittersweet taste of life. Elijah Wood performs with his unique style and the results are really well. Liev Schreiber proved for another more time that actors can sometimes surprise the audience at the same way as directors.

Last caress (2010)

Ventura sisters have hidden a precious painting of their ancestor at a mansion. The person on the canvas used to be a terrible witch who was living in Czech. A strange assassin invades in the house and starts killing all the guests one by one in order to find the lost and rare painting. But he doesn't know about the curse. There is blood and there is also fun. And sexy nude scenes as well. And that's the point to make an interesting tribute to the Italian 70s horror films. Plus the incredible soundtrack from Double Dragon that takes the gem into a higher level with its 80s electro style. French directors are feeling closer into making good and stylish horror flicks even these with low budget and low performance acting. I am really looking forward to check the other work of the package dvd, known as 'Blackaria' and I hope it will be a nice surprise too.

Ondskan aka Evil (2003)

Can you ever find the difference between good and evil? Where are the symptoms hidden and what is the final conclusion? This is an amazing film about a teenager, Erik who tries to finish the last grade of the high school. But he has so many problems. Starting from his family where the new companion of his mother uses physical and  psychological violence against them. So Erik has to feed his anger fighting with other students and this will lead him to a private boarding school. At first, everything looks fine but soon Erik realizes that the situation is not ordinary as the senior students control the young ones. Teachers are just there doing their lessons and nothing more. Silverhielm and his council manage students behavior, attitude and manners. There are also seeds of fascism, sprouted with hate, from some teachers and senior students that make younger kids life more difficult. Erik meets Pierre, a peaceful guy who helps him with the classes and they become best friends. But how more can he afford the vicious methods of the council? Excellent performances, social issues and stunning cinematography. A great film from Sweden that will make your stomach hurt.

Drive In Short Film Intermission Anti Pay TV 2

Don't let the monsters in your leaving room. Oh my, this was hilarious.

Wild Bill (2011)

Bill is free again. He was in prison for some years for doing some illegal business and beating some people. Now on his way back home, he finds his sons, Dean and Jimmy, abandoned from their mother who decided to leave to Spain. The children don't even know him well and Dean isn't very satisfied with Bill's arrival as he think he is a pariah. Bill gets the attention of T, the local mobster and tries to stay away from the troubles but the old time partners can't leave him this way. He has also to face the social services who want to take the kids away. But before that, he has to make his children trust him and this is the difficult point. T doesn't want him in his area and Bill has to take dangerous decisions about his future. But he doesn't know that his younger boy, Jim, is involved into crime business. This is an interesting English production, though it has some cliches. The performances, especially Bill's and the youngsters are really good and the dramatic sequence works fine.

Miracle Mile (1988)

This was an offbeat experience for sure. A forgotten apocalyptic film from the 80s that becomes so intriguing from time to time. Harry meets Julie. It is a pure and innocent love. When he accidentally miss his third date with her, he answers to a strange call outside of the place Julie works. Someone tells Harry that the States are been attacked and missiles are going to hit Los Angeles. So he manages to escape from there and save Julie and her relatives. But things are not in order and he tries his best in order to stay alive. Panic and chaos rule now and the countdown has already started. This is one of the most thrilling movies I have seen at the last months and the direction as the plot are quite magnificent. You can see people's reaction to unexpected incidents and how civilization could collapse in some hour before a complete destruction happened.

Grupo 7 (2012)

Rafael, Angel, Mateo and Miguel are the members of the infamous unit 7. It's mission is to clear Seville from the drug trafficking. But their methods are not always legal even if the results are quite successful. Rafael used to be the most tough cop but after he meets a young girl and supports her, he starts getting softer. Angel, leader of the unit, has ambitions and becomes violent and corrupted soon as he wants a better life for his family. Mateo has a secret relationship with Mahogany, a prostitute who leads them to the heart of drug dealing and help them with the transportation. The internal affairs are following Unit 7's leader as they are suspicious about the situation. As the team slips off the legal limits, Rafael and Mateo end up on opposing paths. A good Spanish production with fast direction and realistic cinematography. It describes perfectly the environment of the oppressed neighborhood in the south of Spain and the behavior of the people.

Fubar Redux (2011)

Cats and dogs are fighting again as always. This time the situation is critical as we have a total war between the two sides. Private arm dealers sale more and more weapons to both armies in order to increase their bank account rates. And peace looks like an utopian dream as well.

Fubar Redux from Hasraf HaZ Dulull on Vimeo.

Detachment (2011)

Maybe the best story about the education system ever filmed. Brody plays Henry, a substitute teacher who wants to help the low educated students of a high school that is going to close soon. He has his own personal problems as his grand father is ill at the hospital and he needs extra attention. Henry also helps a young girl who was living on the streets as a hooker, Erica and invites her to live with him for a while until he will find a solution for her. He also has psychological problems due to his mother's death when he was a child. At the class, the situation seems hell and he has to attract the teenagers and win their confidence. Meredith is a talented girl who speaks through her photography art and wants someone to pay attention to her at last. Can Henry help her? A sad dramatic story for thinkers. Brody performs amazingly as always. There are depth on his character and  philosophical issues about teaching and make others understand.

God bless America (2011)

Another cool film that could have been much better. Frank loses his job after eleven years of devotion. He is divorced and disgusted from the American society and its humiliating television broadcasts where everybody seeks for fame and money, being arrogant and acting as a small God and cares for nothing except himself. After a pessimistic diagnosis of a tumor on his head, Frank really freaks out and decides to take the situation on his hands and eliminate all these scums who have drove citizens to brainless human beings. On his first mission, taking down Chloe, a stupid rich girl and reality super star, he meets Roxy, another person with the same ideals and they join forces continuing the massacre across the States. As a story it reminds of 'Natural Born Killers' and 'Bonnie and Clyde' but it fails to give depth on its characters and sometimes all these killings seem pointless as the heroes aren't very convincing but it still worths a viewing.

Eden Log (2007)

A man, Tolbiac, wakes up on a dark environment and tries to figure out what happened and how he was founded there. This place used to be an underground research lab, known as Eden Log. An experiment about new methods of collecting energy from the trees. Scientists and workers started a small revolution and guards had to take them down as they started transforming into mutants. Even the creator of the Rezo labyrinth can't help our hero as he is now a part of the deep roots of the toxic plants. Tolbiac will meet a young botanist and together they will try to escape from this land of desperation. Will they make it? An interesting dystopian film with social futuristic comments, dark atmosphere and cinematography and a working script even if its action was sometime recurrent and maybe slow.

Detective Dee and the mystery of the phantom flame (2010)

In 689 A.D., Wu Zetian was the first known female empress in the world. She wanted to built a 66 m high statue of Buddha to celebrate it. Shatuo was the responsible supervisor. But strange incidents happen as various assistants of the government start dying from a mysterious cause. They burnt alive as something affect their body towards the sun and make it explode into ashes. Wu frees detective Dee who was imprisoned for 8 years, accused as a traitor and orders him to investigate the case. Minister Pei doesn't agree with his methods and tries to interfere into the story. Wu also put her loyal assistant Shangguan to look after Dee so the last one will have a difficult mission in order to protect the empress and find out who is behind the killings. Prince Li Xiao wants Dee on his side to overturn the empress and all this situation confuse the mighty inspector. Tsui Hark directs a bold film with a solid story full of mystery and dynamic choreography even if the plot is more dramatic than active.

Sex and violence - Bill Plympton (1999)

Bill Plympton is another great animator who with his unique style and flavor of humor gives us some clever stories of sex, violence, empathy and madness.

Bill Plympton - Sex and violence από baltanar

Cavallette aka Grasshoppers - Bruno Bozzetto (1991)

Enjoy fine work from Bruno Bozzetto. A serious animation made by a minimal form. It's about thirst of human civilization for war and conquers. A single figure stands for an entire group opposite another one and they repeatedly fight and die. It was an Oscar Nominee for Best Animated Short in 1991.

Kurutta ippêji aka A Page of madness (1926)

A forgotten masterpiece that was lost for 45 years and finally discovered back from his own creator in 1971. Then he put an amazing score that really fits and  the result was extraordinary. This film reveals both the frightening and attractive aspects of madness. An old man works as a janitor at a psychiatric hospital. The reason actually for being there was to take care of his beloved wife as also plan to free her. She was a patient there after trying to commit suicide before killing her baby. There is going to be anarchy in the asylum and the old man starts having hallucinations due to the sick atmosphere around him. It is a great example of the perfectionism Japanese are known about even so many years ago. The editing, cinematography and the montage techniques are astonishing. Eisenstein was not alone finally. Enjoy the whole film below.

Det okända aka The unknown (2000)

A 'Blair witch project' stylized film that also can remind you of 'The thing' or 'Body snatchers' a little bit and a cool attempt of the Swedish to spread some horror. Five biologists and friends are going to investigate a fire that burned down a forest. Jacob and Ann-Sofie are in love and seem to be a happy couple. Ingar used to be with Tomas who is the weird guy of the company. Marcus is just Marcus. One day they discover a strange creature and try to find out what is about. But their peaceful trip is going to turn into a nightmare as Ingar disappears and Tomas start behaving more crazy. Paranoia comes out from the characters and a continuous nightmare will lead them to the path of this horrible truth. What is going to happen to them and is this creature responsible for all this? Shot with digital cameras, this thriller sometimes looks like really interesting as the cast give realistic performances and the direction is sometimes creative.

Freeze me (2000)

Chihiro lives a peaceful life working at a bank and has a relationship with her colleague at work, Nogami. But no one knows about her past life when she decided to leave her hometown after she has been raped by three vicious men. She comes to Tokyo looking for something better but one of them, Hirokawa finds her and enters into her apartment by violence. He kicks her and rapes her again as he waits the two other guys, Baba and Kojima in oder to celebrate Baba's release from the prison. But he doesn't know that Chihiro is going to fight back this time. Nogami is confused by her behavior of the last days but he can't help her as she is trapped into her own world. How will she seek for revenge from the three slugs and what will happen to her at last? Takashi Ishii directed a disturbing as also violent film with a woman trying to escape from a continuous nightmare with no salvation after all. Enjoy hell of a ruined soul as well.

The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Yeah dudes, this is the Action film of the year and it comes from Indonesia. A dark, twisted and really violent diamond. Tama is the ruthless crime lord who owns a building. Jaka is the leader of a S.W.A.T. elite force planning to enter the place and capture everyone. But it is not as easy as they thought. Tama orders all the inhabitants to eliminate the intruders in order to stay there for free for their rest of their lives. He also has two powerful bodyguards, the Mad Dog, a crazy motherfucker who kills for fun using his fists and Andi who prefers to use his brain. Rama joined this team as a rookie and he wants to get there and bring back alive a person. It's his little secret but soon he understands this is gonna be extremely dangerous. Expect nothing but great dynamic battles through the dark halls of the building, fast direction that gives you the creeps and a great cast. Fucking dynamite as we commonly say.

K-Swiss - Kenny Powers MFCEO (2011)

The incredible Kenny Powers becomes the Ceo of K-Swiss company. The results are just tragic. A lot of hilarious moments across the advertising campaign will make you laugh till you drop.

K-Swiss - Kenny Powers MFCEO from Caviar on Vimeo.

First snow (2006)

Jimmy Starks is a successful salesman, full of ambitions. While traveling, he meets a soothsayer assuring him that his life gonna end soon. Jimmy becomes paranoid and tries to figure out what causes all this mess. His girlfriend Deirdre and his best friend/ business partner Ed try to help him but an unexpected incident will bring back Vince, Jimmy's old betrayed friend. This will make Jim more anxious and as he have to clear the situation between them, his behavior will change and his life will start collapsing. What will be his next move and can fate change or he has to face his destiny? Really good performance from Guy Pearce, working plot and unexpected end for this suspenseful film that connects psychological thriller with drama.

Some guy who kills people (2011)

Ok maybe this title isn't the perfect match for the story but it is still an interesting gem of an abnormal guy who escapes from reality drawing comics. Ken Boyd was an ex patient of a psychiatric asylum and now tries his best to join back the community working as a fast food employee. Now a series of freaky homicides wake up the town and the local Sheriff tries to find out what happens. Ken thinks of his violent past where some guys used to bully him and make him suffer. But Ken also has to discover about his relationship with his lost daughter, Amy, who have to meet him for eleven years. All the killings evidence point Ken as the main suspect. What will happen after Amy will discover his dark past? A low budget film that delivers a dark, suspenseful sense and some good actors doing their best in order to make this story work for real.

Sight (2012)

In the future people can use applications onto their eyes and brains in order to indulge their wills. You can play video games or you can program your day or even plan a date. But what is the dark secret behind all this?

Sight from Sight Systems on Vimeo.

The Gloaming - Nobrain (2010)

Welcome to the nightmarish world of No brain. Where a man lost in the desert creates somehow a smaller world with his civilization's process. The mankind represented by a special technique that combines two different animation styles. The past, the present and the future of a race rising and falling apart. Just brilliant!

THE GLOAMING from Sabotage Studio on Vimeo.

Rebus Film Nr. 1 (1925, Paul Leni)

It's time to squeeze your mind a little bit. An "extra" shown in two parts at the movie theater, before and after a feature: part one gives the clues to six words in a crossword puzzle, part two gives the answers. In addition to the visual clues, which are clips of a party, an Asian country, a European city, table games, winter, and bullfighting, there are montages of street scenes and spinning objects. A simple cartoon character, Mr. Rebus, walks the audience through the clues, and title cards encourage the participation of the theatergoers.

Il gatto a nove code aka The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971)

When Dario Argento directs his second film and Ennio Morricone puts the soundtrack the result shall be just great. This is another 'Giallo' mystery film about a series of murders connected to a pharmaceutical company. Franco Arno is an interesting character. Although he is blind he used to be an active journalist and now he makes a living writing crossword puzzles. He lives with his young niece Lory and one night as they return home, he overhears a weird conversation that troubles him. Soon murders that have to mess with people who work at the company make him believe that something strange happens and he decides to investigate it with the help of reporter Carlo Giordani. The cinematography and suspense are at high levels and Karl Malden gives a good performance as a blind man.

π (1998)

After fourteen years I decided to watch back this incredible film that still gives me the creeps. A dark opera and a twisted nightmare that came out from the futuristic view of one of my favorite directors, Darren Aronofsky. There is maybe a thin line between insanity and genius. Max is ready to cross the boundaries as he is stuck into an unsolved mathematics theory. He tries to understand the meaning of life through numbers and unlock the universal patterns found in nature. But this research will lead him to madness and paranoia. Both a fanatic Jewish sect and a powerful street market corporation attempt to reach him and make him work for them unsuccessfully. Will Max escape from this endless trip though hell and what is the cost for finding the name of God as represented from the numbers? PI was a massive impact of this period to our teenage minds as well and still an underground surprise that haunted us for years with its delicate direction and astonishing soundtrack.