A quality character driven exploration of class and race divisions in a Parisian ‘ghetto’ with three excellent lead performances and an interesting story. Undoubtedly, the best thing to come out of France since Emmanuelle.
European
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
An endearingly ridiculous festive treat from Scandinavia that’s certainly more Brothers Grimm than Miracle on 34th Street. It’s a refreshingly unsentimental movie that mercifully lets you keep your Christmas dinner down.
Elling
Think Dumb and Dumber but with more class, laughs and likeability and a valid reason the two main characters act like they do. Would be a comedy classic if it wasn’t Norwegian.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Everything comes together nicely in a final instalment of the Millennium trilogy that oozes thrills, class and memorable moments.
Heaven
This unforgivably bad romantic ‘thriller’ gives a new meaning to waking up in a warm pool of your own urine.
Freight
Freight is notable mainly for the fact that it’s only the second ever film I’ve seen set in my unremarkable home town of Leeds. After getting over this shock I was just treated to clichés, a poorly thought out storyline and dialogue and a little bit of serviceable action.