France   2008   128 mins   12

Headed by François Bégaudeau, the best-selling author of this account of a year spent in a school in the run-down outskirts of Paris, director Laurent Cantet (Human Resources) films a cast of non-actors using minature hi-def video cameras. His risky approach nonetheless pays remarkable dividends as we see an often morally conflicted Bégaudeau cajole, reprimand and tease his young, multi-racial wards into finding merit in both learning and learning to live in a society where nationality is assumed to be as, if not more, important than academic achievement. A spirited, uplifting film and France’s first Palme d’Or winner since 1987. (Subtitled)

USA/Ger/Aus   2008   116 mins   15

This fine movie is Clint Eastwood’s most provocative and affecting film since the very successful Mystic River. In Gran Torino the veteran director plays Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran and ex-Detroit car worker alienated from his remaining family and angry at the world he sees from the porch of his house in one of the city’s run-down suburbs. As an initiation rite demanded by his delinquent, gang-leading cousin, Thao, Walt’s young neighbor, tries to steal Walt’s prized 1972 Ford Gran Torino, following which Walt develops a surprisingly warm and co-dependent relationship with the boy and his Asian family.

Turk/Fra/It   2008   109 mins   15

The Best Director award at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival went to Nuri Bilge Ceylan for this Turkish film noir – a compelling social and political drama beautifully filmed in muted colours. A politician with an election looming kills a man in a hit and run incident and bribes his driver to take the rap. Things get even darker when the driver’s beautiful wife, wonderfully portrayed by Hatice Aslan, visits the politician for an advance on the money while her husband is in prison. The title refers to the three wise monkeys who, in this case represented by members of the driver’s family, chose to ignore the corruption, deceit, and evasion in their midst. Rivetting viewing. (Subtitled)

It/Fra   2008   110 mins   15

Essentially a lightly fictionalised bio-pic of Italy’s seven times prime minister, Giulio Andreotti, Sorrentino’s beautifully shot film is a complex and subtle study of power and the corruption it so often inculcates in those who hold it. Dominated by an extraordinary performance by the one of Italy’s leading character actors (who also starred in acclaimed films Gomorrah, and Consequences Of Love), Toni Servillo’s performance is so compelling yet masterfully nuanced that the viewer is able to empathise with his character’s labyrinthine and often merciless actions, yet never quite come to grips with their underlying motives. (Subtitled)

USA   2009   101 mins   PG

A marvellous animated feature from the stable that brought us The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is a great example of the stop-motion technique pressed into service in support of a dark and inventive tale by master storyteller, Neil Gaiman. In many respects an illustration of the old adage “be careful what you wish for,” the story of Coraline, a feisty eleven year-old, who has moved to a new house and within it finds a door to a mysterious alternative world, is brought vividly to life through the consumate skill of director Harry Selick. An instant classic, this film will appeal to adults and children alike (warning: may be a bit frightening for the very young...).

Sweden   2008   115 mins   15

A remarkably fine and genuinely frightening movie about a teenage vampire, but this time the genders are reversed. Lonely, twelve year-old, Oskar’s wish for a friend seems to come true when he meets Eli, also twelve. A pale, serious young girl, she only comes out at night and doesn’t seem affected by the freezing temperatures... At first Eli has evil eyes for Oskar; he looks angelic, and lives in a hell created by school bullies, but she falls in love in her fashion, and becomes the boy’s protector. Tomas Alfredson’s universally acclaimed direction of John Lindqvist’s script (an adaptation of his own novel) stands toe-to-toe with Spirit Of The Beehive, Pan’s Labyrinth or Orphee. (Subtitled)

Isr/Ger/Fra   2008   106 mins   PG

You know a performance has to be special when a Palestinian wins Israel’s version of the Best Actress Oscar.  The wonderful Hiam Abbass is Salma, a Palestinian widow who earns her living tending to her late father’s lemon grove. When an Israeli government minister moves next door and declares the grove a potential security threat, Salma struggles to defend her peaceful livelihood. Personal drama gives way to political controversy as Salma forms an unexpected bond with the minister’s lonely wife, and takes her protest all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court. The rare ability to make intelligent, entertaining cinema from hot-button issues is beautifully illustrated by Lemon Tree. (Subtitled)

US/UK/Fra   2009   127 mins   12

Gripping from the very opening scene, this (loose!) American adaptation of the acclaimed Paul Abbott BBC series will thrill you, shock you, and occasionally amuse you too. Russell Crowe’s irresistible performance as Cal McAffrey, an aging investigative reporter, provides an energy and grunt which sustains throughout the film. His editor (Helen Mirren) teams him up with Della Fry (Rachel McAdams) whom he regards as something of a lightweight, but when she discovers some incongruities in the life of congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) the plot really begins some fascinating twisting and turning. Dark, funny, and topical – don’t miss it.