Film Festivals 2004
Another great year for documentary fans with the gripping 'Capturing the Friedmans', political offerings 'Control Room', Robert McNamara in 'Fog of War', and the disturbing psyche of 'The Corporation'. For music lovers there was the fascinating 'End of the Century: The Sory of the Ramones', 'The Mayor of Sunset Strip', 'Metallica: Some Kind of Monster' and 'Festival Express'. Hector Babenco broke a long absence from directing with the powerhouse 'Carandiru' while Zhang Yimou's lush 'Hero' made it to New Zealand screens along with 'Motorcycle Diaries', gut-wrenching Korean flick 'Old Boy', heart-tugger 'Osama' and the delightful 'Triplets of Belleville' to name just a few.
Laurel Canyon (2002)
6.4/10
Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Starring: Frances McDormand, Kate Beckinsale, Christian Bale, Natascha McElhone, Alessandr...
In an exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhood, ageing hippie record producer Frances McDormand finds her empty nest filled by son Christian Bale and his f... Read more
Zatoichi (2003)
7.6/10
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Starring: Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Michiyo Ogusu, Yui Natsukawa
Aka "The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi". The sightless Zatoichi - hero of over two dozen films from 1962 to 1989 - is revived by scripter/director/star Ta... Read more
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
7.5/10
Director: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky
Starring: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo
Three years in the making, this acclaimed documentary from filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky ("Brother's Keeper") provides a fascinating, in... Read more
Intimate Strangers (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Patrice Leconte
Starring: Sandrine Bonnaire, Fabrice Luchini, Anne Brochet, Michel Duchaussoy
In the midst of marital problems, distressed wife Anna decides to see a psychologist. After entering the wrong office, she begins pouring her heart ou... Read more
The Weeping Camel ( aka The Story of the Weeping Camel ) (2003)
7.5/10
Director: Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni
Starring: Janchiv Ayurzana, Chimed Ohin, Amgaabazar Gonson, Zeveljamz Nyam
This moving documentary chronicles a family of nomadic shepherds' desperate attempts to save the life of a baby camel. Born snow white, the young colt... Read more
Somersault (2004)
6.8/10
Director: Cate Shortland
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, Lynette Curran, Erik Thomson
Heidi (Abbie Cornish), starved of true affection, looks to short-lived sexual encounters for the physical and emotional contact she craves. After a co... Read more
Control Room (2003)
7.8/10
Director: Jehane Noujaim
This bristling documentary about Al Jazeera, the satellite news network, during the American invasion of Iraq is a seminal film that explores how trut... Read more
Bad Santa (2003)
7.1/10
Director: Terry Zwigoff
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, Tony Cox, John Ritter, Brett Kell...
Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton like you've never seen him before) is the department store Santa who doesn't give a f*** if you've been naughty o... Read more
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
8.2/10
Director: Alexander Mackendrick
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Marty Milner
This hard-hitting expose of gossip columnists and press agents stars Burt Lancaster as a merciless scribe whose sister is his only soft spot. Tony Cur... Read more
The Stroll (2003)
7.4/10
Director: Aleksei Uchitel
Starring: Irina Pegova, Pavel Barshak, Yevgeni Tsyganov
A.k.a. "Progulka". Olya (Irina Pegova) steps out of a luxurious car and begins a stroll through the streets of St Petersburg, striking up an acquainta... Read more