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.
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
Super Size Me (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Starring: Morgan Spurlock
What would happen if you were to eat only food from McDonald's for an entire month? That question is answered in this controversial - and wildly enter... Read more
The Motorcycle Diaries ( Blu-ray ) (2003)
7.8/10
Director: Walter Salles
Starring: Mia Maestro, Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De La Serna
From executive producer Robert Redford and acclaimed director Walter Salles ("Central Station") comes a love letter to a continent and its people. Bas... Read more
Power Trip (2003)
7.5/10
Director: Paul Devlin
Attempting to supply modern electrical power to the former Soviet republic of Georgia, a powerful American energy company encounters enormous drama an... Read more
Travellers and Magicians (2003)
Director: Khyentse Norbu
Starring: Tshe Wang Dendup, Lhakpa Dorji, Sonam Kinga, Sonam Lhamo, Deki Yangzom
Dondup is sick of life in his small Himalayan village and is determined to make a go of it in the US. On the trek to the airport Dondup meets up with... Read more
Oldboy (2003)
8.4/10
Director: Chan-wook Park
Starring: Min-sik Choi, Hye-jeong Kang, Ji-tae Yu
Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) has been imprisoned in a room for 15 years with no explanation when, barely sane, he is released. Thrown back into the world... Read more
Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003)
7/10
Director: George Hickenlooper
Starring: Beck , Cher , Coldplay , Rodney Bingenheimer, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Elvis C...
When music scene demi-legend Rodney Bingenheimer was still an awkward unpopular teenager his autograph hound mother dropped him off in front of actre... 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
One Missed Call (2003)
6.2/10
Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Kou Shibasaki, Renji Ishibashi, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Kazue Fukiishi
From cult Japanese director Takashi Miike comes this typically stylish idiosyncratic horror-thriller. Yumi's friend has a missed call on her cell-pho... Read more
One Missed Call (blu-ray) (2003)
6.2/10
Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Kou Shibasaki, Renji Ishibashi, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Kazue Fukiishi
From cult Japanese director Takashi Miike comes this typically stylish idiosyncratic horror-thriller. Yumi's friend has a missed call on her cell-pho... Read more