Latest Staff Picks
The films listed below are Alice's Latest Staff Picks, finding their way into this category generally as a result of agreement between staff that they have real merit for one reason or another. Most titles represent a safe choice for those that find choosing a film difficult or are bewildered by Alice's depth and breadth...
For personal Staff Picks, you are cordially invited to take a journey into the mind's eye of Alice's movie mavens by clicking on the 'Staff Favourites' link (stage left). Click on the Alice Guide of your choice, and take an ushered journey through the looking glass and into their personal cinematic wonderland.
The Big Sleep (1946)
8/10
Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, Martha Vickers
Raymond Chandler's witty and convoluted whodunit comes to life under director Howard Hawks. Humphrey Bogart is tough private eye Philip Marlowe, Laure... Read more
The Lobster (2015)
7.1/10
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: John C Reilly, Rachel Weisz, Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman, Ben Whishaw, Ashley J...
In the world of Yorgos Lanthimos wily jet black satire of socially enforced coupledom, single adults are required to find a partner within 45 days or... Read more
Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (1988)
7.6/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Carmen Maura, Julieta Serrano, Maria Barranco, Rossy de Palma
A popular actress (perennial Almodovar favourite, Carmen Maura) is driven to distraction when her lover leaves for another woman. She's certain she ca... Read more
The School of Rock (2003)
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman
Terrific comedy showcases a tailor-made part for Jack Black as an egomaniacal heavy metal guitarist who gets booted out of his band, then has to seek... Read more
The Birdcage (1996)
7/10
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Christine Baranski, Dianne Wiest, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Robin Williams, Cal...
This American version of 'La Cage Aux Folles' features the performances of Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman. About a gay couple who must '... Read more
Calvary (2014)
7.4/10
Director: John Michael McDonagh
Starring: Aidan Gillen, Brendan Gleeson, M Emmet Walsh, Dylan Moran, Marie-Josee Croze, Ch...
One Sunday morning, like any other Sunday morning, in a sleepy western Irish coastal town, Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson) is taking confession... Read more
Cowboy Bebop: Volume 1 (1998)
8.9/10
Director: Shinichiro Watanabe
Starring: Animation
Volume 1 of 6. The year 2071 A.D. That future is now. Driven out of their terrestrial eden, humanity chose the stars as the final frontier. With the s... Read more
Black Mirror: The Collection (2011)
8.9/10
"Black Mirror" is Charlie Brooker's biting satire on technology and modern media. Over the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every asp... Read more
Paradise Now (2005)
7.5/10
Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Lubna Azabal, Kais Nashef, Ali Suliman, Amer Hlehel
Golden Globe's Best Foreign Film is this taut drama concerning two Palestinian friends who have signed up to become suicide bombers. They are assigne... Read more
Matchstick Men (2003)
7.3/10
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Bruce McGill, Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman
Obsessive-compulsive con artist Nicolas Cage and partner Sam Rockwell make good livings with slick scams in the Los Angeles area. Cage believes he has... Read more