David Parkinson

Quietly compelling, but lacks finesse in its characterisation and dogged denunciation of the Ethiopian justice system

A desperately sad look at two men whose determination to rebel against their heritage and succeed in their artform has rendered them unable to communicate. Compelling stuff, though.

A laudably even-handed examination of a highly charged subject.

A completely merited cult favourite of the avant-garde genre. This is surprisingly compelling in places.

Over-the-top but blackly funny along the way.

Having taken such pains to establish Tom’s Finnish background and its attendant dangers, Karukoski hurtles through the sketchy American section without exploring any of its crucial issues in sufficient depth.

The life and crimes of Virgil Starkwell, a petty hoodlum who finds love with a laundress, Louise, in between botched blags and stints on a chain gang.

Clara Bow is mesmerising in this ahead-of-its-tie air force drama.

While it may prompt some to think again next time they're in Starbucks, this astute insight into the coffee business is better at lauding the good guys than taking the multinationals to task for the iniquities of the global economy.

A few plot holes hold back what is otherwise a well cast and compelling picture.

Sokurov's use of space, religious symbolism and raw emotion compensate for any sense of exclusion.

Chekhov is notoriously difficult to film and this adaptation boldly taps into the play's mordant wit. But the fidgety and over-emphatic visuals detract from the themes and the stellar performances.

Laurent's brushstrokes always feel a little too broad to capture the finer details of the legendary New Wavers, but some fascinating archive footage saves his documentary from missing the mark altogether.

Dated even at the time of release this nevertheless has a comic performance from Walter Matthau worth catching.

With its bestial themes, conceptual humour and cartoonish thespians, this consciously arch farce will intrigue some and infuriate others.

Despite Hitchcock's own reservations this is definitely worth a look. Interesting to his aficionados and darkly funny and depressing in turns.

Despite the striking photography, this fascinating denunciation of 150 years of persecution and oppression lacks Guzmán's customary trenchancy and restraint.

A gruelling watch and a searing indictment of America's disregard for its indigenous peoples.

Rising to the challenge of doing something new(ish) with an overworked sub-genre, this may not be particularly scary or funny. But it belies its modest budget to splatter to knowing effect.

While strong on establishment prejudice, the coverage of clashing egos and agendas isn’t always incisive.

A lengthy, visually impressive period piece with little in the way of new material or fresh spins on history to distinguish it.

If not quite on the level of Garbus's terrific Bobby Fischer documentary, this still filled with fond recollections of Mazza's life and career. Fans will relish it.

Charming but uneven, director Améris's film doesn't know whether to make us laugh or cry, and ends up doing neither. Still, a smart script offers plenty to keep incurable romantics happy.

Dated and a little clunky but with a few moving performances from the leads.

A gently moving film that's always thought-provoking if at times a little slow going.

If Cassavetes' hipster cine-language has lost a little of its age and the innovative improv style won't be for everyone, the themes he tackles, riffed by a masterful group of actors, remain enthralling.

Bahman Ghobadi can’t be faulted for showcasing so many bands, and the mix is wonderfully eclectic, but the linking episodes aren’t always riveting.

Not Garbo's greatest but it has a curious charm.