David Parkinson

The spirits of the old masters pervade this disquieting but deeply moving drama. But Kore-eda stands alone as the chronicler of family life in a country facing an identity crisis.

Filmed on a modest budget with a subtle sense of place and pace, this highly impressive debut considers mortality with a wry compassion that's rare for such a young director.

A gripping study of treachery, identity and survival.

A welcome return from Hoop Dream director Steve James. Even at just shy of three hours, the format strains to accommodate such a complex, involving true-life story, but it makes a seriously impressive attempt.

Romance novel in narrative this transcends its genre with visual depth and perceptive socio-cultural insights.

With the camera placement being as meticulous as the use of Handel on the soundtrack, this impeccably played saga deservedly earned Mungiu a share of the Best Director prize at Cannes.

As with a number of arthouse films, the ending leaves something to be desired. But, courtesy of its meticulously mundane digital imagery, this is a film of precise details that sketches an outline of existence and then leaves it to the audience to draw their own conclusions.

A lighter film for Hitchcock but with a wonderfully sewn narrative and some good performances.

This is a suberbly structured thriller whose excellence is aided and abetted by a spirited cast.

Courageous and indelible account and an invaluable perspective of the protests.

Tsangari proves she's one of the freshest voices in European cinema with this offbeat character piece.

Interesting depiction with a pretty decent performance from Holden and supported by a credible cast.

Best known until now for Oscar-winning holocaust drama "The Counterfeiters," Karl Markovics flexes his muscles on the other side of the camera with terrific effect. A fine, moving debut for the new writer/director.

A compelling study of a small-town lawyer's determination to challenge Cameroon's institutionalised chauvinism, which judiciously combines small triumphs with a daunting sense of the task that lies ahead.

Showing how paradise can be hell, this audiovisual treat is spiritedly played by its leads and bristles with a brooding menace that can't quite disguise the story's essentially melodramatic nature.

Impeccably played by Rebecca Hall, this is a thoughtful reflection on life’s casual cruelties and how little attitudes towards women have changed since Watergate.

The semi-improvised performances and gently nostalgic tone makes this endearing and captivating.

Exceptional, human filmmaking.

Not quite as fully realised as the classic Adam's Rib, but generally good.

A strange foreboding of what was to come from the Hitch.

Angry, impassionate filmmaking that demands - and deserves - serious answers.

Winning WW II story of british pluck that manages to side-step the propaganda trap.

A time capsule now of all that was considered controversial and gutsy in 1966.

Hilarious in places, hideous in others, this struggles to make its philosophical case. But the performances are exceptional and the conceit could not be more daring or distinctive.

Powerful and mesmerising, this offers an fresh approach to a tough topic.

Campion's grasp of her material is intellectually and emotionally assured, while Fox's extraordinary performance demonstrates an honesty, courage and power that's rarely attempted, let alone achieved.

A hauntingly beautiful film.

The performances are credible, but set-pieces like the water-cannoning of a procession of burkha-clad protesters are also impeccably judged.