Marta Barber

The result is a gripping psychological thriller that, while lacking the power of "Funny Games," is still the work of a master.

Results in a weightless film. Worse still, McElwee's languid tone makes his journey lack conviction.

Junge had come to terms with her past. And even if you don't come to terms with her life, it's worthwhile knowing about it.

This is nothing that a good episode of NYPD Blue hasn't shown myriad times.

A film of rare beauty, lifted by some of the best acting you may see in any film this year.

Groening doesn't judge the monks' actions, nor does he tell us much about their reasons for choosing such a life. Yet the film brings us into their lives not as an observer but almost as a fellow hermit, making you realize how hard -- or easy -- it would be to commit yourself to such a life.

The film is art in all its visual splendor, and no matter how confusing the historic story line may be to Westerners -- and it is -- the images on screen more than compensate for the faults.

The story is worth telling, one that begs the question: Has anything changed?

What strikes you the most about this well put-together film is how little you're drawn to either character or really understand where either is coming from.

Not an ordinary film.

A brilliant film by Lynne Ramsay.

Ceylan examines human relationships with an eye for details and a soul for the big picture.

DiG! is raw, just as the band members themselves.

A rather luminous movie on the power of love.

Though the film would benefit from further cuts, Machuca still manages to convey the frailty of convictions and the difficulties of growing up -- be it a child or a nation.

You feel terribly sad and angry at May's foolishness. Yet with so many emotions at hand, The Mother never fails to engage.

The events in this film take place in the 1980s. Let's hope working conditions in Japan have "westernized."

Bergman's debut feature is tender yet disturbing, sad yet at times funny.

As the sexual tension builds -- and it becomes intense, culminating in a highly suggestive knife-throwing scene more erotic than if the actors had been having explicit physical contact -- Girl takes you on a thrilling ride.

It is pretty convincing in its argument that China has every intention of destroying the culture of Tibetans.

For all its tumult, The Clay Bird mostly concentrates on its likable characters, all acted with the kind of understatement that makes a good film better.

Sharp, witty and decidedly different.

The film's concept is so absurd and Hamer goes about developing it with such a regimented structure that you have to believe that the filmmaker is poking fun at himself and the world he knows well.

Secret of this 'Ballot' lies in its humor, charm and universality.

The touch of sharp and edgy storytelling has returned to French master Claude Chabrol.

The Lady and the Duke is not about the revolution. It's an intimate story of a woman's perspective during a dramatic event in world history.

Even the graceful ending, one that lifts the film a notch, is startling. But at the very least, His Secret Life will leave you thinking.

Simplicity is ever so eloquent in a film that despite a questionable last scene is outstanding enough that even the credits deserve attention. [06 Feb 1998, p.8G]