Like a Korean revenge movie stripped of any action sequences or thrills, "Coin Locker Girl" is a character-driven, fatalistic drama about a group of characters who are, in essence, child soldiers, forced to do the dirty work of a criminal empress who cruelly has them call her "Mom." When one of them dares to dream different, fate metes out its harsh punishment. Well-acted, particularly by our lead Kim Go-eun, but unpleasant and difficult to recommend.
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Birth 2004
One of the great love stories of the 21st century. Jonathan Glazer's "Birth" isn't afraid to go to some transgressive and uncomfortable places, nor does it shy away from the humor inherent in a little boy claiming to be the reincarnation of a well-to-do Manhattanite woman's dead husband. But, crucially, Harris Savides' amber-and-gold hued cinematography and Alexandre Desplat's score continually emphasize the tragedy of it all.
"I'm not your stupid son anymore."
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Let the Right One In 2008
With a beautifully bleak depiction of Eighties-era Sweden that's so white and snow-capped you can practically feel the flakes falling in your living room, much of "Let the Right One In's" strength lies in its immaculate horror movie atmosphere. Yet its tale of schoolyard bullying and pre-pubescent love is close to perfection as well; the only real drawback being the subplot with the 'Cat Guy' and his drunken friends, which rever really goes anywhere or adds much to the film…
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The Man with the Iron Fists 2012
Is there a point to watching hundreds of old-school kung fu movies if you don't come away with a working knowledge of the genre? I don't doubt RZA's love for these films but his 'tribute' to martial arts cinema is executed more like a parody. That said, I'm willing to lay most of the blame on co-writer Eli Roth since the screenplay's lazy, cliche-ridden dialogue and sophomoric attitudes towards sex have his fingerprints all over them.
Otherwise, "The Man With…
