Steven's Reviews

Rewards the patient, perceptive viewer. Some film experiences stay with you. This may be your cup if you like a loooong black.

What an experience. This is beautiful. Each story an emotional reflective experience. No wonder I love films.

Quirky, deadpan humour a joy to watch for the arthouse lover of film with a difference. Resonates with one after its viewing.

Wow. Deserves its status as a MASTERPIECE, Polish or otherwise. Blew us away.

The Three Burials ... is a small masterpiece. The characters and their relationships, the scenery and the story are nothing short of enthralling.

A French classic in beautiful vivid colours - a tad long (ext. version) but for art film lovers an enjoyable, a little harrowing perhaps, experience.

A very visual beautiful film with a clever storyline that through reflection draws upon the cyclic nature (Circle of life?) of our life. If you have time to 'mellow' through this experience film lovers should not be disappointed.

This film is a noted classic - improving on each screening as classics do- it is simply the most beautiful, emotionally explicit, no hold bars coming-of-age film ever made.

One of the best films in 2006. A character study that has all the 'paw prints' of its producer Alexander Payne (Sideways, About ...). Riverting and staying with one for many days after. If you like to be emotionally moved see it.

This is an extremly fascinating docomentry showing the development of our sexual attitudes (and maturity) and a socialogical perspective along the way - warm, funny, ...

Once again another 'heart rendering' beautiful NZ film with the social perspective of a sledge hammer - well deserving of its praise and awards.

A slick piece of cinema - wonderful performances about the emotional turmoils of relationships. We love, we have a family but as we grow and mature we move apart unless we help each other. A great movie.

Finally a well made film about spiritual growth and the stinging observation of those who are less incline to 'connect'. Strong performances with a cutting script - in the end "what's life all about" (Fargo) ?

The first of the new french wave films - good for its notable landscapes, and its actor - not to mention the unconventional director!

Wow. A great film that is such a powerhouse experience - alcohol and its social dominance. Ray Milland deserved the many awards for acting. See it.

A gripping movie - metophorically driven - with great characters and a story that lingers with you. Well worth a viewing.

Colour, characters and charm create an original engaging film. Surrealism of the day to day of us all as we partake in our lifes.

Alive with colour which explores the outback harshness and its beauty. The expanse of the bush swallows up all through the bromide tones of the desert. The story reflects realism, characters with biting emotion and cinematography.

A wonderful film. The trials and test of young people making towards adulthood - a beautifully filmed and acted film.

A classic. Living through the 1980s - this film improves upon each viewing. See it, live through it and don' talk to any rabbits.

Ivan ... is enjoyable from its first frame holding one's interest with the 'silent era's actors; visually scrumtous shadows and scenes; and a story with subtle twists and curves.

This film is stunning with its long frames and sharp visual shorts. In glorious B/W the era is captured wonderfully. The story shows us that love between humans can come in many character forms, that society can use and abuse if you let it and we all have needs. An intelligent film experience.

A fast moving Sci fi tale of underdogs fighting for truth, justice, ... . The script is fast moving, at times humerous, with likeable characters. Visually stunning and at times closly engaging. Serenity is an enjoyable experience.

The strongest convincing performance of a character since Hillary S. 'Boys Don't Cry' and George C Scot's 'Patton'. Wonderfully written reflecting the environment and society that produces such individuals - US still not taking responsibility for what it creates. An intelligent, sad film.

A film that moves the viewer poetically through adolescence sexual and social awakening. The strength of an individual often reflects the family circumstance around one. Moving in its portrayal of young people growing up.

This is a beautiful sureal story of 'coming of age' and the social landscapes that we find ourselves eventually in - like it or not. Sofia is an extraordinary director - storytelling and visually scrumptious.

This is such a funny, enjoyable, contemporary horror film with references to too many films that its a feast to the film buff (not a zombie). British comedy as Holloywood can never emulate.

I had expections of a brilliant film before viewing STP and we viewed a masterpiece of cinema. View it and you see for yourself.

This adventure in film for the viewer was as I expected an original one. Larger than life characters, larger than life story.

I loved this film and would have given it more like a five and not a three in hindsight. This director is worth following up - some great movies following.

Enjoyable French thriller. The 20 minute silence throughout the heist is strong and unique in film.

You either love this French director's bravo films or there will be little connection - harrowing, emotionally hitting, intellectually alert, ... . I enjoy film for its diversity and Nol is diverse.

There was nothing new with this movie. Ok to watch but it all had really been done before. " Just when I was out they drag me back in".

Life in the Japanese city or is it? A vivid story that kept me to the story even with doubts and then coming together at the end.

We are just loving Igmar Bergman's wonderful view of relationships and life through film - a rare film experience.

A classic, classic adult film that we have been waiting to view for years and we were blown away - a searing story that moves the viewer along this wonderful cinematic journey - but you have to like this director's films!

An interesting story melded with the violence that makes Oldboy up with films that leave the viewer with a cinermatic experience.

An enjoyable film that keeps us thinking that people work through love and relationships and that our problems / challengers are not very different to yours. A great little social study.

An excellent film of the gender differences about love. Our behaviours have not changed with misguided expectations within relationships and LOVE. We loved this wonderful insightful- fly on the wall - film.

We really liked the collection of characters, likeable and unlikeable with an excellent script on life, relationships and love. Canadian French make some terrific contemporary social films.

A visual film with the accompanying silence that one gets from a dream. Explores the Japanese intoxicating culture with individuals coming to their breaking point through an age old outlet - imagination.

What a ripper of a film. It has it all - except overt violence - thrills, smart screenplay, clever photography, ... And yes panache too.

I loved this uncanny film on relationships involving trust, risk taking and self respect. An atmospheric experience.

A second viewing and this film is just as original, funny and reflective as the first. The innovation on roles and relationships is clever as it is hilarious.

What a wonderful film experience. We watched the complentative experiences the young can have if they give themselves the time.

A clever script (like 'Tapes') that we found engaging from both our individual experiences and observed gender behaviours. Looking forward to the follow up 'Before Sunset'.

This was an excellent horror thriller involving eccentric characters - although are'nt we all a little eccentric when we 'stop and look'. The editing is before its time with the most exquisite romance scene.

An enriched viewing experience showing children learning with their teacher in the beautiful countryside of France. The many facets of family and school life are shown always with attention to the marvels of childhood.

A beautiful visual film experience. An almost poetic journey of relationships, love, poverty and power.

Wow. I heard of this 'quiet revealing' film. It's a wonderful experience - a lot of squirming in one's seat from memories of adolescence. Pulling no punches, just observing the challengers. It reminds us how tough being a teenager was and still is!

Watching this 'surreal' film gives one an uncomfortable feeling on its relevance today and on our society's move towards totalitarianism. I waited twenty years to view this amazing film. I can see many film enthusiast loving the movie, I did.

Wow. A wonderful poetic view of a vanishing culture. Demonstrating that if we give nature (and people) time, responsibility and be gentle problems disappear. A very special film experience for the whole family.

An enjoyable film experience with the contemporary subject of males and father and son relationships. Long live our imagination and the art of storytelling - Life is beautiful.

Wow. A charging Mexican film of terrific gritty intensity. Beautifully shot and acted with three entwining stories. Each story with its dog theme nearly overshadows the complexity of adult relationships, individuals perspectives and the necessity of communication. A wonderful film experience.

I wanted to enjoy this movie as the premise (from the Cohen brothers) was funny but it missed some areas. However, we laughed alot which says it was different!

Poetic visually, Gus Van Saint's view of 'normality' through his surreal lens is meticulous and a highly effective film experience. The USA social culture is highly disturbing. The metaphor 'Elephant' is not easily apparent - gun violence? ...

There is lots of action. It was sad and it was exciting. I liked the puppies. Gillian (6)