Zoo ought to present insurmountable problems to any artist working in a visual medium – but Devor turns every obstacle into a virtue.

~ Anton Bitel -

Zoo ought to present insurmountable problems to any artist working in a visual medium – but Devor turns every obstacle into a virtue.

~ Anton Bitel -

At once a noirish thriller, a social drama, a morality tale, a coming-of-age story and a compelling allegory of 'fortress' USA.

~ Anton Bitel -

At once a noirish thriller, a social drama, a morality tale, a coming-of-age story and a compelling allegory of 'fortress' USA.

~ Anton Bitel -

If Andersson is good at using the visual to create links, then he accompanies this with a strong aural sense.

~ Daniel Hooper -

If Andersson is good at using the visual to create links, then he accompanies this with a strong aural sense.

~ Daniel Hooper -

This is focused filmmaking, not so much elegiac as lyric.

~ Andrew Robertson -

This is focused filmmaking, not so much elegiac as lyric.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Brave new territory and worth a watch.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Brave new territory and worth a watch.

~ Paul Griffiths -

This might be familiar fare, but Fumihiko Sori and his team pull it off with sufficient visual aplomb to keep things highly entertaining.

~ Paul Griffiths -

This might be familiar fare, but Fumihiko Sori and his team pull it off with sufficient visual aplomb to keep things highly entertaining.

~ Paul Griffiths -

An object lesson in less is more, it makes an absolute virtue of its small cast and diminutive budget.

~ Paul Griffiths -

An object lesson in less is more, it makes an absolute virtue of its small cast and diminutive budget.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Tuya is joins the ranks of other strong, female characters created by Chinese directors and writers, in this case battling against the odds to keep her family together.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Tuya is joins the ranks of other strong, female characters created by Chinese directors and writers, in this case battling against the odds to keep her family together.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A manipulative weepie positioned for Oscar consideration.

~ The Exile -

A manipulative weepie positioned for Oscar consideration.

~ The Exile -

Thieves suffers from a story which is really too slight for its length, but explores its metaphorical aspects in some depth.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Thieves suffers from a story which is really too slight for its length, but explores its metaphorical aspects in some depth.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Schroeder balances the film with a considerable amount of material from other sources. From ex-girlfriends to surviving members of the Khmer Rouge, they all have interesting contributions to make.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Schroeder balances the film with a considerable amount of material from other sources. From ex-girlfriends to surviving members of the Khmer Rouge, they all have interesting contributions to make.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The substitute of the title is a delirious, rictus-grinning comic creation.

~ Scott Macdonald -

The substitute of the title is a delirious, rictus-grinning comic creation.

~ Scott Macdonald -

The script sizzles with humour, but more importantly, like Danny Boyle's Millions, it carries an emotional weight.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The script sizzles with humour, but more importantly, like Danny Boyle's Millions, it carries an emotional weight.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The slow-burning Arkansas vista is beautiful and harrowing at the same time, a panorama interrupted only by tractors dotting the horizon, but one where a car parked in the wrong place can attract a mob of pitch fork bearing men.

~ Ben Sillis -

The slow-burning Arkansas vista is beautiful and harrowing at the same time, a panorama interrupted only by tractors dotting the horizon, but one where a car parked in the wrong place can attract a mob of pitch fork bearing men.

~ Ben Sillis -

Moore’s sense of outrage is as keen as ever, as is his showman’s instinct for what makes good documentary cinema.

~ Jeff Robson -

Moore’s sense of outrage is as keen as ever, as is his showman’s instinct for what makes good documentary cinema.

~ Jeff Robson -

It is unlikely you are going to see a more palpable portrayal of grief this year than Jeon Do-yeon's magnificent perfomance as Shin-ae in this Korean drama of the heart.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It is unlikely you are going to see a more palpable portrayal of grief this year than Jeon Do-yeon's magnificent perfomance as Shin-ae in this Korean drama of the heart.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Always engrossing, at times decidedly uncomfortable viewing, Savage Grace is accomplished cinematic storytelling that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Always engrossing, at times decidedly uncomfortable viewing, Savage Grace is accomplished cinematic storytelling that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A disturbingly accurate portrayal of the New York intelligentsia.

~ Ben Sillis -

A disturbingly accurate portrayal of the New York intelligentsia.

~ Ben Sillis -

The “so what” factor doesn’t go away, because it is difficult to care about these people.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The “so what” factor doesn’t go away, because it is difficult to care about these people.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Beneath the cover of portraying the generalised horrors of war, the film is more subtly critical of America's conduct in both the Vietnam War and the current conflict in Iraq.

~ Max Crawford -

Beneath the cover of portraying the generalised horrors of war, the film is more subtly critical of America's conduct in both the Vietnam War and the current conflict in Iraq.

~ Max Crawford -

Reservation Road is really only ever going from A to B and, despite the offer of some intriguing ideas, never moves far from its initial premise.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Reservation Road is really only ever going from A to B and, despite the offer of some intriguing ideas, never moves far from its initial premise.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Unlike most of the films about Iraq, Redacted portrays a military that’s a catchall for the uneducated and unsocialised; and while many may find this offensive, it’s perfectly in line with the draft-deferring lowering of recruitment standards.

~ The Exile -

Unlike most of the films about Iraq, Redacted portrays a military that’s a catchall for the uneducated and unsocialised; and while many may find this offensive, it’s perfectly in line with the draft-deferring lowering of recruitment standards.

~ The Exile -

Seen purely in aesthetic terms, Persepolis is an object of rare beauty, with no obvious precedents or parallels in the history of anime.

~ Anton Bitel -

Seen purely in aesthetic terms, Persepolis is an object of rare beauty, with no obvious precedents or parallels in the history of anime.

~ Anton Bitel -

Glorious, a hilariously stupid zombie fest that spoofs and honours grindhouse so much better than the tenuously related Death Proof.

~ Ben Sillis -

Glorious, a hilariously stupid zombie fest that spoofs and honours grindhouse so much better than the tenuously related Death Proof.

~ Ben Sillis -

Against the whisper of wind and buzz of flies, the Coens manage to find tension in the subtlest of movements and cut the dialogue through with humour as arid as the landscape.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Against the whisper of wind and buzz of flies, the Coens manage to find tension in the subtlest of movements and cut the dialogue through with humour as arid as the landscape.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Like all good art, this raises difficult questions.

~ Anton Bitel -

Like all good art, this raises difficult questions.

~ Anton Bitel -

A tough, compelling tale of just how unhappy families can get, given the wrong circumstances.

~ Jeff Robson -

A tough, compelling tale of just how unhappy families can get, given the wrong circumstances.

~ Jeff Robson -

The glorious sight of a flying nun, an image Korine has said was one of his inspirations for the film, is both a moving and a joyous one.

~ Paul Griffiths -

The glorious sight of a flying nun, an image Korine has said was one of his inspirations for the film, is both a moving and a joyous one.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A Man's Job uses its simple story to probe a number of prevalent but subdued contemporary issues.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A Man's Job uses its simple story to probe a number of prevalent but subdued contemporary issues.

~ Paul Griffiths -

The sex... has all the choreography of Strictly Come Shagging rather than being the exploration of lust the title suggests.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The sex... has all the choreography of Strictly Come Shagging rather than being the exploration of lust the title suggests.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Worthy, without being worth watching.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Worthy, without being worth watching.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Quirky directorial touches – such as Vellini’s blowing of smoke rings, or a dimming of sound at key moments - put the audience into the head of the protagonist and help us connect us fully with the characters.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Quirky directorial touches – such as Vellini’s blowing of smoke rings, or a dimming of sound at key moments - put the audience into the head of the protagonist and help us connect us fully with the characters.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A profound, lyrical and moving film that paints a vivid picture of another world without ever resorting to cliché.

~ Jeff Robson -

A profound, lyrical and moving film that paints a vivid picture of another world without ever resorting to cliché.

~ Jeff Robson -

The proverbial buzz surrounding Juno is, like, totally justified.

~ Paul Griffiths -

The proverbial buzz surrounding Juno is, like, totally justified.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A well-polished calling card for writer/director Simon Welsford.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A well-polished calling card for writer/director Simon Welsford.

~ Paul Griffiths -

While some of the testimony, from the likes of Steve Earle and Mos Def is powerful, many of the parallels Francome and Evans attempt to draw feel slightly spurious and their conclusions lack sufficient back up.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

While some of the testimony, from the likes of Steve Earle and Mos Def is powerful, many of the parallels Francome and Evans attempt to draw feel slightly spurious and their conclusions lack sufficient back up.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Enthralling, mesmeric, austerely picturesque and approachably profound filmmaking.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Enthralling, mesmeric, austerely picturesque and approachably profound filmmaking.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Not nearly as gruelling as it sounds, this is eventually a glass-is-half full film, as long as you seek out a positive way of looking at it.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Not nearly as gruelling as it sounds, this is eventually a glass-is-half full film, as long as you seek out a positive way of looking at it.

~ Paul Griffiths -

One of the best documentaries I’ve seen in a long time.

~ Jeff Robson -

One of the best documentaries I’ve seen in a long time.

~ Jeff Robson -

Penn’s camera loves the landscape and captures its immensity.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Penn’s camera loves the landscape and captures its immensity.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A beautifully shot, brilliantly acted incoherent mess, ranking up there with David Lynch’s Inland Empire as one of the most inscrutable films of the year.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A beautifully shot, brilliantly acted incoherent mess, ranking up there with David Lynch’s Inland Empire as one of the most inscrutable films of the year.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Although Danny Glover gets first billing and delivers a complex, compelling performance, this is really an ensemble piece, with great work all round.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Although Danny Glover gets first billing and delivers a complex, compelling performance, this is really an ensemble piece, with great work all round.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A simple, moving documentary.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A simple, moving documentary.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Garage is one of the most depressing films I have seen in a long time, a scathing indictment of the way we treat the mentally subnormal, but it's enlivened by its own brand of dark humour.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Garage is one of the most depressing films I have seen in a long time, a scathing indictment of the way we treat the mentally subnormal, but it's enlivened by its own brand of dark humour.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Haneke once again delivers intellectual, challenging and bravura filmmaking.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Haneke once again delivers intellectual, challenging and bravura filmmaking.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A contemplative and visually dulcet experience.

~ Paul Griffiths -

A contemplative and visually dulcet experience.

~ Paul Griffiths -

An absorbing, disturbing and exceptionally composed filmic fable.

~ Paul Griffiths -

An absorbing, disturbing and exceptionally composed filmic fable.

~ Paul Griffiths -

There is an energy to this low-budget film

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There is an energy to this low-budget film

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A simple idea delivered so cleverly that it holds your attention from the opening of the storybook right up to its fairytale ending.

~ Val Kermode -

A simple idea delivered so cleverly that it holds your attention from the opening of the storybook right up to its fairytale ending.

~ Val Kermode -

With its underworld themes and ambiguous protagonist, Eastern Promises plays like a companion to A History of Violence.

~ The Exile -

With its underworld themes and ambiguous protagonist, Eastern Promises plays like a companion to A History of Violence.

~ The Exile -

Akin’s screenplay is intricate and original, and his story is ultimately an affirmation of the strength of personal bonds over the political.

~ Val Kermode -

Akin’s screenplay is intricate and original, and his story is ultimately an affirmation of the strength of personal bonds over the political.

~ Val Kermode -

Anyone with a decent education in literature and art will find a great deal in this film which can be treasured, but for the general viewer it is likely to be an exercise in frustration.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Anyone with a decent education in literature and art will find a great deal in this film which can be treasured, but for the general viewer it is likely to be an exercise in frustration.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Mullan, as usual, blends his trademark emotional rawness and understatement of gesture to powerful effect.

~ Dylan Matthew -

Mullan, as usual, blends his trademark emotional rawness and understatement of gesture to powerful effect.

~ Dylan Matthew -

Truly cutting-edge cinema, daring and imaginative, quite unlike anything else you'll see this year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Truly cutting-edge cinema, daring and imaginative, quite unlike anything else you'll see this year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Chaotic, funny, beautifully shot and performed with a childlike deadpan.

~ Anton Bitel -

Chaotic, funny, beautifully shot and performed with a childlike deadpan.

~ Anton Bitel -

Aside from a slight flabbiness in some areas, Kechiche is to be praised for exploring the nature of change on a personal and a community level - and packing the result with some emotional wallop.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Aside from a slight flabbiness in some areas, Kechiche is to be praised for exploring the nature of change on a personal and a community level - and packing the result with some emotional wallop.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Closing The Ring delivers romance on an epic scale and seems destined to be the pride of some people's DVD collections, but beneath the gloss and the carefully crafted performances, it's lacking something.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Closing The Ring delivers romance on an epic scale and seems destined to be the pride of some people's DVD collections, but beneath the gloss and the carefully crafted performances, it's lacking something.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A glossy, superficial affair, leading up to a climactic sequence too laughable to impress in any way.

~ Anton Bitel -

A glossy, superficial affair, leading up to a climactic sequence too laughable to impress in any way.

~ Anton Bitel -

Kubrick's canvas is best enjoyed large, right at the front.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Kubrick's canvas is best enjoyed large, right at the front.

~ Andrew Robertson -

The story of five women working in and around a Beirut beauty salon may not, at first glance, seem especially intriguing, but Caramel is something special.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The story of five women working in and around a Beirut beauty salon may not, at first glance, seem especially intriguing, but Caramel is something special.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Viewer expectations, like that of the immigrants, are confounded as the hard-hitting consequences of this bleak act of humanity play out.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Viewer expectations, like that of the immigrants, are confounded as the hard-hitting consequences of this bleak act of humanity play out.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The single greatest problem with California Dreamin', is that it has been released in an unfinished two hour 20 minute assembly - due to the director Cristian Nemescu's untimely death.

~ Scott Macdonald -

The single greatest problem with California Dreamin', is that it has been released in an unfinished two hour 20 minute assembly - due to the director Cristian Nemescu's untimely death.

~ Scott Macdonald -

A sensitive and beautifully acted tale.

~ Jeff Robson -

A sensitive and beautifully acted tale.

~ Jeff Robson -

Breath is an icy, chilling love story. It looks at a bond that goes beyond the simplicities of life and death.

~ Chris -

Breath is an icy, chilling love story. It looks at a bond that goes beyond the simplicities of life and death.

~ Chris -

Before I Forget is a study not only of one man's journey but also of a way of life which, in brittle contact with the modern world, is fast disappearing.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Before I Forget is a study not only of one man's journey but also of a way of life which, in brittle contact with the modern world, is fast disappearing.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The Master of Suspense's first talking picture is the template for many of his later masterpieces.

~ Leanne McGrath -

The Master of Suspense's first talking picture is the template for many of his later masterpieces.

~ Leanne McGrath -

There's plenty in Bee Movie for people of all ages.

~ Keith Dudhnath -

There's plenty in Bee Movie for people of all ages.

~ Keith Dudhnath -

There is genuine grief, genuine rage, remembered and brought to the screen.

~ Andrew Robertson -

There is genuine grief, genuine rage, remembered and brought to the screen.

~ Andrew Robertson -

The simplicity at the heart of The Band's Visit is charming.

~ Daniel Hooper -

The simplicity at the heart of The Band's Visit is charming.

~ Daniel Hooper -

If Back To Normandy might have had difficulty living up to the legacy of its subject, it is aided by some extraordinary visual images of its own.

~ Jennie Kermode -

If Back To Normandy might have had difficulty living up to the legacy of its subject, it is aided by some extraordinary visual images of its own.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ponderings on the effects of war become distinctly ponderous.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Ponderings on the effects of war become distinctly ponderous.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It is a character piece, an actor’s picture, supremely atmospheric and secure in its knowledge of place and time.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

It is a character piece, an actor’s picture, supremely atmospheric and secure in its knowledge of place and time.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Lucy Russell in particular puts in a fascinating and nuanced performance.

~ Susanna Krawczyk -

Lucy Russell in particular puts in a fascinating and nuanced performance.

~ Susanna Krawczyk -

Takes hold of the audience and never lets go.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Takes hold of the audience and never lets go.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A thoughtful consideration of not just physical prowess but the emotional agility and resilience demonstrated by those growing up in Gaza.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Along with Vladimir Gojun’s progressively rhythmic editing and Julij Zornik’s subjective sound design, the filmmaker takes us right into the protagonist’s, and therefore any and every teenager’s head.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

We Believe You works to perfection thanks to the dedication and stellar directing, acting and technical work.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

When you get old, hope you find someone who looks at you the way Mascaro looks at Tereza and Roberta.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There’s an anarchic silliness about it which suits the science fiction setting, an openness to having fun and delivering a story unselfconsciously, on its own terms.

~ Jennie Kermode -

As Blue Moon progresses it becomes clear that the one thing Hart really wants is to be wanted.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Ridley may not be in the top league of current action stars but she can handle herself, and she is at any rate more convincing as a former soldier than she is as a member of the working class.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Sandbag Dam is powered by stellar, deeply lived-in performances by the young and budding actors.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

The viewer has to be keyed into Akerman's cinematic language, how she portrays boredom, claustrophobia, isolation.

~ Donald Munro -

Fund encourages us to tune in to the energies of the trio, the subtle shifts of mood, shared moments of understanding or joy.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Without Blanche Gardin, who carries the whole film, The Incredible Snow Woman would be a mix of generic dramedy and equally generic comedy that simply tries too hard to send quirky and “subversive” vibes.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

An atmospheric, beguiling piece of work.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A pretty empty and tiresome experience.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

A collection of early films by Chantal Akerman.

~ Donald Munro -

Øverbye makes a compelling lead, taking on the chunks of voiceover without any problem but also excelling in terms of conveying her character’s moods via body languag

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A moody, unsettling piece.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A sometimes compelling, often baffling work that doesn’t really solve the inherent problem of its subject matter, but swings for the fences trying.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

With a lesser canine star, the film would not have worked, but Nala is sensational.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Easily delivering on the big emotional beats, The Six Triple Eight is a natural crowd pleaser.

~ Jennie Kermode -

[Hart] doesn’t turn up the volume, but uses tone and repetition so effectively that the film becomes a microcosm of the real experience.

~ Jennie Kermode -

With a lesser canine star, the film would not have worked, but Nala is sensational.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This is a film that seems somehow subtly different every time you watch it, full of tantalising possibilities.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s an anarchic mess – the sort of film the Joker himself might have made, and that’s part of its triumph.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Coppola has style, but sometimes employs too much of it.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This is a tactile retelling, inviting us to imagine the sticky feel of Coca-Cola on hot skin in the sun or the heat of a sheepskin coat and the love that goes with it being passed from mum to daughter ahead of a trip abroad.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Cat’s viewpoint predominates, and Zilbalodis has an acute understanding of how the world looks from its point of view, of what catches its attention and how its body follows instinctively.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Hodierne handles the blend of styles within the film with a laid back confidence that makes it easy to lower one’s guard at the wrong moments.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ridley may not be in the top league of current action stars but she can handle herself, and she is at any rate more convincing as a former soldier than she is as a member of the working class.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Nobody plays lazy like Jeff Bridges. You could say he was born to it. Or rather, he's such a good actor he makes it look as natural as an unmade bed.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -