Das weisse Band a.k.a. The White Ribbon (2009)

The White Ribbon is an understated piece from Michael Haneke (The Piano Teacher, Funny Games, Hidden) though not as dark and visceral as his previous offerings. The loose ends and lack of dot connecting is typical Haneke, though the runtime and pace may be too wearisome for some.


3.5 stars

Zombieland (2009)

A lot like a videogame, but not in a crappy CGI way, more in a good fun way.

Janck (Feb '10) 3.5 stars


Funny from start to finish, Zombieland delivers enough splatter, satire, and silliness to leave the viewer thoroughly entertained. All hail the introvert protagonist!

Mitch 4 stars

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

Tommy Lee Jones directorial debut stands tall in this, the modern western genre. Worth checking out if you missed it like I did a few years back.


3.5 stars

Orphan (2009)

Not quite as classic as evil child mainstays The Omen or The Exorcist, Orphan still offers some deliciously dark undertones amidst a horror by numbers narrative. This could do with losing 20 minutes, but if you like this evil kid genre, it won't disappoint.

3.5 stars

The Hangover (2009)

Can't remember the last time I had this much fun on a Monday. Pure gold.

4 stars (Janck Jun'09)


Distinctly average and largely forgettable. Probably the most overrated movie from 2009.

3 stars

Bakjwi (2009) aka "Thirst"

The Korean Twilight.

Pandorum (2009)

Reminiscent of The Descent in space, though not as chilling, not as clever, and not as good. The characters and plot are unfortunately too two-dimensional to really ever be drawn in by the (many) 'what's-around-the-corner' scares; such that the ending is met with a collective shrug. Watchable, but average and derivative.

Mitch 3 stars

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Sam "Spiderman" Raimi returns to horror, with some chilling suspense and death-scare sequences that garnered this film with many positive reviews. I wanted to like this a lot more however; it does contain one too many horror movie cliches for my liking, and an oh so predicatble ending. Solid horror, but unremarkable.

3 stars

Monsters vs Aliens (2009)

Another decent and enjoyable Dreamworks offering, that would no doubt have enjoyed greater 3D success had it been released after Avatar. The set pieces are absolutely superb here, and the story is as ridiculous and meaningless as you would come to expect.


3.5 stars

Wolverine (2009)

Thank God they still make entertaining no brainer action movies. Nothing Oscar-worthy here, the peripheral characters (of which there are many, and well...peripheral...) predictably fall away alongside the brooding and franchise-milking cash-cow Hugh Jackman. Luke warm attempt at a back-story, but vastly superior to the atrocious X Men 3.


3.5 stars

Tasty Bingo (2010)

Comedy gold.. 4 stars!

L'ennemi public n°1 (2008) aka "Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1"

Part deux doesn't disappoint, in fact I'd say it makes for a more coherent and exciting film.. probably the best film I've seen this year to date.