Year in Review: The 15 Best Foreign Films of 2009 Martyrs* (Pascal Laugier, France) This brutal, bloody, and occasionally terrifying movie also made Robert Fure’s Best Horror list, and it most definitely deserves the honor. A young girl is traumatized and grows up thirsty for revenge. Mother (Bong Joon-ho, South Korea) After the spectacle of his blockbuster monster movie The Host, Joon-ho scales it back and returns to the dark and moody procedural territory of his best film to date, Memories of Murder. Ong Bak 2* (Tony Jaa, Thailand) Film School Rejects called this the greatest martial arts film ever, and while I myself prefer to avoid the hyperbole I will agree that it comes pretty damn close. Pontypool* (Bruce McDonald, Canada) Who would have thought Canada would be the ones to bring an original spin to the zombie genre? A Prophet (Jacques Audiard, France) [Rec]* (Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza, Spain) Revanche* (Gotz Spielmann, Austria) Sin Nombre (Cary Fukunaga, Mexico) Thirst (Park Chan-wook, South Korea)
The 50 Scariest Movies of All Time The 50 Scariest Movies of All Time What is it about a perfectly done horror movie? You can't say there's a single way to do it: some use the time time-tested hot-chick-in-distress formula, some hinge on graphic displays of gore and disembowelment that make you recoil (even though keep watching, you sick bastard), and some simply shake you to your core...and in some cases drive you to therapy. Videos at the source Goddamn, I love horror movies - StumbleUpon Midnight in Paris Woody Allen’s latest places starving writer Owen Wilson in Paris with his fiancée, Rachel McAdams. Searching for inspiration for his incomplete novel, Owen begins taking strolls around the city at night where he discovers an unexpected group of people. I wish I could be more specific, but it would ruin the surprise. Know that it is brilliant, witty and full of mystique. 92% on Rotten Tomatoes (RT). Let the Right One In The best vampire movie ever made in my opinion. Watch Let the Right One In for FREE on Amazon Instant Video The Man From Earth Holy &#%@ this film’s plot is fascinating! Garden State This is my absolute favorite film. Waking Life It’s impossible for you to grasp Waking Life without actually watching it, but I’ll do my best to explain it. Watch Waking Life for FREE on Amazon Instant Video Closer This film is a rather dark, yet comedic story about the twisted relationships between Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen and Julia Roberts. Sin Nombre Snatch The Descent
The Top 10 Existential Movies of All Time Browsing through my DVD collection recently I realized that I have a fairly decent selection of what can be called 'existential movies' -- philosophical films that study the nature of existence and what it means to be alive. It's debatable as to what defines the 'quintessential' existential movie, but ultimately it must speak to the human condition and reframe it in such a way that the viewer gains an enhanced appreciation of their own existence and situation in life. These are the kinds of films that you find yourself reflecting back upon time and time again as you engage in your own day-to-day life, struggles and relationships. Thus, I present to you the top 10 existential movies of all time: 10. The Quiet Earth The best of the 'last man on Earth' movies, The Quiet Earth (1985) looks at human nature and the value of social relationships through a post-apocalyptic lens. 9. The movie also acknowledges the harsh realities of modern relationships. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.