C) Controversial films, 22 of

A film that will get people talking about it?s controversial title and explicit sex scene, this is not a film for everyone.

A more realistic approach to this type of Horror film (which was more of a Thriller) and it had its? fair share of tense moments. The film will definitely appeal more to the 18-30 age group, especially those who holiday to party. Considering its? low budget, I feel it?s a well put together film.

Special Features reveal plenty of interviews with Cast, Director, Co-writer and Producer.

From book to film this intriguing story is quite an insight into the war-torn years in Afghanistan. Directed by Marc Forster, the film appears authentic and natural.

The Kite Runner takes a little while to show which direction it is heading in, but during that period the foundations of the tale are set and character development is established.

The film evolves into a class dividing, guilt ridden, culture changing journey, which questions loyalty and friendship to the deepest of levels.

My one complain if any, is that the older Amir, was less of a good Actor than the boy who took the part of the younger Amir.

Rec by Nordic

Ben Affleck works with brother Casey Affleck in his Directional debut Gone Baby Gone. This interesting Thriller gives a different angle of investigation for this theme and defintely triggers thoughts of real life cases with similar media attention.

Adapted from a novel, Ben Affleck managed to create an element of grittyness, with enjoyable performances from all of the main cast, especially Amy Ryan who was very convincing in her role.

One thing I did struggle with slightly was hearing Casey Affleck speak at times and I'm not sure whether this was down to him or his accent (something I've never found with an American film before).

A story which shines through the simplistic approach and does well to stay away from the Hollywood glamourisation.

I had hoped to watch the original first, however, this was certainly a a much enjoyed re-make.

Some great performances here particularly Naomi Watts and Devon Gearhart (who took the part of the son), who certainly in one scene did a great job. Michael Pitt as always plays sinister well in a quiet psycho type way.

What I like most about this film is the lack of explanation and justification behind it and the lack of analysis of the characters. The audience participation added to the creativity of the piece.

Interesting, enjoyable and pretty unique.

This film left me utterly speechless. This great British Drama is shot as a devil's advoate kind of view, showing two sides to every story.

Certain parts of the film led me and (I'm sure others) to recall a very similar well known British case.

The actions to the film lead you to make your own opinions and your mind is questioning every part of this dilemma.

Superbly acted, gritty, emotional, real hard hitting stuff with a controversial issue. Amazing! Kudos to the Director and leading actor for this one.

Excellent story, great acting, clever, scheming and really enjoyable, can't say any more, just watch it!

Recommended by Brian W & Markus

I have complete mixed feelings about this film, the beginning made me feel pretty uncomfortable, which I?m sure was it?s aim and made the impact that was needed.

The rest of the film was fantastic and a well played lead role from Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

A powerful film of child abuse, friendship and male prostitution, with some very strong images.

A film that leaves you full of emotions. Not the first film to bring about the subject of Homosexuality, yet the size of publicity this film gained, both positively and negatively has probably made it the most talked about Gay Interest film.

What makes this film quite unique for me is the lack of stereotyping in the casting and sitation of the storyline. The storyline builds from a slow moving start to a powerful and emotional tale.

Truly great performances by both Ledger and Gyllenhaal and is part of my favourite films list.

Whilst taking on a theme that people usually unite together in hatred against, Kevin Bacon takes on the brave part in possibly his best performance of his career.

Not an easy subject to tackle, especially when we are seeing it from the flip side of the coin, yet the storyline is based on the power of suggestion as opposed to graphic content, yet still manages to create a psychological discomfort for the viewer.

Interesting Drama that will leave you questioning the moral dilemma throughout and the people?s views envolved.

Worth the watch, bear with the beginning. I found this more gruesome than most violent and scary films I've watched

Told in the tradition of that in "Memento" i.e the storyline is played backwards, the film opens with a very visually dark scene accompanied by a pretty bizarre sound (that's still running through my head!! ha ha), along with some very dizzy filming, the viewer isn't particularly aware of what is going on straight away, but within the first couple of scenes the storyline developes and of course you are intrigued to know, how it all began.

The married couple, Cassel and Bellucci are great together on screen in this unique, bizarre and very entertaining film. One scene in particular is very daring and controversial.

Another great performance from Cassel who seems to manage to express every emotion possible throughout the process of the film.

Recommended by Gary S & Garyx

The first thing I did immediately after watching this, was to grab the dvd case and read the synopsis to try to understand the hidden theme to the film.

The dvd synopsis claims ?The Most sexually perverse movie to hit our screens since David Cronenberg?s CRASH?

Totally untrue, yes it has sex in the film, but certainly not to the degree of ?CRASH?

Also says:

?Asia Extreme at it?s best? ? sadly I feel it?s Asia Extreme at it?s worse.

In truth it surprises me I made it to the end, it seems a much loved film, I just can't see the brilliance.

Possibly my favourite to date of Takashi Miike's work. It appears to be quite a predictable film, but with this Director you know there is always going to be something a little bizarre, it also has it's fair share of gore.

The beginning was a little drawn out I felt, but I still didn't lose interest and one particular scene really made me jump (which I have to say is something rare for me).

If I could recommend you watching one Takashi Miike film, it will be this one.

Recommended by Garry

I've watched this film countless times and I could never get bored of it. As a fan of Woody Harrelson, even I didn't expect him to pull off the character of Mickey Knox as well as he did and Juliette Lewis being cast for the part of Mallory was perfection.

This film has two parts to it, a 'before' they got caught for their killing spree and an 'after' they got caught. It portrayed a very deep connection between the two main characters, that could not be broken, whether together, seperated or facing death.

I love the story that the Shaman tells about the snake.

The Style of the filming is probably something taken for granted now in these style films, but it's still impressive.

Considered quite a corny film now, I can't help but still like the story to this. Still enjoyed it.

Quite a gruesome and disturbing film in it's day, possibly a film that's a little more acceptable in today's standards.

Jodie Foster plays an amazing role in this film. A powerfull film

This film runs on a very flat level, meaning there never seems to be any elevated time of excitement, yet it somehow works. An enjoyable storyline with some great music and an unusual role for Dennis Hopper.

Rec by John and Annelies

I had high hopes for this film as being a great classic horror by some of the reviews and recommendations that I had seen, but this was a very odd film (and not in a good way), I couldn?t wait for it to end. I found it quite ridiculous ? it has to go into the worst movies list for sure.

Recommended by Carol H

Rather dated now, but I can see why this was banned in the day of release. The rape scenes were a little daring and certainly showed a frightening experience. The film was a tad boring, but the storyline made a great revenge story

Without a doubt the most disturbing film I?ve ever attempted to watch. I tend to watch most films through, just to give it the benefit of the doubt, but had to switch this off, because of it?s uncomfortable imagery.

I knew this was a controversial film and of course that was one of my main reasons for watching it, I?m not one to shy away from controversial subjects, but this was a huge step too far for me. I don?t know how old the young Actor?s and Actresses were in this film, but they did look like children it still left me feeling very uncomfortable.

I thought the controversy surrounding this film was to do with the subject matter, but more disturbing was what the Actors/Actresses had to do in the film.

Curiosity does leave me wondering what happened next, but I just didn?t want to continue watching to find out, it felt all too voyeuristic to me.

Probably one of the most original films ever made and certainly one of the most controversial in it?s day and still today.

A Clockwork Orange has a very surreal outlook on life with the storyline being narrated by the main character played by Malcolm McDowell. He is the leader of a non conforming gang of thugs, who spend their time playing by their own rules, conflicting violence robbery and rape on the innocent, in contrast there is a gimpse of culture as the boys listen to Beethoven and speak with poetic tones and often in a peculiar dialect.

The journey this film travels in, splits between consequences of actions and a bizarre tale of experimental behaviour control.

McDowell?s character has become something of a cult icon and was no doubt an impressive early performance by the star. (In addition you may notice a unrecognisable Warren Clarke, also in the gang).

A very quirky black comedy, that has an either love it or hate quality to it.



The storyline could be a metaphor for any socially unacceptable relationship and if you find the deeper meaning to this film, then you will truly absorb the story.



Of course for me the icing on the cake was the Soundtrack featuring ing my favourite recording artist Cat Stevens.



Unusual and original.

The biggest appeal for this film, is of course that it had been banned by critics.

Straw dogs is a slow moving film, with an explosive ending, I wouldn?t be surprised if the film ?The Backwoods? had been influenced by this.

The violence isn?t by any means shockable, more menacing in the way that the violence was delivered (for the era anyhow).

A much older film than I?d first realised, interesting story, I?m sure very controversial in it?s day ? as seems to be Kubrick?s taste.

The ending was quite unusual for it?s time I felt, good, but more of an unfinished style which I relate more to a modern style of storytelling.

Slightly overrated perhaps, but nonetheless watchable.

Rec by Annelies