O) Tartan films - full cat. 36 of

Antibodies really exceded my expectations on many levels. Firstly as a fictional story of a serial killer, this has to be the best one since ?The Silence of the Lambs?. It was controversial, made you feel uncomfortable in parts, it was casted well, especially in the case of the serial killer.

In terms of World Cinema, this is way up there with the best, it?s also high up there as a Thriller, as there are twists and turns that left me shouting at the tv screen!

If you enjoy films which cover any of these genres (Serial Killer, World cinema and Thrillers) give it a watch, it?s impressive, you won?t be disappointed.

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.

Nick Broomfield's documentary experience allowed this film and it's portrayal of the events of the deaths of Chinese Imigrant workers at Morecambe Bay, England.

The film takes you through the illegal imigration process up until the night of the tragic deaths. The film is not only very realistic, but it's cast is mainly made up of people who have been in similar situations, which certainly adds to the authentic feel.

In addition on the special features, you will find a very interesting 'Making of' section.

Not quite what I was expectiing from this film. The acting was fine, Cate Blanchett was very good, but the story was a little stretched out and there wasn't many high points to accomodate the low points

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.

Hugely disappointing, very slow moving which was felt throughout, it may have some originality to it, but it was very dull.

This film never really warmed up for me. I only watched it to the end because I thought that it might. Pretty dissapointing

VERDICT: Not recommended, this one's going on the 'awful list'

There were many great performances in this film, however I felt pretty bored throughout until the last ten minutes.

THREE EXTREMES are three short films put together by some of Asia's best Directors. Each are reviewed as follows:

DUMPLINGS - This film instantly made it as the sickest film I'd ever seen, with every stomach-churning crunch, I found it very difficult to get to the end of this film, but somehow managed. I'd be very interested to know if the guys as bad as the ladies watching this, given the subject matter?

On reflection though, I feel I now understand it more as a creative piece. I think it provides an extreme metaphor for the kind of celebrity culture we have, where looks and youth are preserved at any cost.

CUT

An interesting film, which forms a visually artistic piece. Although this is a Short, it did seem to stretch a little at times and maybe it could have been made into even a shorter film, but was pretty enjoyable all the same.

BOX

A twisted plot as always, Takashi Miike?s contribution to the trilogy is by far the best. What is unspoken in this piece speaks volumes and the silence in fact makes a huge impact on the sinister tale ? One of Takashi Miikes most enjoyable films in my opinion and makes this trilogy worth watching.

A very average ghost story with the second half a little more sinister than the first. Quite a typical, predictable Horror in most senses, with the odd good moment thrown in. Not all bad, but certainly nothing special. A couple of slightly eerie moments towards the end, but not a particularly scary film.

It?s hard to believe from watching this film that this is the same actor, who warmed our hearts as Ponyboy Curtis in ?The Outsiders?.

A much more realistic look into the murders committed by serial killer cousins; Ken Bianchi and Antonio Buono , known infamously during the period of investigation as ?The Hillside Strangler?.

Perhaps the most explicit of the true crime serial killer films as sex was very significant to the pair before and during their reign of terror.

Fascinatingly weird and utterly brilliant, a story which unravels slowly and reveals an outstanding ending.

The controversial appearance of Bale in this film is so devastating to watch. He truly ran risks to his health for this role, losing 63 lb to accomplish the look, which although is a rather drastic action, it's not exactly a recommended way of doing things, however, the story obviously benefitted from the transformation.

A superb performance by Bale and for those of you who enjoy the weird and wonderful, this was will dazzle.

This film feels quite disturbing to watch, mainly because it?s filmed in the style of a documentary and makes it feel real, but is probably no different in violence to your average horror movie. A clever concept that makes the viewer uneasy as if watching a real snuff film, but brings to light a few valid points and in some parts, is actually quite humourous in a dark comedy kind of way. A slow moving, but orginal film

A unique story of a serial killer, the cover of the dvd says 'The Spanish answer to Hostel'. Although the film is based on Sadism and torture, the scenes (unlike Hostel) were left to the imagination at the last bit, however they are realistically done.

VERDICT: Personally I thought it was a really good film, but it won't be for everyone, not just because of the violence, but because of the sub-titles too.

A film I've been meaning to see for so long and at last I have. It has to be the first film I've watched where I like both the original and the remake (The Departed) equally.

The storyline here is a truly original and clever idea, increasing in tempo as the polt unfolds.

A great start and a great finish, but lacked some content in the middle I felt. A good watch all the same.

Fairly well acted by all the young guys envolved and was a pretty good storyline with an interesting dilemma, bit of a slowish start though.

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.

It?s dvd cover describes this documentary as ?thought provoking?. Even the most open minded of people are probably thinking ?why?? this seems like an open and shut case.

As the documentary unfolds, you realise just how complicated the case actually is, how the family appears to show biased support to the family members accused of these unthinkable crimes, how they filmed themselves continuously through years as a family ? (in fact supplying most of the footage on this documentary), how the evidence is challenged and what in fact is or isn't true in connection with the case.

Questions pop into mind throughout the documentary, many are answered within the film, others have been answered in the very lengthly special features and of course there may be questions that will never be answered.

Very slow moving at first, then everything seems to happen really fast. Having watched this just the once, I?m still placing pieces together, so am not sure if I totally got it.

I know this is a well liked film and my rating reflects my lack of understanding of the film at this stage and is definitely worthy of another watch.

Probably the most bizarre film I've ever watched, I had to read the dvd cover to make sense of it all after. With my new found faith in Takashi Miike, I'm gonna put this down to me misunderstanding this, definitely needs further viewings.

VERDICT: Confused!

My least favourite of the Vengeance trilogy, yet still worthy of a watch. Didn?t think it quite made the standard of the other two, but was quirky in a sense and a good plot for a vengeance style film

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.

One of the strangest storylines ever, which confuses the viewer throughout, that I think, is the beauty of this piece. There is something quite addictive about the story. This is a film that definitely benefits from multiple viewing

As I?m sure you will guess from its title though, this film is pretty graphic sexually, so if scenes of this nature are likely to cause offence, cross this one off your list. However, for a film as sexually graphic as this one, there is most definitely a great storyline to accompany it.

I have mixed feelings on this storyline, firstly it articulates the feelings of these two very young girls in a realistic sense, I?m sure many ladies out there watching this film will relate to this with nostalgia and can draw an understanding of the circumstances.

Secondly though, it was no doubt controversial and an uncomfortable watch in parts, especially with the nudity, I guess, the disturbing feel is what you are supposed to feel with this storyline, of course you can see it?s purpose yet almost wish it wasn?t necessary.

It cleverly unravelled the manipulation from the male, which is targeted, obviously to the girl because of her age.

Finally the ending, which was totally unexpected, sums up the whole theme of the film and the different view points in which the girls have about their first sexual experience and does not logically make sense, but, I guess the beauty of this film is that, it is illogical and told through the eyes of the innocent.

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.

This film had me completely lost, my concentration completely went and it never picked back up. I?m usually open-minded toward Takashi Miike?s content in films but this one really takes it over the line of vulgarity on at least 3 occasions.

A war between Yakusa and Triads, is pretty much all I could tell you that happened as a storyline.

The stars given, are purely because I made it to the end of the film.

This film heavily relies on shockability, blood and gore, without it the investigations would not have been as interesting and this film would not be popular, having said that, the blood and gore were at least something 'new' and is definitely not for the squeemish.

Violence, gangs and gay prostitution. This story is interesting straight from the start, dipped a little in the middle, but I mostly enjoyed it. There is an interesting interview with Takashi Miike too.

VERDICT: Worth a watch

Very disappointed with this film because I feel I missed something. From all the reviews I've read I was sure I'd really like it, but to me it just seemed like a record attempt for the world's longest gun fight in cinema history

Although I can partly see the appeal to this popular film, I have to admit (I know I won?t be popular for this) I found a fair bit of this film quite boring. Having heard this film, so many times talked of with high regard ? I feel I?ve missed something!

A long winded love story, to which becomes more enjoyable during the second half. Boredeom set in occasionally which surprised me because I?ve heard such good things about this film.

Quite an unusual and interesting storyline, one that starts in a direction and ends up in a completely opposite direction.

A very watchable film, but also quite easily forgettable.

Recommended by Gary & Se7enth

Possibly the best part of this film was the last 10 minutes.

It?s a watchable story which was not as predicatble as I had anticipated, but a little drawn out.

Recommended by Gary S & Garyx

Recommended by Gary

Rec by Scott

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.

Rec by Roger

Rec by Luis

Rec by Annelies