November 11, 2023

The Zone Of Interest (2023) *****

Winner of the Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. A chronicle of a quiet family life in an idyllic house and a beautiful garden located next to a wall. The film is based on the testimonies provided by survivors and individuals who had been employed by the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig.

October 10, 2023

Past Lives (2023) ****

Wonderful, very understated and de-dramatized film about human relationships. 

Poor Things (2023) ****



Emma Stone gives the greatest performance of her career as a a young woman in Victorian era London who, after being crudely resurrected by a scientist following her suicide, runs off with a debauched lawyer to embark on an odyssey of self-discovery and sexual liberation. A masterpiece of steampunk cinema, with amazing art direction and eccentric cinematography. 

American Fiction (2023) ****

Excellent film about an African-American writer.

Asteroid City (2023) ****

Another brilliant and self-reflexive masterpiece from Wes Anderson. 

The Boy And The Heron (2023) ****

Barbie (2023) ****

Definitely not for kids, this is a rather cynical satiric comedy about feminism and patriarchy. Many jokes try very hard for a second or even a third degree, but don't always succeed. In fact, by subverting everything and refusing to take anything at face value in the first half of the film, "Barbie" might confuse some viewers in the second half, when it suddenly strives for some first degree humour with decidedly mixed results. For instance, if Barbieland is supposed to be a mirror image of the real world, as the first half of the film suggests, then logically, in the second half of the film, the feminist revolt led by all the Barbies could be interpreted as encouraging men in our world to revolt against the feminists who are, after all, trying to do exactly the same things as the Kens in Barbieland.

A Brighter Tomorrow (2023) ****

Nostalgic film about Italian Communists in 1956 slowly realizing the totalitarian nature of the Soviet system of government.

Perdidos en la noche (2023) ****


Constantly surprising Mexican drama directed by Amat Escalante.

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (2023) ****

In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion. Feminist cinema at its best.

Do Not Expect Too Much From The End Of The World (2023) ****

Brilliant satiric comedy from Romania.

Oppenheimer (2023) ****

Brilliant film about the genesis of the Nuclear Age. Fascinating characters, complex narrative structure, striking visuals and unpredictable turns of events.

Le Festin boréal (2023) ****

Darwinian drama set in the Canadian wilderness. 

September 9, 2023

Wonka (2023) ***

Anyone But You (2023) ***

Entertaining romantic comedy inspired by Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". Breezy, sexy and fun.

She Came To Me (2023) ***

Very original comedy with unexpected twists and surprising characters.

Nimona (2023) ***

Sound Of Freedom (2023) ***

Uneven film with a superb first act, a weak middle portion and an exciting, action-movie finale. Well-directed, stylish and very effective in delivering its message.

Golda (2023) ***

Tense, exciting drama set during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Memory (2023) ***

Subtle and complex film about an incest survivor meeting a man suffering from dementia.

Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023) ***

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3 (2023) ***

Ghosted (2023) ***

Entertaining spy comedy starring Ana de Armas and Chris Evans.

Rustin (2023) ***

Elemental (2023) ***

Unexceptional, but perfectly entertaining Pixar animated feature about the attraction between two opposites. An allegory about tolerance and diversity, but without any preaching.

No Hard Feelings (2023) ***

Raunchy sex comedy starring Jennifer Lawrence.

The Color Purple (2023) ***

Somebody I Used To Know (2023) ***


Wonderful romantic comedy loosely inspired by "My Best Friend's Wedding", but uniquely charming in its own particular way.

May December (2023) ***

Complex film about complex relationships.

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret (2023) ***

Beau Is Afraid (2023) ***

Uneven, but often brilliant horror film nightmare that might lack some basic coherence, but more than makes up for it in sheer cinematic energy and pure madness.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023) ***

Visually stunning, fast-paced, animated action movie without any dull moments.

The Killer (2023) ***

Passages (2023) ***

August 8, 2023

Coup de chance (2023) ***

Yannick (2023) ***

Le Règne animal (2023) **

Le Procès Goldman (2023) ***

Anatomie d'une chute (2023) ***

Jeanne du Barry (2023) ***

L'Ete dernier (2023) ***

Quite similar to a recent Danish film "Queen Of Hearts" (2019). 

La Passion de Dodin Bouffant (2023) ***


A beautiful love letter to the French culinary artistry.

July 7, 2023

The Eternal Memory (2023) ***

An excellent documentary from Chile. Touching story of a couple whose happiness is slowly being taken away by Alzheimer.

The Teacher’s Lounge (2023) **

Suzume (2023) ***

Robot Dreams (2023) ***

Sweet Dreams (2023) *

Confusing Dutch drama set in Indonesia during the colonial era.

Monster (2023) ***

Les Filles d'Olfa (2023) ***

Brilliant Tunisian film about a mother and her four daughters. 

One Day We'll Tell Each Other Everything (2023) ***

El Conde (2023) ***

20 Days In Mariupol (2023) ***

Oscar-nominated documentary.

Chlopi (2023) ***