The Bridge on the River Kwai

Legendary British director David Lean's first epic masterpiece made him a master of cinema. During the WW II in a Japanese POW camp, British soldiers are forced to build a crucial bridge for the enemy with a head strong colonel as their leader while the British force a former American prisoner to help them destroy it. While Lean succeeds to deliver a film of epic scale, the core of his film is focused on the individuals caught in the madness of war. It's a timeless and classic film with terrific cast and crew which includes William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa in memorable performances. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Betrayed

Greek director Costa-Gavras returned to Hollywood for this provocative thriller. An undercover FBI agent falls for a wholesome single father whom she's investigating to be involved with a right-wing terrorist organization. Costa-Gavras who made several superb political thrillers seems to be compromised with the Joe Eszterhas script which tries to provoke more than give insight. Debra Winger and Tom Berenger try their best to redeem with their powerful performances which they almost succeed. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Farley Granger 1925 - 2011

The Broken

British writer and director Sean Ellis changed direction with his sophomore film with this atmospheric psychological thriller. A woman's world collapses after witnessing a doppelganger which has devastating consequences for her and those close to her. After his impressive debut, Ellis continues to impress with visual style which is at full display in this stylish thriller that blends horror and psychological thriller seamlessly. Instead of going the extra mile, he comes short which is a shame considering how close he came to deliver a great film. Lena Heady is solid in the lead but the impeccable support cast including Richard Jenkins, Ulrich Thomsen and Melvil Poupaud are underused. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Leopard

Legendary Italian master Luchino Visconti delivered his definitive masterpiece with this character study of a noble aristocrat. During the 1860's social and political upheavals, a wise Sicilian aristocrat realizes that in order for his family and class to survive the changing times, they have to adapt which leads him to arrange the wedding of his ambitious nephew to the beautiful daughter of a wealthy buffoon who will be part of the new ruling class. Visconti made one of the greatest films in cinema with a terrific cast and crew including top notch writing team lead by Suso Cecchi d'Amico, cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno, production and costume design by Mario Garbuglia and Piero Tosi and haunting score by Nino Rota. In an inspired casting, Burt Lancaster delivered a tour-de-force performance as the leopard that ranks amongst the greatest in the cinema. The terrific supporting cast includes a dashing Alain Delon and the ravishing Claudia Cardinale. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Mildred Pierce

Prolific and versatile director Michael Curtiz provided Joan Crawford her greatest role in this melodrama that also revived her career. Personal tragedies forces a single mother to professional success which alienates her further from her spoiled daughter. Crawford is clearly front and center in the film in a career defining role with a solid support cast that includes Jack Carson and Ann Blyth. While the film is considered a Hollywood classic, it's far from perfect but interesting as a time capsule of bygone era. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Waste Land

British director Lucy Walker delivered two terrific documentaries in one year. In this inspiring and moving film she united with Brazilian artist Vik Muniz for a unique project in the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro. Celebrated photographer Vik Muniz who uses everyday material to create art from sugar and chocolate syrup to garbage went back to Brazil for a project to create art out of garbage with the help of local pickers. Walker follows Muniz from the inception of idea throughout the process and transformation of the lives of the people touched by the project makes this film a rewarding experience. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Elizabeth Taylor 1932 - 2011

Oceans

French directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud return with another stunning documentary. A spectacular look at the oceans and its known and mysterious inhabitants. Unlike many similar films on television, this visually stunning film has a single vision and message that should appeal to everybody without being too preachy. It also skips the detailed descriptions and overkill narration that plagues similar films. The glorious footage speaks for themselves including its value to the planet. Terrific cinematography, seamless editing and concise narration by Pierce Brosnan makes this film stand out. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Extra Man

The writing and directing duo, Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini return with another off beat comedy. An eccentric young man with the hopes of becoming a writer sets out to New York where he falls under the spell of an eccentric bachelor who makes a living as an escort for old ladies. Berman and Pulcini try hard to make another effortless off beat comedy like their debut with "American Splendor." Instead their ambition becomes annoying as they hit their main characters with too many idiosyncrasies despite the best of efforts of the talented leads, Kevin Kline and Paul Dano which derails the entire film. The support cast includes Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Unstoppable

Director Tony Scott and Denzel Washington reunited for the fifth time for another action film. This time around instead of terrorists, a runaway train with several tons of toxic load is the enemy that working class heroes try to stop. Veteran Washington and rookie star Chris Pine are the leads with Rosario Dawson providing support. It's a straightforward action film which is not challenging by any means for the talent involved. The story based on actual events provides all the thrills which is predictable like a roller coaster ride. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Mademoiselle Chambon

French writer and director Stéphane Brizé delivers a nuanced and shattering romantic drama. An apparently happily married construction worker falls in love with his son's sophisticated teacher which could be their only chance of experiencing true love. Brizé creates a meticulous study of real characters with an astonishingly profound sensibility which is rarely seen or captured in cinema but some French filmmakers master so well. Much credit goes to the outstanding performances of Vincent Lindon, Sandrine Kiberlain and Aure Atika who are pitch perfect without a false beat. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Wild Grass

Veteran French master Alain Resnais continues to experiment with cinema in a career that spans over seven decades. A random robbery brings two elderly people together and rekindles their passion in life in unexpected ways. Like most of Resnais' films, story or plot doesn't much matter much but the idea how it can be explored in cinematic terms. Besides his frequent collaborators, Sabine Azéma and André Dussollier, Renais has enlisted a stellar support cast with Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos and Anne Consigny for this beautiful film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Michael Gough 1917 - 2011