Nomad's Land

Gael Metroz makes a stunning debut with this breath taking documentary that traces the route of Swiss traveller and writer Nicolas Bouvier from Geneva to Sri Lanka. While a lot has changed since the peaceful times of the 50's, Metroz has to leave Bouvier's course to find the essence of Bouvier and the region he loved and wrote about that made Metroz and many others to dream about. Metroz narrates his stunningly filmed footage through many places Bouvier travelled with great affection and insight that makes this film outstanding. The documentary also offers a different picture of the region in the news despite the ordeals of the three decades. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Fighting

Director Dito Montiel reunites with Channing Tatum who has made a career for himself as the troubled white man ever since their first first collaboration in "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints." The film delivers exactly what the title promises along with some morals thrown into it. The cast that includes Terrence Howard and Luis Guzmán take the film above average, however all the actors run the dangers of stereo typing with the exception of Altagracia Guzman who steals every scene she's in. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

Can Go Through Skin

Esther Rots makes a solid debut with this psychological drama about a woman's struggle to live life after a violent assault. Told through the point of view of the victim Rots tells a disturbing tale of a young woman on the edge fighting for her sanity even after moving to the countryside. The film points out the psychological impact that nobody but the victims can relate to. Rifka Lodeizen gives an intense and gripping performance as Marieke who acts almost alone the entire film and has the burden of the entire film on her shoulders. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

The Beast Stalker

Another terrific thriller from Hong Kong that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The film starts predictably with a cop who accidentally kills a child on duty but then the breathtaking action kicks in till the last minute with many twist and turns. Director Dante Lam manages with great skill telling a riveting tale of redemption that involves many broken souls who lives are shattered through a fateful accident. It's further proof that Asian cinema is a great source for original material. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Snow

Aida Begic's shattering film about a group of Bosnian women who struggle in a remote village with the aftermaths of the war. Almost everybody has lost somebody but still haven't lost the hope for the return of their beloved ones. Begic shows you an authentic tale with a fresh voice that makes you want to see more films from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Begic wrote and directed a profound and poetic film that's beautiful and devastating at the same time with a superb cast and crew. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Française

Director Souad El-Bouhati makes a solid debut with this heartfelt coming of age drama about an French-Moroccan girl with an identity crises. Actress Hafsia Herzi(The Secret of the Grain) gives another powerful performance as Sofia who's forced as a child to return to her parents native country but longs to return to France despite her family's wishes. A universal tale of generational conflict that affects children of immigrants all over the world. EL-Bouhati hits all the right notes and asks important questions of what makes a person's identity, your ethnic background or the culture you are born to. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

RIP: Jack Cardiff 1914 - 2009

Breaking and Entering

Writer and director Anthony Minghella came full circle with his last theatrical release. His first original screenplay since his breakthrough with "Truly Madly Deeply" also returns him to a contemporary tale in London where cultures and classes clash. The film reunites the director with several of his actors including Juliette Binoche and Jude Law in the leading roles. There's several fine performances in this ensemble including Juliette Binoche who gives another outstanding performance as a desperate mother who stops at nothing to save her teenage son. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Leatherheads

Director George Clooney lightens up with his third feature film about the beginnings of professional football by paying homage to screwball comedies of the era. He stars as well along with a perfect cast that includes Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski. There's not much to dislike about the film that flows well with enough cinematic nostalgia. The film will only disappoint those who expect more than a light comedy from Clooney after the serious and critically acclaimed "Good Night, and Good Luck." YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

A Scanner Darkly

A rather bland adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel of the same title which is ill fated for writer and director Richard Linklater using the same animation technique that worked better on his "Waking Life." One definitely expects more given the rich source material and animation but it seems that the interpolated-rotoscoping techniques is used to preserve the features of the A-list talent than using it to add layers that live action couldn't deliver. The story of an under-cover agent (Keanu Reeves) who's double crossed by the authorities and criminals for infiltrating the world of drug trafficking. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Recount

This film dramatizes the events surrounding the 2000 Presidential election where the whole election was decided by the the votes in Florida that went eventually to Bush despite many claims of a stolen election. Director Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Austin Powers) makes a compelling case with a superb cast. As the filmmakers point out there was a systematically plan with a clear intention of where the electoral votes should go in the Republican run State. While it's clear who the villains are, some top democrats doesn't get away clean by refusing to fight the fight. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Starter for 10

A smart and engaging film by director Tom Vaughan who makes his feature debut that showcases several up and coming British actors including James McAvoy, Rebecca Hall and Dominic Cooper. The story about a working class boy who wants break free of his class by seeking higher education at a prestigious university. He has to overcome several obstacles including embracing his humble past before finding a solid ground in the new found world. The excellent cast and crew make the film a joy along with the killer soundtrack. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Blade Runner

A groundbreaking film that is one of the best Science Fiction films ever made besides being one of the best films of the 80's. Visionary director Ridley Scott's follow up to his other brilliant film, "Alien" was ahead of its time and was heavily underrated and butchered at the time of its release. The film created a standard for Sci-Fi films to come and has been often imitated but never equalled. A perfect film in almost every aspect in the art of film making from originality to visionary with a perfect cast and crew that will remain a career best for many involved. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

State of Play

Scottish director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) makes his Hollywood debut with this star studded thriller set in Washington DC with a potent and effective story. Russell Crowe stars as a journalist who discovers political intrigue and murder that involves his friend, a congressman played by Ben Affleck. The only problem with the film is the final twist that seems superfluous and drags the film down which is a shame. Three screenwriters share credit for adapting the British mini series into a feature film that might be too convoluted for some. The fine cast includes the always reliable Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman amongst others.

Revolutionary Road

A terrific and underrated film by director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio giving tour-de-force performances. They play April and Frank Wheeler, the perfect couple admired and adored by their friends and neighbors but have bigger dreams and hopes for their lives. When the chance of breaking free from their mundane world fails, it shutters them and their so called friends. A superb script by Justin Haythe adapted from the classic novel by Richard Yates provides a perfect framework for cast and crew to shine in this timeless classic. The film reunites Winslet and DiCaprio for the first time since "Titanic" and shows how far they have come in their evolution as terrific actors. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Simon Channing Williams 1945 - 2009

Chopper

The film that launched the careers of actor Eric Bana (Munich) and director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) is a stylized dramatization of the life of notorious Australian criminal turned author Mark "Chopper" Read. Bana gives a riveting performance as the flashy, demented and no nonsense criminal who outsmarted the criminals as much as the cops before serving time and writing a bestseller. Writer and director Dominik finds the right style to tell of story a colorful criminal that's refreshing and original. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Thriller in Manila

Director John Dower manages the impossible by showing Mohammad Ali, one of the greatest athletes ever, in a negative light by shining light on his rival Joe Frazier in this riveting documentary behind their greatest fight of the title. The film proves that history is written for and by winners alone and how an equally great boxer became victim to a hugely popular powerhouse personality that cost him more than a title. The film will please boxing fans as much as non fans by telling a powerful story beyond sports that comes close to a Greek tragedy. YRCinema's coverage of films on TV and DVD.

The Contender

Writer and director Rod Lurie brilliantly explores the issues of morality and double standards amongst others in this riveting political thriller about a female contender for the position of the Vice President. He cleverly goes where you want a film like this to go to explore issues beyond face value and that plagues the political system in the US. Joan Allen, Gary Oldman and Jeff Bridges give powerful performances that makes this film a delight to watch. An equally great supporting cast makes this film standout amongst its kind. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Purple Violets

The good thing about Edward Burns the writer and director is that he never over reached his ambition to be something he's not which makes his films more personal themes. In this film he explores on the first or past love a decade later to reflect on the personal development and happiness. Patrick Wilson and Selma Blair play writers with ambitions of greatness but also mutual love and respect for each other. After they run into each accidentally, they both start to reflect on their lives and whether they are better off without each other. Edward Burns the actor and Debra Messing provide comic relief besides having similar issues as the main characters. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Story of Wine

Writer and director Cheol-ha Lee makes a wining film with his second feature about a wine bar where every wine has its own story. Through three different wines, three universal stories about life, love and wine are told. The film will please anybody who loves wine. The most surprising thing about this film is that it was made in Korea instead of the wine making countries. It also proves that the Asian Cinema is a strong source of originality. YRCinema's coverage of the Sonoma International Film Festival.

Matar A Todos

Esteban Schroeder's political thriller shows that shadows of the past are still present in South America, in this case Uruguay. A woman has to fight the political system that includes her father and brother to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a political prisoner who has been wanted for justice but might be used by the military to develop chemical weapons. Schroeder meticulously shows how intricately the governments of several countries tried to silence any opposition where thousands of people disappeared without any trace. A compelling film with powerful performances that gives some insight to one of the darkest chapters in the South American history. YRCinema's coverage of the Sonoma International Film Festival.

The Answer Man

Writer and director John Hindman makes a solid debut with this unpretentious film that's more about substance than style which plagues most first time directors. The story is about a reclusive author who has been hiding from the world after his book has become a world wide bestseller. After an injury forces him to seek help outside his home, he realizes there's more to life than playing the part eccentric and unattainable author with millions of followers. A single mother and a troubled young man help him to come out of his shell. A solid cast bring story to life with humor and heart to life. YRCinema's coverage of the Sonoma International Film Festival.

(500) Days of Summer

An original and offbeat romantic comedy that allows Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel to shine on their own. Both actors around for some time finally find a project that fits them well. The love story between Tom and Summer who have different notions about love while one believes in romance and the other doesn't. It's the universal battle of the sexes with a twist told in many inventive ways that sometime goes overboard but the leads save the day with their entirely winning performances. The title refers to the amount of days Tom meets Summer, falls in and out love. YRCinema's coverage of upcoming releases.