Leap Year

Australian writer and director Michael Rowe made his feature debut with this brutal character study. Laura, a young Mexican woman with a troubled past lives a lonely existence in Mexico City where she works as a freelance journalist and has superficial sexual relationships. One night she encounters Arturo with whom she starts an intense sexual relationship that turns darker and dangerous towards a fateful date that hints at her troubled past. Rowe who's based in Mexico delivers an uncompromising character study of a troubled soul who can't escape her past despite death and physical distance from it. Shot entirely in one location, actress Monica del Carmen bears her body and soul in a fearless performance that's utterly devastating. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Alphaville

French master Jean-Luc Godard took on Science Fiction as only he could. An agent is sent to Alphaville, a computer-controlled society at war with artists, thinkers, and lovers. There the agent is suspect but also superior to everybody around him. Godard's simplistic approach works without any special effects and gets his points across as usual. There are plenty references to America from the main character to the small details. Eddie Constantine stars with the stunning Anna Karina and Akim Tamiroff. Raoul Coutard is in charge of the camera as usual. 1001 Films coverage of films on DVD.

Amer

Belgian writers and directors Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani made their feature debut with this pretentious mess. A woman is portrayed in three phases, in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The directors opt for style instead of substance which delivers some striking imagery but that's all. There's absolutely no character development or psychological context between the phases depicted. It's retro look and mix of horror and eroticism work in images but in a film. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Chunking Express

Chinese writer and director Wong Kar Wai achieved world wide acclaim with this dazzling film about love and longing. Several characters paths cross in the same busy district in Hong Kong. Among them a woman dealing with drugs and immigrants, two lovelorn cops who spend most of their night shift in the same night spot and young woman working at the fast food joint falling in love with one of the cops. Featuring the signature style of Kar Wai, the film is a visual poem thanks to the camera of Chris Doyle full of kinetic energy and slow motion set to haunting music. The talented cast includes Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung, Faye Wong and Takeshi Kaneshiro amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Days of Being Wild

Chinese director Wong Kar Wai's second feature united him with cinematographer Christopher Doyle with whom he established his signature style that made him one of the poets of modern cinema. Set in the 60's carefree Hong Kong, several men and women drift through life where they experience love and heartbreak. One of them is a merciless playboy who seduces and discards women because he was abandoned by his mother and brought up by a prostitute. Dazzling cinematography and haunting score enhance the performances of an all star cast that includes Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau and Rebecca Pan amongst others. 1001 Films's coverage of films on DVD.

Vampyr

Danish master Carl Theodor Dreyer delivered a poetic masterpiece with this haunting film. A young man's obsession with the supernatural takes him to a terrifying journey. Dreyer's hypnotic film delivers haunting images and atmosphere from the first frame till the last. It was his first sound film which he uses to unexpected effect like anything else from narrative form to use of camera and light. The film hasn't lost its power as the images remain unsettling and dreamy. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Maelstrom

Canadian writer and director Denis Villeneuve made this whimsical drama about fate. After a young and beautiful woman has an abortion, her life takes a downward spiral. Villeneuve made a unique film that takes risks, some works while others don't. He goes from dead serious to deadpan comedy which is unsettling but his take on themes such as moral responsibility and consequences are fascinating. Marie-Josée Croze gives a compelling performance the troubled woman whose irresponsible behaviour teaches her some life lessons. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life

French comic artist Joann Sfar made his feature debut as writer and director with this ambitious film about the life of controversial French icon Serge Gainsbourg. Episodes of Gainsbourg's life gets a fairytale treatment from early childhood experiences to adult escapades as a rebel and seducing beautiful women. The film is rather dull and lifeless for Gainsbourg whose life was anything but. It shows Sfar's inexperience in cinema whose visual flair can't compensate for character development. The cast that includes Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon and Laetitia Casta is assembled more to look like their famous counterparts than their performances to breath life into them. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Rite

Swedish director Mikael Håfström returned with another Hollywood horror film about exorcism. A seminary student gets a lesson about faith when he's sent to Rome to take an exorcism course. What the film has going for it, is its angle of a non-believer protagonist that makes it compelling. Håfström and writer Michael Petroni made the right choices for the most part to achieve the right atmosphere. Anthony Hopkins' presence is crucial in a tricky role who also supports newcomer Colin O'Donoghue in the lead. Alice Braga. Toby Jones and Ciarán Hinds fill out the supporting roles. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Forgiveness of Blood

After a long absence, American writer and director Joshua Marston returns with his second feature which is set in Albania. Two neighboring families feud continues when a member of one family is killed which has devastating consequences on the children whose livelihood is threatened. Marston and co-writer Andamion Murataj give the ancient tradition of blood feud a modern spin and how it's still practiced in some parts of the world. They show the feud through the eyes of two teenage siblings who have to sacrifice their lives for the good of the family. Marston has assembled a talented cast and crew that deliver a powerful film. For an American director, Marston has created his own niche that focuses on world cinema yet with universal themes. 1001 Films' coverage of the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival.

Shame

British artist turned writer and director Steve McQueen returns with his second feature that reunites him with his star Michael Fassbender for another profound character study. A young and successful New Yorker's life takes a downward spiral when his equally damaged and fragile sister shows up. Both siblings who share a troubled past can't connect to anybody intimately leaving them alone and isolated with devastating consequences. McQueen and co-writer Abi Morgan deliver an unflinching look of two psychologically damaged characters beyond repair whose attempts to reach out are truly heartbreaking and profound. Fassbender gives a fearless and riveting performance as the tormented man whose addiction to sex hints at the abyss of his suffering. Carey Mulligan also gives an outstanding performance as the fragile sister whose attempt to reach out for help proves shattering. 1001 Films' coverage of the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival.

Young Goethe in Love

German writer and director Philipp Stölzl returns with another period drama by giving Goethe the "Shakespeare in Love" treatment. The formative years in the life of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe are brought to the screen where the young Goethe is an aspiring poet and is forced by his father to reform as a lawyer in a provincial town where he falls in love and finds his way in life. Since there's hardly any films about Goethe in cinema, the movie is welcome despite its shortcomings. Stölzl has assembled a talented cast for the leads that includes Alexander Fehling, Miriam Stein and Moritz Bleibtreu. 1001 Films' coverage of the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival.

My Week With Marilyn

Veteran British TV director Simon Curtis makes his feature debut with this compelling behind-the-scenes drama of a movie production. A young man's dream comes true when he gets a job on movie with Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe where the British actor and director gets more than he bargained for with Monroe in an effort to boost their careers. Based on the books of Colin Clark who witnessed the drama unfolding, Curtis has more than enough material to work with which makes for a fascinating film about two unlikely legends, a British actor and an American movie star crossing paths. Curtis biggest coup is to have found an actress like Michelle Williams who could play Marilyn and on whose performance the film relies. Williams gives a dazzling performance as Monroe and she comes damn close. Many have imitated but never came close to the iconic Monroe until now. The stellar cast also includes Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne and Judi Dench amongst other with terrific performances. 1001 Films' coverage of the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival.

Wend Kuuni - God's Gift

Burkinabé writer and director Gaston Kaboré made his feature debut with this compelling drama set in pre-colonial Africa. After a mute boy is found and saved from certain death by a traveller, he's adopted by a village where he recalls his traumatic past. Kaboré gives an authentic look of rural Africa without the stereotypes by foreigners. It's a timeless tale of survival and belonging that's touching and shattering at the same time. It's a rare treat to watch a film from Burkina Faso by one of its most talented filmmakers. 1001 Films' coverage of the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival.

Black Snake Moan

Writer and director Craig Brewer returned with another original redemption tale rooted and infused with music. A down on his luck musician finds his call to save a young woman with his unconventional ways. There are some shocking images in the film that Brewer uses to his advantage to tell a compelling story about characters at the margins of society. Brewer's casting of Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci in the leads are perfect but his ultimate trump is the music and locations that gives his characters authenticity. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

X-Men: First Class

British producer turned writer and director Matthew Vaughn continues to impress with this successful prequel that outshines the original films. The story of Professor X and Magneto are told how they became allies before turning enemies in a fight for acceptance from the humans. Vaughn and his team give the X-Men franchise a kick ass James Bond treatment with a stellar cast. The film has the elements of a great Bond film and then some including the dashing hero, beautiful girls, formidable villains and plenty of action and special effects. Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy star with a solid support cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne and January Jones amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Peeping Tom

Legendary British director Michael Powell delivered his last masterpiece with this psychological thriller. A tormented young man kills women with a movie camera to film and study their terror on screen. Perhaps the most personal film by Powell who dissects cinema like a lab rat where he teaches the audience few lessons about voyeurism and fascination of film. It's a fascinating film in many ways that goes beyond the plot and story. Karlheinz Böhm stars as the filmmaker with a dark secret. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Trip

British director Michael Winterbottom reunites for the third time with British comedian Steve Coogan with this mockumentary where he lets Coogan and fellow comedian Rob Brydon loose on a trip. Coogan and Brydon play a version of themselves on a trip of fine restaurants in Northern England which starts friendly before they get on each others nerves with their idiosyncrasies. There are some hilarious moments including some impersonations on British actors specially Michael Caine amongst others. Winterbottom and Coogan cleverly blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Howards End

The legendary team behind the Merchant Ivory label delivered another masterpiece with this dazzling adaptation of the E.M. Forster's masterpiece. The lives of three families of different classes are connected with the country house of the title in this intricate tale of fate and values that binds them. Brilliantly brought to screen by terrific cast and crew that consists of writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, director James Ivory, producer Ismael Merchant, cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts and composer Richard Robbins amongst others. Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Redgrave deliver outstanding performances with an equally solid support cast. The film stands the test of time as the novel did as well as a peak in the careers of all the talents involved. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Solas

Spanish writer and director Benito Zambrano made his feature debut with this superb drama about a mother and daughter relationship. A mother is forced to live with her estranged daughter after her husband is hospitalized in the city where they are forced to confront each other as adults. Zambrano made a remarkable debut that's well written and directed with terrific performances by María Galiana and Ana Fernández as the leads. It's poignant and universal tale about generational conflict that's rewarding and heartbreaking. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Unmade Beds

Argentinian writer and director Alexis Dos Santos delivered an honest look at contemporary youth with this charming and quirky film. Two teenagers who share an apartment in London without ever meeting try to find themselves while being lost in the world. The Spaniard Axl is looking for his father whom he's never known and the French Vera who looks for love after a heartbreak. Dos Santos manages to make a credible film that's hip and stylish without trying to hard or losing focus. The world of teenagers are universal with similar themes of identity and sexuality. London seems the perfect place where the characters could meet but could be replaced with any of the European cities with similar results. Fernando Tielve and Déborah François are perfectly cast the two protagonists on the search for themselves. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Ides of March

Superstar, producer and writer George Clooney returns with his fourth feature as a director which is his most accessible and satisfying film yet. An idealistic press secretary for a presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics in this morality tale. Brilliantly written and executed with a stellar cast makes this film utterly enjoyable. Based on the play "Farragut North," by Beau Willimon, Clooney and co-writer and producer Grant Heslov deliver one of the best films about the machinery of politics where idealism clashes with reality. It shows that in the game of politics like chess everybody is sooner or later eliminated at whatever cost. Clooney has also assembled a terrific cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Evan Rachel Wood amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Director Brad Furman got his Hollywood breakthrough with effective thriller. A sleazy defense attorney finds his conscience after he meets a devious criminal who has outsmarted him and the system before. Matthew McConaughey stars along with a solid supporting cast that includes Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei and William H. Macy amongst others. What makes this formula thriller work is the talented cast who take it a notch above similar movies of its kind. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

A Summer in Genoa

Prolific and versatile British writer and director Michael Winterbottom explored themes of loss and identity with this drama. A man relocates to Italy with his two young daughters to move on with life after an horrific accident. In Genoa each of them struggle to cope with their loss in different ways. Winterbottom applies his documentary style approach to give the film immediacy that works without losing quality. Colin Firth stars with newcomers Perla Haney-Jardine and Willa Holland along with Catherine Keener and Hope Davis in supporting roles. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Sheltering Sky

Legendary Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci brought the classic novel by Paul Bowles to screen with this lavish adaptation. After the second world war, an American couple travel to North Africa to save their marriage but instead their journey ends in death and madness. Bertolucci and co writer Mark Peploe's interpretation of novel is a peculiar kind of a film that's not for everybody but great on visuals and mood which it does get right. Debra Winger and John Malkovich deliver outstanding performances as the doomed couple getting lost in the desert. Campbell Scott and Timothy Spall provide solid support while DP Vittorio Storaro delivers dazzling images along with Ryûichi Sakamoto's haunting score. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

L'Amour Fou

French director Pierre Thoretton made his feature debut with compelling documentary about the relationship between fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and his lover, Pierre Bergé. As Bergé prepares to auction their vast art collection, he reflects on their relationship and Saint-Laurent's rise in the fashion world. The presence of Bergé along with the archival footage works in Thoretton's favor to deliver a portrait of the two men. Those expecting to see more of creative process of Yves Saint-Laurent will be disappointed. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Viva Algeria

French-Algerian writer and director Nadir Moknèche addresses the struggle of three women in Algeria where their modern life style conflicts with the Islamic tradition. An elderly dancer and her daughter who has an affair with a married man have a difficult time to adapt to the conservative society that seems to threaten their livelihood. Moknèche addresses an issue that concerns many moderate Arab countries where Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise. Lubna Azabal and Biyouna star with solid performances. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Submarine

British comedian, writer and director Richard Ayoade made his feature debut with this coming of age comedy. A British teenager struggling with school and sexual awakening finds out his mother might leave his father for a new-age evangelist that ruins his plans to woo a schoolmate. Ayoade has keen eye for quirky characters and striking visuals but it works to his advantage since the material itself is nothing new. His style over substance approach makes this comedy enjoyable with its over its eccentric characters. The stellar cast includes newcomers Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige along with veterans Sally Hawkins, Noah Taylor and Paddy Considine. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Chambermaid

Veteran Spanish writer and director Bigas Luna delivered one of his best films with this period drama. A French working class man wins a trip to England to watch the sailing of Titanic where he briefly meets a chambermaid of the ship. Upon his return he weaves tall tales that spreads through the town much to the dismay of his wife. Luna and his co-writers deliver a brilliant story that goes beyond cinema about the power of art, cinema and storytelling that captured the human imagination since the beginning of time. The stellar cast includes Olivier Martinez, Romane Bohringer and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón as the central characters in this romantic drama. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Unknown

Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra delivered this effective thriller set in Berlin. After an accident a man wakes up to find out his identity stolen and nobody seems to recognize him including his wife. Collet-Serra manages to keep action and pace going without losing track of the story and characters. Liam Neeson stars as he seems to have found a niche in European set thrillers. The solid cast includes Diane Kruger, January Jones, Frank Langella, Bruno Ganz and Sebastian Koch amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Anthony Zimmer

French writer Jérôme Salle made his directing debut with this thriller. The girl friend of a brilliant criminal picks up an innocent man to replace him while the police and Russian mafia are chasing him in the south of France. Salle's script has plenty of twist and turns for couple of films. While it's not entirely credible on the story side, it's an intriguing thriller with a talented cast and idyllic locations with themes worthy of Hitchcock. Sophie Marceau and Yvan Attal star with the solid support of Sami Frey and Gilles Lellouche. The film was remade and retitled as "The Tourist" with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Hideaway

French writer and director François Ozon's character study of a woman who finds a second chance in life through pregnancy. A young woman survives a drug overdose while her boyfriend does not and leaves her pregnant. After learning that his family doesn't want her to have the baby, she hides away in small town. Ozon stays away from any formula or cliches to deliver a genuine portrait of a woman who discovers herself through the pregnancy. Isabelle Carré gives a brave performance as the enigmatic and distant woman who comes to terms with her life after a near death experience. The cast includes Melvil Poupaud and Louis-Ronan Choisy in supporting roles. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

This Is Spinal Tap

Director Rob Reiner delivered a classic with his feature debut that gets better with time. A documentarian chronicles the rock band Spinal Tap as they prepare for a fateful tour. An hilarious and outstanding mockumentary that hits the nail on every aspect of Heavy Metal bands with terrific writing and pitch perfect performances that has to be seen to be believed. Reiner wrote the screenplay with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer who all appear as the members of Spinal Tap while Reiner appropriately is the documentarian. There's plenty of cameos that are part of the pleasure of discovering. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Intimacy

French writer and director Patrice Chéreau made his English debut with this controversial film set in London. A failed musician and a married woman have anonymous sexual encounters that gets them away from realities of life. When the man tries to inquire about her, he runs into her husband that puts their relationships at risk. Based of the stories of Hanif Kureishi, Chéreau and writer Anne-Louise Trividic explore the nature of intimacy, sex, love and relationship in this character study of a man and woman whose sexual encounters have different meaning and motivation. Chéreau created a mature film for adults that goes beyond the surface with a courageous cast. Mark Rylance and Kerry Fox bare their bodies and souls with fearless performances. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

I Am Number Four

Director D.J. Caruso's career does not seem to improve as this disaster of a movie proves. A young man of alien origin finds out he's next on the list to be eliminated while he tries to blend in at a high school which brings him teenage problems. The movie tries hard to blend action, sci-fi and and thriller elements with drama but fails to succeed at any which explains the involvement of the multiple writers involved. The cast that includes Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant and Dianna Agron seems lost in the material as well. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Ledge

Writer Matthew Chapman returned to directing after a long absence with this thriller. A young man on the ledge of a high rise reflects on his life with a married woman while the police officer tries to decipher his motives. While Chapman has the right intentions to use the thriller device to reflect on themes of love, adultery and religion amongst others, he only succeeds partially in his ambitious attempt. While the talented cast is more than capable for the material, the casting of some of the key characters are questionable. The cast includes Charlie Hunnam, Terrence Howard, Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Win Win

Writer and director Thomas McCarthy delivered another terrific film with his third feature that proves he's a talent to be reckon with. A struggling lawyer and volunteer wrestling coach's attempt to take advantage of an elderly comes back to haunt him when the grandson shows up with unexpected consequences. Terrific writing and directing with flawless performances by a terrific cast makes this gem of a film a joy. The outstanding cast includes Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Burt Young and newcomer Alex Shaffer. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Forks over Knives

Writer and director Lee Fulkerson makes a compelling case against animal-based and processed foods in this informative documentary. You may have heard that fat, salt, sugar and corn syrup are bad for you but never believed it to be true, here's your chance to get the facts from experts with proof from actual case and scientific studies that backs their facts. It's the most comprehensive take on health and that most diseases stem from animal products. If you can avoid animal product, you already improve your chances against most disease. Nothing in this world comes for free including good health. Live and learn or continue with your bliss that comes from ignorance and suffer the consequences. It's all up to the individual. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Moneyball

Director Bennett Miller returns after a six year absence with another terrific film. The true story of Billy Beane, the general manager of Oakland's A's who changed the business of baseball after successfully using computer generated analysis to draft players. Miller and his ace writers Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin successfully crack the book by Michael Lewis by focusing on Beane. Brad Pitt stars and shines as Beane with another terrific character study. Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Wright provide solid support amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

Contagion

Director Steven Soderbergh returns in top form with another terrific thriller. After an American woman returns from a trip to Asia and dies of a mysterious deadly virus. Doctors and governments race against time for cure and prevention as the virus kills millions. Soderbergh's no nonsense attitude infuses a breathtaking pace in this riveting thriller that has the urgency and credibility that something like this could actually happen. It shows how fragile and unprepared our world is against unknown viruses despite all the progress and technology. The stellar cast includes Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard and Laurence Fishburne. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

Imitation of Life

The swan song of Douglas Sirk's career is another melodrama that stands the test of time with a unique twist. A struggling actress and single mother gives shelter to a homeless black woman who has her own issues with her light skinned daughter. Even though the film's focus is on the white women and its star Lana Turner, the film belongs to Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner who steal the film from Turner and Sandra Dee. Their struggles are the real ones which is heartbreaking as they fight racial injustice that tears them apart. Turner's character is rather negative as an ambitious and self-centered actress who wants fame and fortune instead of love and family. John Gavin is the male center and support in this classic tearjerker. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Potiche

French writer and director François Ozon returns to his favorite decade, the 70's with this whimsical comedy. When a strike pushes a factor owner to the hospital, his trophy wife must step in to cover for him where she succeeds surprisingly and opens her horizons beyond her and every one's imagination. Ozon delivers another original film with a perfect balance of style and substance with an stellar cast that includes Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karin Viard, Jérémie Renier and Judith Godrèche. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie

Writer and director Craig Teper makes his feature debut with this documentary about the legendary hair stylist. The incredible life of Vidal Sassoon who defined the modern woman with his groundbreaking haircuts. Through interviews with the still active Sassoon and archival footage, Teper looks back and traces how Sassoon at a crucial time in history helped changing the world in the 60's. A great time capsule for anybody interested in history. Sassoon's signature style hasn't lost its power and remains modern five decades later. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Conspirator

Director Robert Redford returned with another politically themed drama. After the assassination of President Lincoln, the widow Mary Surrat is charged as a co-conspirator. Her young and idealistic lawyer finds out that she might be damned despite her innocence because some powerful politicians are willing to step on the Constitution to bring closure for a traumatized nation. As Redford points out the Constitution is always in danger to be abused that tarnishes the whole nation. It's clear that by looking at the past, Redford is criticizing the Bush Administration for its abuses that still haunts the United States. Robin Wright and James McAvoy deliver powerful performances as the leads with the solid supporting cast that includes Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Kline and Evan Rachel Wood. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Thor

British actor turned director Kenneth Branagh jumped on the superhero wagon with this adaptation of the Marvel comic. An arrogant prince is cast out and sent to Earth by his father to find himself before he can defend Earth and his home Asgard from the powers of evil. Branagh hits the right notes and finds the right angle to focus on performances to tackle the Nordic superhero with the magic hammer that could have easily misfired in the wrong hands. Newcomer Chris Hemsworth stars as the title hero while veterans Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman provide solid support. Tom Hiddleston shines in a pivotal role. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Days of Heaven

Legendary director Terrence Malick delivered another stunning masterpiece with his second feature before taking a twenty year break from cinema. Set before the WWI, a tragic love triangle is witnessed by a teenage girl. After killing his supervisor in Chicago, a hot tempered man flees with his teenage sister and girlfriend to Texas where he forces his girlfriend to marry a rich farmer which ends in tragedy. Poetic and heartbreaking with dazzling cinematography and haunting score established Malick as one of the great poets of cinema whose films stand the test of time. The stellar cast includes Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard and Linda Manz in iconic performances. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Jane Eyre

Director Cary Fukunaga turned 180 degrees for his sophomore project which is another adaptation of the classic novel Charlotte Brontë. After a traumatic childhood and abusive years, a young woman finds a respectable job as a governess where she meets her enigmatic employer who may provide her with happiness and love. Fukunaga and writer Moira Buffini keep the Gothic romance of the Victorian novel with its brooding atmosphere that keeps the film alive along with perfect casting of Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender as Jane and Rochester with solid support of Judi Dench and Jamie Bell. This adaptation remains the best of the films until another one comes along since the beloved novel is one of the few that will get remade again and again. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

In A Better World

Danish director Susanne Bier returned home and top form after a brief detour to Hollywood with this terrific drama about fathers and sons. The path of two families cross each other when their teenage sons develop a friendship with dangerous consequences that leads their fathers to question their priorities and roles as parents. Utterly original and heartbreaking, Bier created a complex world with real problems and characters while examining the roles of manhood between the primitive and modern world. The stellar cast and crew includes actors Ulrich Thomsen, Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, William Jøhnk Nielsen and Markus Rygaard, as well as cinematographer Morten Søborg and composer Johan Söderqvist amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Winter in Wartime

Dutch writer and director Martin Koolhoven delivered a riveting thriller with this coming of age drama set at the end of WW II. A teenager who sees his father as a Nazi collaborator becomes involved with the resistance when he finds a wound British soldier which puts him and his family in danger. Based on the novel by Jan Terlouw, Koolhoven and his co-writers managed to deliver a breathtaking thriller with fully developed complex characters conflicted at a dangerous time during the war. The talented cast includes Martijn Lakemeier, Jamie Campbell Bower and Yorick van Wageningen amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

I Capture a Castle

Veteran British TV director Tim Fywell made his feature debut with this poignant family drama. A eccentric family move to a rundown castle where the father hopes to write a masterpiece while his young daughters fall in love with two wealthy American men in the 1930's England. Based on the novel by Dodie Smith, the film keeps the romantic and idyllic tone that fits its eccentric characters rather well. Fywell also got the right cast which shine across the board including Romola Garai, Rose Byrne and Bill Nighy amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.