Mulholland Drive
David Lynch’s movie about making it in Hollywood. Every time I watch this film I’m reminded how good it is and how much I like it. Really enjoyed watching it again this time as well. Naomi Watts, who is always good, has never been better. ***

Sensation
Offbeat Irish film about a young farmer who sets up a prostitution business and his attempt to have a relationship with the madam. A little funny, well acted, but sordid and sad. **

Early Summer
Magnificent Japanese film about a family in the 1960s worrying about getting a daughter married. Ozu’s exquisite camera and direction, excellent acting, and a simple, moving story. Second time I’ve seen it. Noticed a lot more of the humor and irony this time. Ozu is one of my all time favorites. ****

The Numbers Station
Kind of entertaining and fairly believable thriller about agents stuck in a secret spy location. But then I like Malin Ackerman and John Cusack a lot, and they worked hard. Worth the free cost anyway. **

Rust and Bone
Excellent character study of a relationship between an aspiring down-and-out boxer and a woman who loses her legs to in a freak accident. Very well acted, written, and directed. Deeply satisfying how these people help each other. Really liked it. ***

Cloud Atlas
Complex, incredibly beautiful film adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel. Very well directed and acted, though the use of such well-known stars hindered the characterizations. I found it overwhelmingly moving when the streams resolved at the end. Loved it and would really like to see it again. ***

A French Gigolo
French comedy about a man forced to become a gigolo to support his family and the client he gets too involved with. Nicely acted, but unfunny, as I find most French comedies. The irony was just sad at the end. **

Blood Rain
Compelling murder mystery set on an island in medieval Korea. Complicated sub-plots and character back stories. Nicely executed, interesting the whole way. Enjoyed it. **

Now and Later
Raw, unusually explicit film chronicling the political education of a man waiting to cross the border into Mexico. The interweaving of conversation and sex was kind of interesting. Better than you would think, better than I would have thought. **

Cold Fish
Excellent Japanese film, based on a true story, about a fish store operator who unwittingly gets involved with the yakuza. Brutal, really gory, explicit, and very bleak. Loved it. **

Love
An ISS astronaut gets stranded and isolated without any communication. Everything gets really weird from then on. Didn’t really get what was being attempted. **

Tai Chi Zero
Delightful kung fu movie about a peasant who wants to be trained in the highest secret kung fu. Liked the historical background. Nothing is resolved at the end so you’ll have to see Tai Chi Hero. Pretty fun. **

Cat Run
Unconvincing movie about two novice private detectives who help a hooker stay alive and get her child back. Poor choice for Paz Vega. As usual, Janet McTeer was great. *