A list of International films (in random order) that I’d recommend to any casual/serious movie-buff! (2008-2016)
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29 titles
- DirectorMaren AdeStarsSandra HüllerPeter SimonischekMichael WittenbornA practical joking father tries to reconnect with his hard working daughter by creating an outrageous alter ego and posing as her CEO's life coach.You either completely like the movie or you hate it..no two ways about that. The movie graciously touches upon various themes and instincts such as measuring the intrinsic values of what we possess (material joys) and what we have lost (childhood, pets and simple joys). It works wonders as an intriguing character study. The dad-jokes (delivered by a splendid Peter Simonischek) don’t always hit the intended mark but they aren’t supposed to either. Sandra Huller is equally efficient as well. This movie isn’t a masterpiece as some might call it, but is indeed a commendable directorial effort from Maren Ade.(3.5/5)
- DirectorRaúl ArévaloStarsAntonio de la TorreLuis CallejoRuth DíazA hard-working single mother and wife of a getaway driver who is about to be released is approached by an unassuming and gentle man, completely unaware though of his inscrutable and utterly impelling motives.Well etched-out characters make this Spanish road-revenge-thriller worth a watch. The screenplay doesn’t follow the conventional revenge tropes, instead fleshes out a strong narrative (a.la Jee Woon’s “I Saw The Devil” or Sriram Raghavan’s “Badlapur“) backed by performances from de la Torre and Callejo.(3/5)
- DirectorGarth DavisStarsDev PatelNicole KidmanRooney MaraA five-year-old Indian boy is adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost hundreds of kilometers from home. 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.Garth Davis pulls all the right emotional strings and presents a fantastic tale of ‘lost and regained’. Sunny Pawar (the young Saroo) is a revelation. Patel puts up a stellar show as well. Fate can be hard-hitting, but it also brings hope. One of the best films of the year 2016.(4/5)
- DirectorJeong-woo ParkJong-woo ParkStarsKim Nam-gilKim Joo-HyunJung Jin-youngThe explosion of a nuclear power plant caused by an earthquake leads to a disaster which no one other than its workers can stop from spreading further.This South Korean flick is a chilling account of a nuclear disaster told from the perspective of a few individuals. At times, the melodrama quotient might appear a little off-limit, but other crowd-pleasing elements such as VFX, performances and to an extent, satire, do their best to negate it.(3.5/5)
- DirectorByung-woo KimStarsWon-Jin AhnLee Da-witChoi Deok-moonA newsman discovers he's been rigged with a bomb after he has an exclusive interview with a terrorist who blew up a bridge.Almost everything about the movie leaves a mark..the racy (at times implausible) screenplay, the above-par special effects, the exciting background score and the wicked idea to let all of it unfold in ‘real-time’. This South Korean flick is a definite treat for thriller fanatics.(3.5/5)
- DirectorKim Seong-hunStarsHa Jung-wooBae DoonaOh Dal-suA man is on his way home when the poorly constructed tunnel he is driving through collapses, leaving him trapped.A fine example of a thrilling disaster drama with satirical humor thrown in for good measure.(3.5/5)
- DirectorTaika WaititiStarsSam NeillJulian DennisonRima Te WiataA national manhunt is ordered for a rebellious kid and his foster uncle who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.New Zealand film-maker Taika Waititi has yet again proven that he is an extremely skilled artisan when it comes to feel-good comedies. He is able to extract truly heart-warming performances from Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata and the rest of the cast. Hands down, one of the best indies of 2016. Recommended for all n’ sundry. The last act is a bit far-fetched but entertaining nonetheless. Cinematography by Lachlan Milne deserves a special mention (for enticing the viewer with rich frames of the lush wilderness in NZ). Waiting to see how Waititi cracks the Marvel Universe open in Thor: Ragnarok.(4/5)
- DirectorHideaki AnnoShinji HiguchiStarsHiroki HasegawaYutaka TakenouchiSatomi IshiharaJapan is plunged into chaos upon the appearance of a giant monster.Shin Godzilla might be the campiest yet most entertaining Japanese disaster-flick in recent times. The film follows a rapid n’ cut-throat editing technique in the opening thirty minutes and the director-duo waste no time in getting to the point. The only character development you get is for the creature itself. The CGI looks weirdly sub-par initially but gets increasingly better as the movie progresses. The budget is barely one-tenth of the 2014 Gareth Edwards version so there’s not a lot to complain.(3.5/5)
- DirectorNa Hong-jinStarsJun KunimuraHwang Jung-minKwak Do-wonSoon after a stranger arrives in a little village, a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman, drawn into the incident, is forced to solve the mystery in order to save his daughter.‘The Wailing’ will undoubtedly be hailed as a cult-classic in the years to come. The story doesn’t necessarily tread fresh ground, but its the treatment (horror sub-genre mishmash) that makes it stand out. The first half hour adeptly lays out the character portraits in a rather light fashion, but the tone shifts completely to outright horror thereafter. The viewer is in fact, left hanging even after the end credits start rolling. Hong-Jin Na concocts a screenplay that effectively blends contemporary atmospheric horror with East Asian mythology. Performances are deliciously first-rate. The climax is one that the viewer is never gonna forget. The 155 minute run-time is completely justifiable. ‘The Wailing’ is yet another fine example which reinstates the fact that South Korean filmmakers are indeed the true masters of horror.(4/5)
- DirectorMartin ZandvlietStarsRoland MøllerLouis HofmannJoel BasmanIn post-World War II Denmark, a group of young German POWs are forced to clear a beach of thousands of land mines under the watch of a Danish Sergeant who slowly learns to appreciate their plight.A gut-wrenching tale of 4 things: survival, friendship, hatred and mercy. The performances are invariably profound and the proceedings are bound to leave a strong aftertaste. Roland Møller is without doubt, sensational.(3.5/5)
- DirectorBabak AnvariStarsNarges RashidiAvin ManshadiBobby NaderiAs a mother and daughter struggle to cope with the terrors of the post-revolution, war-torn Tehran of the 1980s, a mysterious evil begins to haunt their home.The atmosphere is increasingly unsettling, the performances by the two leads are terrific and the screenplay builds tension at sufficient tempo. ‘Under The Shadow’ is certainly one of the better horror surprises of the year 2016 from debut director Babak Anvari. The ambiguity in the climax leaves room for a sequel / spin-off.(3.5/5)
- DirectorYeon Sang-hoStarsGong YooJung Yu-miMa Dong-seokWhile a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.‘Train to Busan’ succeeds in hitting all the right notes in terms of blending high-octane n’ well-executed zombie set-pieces with the just-about right dose of drama. Kim Su-an (the kid) is exemplary. The climax is surprisingly well-done. Definitely one of the best zombie flicks in recent times.(4/5)
- DirectorTeddy ChanStarsDonnie YenBaoqiang WangCharlie YeungA martial arts instructor from the police force gets imprisoned after killing a man by accident. But when a vicious killer starts targeting martial arts masters, the instructor offers to help the police in return for his freedom.An entertaining Hong Kong actioner with a wafer-thin storyline and some ol’ school set-pieces. Donnie Yen and Wang Baoqiang impress with fast-paced stunt choreography.(3/5)
- DirectorMarcin WronaStarsItay TiranAgnieszka ZulewskaAndrzej GrabowskiA bridegroom is possessed by an unquiet spirit in the midst of his own wedding celebration, in this clever take on the Jewish legend of the dybbuk.A movie that certainly intrigues and engrosses the viewer; the ‘ambiguity’ factor only adds to the overall freshness. The late Marcin Wrona’s take on the dybbuk myth is vastly different (in a good way, of course!) from any drama/horror film I have seen so far. Felt shades of an underrated Malayalam movie ‘Devadoothan’ (2000). The cast is wildly effective and the proceedings are portrayed with utmost panache. The cinematography is definitely a major plus.(3.5/5)
- DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenLynn XiongJin ZhangWhen a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over a local school, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.Story-wise not as good as the predecessors, but the action sequences compensate for that. The storyline is basically an excuse for the several geographically varying set-pieces. Donnie Yen is great, yet seems to have slowed down a bit owing to his age. Tyson doesn’t have much to do, although his and Yen’s short action sequence is well executed. Jin Zhang impresses as Cheung Tin-chi.(3/5)
- DirectorLászló NemesStarsGéza RöhrigLevente MolnárUrs RechnA Jewish-Hungarian concentration camp prisoner sets out to give a child he mistook for his son a proper burial.‘Son of Saul’ is definitely not a film for all. But for those viewers who think films are not mere ‘feel-good entertainment’ pieces, this will be a harrowing experience altogether. Debut writer/director László Nemes takes us on an unnerving journey of a prisoner at the Auschwitz camp. The climax is bound to stay with the viewer for a long time.(3.5/5)
- DirectorOriol PauloStarsJose CoronadoHugo SilvaBelén RuedaA detective searches for the body of a femme fatale which has gone missing from a morgue.A near-flawless Spanish thriller which is sure to get picked up in the Hollywood remake circuit. The performances are first-rate, the screenplay is water-tight and the thrills are deftly placed. The climax twist is satisfying and definitely one that the viewer will not foresee.(4/5)
- DirectorRyoo Seung-wanStarsHwang Jung-minRyu Seung-beomYoo Hae-jinWhen the most probable serial killer suspect dies and the case looks like it's reached a dead end, police brass decide to create a killer - and anyone will do.‘The Unjust’ is yet another example of Korean noir film-making at its finest. The acting is first-rate, the screenplay detailed, cinematography and cuts are above par. The unfolding of events becomes darker as the film progresses and ends with a BANG.(3.5/5)
- DirectorAlex van WarmerdamStarsJan BijvoetHadewych MinisJeroen PercevalA vagrant enters the lives of an arrogant upper-class family, turning their lives into a psychological nightmare in the process.‘Bizarre’ is the perfect word to describe the film. The writer-director Alex van Warmerdam takes the Michael Haneke route posing more and more questions as the film progresses, leading to a rather low-impact climax. However the multiple layers of interpretation the creative mind of the director manages to pull the viewer into, is by itself sufficiently satisfying.(3.5/5)
- DirectorBanjong PisanthanakunPaween PurijitpanyaYongyoot ThongkongtoonStarsManeerat Kham-uanWitawat SinglampongApinya Sakuljaroensuk4BIA is a Horror Anthology. The first segment, "Happiness" is about a lonely girl who corresponded with a stranger over hand phone text messaging and soon discovered something strange about this new stranger that she is attracted to. "Tit For Tat" spun a tale of black magic and vengeance for a school kid that had been bullied by a school gang. "In The Middle" - a group of friends faced one of their worst camping trip after water kayaking accident. The final segment "Last Fright" takes horror to new heights with a psychological thriller that involves a stewardess flying solo in a cabin with a dead body.Apart from the second segment with some laughably bad CGI, the anthology works quite well. The third segment was funny although predictable, while the first one stood out in terms of atmosphere and zero dialogue, the last one provided the frights and gave a claustrophobic feel. Overall, definitely worth a watch for horror fanatics!(3/5)
Rating by segment:
Loneliness – 3.5/5
Deadly Charm – 1.5/5
The Man in the Middle – 3/5
The Last Flight – 3.5/5 - DirectorPark Hoon-jungStarsLee Jung-jaeChoi Min-sikHwang Jung-minAn undercover cop finds it difficult to play both a cop and a goon.Story-wise, it may just appear to be a rehash of countless Korean gangster films, yet what makes ‘New World’ stand out is in the unfolding of its plot, extensive character development and the emotional turmoil that the protagonist (played wonderfully by Jung-Jae Lee) has to go through, along with ample support from the rest of the cast. Jeong-min Hwang pulls of a stunning and very convincing gangster. The action is adequate and not for once over-the-top. The theme song is grim and infectious.(3.5/5)
- DirectorJuan José CampanellaStarsRicardo DarínSoledad VillamilPablo RagoA retired legal counselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior - both of which still haunt him decades later.A compelling mystery thriller that is backed by subtle performances. (3.5/5)
- DirectorStephen DaldryChristian DuurvoortStarsRickson TevezGabriel WeinsteinMartin SheenSet in Brazil, three kids who make a discovery in a garbage dump soon find themselves running from the cops and trying to right a terrible wrong.Set in the slums of Rio, the director sets the story rolling from the very first shot. The protagonists are instantly likable and they have done a great show. The OST is a little badass and amply supported by great cuts and above par cinematography. In short, ‘Trash’ is a little gem of a movie for lovers of world cinema. Oh yeah, Rooney Mara is around in a pivotal role as well. (3.5/5)
- DirectorKimo StamboelTimo TjahjantoStarsKazuki KitamuraOka AntaraRin TakanashiA psychopathic Japanese executive accidentally triggers a journalist's 'dark side'. They begin to connect over the Internet and make a complicated bond.The Mo Brothers present their extremely stylish take on the serial-killer genre in the form of ‘Killers’. The gore is aplenty, the kills are gruesome and the action scenes are impressively shot. Although the screenplay is taut, where the movie falters slightly is in the pacing and dialogues. But the screen presence of the two leads, especially Kazuki Kitamura, make the proceedings a highly entertaining affair. (3.5/5)
- DirectorTommy WirkolaStarsGeir Vegar HoelØrjan GamstMartin StarrStill on the run from a group of Nazi zombies, a man seeks the aid of a group of American zombie enthusiasts, and discovers new techniques for fighting the zombies.An extremely fun splatter flick which maintains the tempo of the original or maybe even improves a tad bit. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments as promised. (3.5/5)
- DirectorJaume BalagueróStarsLuis TosarMarta EturaAlberto San JuanCesar, a miserable man who works as an apartment concierge, takes a special interest in an attractive woman who lives there. He goes to great lengths to trouble her.You just can’t sleep in your studio apartment as peacefully as you used to, once you’ve watched this flick. An excellent thriller by [REC] & [REC]2 director Jaume Balagueró starring Luis Tosar as a miserable apartment concierge. (3.5/5)
- DirectorAharon KeshalesNavot PapushadoStarsLior AshkenaziRotem KeinanTzahi GradAfter a little girl is brutally murdered, a suspect avoids arrest due to lack of evidence. Working separately, her father and a cop decide to do something about it.A riveting black-comedy thriller from Israel with slight tonal inconsistencies, putting grey characters on both sides of the law depicting the gritty, violent aftermath of a few (dreadful) incidents. Deemed the best flick of that year by Tarantino (obviously on a modest note), this one is indeed worth a watch for its bold, in-your-face approach on certain topics, wildly intriguing screenplay laced with dark humor, and a fairly unpredictable climax.(3.5/5)
- DirectorRoar UthaugStarsKristoffer JonerAne Dahl TorpJonas Hoff OftebroAlthough anticipated, no one is really ready when the mountain pass above the scenic, narrow Norwegian fjord Geiranger collapses and creates an 85-meter high violent tsunami. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.The first forty minutes impressively sets up the character portraits, the next sixty spent detailing the aftermath of the disaster. What works in this Norwegian catastrophe-drama are the down-to-earth performances, dazzling cinematography, to an extent the VFX, and Roar Uthaug’s craftsmanship (hopefully won’t disappoint the fans in the upcoming ‘Tomb Raider’ movie!).(3.5/5)
- DirectorAsghar FarhadiStarsShahab HosseiniTaraneh AlidoostiSahra AsadollahiWhile Ranaa and Emad, a married couple, are participating in a production of "Death of a Salesman," she is assaulted in their new home, which leaves him determined to find the perpetrator over his wife's traumatized objections.The Winner of the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar for 2016, Asghar Farhadi's 'The Salesman' tells the tale a dramatist couple who deal with a personal tragedy in their own ways. The screenplay is watertight and aided by excellent performances. A subtle blend of grief and art, this flick stands out for its unabashed portrayal of revenge.(4/5)