A Scanner Darkly

Richard Linklater's interpretation of Philip K Dick's tale of a surveillance-crazy future sees his unique style of animation creating a distinct visual style. Technically described as 'interpolated rotoscoping', the process basically paints over live footage to create animated action, and the end result is terrific. However, what is impressive about the visuals is let down by a confusing, scrambled storyline, as is often the case when trying to fit in a whole novel to a short space on film. However, protagonist Keanu Reeves struggle to infiltrate a drugs ring obsessed by the notorious 'Substance D' is still an entertaining watch, especially helped by an impressive cameo from Robert Downey Jr.

RATING: 6/10 - Confusing and entertaining in equal measure

Garden State

Pretty much everyone will associate Zach Braff with his role as JD in hit TV series Scrubs, but few realize that the comedy actor is actually a very talented director, as his debut Garden State proves. As well as directing, Braff also plays title role Andrew Largeman. After 10 years of estrangement, Largeman returns to his family for the funeral of his mother. However, a dull state of depression is his only mode, until he meets Sam (Natalie Portman) who is everything he's not - quirky, colorful, and optimistic. Given the eccentricity of his Scrubs role, it is surprising to see a movie so delicately and interestingly shot, and is definitely a sign of potential. Slightly monotonous at times, but overall, this is a very good debut.

RATING: 7/10 - A positive display of versatility from Zach Braff

Lady Vengeance

The third and final installment of Park chan-Wook's Vengeance Trilogy differs from the others in that it comes from the perspective of a woman, Geum-Ja. Geum-Ja has spent 13 years in prison for the kidnap and murder of a six-year old boy, and upon release, she seeks to exact revenge on the person responsible for her imprisonment, English teacher Mr Baek. The first half plays out as a dark comedy, as Geum-Ja remembers her experiences from prison. However, the second half is far darker still, deeply exploring themes such as revenge and punishment. Perhaps not as good as the others in the trilogy, but still a great piece of work.

RATING: 8/10 - Final installment of a brilliant trilogy

Oldboy

Oldboy is the second, and easily the most famous, of Park chan-Wook's vengeance trilogy. Oh-Daesu is drunk and missing his daughter's birthday when suddenly, with no explanation offered, he is kidnapped, and taken to a small hotel-style room. Suicide is impossible, human contact is fully withdrawn, and his only source of information is a small TV, where he learns he has been framed for the murder of his wife. One day, after fifteen years, he is released, again without reason, and told that he has 5 days to seek out his captor and exact a worthy vengeance. Stylishly shot, artistically directed, and brutally executed, Oldboy has all the elements of a brilliant thriller, and then more.

RATING: 9/10 - Must-see Korean vengeance thriller

Sympathy For Mr Vengeance

This is the first installment of Park chan-Wook's Vengeance trilogy, followed by the equally brilliant Oldboy and Lady Vengeance. Ryu, a deaf mute, and his anarchic girlfriend Cha Young-mi, concoct a scheme to help save Ryu's sister, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. However, when tragedy strikes, the road ahead brings pain, anguish, and most of all, vengeance. This is very violent; and whilst some would criticize Asian cinema for it's occasional excessive violence, Park utilizes every trick at his disposal to keep the violence entirely necessary to the plot, but equally brutal at the same time. The incredible characterization in addition to the social realist feel of the film means that the film strikes on many emotional levels, a truly great cinematic experience for fans of foreign cinema.

RATING: 9/10 - Arguably the best of the trilogy, an outstanding film

Moon

Moon is the exciting debut from the son of David Bowie, Duncan Jones. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is coming to the end of a three-year stint at a single-man mining outpost on the moon. With only the station computer GERTY (Kevin Spacey) for company, Sam finds himself eagerly anticipating his return to Earth to re-unite with his loved ones, when something very unexpected happens. Moon is not without it's problems; the one-man aspect means that it becomes dull to watch in places, but on the whole, Rockwell is captivating, and the direction from Bell is superb, as is the basic premise. Fully deserved of a BAFTA, Moon is surely a sign of a bright future for Duncan Jones.

RATING: 7/10 - One of the best sci-fi films of recent years, made with a shoestring budget

Battle Royale

The Japanese have slowly gained a sizable fan base for their recent trend of ultra-violent thrillers, and Battle Royale is partly to thank for that. The premise is simple. In response to unruly youth behaviour, the Japanese government pass the 'Battle Royale Act', in which a random class of children are transported to a remote island, given a weapon each and enough supplies to last them 3 days, and told that only one person will be allowed to rejoin society; they must kill each other until there is only one left. At times brutal and brilliant, but Kinji Fukasaku lets himself down with some weak characterisation, which leaves the whole thing feeling a bit soulless, the violence used as fun for the director rather than with any real purpose.

RATING: 6/10 - An enjoyable schoolchildren gore-fest that's not for the squeamish