Reviews of films shown as part of specific film festivals, or as a special event. Many are already available on DVD, Blu-ray, and other formats.
Spooks and Spirits (2014): Stock up on the latter before watching.
Following the death of her father, Anna and her boyfriend Ingi decide to sell his house. But dead father Ofeig has other ideas, and returns to haunt the couple. The rest of the plot you can pretty much guess; excepting the scene where Ingi robs a natural history museum. That’s right – only a touch of archaeological larceny spices up this bland porridge of a film.
Read MoreLe temps de l'aventure (2013): Poor Gabriel Byrne just needs some rest.
The deflating Just a Sigh follows struggling actress Alix as she runs from an out-of-town performance to audition for film; along the way meeting a half-asleep Doug, whom she proceeds to stalk in between a series of disastrous personal encounters. But will-they-won’t-they? And will you still care by the end?
Read MoreGrand Central (2013): Léa Seydoux, Tahar Rahim.
The outstanding Grand Central centres on the running of a French nuclear power plant, and the subcontractors hired as maintenance and decontamination workers in a new era of privatisation of risk. EnterGary – unemployed, unskilled, and unaware of the forces against which he will contend – as the latest inductee; who promptly falls for his supervisor’s wife, exposes himself to a large dose of radiation, begins an affair, and starts falsifying his fitness tests.
Read MoreAu bout du conte (2013): You'll yearn to escape, too.
This fairytale failure tells of rich, entitled princess Laura who finds the man of her dreams at the most unconvincingly staged of parties. She is serenaded by Prince Charming, until bad boy stand-in Maxime Wolf (!) seduces and discards our heroine. Will she find true love and happiness? Yes.
Read MorePopulaire: There's a lot of these shots in the film, so brace yourselves.
Populaire follows young Rose Pamphyle as she is transformed from a klutzy secretary into a professional athlete, competing at the highest levels. The athletic sport, you ask? Speed typing. Yes, you read that right.
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