Best Movies Of 2010 That You Probably Haven't Heard Of

As the year comes to an end, anybody and everybody are posting their best of the year lists. Most of these lists contain variations of the same 15 or 20 films. To break the mold, some are even posting lists of the best films of the year that you probably haven't seen. I find that even these lists are filled with the same movies. And if you're a film geek reading a site like /Film, chances are you know about most of the movies on these lists.

I wanted to do something different and compile a list of the best films of the year that you've never heard of. The selections should be movies that (for the most part) none of your family or friends have heard of, and you might even have to do some extra legwork to get your hands on.

It is not an easy task. Even though we see tons of small indie films on our journeys to film festivals like Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, Telluride and Fantastic Fest, we still miss quite a few movies. The concept alone means that a lot of the movies on this list should be films that even vigilant movie geeks and film critics probably have missed during their limited theatrical, video or film fest stints.

So I decided to crowd-source this list. I've compiled a list of the highest rated films released in 2010 on the largest sources of user submitted ratings and reviews on the internet — the Internet Movie Database and Flixter. I've created an algorithm which narrows the list to films with less votes than a normal wide theatrical release, but enough votes to weed out a lot of the super duper independent productions that probably have their family and friends fixing the numbers).

We've also taken Rotten Tomatoes ratings into account as well (but not metacritic due to the extremely low sample numbers). The only rule is that the film was released in 2010 theatrical, television, video, film festivals, internationally or domestically. This means that some of these movies might even be available on VOD or DVD right now, while other films have yet to be released theatrically or be available on video in the US. Also, because of the nature of this experiment, this list is heavy on foreign language films, documentary movies and mad-for-television features.

It should be noted that with any type of poll, results get better with larger samples of participants. We're including films which sometimes have low sample rates, so the results may vary from movie to movie (and more specifically, the ones with lower voter samples).

SennaNotes: This sports documentary claims to tell "the legend of the greatest driver who ever lived."IMDB User Rating: 9.1 (176 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetRelease: Premiered in Suzuka, Mie Japan in October 2010, will play at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in January. The film is being distributed by Universal Pictures, and has an announced UK release in June 2011, with no word yet on a US theatrical or dvd release.Official Synopsis:

The story of the monumental life and tragic death of legendary Brazilian motor-racing Champion, Ayrton Senna. Spanning the decade from his arrival in Formula One in the mid 80's, the film follows Senna's struggles both on track against his nemesis, French World Champion Alain Prost, and off it, against the politics which infest the sport. Sublime, spiritual yet, on occasion, ruthless – Senna conquers and transcends Formula One to become a global superstar. Privately, he is humble, almost shy, and fiercely patriotic, donating millions to his native Brasil and contemplating a life beyond motor-racing. Yet he is struck down in his prime on the blackest weekend in the history of the sport, watched live on television by 300 million people. Years on he is revered in Formula One as the greatest motor racing driver of all time – and in Brasil as a Saint.

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Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street LegacyNotes: A documentary about the legacy of the Nightmare on Elm Street horror film franchise.IMDB User Rating: 9.0 (479 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no score yet (3 out of 3 positive reviews)Release: Available on DVDOfficial Synopsis:

Child murderer. Dream demon. The bastard son of a hundred maniacs. Any way you slice it, there can only be one man, one monster, who epitomizes those words: Freddy Krueger. For decades, Freddy has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters, scaring up over half a billion dollars at the box office across eight terrifying, spectacular films. What's more, it has become evident that Freddy may never rest in peace. In this thrilling retrospective, fans will enter the world of Freddy Krueger and A Nightmare On Elm Street like never before: exploring what spurred mastermind Wes Craven to craft the first groundbreaking film; delving deep behind the scenes of the original and all of its sequels; learning how the cast and crew brought their worst nightmares to life; and finally, understanding the impact the series and its mythos have had on modern pop culture and the horror genre. Narrated by and starring Heather Langenkamp, featuring interviews with the cast and crew spanning every film, and loaded with clips, photographs, storyboards, conceptual art, publicity materials, archival documents and behind-the-scenes footage, Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy is the definitive account of what many have called the best, most frightening and imaginative horror franchise in motion picture history.

Trailer:Elite Squad 2Genre: This violent action crime thriller is a sequel to the acclaimed 2007 movie Elite Squad (available on DVD).IMDB User Rating: 8.9 (2,046 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 100% (48 user ratings)Release: Released in Brazil on October 8th, the movie now holds the record for the all-time highest-grossing movie in Brazil, ahead of Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands and Avatar. No word on when the film will see US Release.Official Synopsis:

Directed and produced by José Padilha, starring Wagner Moura. It is a sequel to the 2007 film The Elite Squad. The film is a continuation of the semi-fictional account of the BOPE (Portuguese: Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais), the Special Police Operations Battalion of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police. The Elite Squad 2 plot resolves around the maturing Lt Col. Nascimento, who, after a disastrous BOPE operation on a prison riot, gets caught in a bloody political dispute that involves not only the Public Safety Departament, the State governor and State Military Police, but also paramilitary groups known as milícias. The movie also shows the family issues of Nascimento, with his now adolescent son gradually moving away from him due to his job and the influence of his stepfather. The story is set 13 years after the first movie. Elite Squad 2 focuses more on Nascimento's family relations than Squad 1. In Wagner Moura's words: "Nascimento matures in this movie, which has to do with his concept of conscience and his age.

Trailer:El infiernoNotes: This organized crime black comedy has been described as "the most intense, realistic and utterly depressing portrait" of Mexico's current social situation.IMDB User Rating: 8.7 (567 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetRelease: Released in Mexico on September 3rd, no word yet on US release.Official Synopsis:

Benjamin Garcia, Benny, is deported from the United States. Back home and against a bleak picture, Benny gets involved in the narco business, in which has for the first time in his life, an spectacular rise surrounded by money, women, violence and fun. But very soon he'll discovers that criminal life does not always keeps his promises. Epic black comedy about the world of Mafia and organized crime, HELL helps us to understand what everybody is asking: What is happening in Mexico today?

Trailer:Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage

Notes: An in-depth look at the Canadian rock band Rush, "chronicling the band's musical evolution from their progressive rock sound of the '70s to their current heavy rock style." The film is produced and directed by the team behind 'Iron Maiden: Flight 666', and won the audience award at the Tribeca Film Festival. The doc features appearances from Matt Stone, Jack Black, Gene Simmons, Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan, Kirk Hammett, and many more.

IMDB User Rating: 8.5 (778 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (7 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 94% (856 user ratings)Release: The film was released in limited theaters on June 10th 2010, and is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD.Official Synopsis:

Rush is one of rock's most influential bands, ranking third for most gold and platinum albums behind The Beatles and Rolling Stones. But despite having legions of devoted fans and being revered by generations of musicians, they have been ignored by critics and continually overlooked by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with some of today's most respected rock artists, 'Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage' explores the forty year career and phenomenon behind what could be the world's biggest cult band.

Trailer:Incendies

Notes: This Canadian produced French-language multidimensional Lebanese drama has been called both wonderful and devastating.

IMDB User Rating: 8.5 (386 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no score yet (4 out of 4 positive reviews)Release: Premiered at the 2010 Telluride/Toronto Film Festivals, set to screen at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Will be released in limited theaters on April 1 2011.Official Synopsis:

A mother's last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults' voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love.

Trailer:Vedham

Notes: This Indian Telugu-language drama is directed by Radhakrishna Jagarlamudi,whose debut film Gamyam (2008) won several awards, including the Best Picture and Best Director prizes at the 2009 South Filmfare Awards. Vedam was the first-multistarrer movie in Telugu films after more than a decade, and featured a cast which includes Allu Arjun, Manoj Kumar Manchu, Anushka Shetty, Manoj Bajpai,Lekha Washington, Siya Gautham, Diksha Seth, Saranya Ponvannan, Brahmanandam, Posani Krishna Murali, Raghu Babu, Ravi Prakash, Satyam Rajesh and others.

IMDB User Rating: 8.5 (352 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 100% (3 user ratings)Release: Released in June 2010 in India.Official Synopsis:

Cable Raju is a slum dweller who works as a cable operator; Saroja is a prostitute; Ramulu is a debt-ridden weaver from Sircilla; Vivek Chakravarthy is an upcoming rock star; Raheemuddin Qureshi is a Muslim from Old Basti in Hyderabad. The stories of these five characters are interwoven into one.

 

Louis C.K.: HilariousNotes: The first stand-up documentary to ever be accepted into the Sundance Film Festival.IMDB User Rating: 8.5 (290 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetRelease: Premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, and was released in limited theaters on September 8th 2010. Available on DVD or Epix HD is now streaming Hilarious online for FREE.Official Synopsis:

Sharp-tongued comedian Louis C.K. pulls no punches in this visceral concert experience.

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Temple Grandin

Notes: An HBO biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who "overcame the limitations imposed on her by her condition to become an expert in the field of animal husbandry." The movie is nominated for three Golden Globes, including Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Nominated for 15 Emmys, seven of which they won (including Outstanding Made for Television Movie).

IMDB User Rating: 8.4 (3,120 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (6 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 95% (1,264 user ratings)Release: Available on DVD.Official Synopsis:

Golden Globe® winner Claire Danes (My So Called Life, Romeo+ Juliet, The Family Stone) gives a triumphant and memorable performance as Temple Grandin, an autistic young woman who became one of America's most remarkable success stories. No ordinary biopic, HBO Films' Temple Grandin tackles the life story of an extraordinary human being who went on to become a scientist, best-selling author and groundbreaking animal advocate despite the challenges of autism. Called "extraordinary" (TV Guide), "fascinating" (Entertainment Weekly) and "brilliant" (The Denver Post), Temple Grandin chronicles Dr. Grandin's early diagnosis; her turbulent growth and development; the enduring support she received from her mother, aunt and science teacher; and her emergence as a highly-functional and esteemed scientist whose innate sensitivity and understanding of animal behavior led her to revolutionize the cattle industry. To try to help viewers understand autism, the visually inventive film goes beyond Grandin's words, taking audiences inside her mind via a series of snapshot images that trace her self-perceptions, allowing insight into how an autistic person processes the world around them. Dr. Grandin holds a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois. A full professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, Grandin speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. Over half the cattle in North America are handled in humane systems she has designed. The film Temple Grandin is based on the books Emergence by Grandin and Margaret Scariano and Thinking in Pictures by Grandin. The film co-stars Catherine O'Hara as Grandin's aunt Ann (A Mighty Wind), Julia Ormand (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) as her mother Eustacia and Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) as her high school science teacher Dr. Carlock. Directed by three-time DGA winner Mick Jacksons (Tuesdays With Morrie, HBO's Live from Bagdad and Indictment: The McMartin Trial), from a screenplay by Christopher Monger (The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain) and WGA winner William Merritt Johnson (HBO's In Treatment).

Trailer:Udaan

Notes: Premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard (A Certain Glance) category, he first Indian film to be selected in seven years. The film won the Audience Choice Award along with the trophy for Best Music Score at the 40th Giffoni Film Festival in Italy.

IMDB User Rating: 8.4 (1,879 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 86% (351 user ratings)Release: The film was released in the US on July 16th, grossing $2,715 in two days from two theatres. The movie is available on Netflix Watch Instantly or on DVD.Official Synopsis:

After being abandoned for eight straight years in boarding school, Rohan returns to the small industrial town of Jamshedpur and finds himself closeted with an authoritarian father and a younger half brother who he didnt even know existed. Forced to work in his fathers steel factory and study engineering against his wishes, he tries to forge his own life out of his given circumstances and pursue his dream of being a writer.

Trailer:Tucker & Dale vs Evil

Notes: Eli Craig, director of the acclaimed short film The Tao of Pong, makes his feature directorial debut with the Canadian horror comedy Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival as one of the films selected for the Park City at Midnight category. Co-written by Morgan Jurgenson, the story follows two West Virginian hillbillies who go on vacation to their dilapidated mountain cabin, but their peaceful trip goes horribly awry when a bunch of college kids show up. Basically, it's the story of the typical hillbilly horror film told from the other side. And as it turns out, the hillbillies aren't evil, and are only mistaken as psycho killers through a series of misconstrued circumstances. The film stars Tyler Labine, who most people will recognize from the television series Reaper, alongside Alan Tudyk, who most people will recognize from the television series Firefly. The film co-stars Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss, Brandon Jay McLaren, Christie Laing and Chelan Simmons.IMDB User Rating: 8.4 (689 votes)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (5 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 90% (288 user ratings)Release: The movie has been on a film festival tour since Sundance and is set to be released in Canada in Spring 2011. No word on if the movie will hit theaters stateside, but if not, expect it on DVD late next year.Official Synopsis:

"The hillbillies from the store captured Alison!" Tucker and Dale, two hillbillies heading to their "fixer-upper" cabin for some relaxin', discover they ain't alone in them woods. They encounter an SUV full of vacationing college kids, and Dale unintentionally creeps them out. But later, as he and Tucker are fishing, Dale rescues one of them—the pretty blond Alison—after she falls into the lake. Assuming she's been captured, the indomitably preppy college kids rally to find her. A comically macabre battle between Izods and overalls, Eli Craig's ingenious send-up of the horror genre recounts a simple misunderstanding gone grotesquely wrong. Our hillbilly psycho killers are actually sweet as pie; it's the judgmental college kids who have "issues." Craig lovingly embraces clichés, dispensing humor and gore in equal parts as we watch the educated class blunder to its demise. Nature, beer, and a rising body count—what better way to spend Memorial Day?

Trailer:The Disappearance of Haruhi SuzumiyaNotes: 163-minute sci-fi comedy anime adaptation of Nagaru Tanigawa's popular manga. The film won the Best Theatrical Film award at the 2010 Animation Kobe Awards.IMDB User Rating: 8.4 (151 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 97% (52 user ratings)Release: Released in Japanese theaters on February 6th, 2010 and on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on December 18th, 2010. Not yet released stateside.Official Synopsis:

It is mid-december, and SOS Brigade chief Haruhi Suzumiya announces that the Brigade is going to hold a Christmas party in their clubroom, with Japanese hotpot for dinner. The brigade members Kyon, Yuki Nagato, Mikuru Asahina and Itsuki Koizumi start preparing everything for the party, such as costumes and decorations. But a couple of days later, Kyon arrives at school only to find that Haruhi is missing. Not only that, but Mikuru claims she has never known Kyon before, Koizumi is also missing, and Yuki has become the sole member of the literature club. The SOS Brigade seems to have never existed, nor has Haruhi Suzumiya. No one in the school has ever heard about her... except for Kyon.

Trailer:The Pillars of the EarthNotes: This Historical dramatc thriller is an adaptation of Ken Follett's novel. Released as an eight-episode miniseries on the Starz premium cable network. Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. The cast includes Ian McShane (Deadwood), Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne and Hayley Atwell.IMDB User Rating: 8.3 (3,278 votes)Release: Available on Netflix Watch Instantly or DVD.Official Synopsis:

The Pillars of the Earth is set against a backdrop of war, religious strife and power struggles which tears lives and families apart. In that time, there rises a magnificent Cathedral in Kingsbridge. Against the backdrop, love-stories entwine: Tom, the master builder, Aliena, the noblewoman, the sadistic Lord William, Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge, Jack, the artist in stone work and Ellen, the woman from the forest who casts a curse. At once, this is a sensuous and enduring love story and an epic that shines with the fierce spirit of a passionate age. Follett masterfully weaves these stories through political turmoil of 12th century England, creating a relevant and viable world for today's audience and for generations to come.

Trailer:13 AssassinsNotes: Directed by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, best known for Ichi the Killer, Audition and Three... Extremes. The movie premiered at the Venice/Toronto Film Festivals in September 2010, and has garnered high acclaim on the festival circuit, which includes a stop at Fantastic Fest. Cinematical called the film "a handsomely mounted samurai adventure that rewards the patient viewer with a rock-'em-sock-'em finale worthy of a Saturday afternoon matinee."IMDB User Rating: 8.2 (157 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no score yet (4 out of 5 positive reviews)Release: The Magnolia owned genre arm Magnet has plans to release the film in theaters and VOD in early 2011.Official Synopsis:

A gorgeously realized, bravura samurai action film in the tradition of Seven Samurai, 13 ASSASSINS is being hailed as one of the best films of Miike's prolific career. Set in 1844 Japan, and based on a 1963 film of the same name, 13 ASSASSINS stars Koji Yakusho (Tokyo Sonata and Babel), and brings together the cream of Japan's acting talent. Yakusho plays a brave samurai who assembles an elite team of thirteen killers to assassinate the brother of the Shogun, a sadistic and well protected young lord who's above the law, raping and killing innocents with impunity. The film culminates in a mind-blowing, forty-five minute battle sequence that rivals anything seen before in the genre.

Trailer:The Way BackNotes: Directed by Peter Weir (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society, Witness) and starring Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Jim Sturgess, and Saoirse Ronan. The film is loosely based on a memoir titled The Long Walk by Slawomir Rawicz, and tells the dramatic story of a group of prisoners who escaped from a Siberian gulag during World War II. The Telegraph called the film "A journey that feels awful and heroic and unfathomable – and one you'll want to watch again."IMDB User Rating: 8.2 (416 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (24 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 76% (6,650 user ratings)Release: In theaters now.Official Synopsis:

Inspired by Slavomir Rawicz's acclaimed book, "The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom" as well as other real life accounts, six time Oscar nominated director Peter Weir's ("Witness", "Master And Commander", & "Dead Poet's Society") "The Way Back" is a remarkable adventure story chronicling the escape of a small group of multi-national prisoners from a Siberian gulag in 1940 and their epic life affirming journey over thousands of miles across five hostile countries. Stars Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan.

Trailer:IMAX: Hubble 3DNotes: The highest grossing film on the list with a total of $80.9 million in the US — that's a lot of sold out shows at science museums.IMDB User Rating: 8.2 (357 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 87% (30 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 88% (2,222 user ratings)Release: In theaters now.Official Synopsis:

Experience the gripping story – full of hope, crushing disappointment, dazzling ingenuity, bravery, and triumph – in Hubble 3D, the seventh awe-inspiring film from the award-winning IMAX® Space Team. Through the power of IMAX® 3D, Hubble 3D will enable moviegoers to journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking astronauts as they attempt some of the most difficult and important tasks in NASA's history. The film will offer an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space Telescope's legacy and highlight its profound impact on the way we view the universe and ourselves. Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, Hubble 3D reunites the Space Station 3D filmmaking team, led by Producer/Director Toni Myers. James Neihouse, Director of Photography, also doubles as the Astronaut crew trainer. Judy Carroll is Associate Producer, and Graeme Ferguson, Co-founder of IMAX and pioneer Producer of many IMAX space films, is Executive Producer. Hubble 3D is an IMAX and Warner Bros. Pictures production, in cooperation with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

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Exit Through the Gift ShopNotes: The first feature film by graffiti artist Banksy premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. The film is one of the best reviewed movies of the year (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and went on to become one of the highest grossing documentaries of the year. Its one of my favorite movies of the year — avoid spoilers, don't read plot descriptions or even watch the trailer — JUST WATCH IT!IMDB User Rating: 8.2 (5,354 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (96 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 92% (10,422 user ratings)Release: Available now on DVD/Blu-ray or Netflix Watch Instantly.Official Synopsis:

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP is the inside story of street art — a chaotic brew of illegal self-expression that exploded into a global phenomenon — and what happens when an eccentric shopkeeper-turned-amateur-filmmaker named Thierry Guetta sets out to produce the ultimate documentary on the art form. After spending five years recording many of the world's most infamous vandals at work, he met Banksy, a camera shy British stencil artist who felt Guetta himself would make a more fitting subject for a documentary.Turning the camera back on its owner with wildly unexpected results EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP is a brutal and revealing account of what happens when fame, money and vandalism collide. One of the most provocative films about art ever made, Banksy tells the incredible true-life story of what happened when Guetta transformed himself into street art sensation Mr. Brainwash. By turns shocking, hilarious and absurd, this is an enthralling modern-day fairytale... with bolt cutters.

Trailer:Inside JobNotes: This documentary from Academy Award nominated filmmaker Charles Ferguson (No End In Sight) "provides a comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which at a cost over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and nearly resulted in a global financial collapse."IMDB User Rating: 8.2 (817 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (91 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 88% (2,722 user ratings)Release: Now in theaters.Official Synopsis:

The first film to expose the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. INSIDE JOB is a Sony Classics Picture that runs 120 minutes and is MPAA-rated PG-13 for some drug and sex-related material. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists, INSIDE JOB traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships which have corrupted politics, regulation and academia. Narrated by Academy Award® winner Matt Damon, INSIDE JOB was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

Trailer:Let the Bullets FlyNotes: The Chinese action comedy is directed by Jiang Wen, and stars Chow Yun-fat, Jiang Wen and Xiaogang Feng. The film has already been optioned for a big budget American remake. Twitch called the movie "a rip-roaring comedy thriller committed to delivering smart dialogue through great performances and almost entirely free of any underlying political agenda."IMDB User Rating: 8.2 (322 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 83% (30 user ratings)Release: Released in China and Singapore in December 2010, earning a total of 400 million yuan (60 million dollars) in its first 11 days of release. No date for the US release.Official Synopsis:

Set in China during the warring 1920s, notorious bandit chief Zhang descends upon a remote provincial town posing as its new mayor, an identity that he had hijacked from Old Tang, himself a small-time imposter. Hell-bent on making a fast buck, Zhang soon meets his match in the tyrannical local gentry Huang as a deadly battle of wit and brutality ensues.

Trailer:GasLandNotes: An HBO-produced documentary is an expose about the largest domestic natural gas drilling campaign in history, which is currently sweeping the country and promising landowners a quick payoff. The film won the Documentary Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.IMDB User Rating: 8.0 (783 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (23 reviews)Release: Broadcast on television on June 21st 2010. Gasland

Available now on DVD.

Official Synopsis:

When filmmaker Josh Fox received an unexpected offer of $100,000 for the natural gas drilling rights to his property in the Delaware River Basin, on the border of New York and Pennsylvania, he resisted the urge to accept. Instead, he set off on a cross-country journey to investigate the environmental risks of agreeing to the deal. Part verité road trip, part exposé, part mystery and part showdown, GASLAND follows director Fox on a 24-state investigation of the environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing. What he uncovers is mind-boggling: tap water so contaminated it can be set on fire right out of the tap; chronically ill residents with similar symptoms in drilling areas across the country; and huge pools of toxic waste that kill livestock and vegetation. GASLAND is Fox's urgent, cautionary and sometimes darkly comic look at the largest domestic natural gas drilling campaign in history, which is currently sweeping the country and promising landowners a quick payoff. This shocking exposé shows that America's zeal to produce homegrown natural gas, often touted as "clean burning," may be poisoning the water and air. The timely documentary won the Documentary Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Trailer:I Saw the DevilNotes: From Ji-woon Kim, the director of A Tale of Two Sisters, A Tale of Two Sisters and The Uninvited, comes a crime thriller starring Byung-hun Lee (Three... Extremes, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra , The Good, the Bad, the Weird) as a secret agent who tracks a serial killer who murdered his fiancée. I screened the film at Fantastic Fest this year, and it's brutal and merciless.IMDB User Rating: 8.0 (1,059 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: No score yetRelease: The movie will be released in the US on March 4th, 2011 in theaters and on demand.Official Synopsis:

Lee Byung-hyun (The Good, the Bad and the Weird) stars as Dae-hoon, a special agent whose pregnant wife becomes the latest victim of a disturbed and brutal serial killer, captivatingly played by Oldboy's Choi Min-sik. Vowing revenge, Dae-hoon blurs the lines between hunter and hunted and good and evil, eventually becoming a monster himself in his twisted pursuit of revenge. From Korean genre master Kim Jee-woon (The Good, The Bad and The Weird and A Tale of Two Sisters) I SAW THE DEVIL is shockingly violent and stunningly accomplished, transcending the police procedural and pushing the boundaries of extreme Asian cinema in surprising and thrilling new ways.

Trailer:Blue ValentineNotes: This film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival to huge acclaim. The film is the story of a failed relationship with powerful performances from Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. Nominated for two Golden Globes, Best Performance nominations for the two leads.IMDB User Rating: 8.0 (846 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (79 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 79% (14,279 user ratings)Release: Now in theaters (limited).Official Synopsis:

BLUE VALENTINE is the story of love found and love lost told in past and present moments in time. Flooded with romantic memories of their courtship, Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) use one night to try and save their marriage.

Trailer:ArmadilloNotes: The documentary spends six months following the lives of young soldiers situated less than a kilometer away from Taliban positions, at Armadillo army base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. The movie has been playing the film festival circuit.IMDB User Rating: 8.0 (1,274 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (1 review)Release: No US Release yet announced.Official Synopsis:

In February 2009 a group of Danish soldiers accompanied by documentary filmmaker Janus Metz arrived at Armadillo, an army base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. Metz and cameraman Lars Skree spent six months following the lives of young soldiers situated less than a kilometer away from Taliban positions. The outcome of their work is a gripping and highly authentic war drama that was justly awarded the Grand Prix de la Semaine de la Critique at this year's Cannes film festival. But it also provoked furious debate in Denmark concerning the controversial behavior of certain Danish soldiers during a shootout with Taliban fighters. The filmmakers repeatedly risked their lives shooting this tense, brilliantly edited, and visually sophisticated probe into the psychology of young men in the midst of a senseless war whose victims are primarily local villagers. Yet more disturbing than scenes in which Taliban bullets whiz past their cameras is the footage of the young soldiers as each tries, in his own way, to come to terms with putting his life constantly on the line.

Trailer:The Troll HunterNotes: The Norwegian horror thriller is a hand held found footage tale of a group of students investigating a series of mysterious bear killings, who learn "that there are much more dangerous things going on." The film was one of the most talked about films at the 2010 Fantastic Fest, and is set to play at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (749 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 72% (45 user ratings)Release: Will be released by Magnet on VOD and theatrical in April 2011.Official Synopsis:

THE TROLL HUNTER is the story of a group of Norwegian film students that set out to capture real-life trolls on camera after learning their existence has been covered up for years by a government conspiracy. A thrilling and wildly entertaining film, THE TROLL HUNTER delivers truly fantastic images of giant trolls wreaking havoc on the countryside, with darkly funny adherence to the original Norwegian folklore.

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Ocean HeavenNotes: Martial arts action star Jet Li stars in this Chinese-Honk Kong drama as a terminally ill father trying to "ensure the well-being of his autistic adolescent son." Li, hoping to stretch his abilities as a dramatic actor (there are no fight sequences in this story), took a drastic pay cut to appear in this film. It also co-stars Taiwanese actress Kwai Lun-mei, who previously starred in Jay Chou's Secret. First-time director Xue Xiaolu wrote and directed the film for 7 million yuan (or the equivalent of one million U. S. dollars). She is a teacher at the Beijing Film Academy, volunteering for the last 14 years with Beijing Stars and Rain, a non-governmental educational organization for autistic children. She wrote the story based on her personal real life and experiences. The movie premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June, , where it won "Best Film", "Best New Director" and "Best Action" (for Wen Zhang).IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (345 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 71% (96 user ratings)Release: I'm not sure when this movie will be released in the US, but it appears to be available on DVD (Region 1) through Amazon.Official Synopsis:

The story of a father's tireless love for his autistic son. A terminally ill father's attempt to teach his autistic son the necessary life skills to survive on his own before he passes away. It is also a poignant tribute to the infinite love that parents have for their children and their unending desire to take care and look after them to their best abilities, no matter the struggle, no matter the effort.

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SuperNotes: Directed by Slither helmer James Gunn, Super stars Rainn Wilson as a man who decides to become a super hero after a series of events which include his wife (played by Liv Tyler) leaving him, literally being touched by the finger of God in a dream, and seeing a morally-preachy superhero named the Holy Avenger (played by Nathan Fillion) on catholic television. Ellen Page, who usually plays the know–it-all smart ass, has a wonderful turn as a annoying know-nothing immature vulgar comic book clerk who helps Wilson "research" and later begs to become his kid sidekick. I screened the movie at the Toronto Film Festival Midnight premiered, and while I liked the movie, I wanted more from it (read/watch my review here).IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (182 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (6 reviews)Release: IFC Films snapped up the movie at the Toronto Film Festival premiere, and will release the dark, strange comedy in theaters on April 1st, 2011.Official Synopsis:

When Frank's (Rainn Wilson) wife leaves him for a seductive, psychopathic drug dealer (Kevin Bacon), Frank is transformed and the Crimson Bolt is born. With a hand-made suit, a wrench, and a crazed sidekick named Boltie (Ellen Page), the Crimson Bolt beats his way through the mean streets of crime in hopes of saving his wife (Liv Tyler). The rules were written a long time ago: You are not supposed to molest children, cut lines or key cars; if you do, prepare to face the wrath of the Crimson Bolt! Written and directed by James Gunn (Slither), the film also stars Nathan Fillion, Gregg Henry and Michael Rooker.

Clip:HesherHesherNotes: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson, and Natalie Portman star in this independent drama from commercials and music videos director Spencer Susser, who is best known for a beautiful zombie short film we've featured previously on the site, I Love Sarah Jane. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out right now. It was screened at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and many regional film festivals around the world. And aside from being awesome, it is notable for featuring Mia Wasikowska, who has gone on to become Alice in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (244 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (6 reviews)Release: The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, and was originally set for release in January 2010 by Newmarket Films. I'm not sure when the movie will hit theaters, but I'd assume sometime this year.Official Synopsis:

"After the tragic loss of his Mother, 13-year-old T.J., Along with his pill popping father (Wilson), are forced to live with his elderly Grandmother. A young man with with a troubled past named Hesher (Levitt) assumes the role as both mentor and tormentor, leading T.J into troubles he could never have imagined. A young grocery clerk named Nicole (Portman) steps in to protect T.J from a vicious attack, and becomes the object of T.J's fantasies. And Hesher moves into Grandma's home, although uninvited, he is somehow accepted."

Clip:Another YearAnother YearNotes: Filmmaker Mike Leigh's (Secrets & Lies, Vera Drake, Happy-Go-Lucky) new movie premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival to very high acclaim. It's a wonderfully well-written character piece with great performances from the entire ensemble cast, a meditation on growing old, family, legacy, marriage. That said, I found myself unable to relate to the subject matter, and thus found the movie rather dull and borring.IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (1,036 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (61 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 84% (1,384 user ratings)Release: The film is now in limited release.Official Synopsis:

Mike Leigh returns with a new portrait of British domestic life—seemingly familiar stories that have a resonance beyond their surface. The happily married Gerri (Ruth Sheen) and Tom (Jim Broadbent) are at the center of a whirling cast of family and friends in Another Year. In simplest terms, the passing of a calendar year is marked by Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. For those who are in the orbit of Gerri and Tom, a year is defined by family and friendship. Love and warmth. Joy and sadness. Hope and despair. Companionship. Loneliness. A birth. A death. Time passes... Leigh's domestic tale is illuminated through the relationships of Gerri and Tom's son Joe (Oliver Maltman), Gerri's lonely work colleague Mary (Lesley Manville), Tom's boyhoood friend Ken (Peter Wright), Joe's new partner Katie (Karina Fernandez), Tom's brother Ronnie (David Bradley), and Ronnie's estranged nephew Carl (Martin Savage). Imelda Staunton makes a very memorable appearance too.

Trailer:Elektra LuxxNotes: Gothica/Snakes on a Plane/The Eye screenwriter turned writer/director Sebastian Gutierrez's comedy about a pregnant recently-retired porn star whose "life is thrown into disarray when a flight attendant with ties to Elektra's past approaches her for a favor." The film is a sequel to Gutierrez's 2009 directorial debut Women in Trouble (available on Netflix instant). The cast includes Carla Gugino, Adrianne Palicki, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Malin Akerman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Vincent Kartheiser, Julianne Moore, Timothy Olyphant, Alicia Silverstone, and Marley Shelton.IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (159 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yetRelease: The film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2010, and does not yet have a US release date.Official Synopsis:

Picking up one month after the events in Women In Trouble, ELEKTRA LUXX follows its title character (Carla Gugino, Watchmen) through one chaotic day as the recently retired porn superstar tries to make it in the straight world. Flight attendants, jilted fiancées, mysterious detectives, best selling authors and even the Virgin Mary all make appearances as Elektra tries to come to terms with her impending motherhood and her split from the porn world. From writer/director Sebastian Gutierrez comes this comedy follow-up featuring a star-studded cast, including, Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood), Malin Akerman (Watchmen), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ((500) Days of Summer), Kathleen Quinlan (Apollo 13), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage), Justin Kirk (Weeds) and Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights).

Clip:Peepli LiveNotes: Peepli Live is India's official entry for the 83rd Academy Awards Best Foreign Film category. This 2010 Indian comedy explores "farmer suicides", and the subsequent media and political response. Anusha Rizvi's directorial debut stars Omkar Das Manikpuri, Naseeruddin Shah, Raghubir Yadav, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shalini Vatsa and Malaika Shenoy. The first film from India to compete at the Sundance Film Festival (in 2010), it was also named the Best First Feature Film at the 31st Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.IMDB User Rating: 7.9 (1,975 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (23 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 72% (2,056 user ratings)Release: The film was released in limited theaters on August 13th 2010, earning $757,951 domestically and $8.7 million internationally. Peepli Live is available on Netflix Instant.Official Synopsis:

On the eve of national elections in the Indian village of Peepli, two poor farmers, Natha and Budhia, face losing their land over an unpaid government loan. Desperate, they seek help from an apathetic local politician, who suggests they commit suicide to benefit from a government program that aids the families of indebted deceased farmers. When a journalist overhears Budhia urge Natha to "do what needs to be done" for the sake of their families, a media frenzy ignites around whether or not Natha will commit suicide.

Trailer:You Don't Know JackNotes: This made-for-HBO television movie tells the story of the life and work of doctor-assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian. The movie was nominated for fifteen Emmys (winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Al Pacino and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special) and two Golden Globes: Best Motion Picture Made for Television and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Made for Television for Al Pacino. The film co-stars John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Danny Huston, Brenda Vaccaro, Delaney Williams, and Eric Lange.IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (4,703 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (3 reviews)Release: Available now on DVD.Official Synopsis:

Angel of mercy... or murderous "Doctor Death"? Jack Kervorkian is one of the most polarizing figures in modern American history, a man whose passionate belief that people have the right to die has brought him both praise and vilification. Oscar®- and Emmy®-winning actor Al Pacino brings "Dr. Death" to life in an all-new HBO Films presentation: You Don't Know Jack, directed by Oscar®-winner Barry Levinson.

Trailer:ConfessionsNotes: This Japanese psychological dramatic thriller follows "a grieving mother turned cold-blooded avenger with a twisty master plan to pay back those who were responsible for her daughter's death." Based on Kanae Minato's 2008 best selling novel "Kokuhaku", and written for the screen and directed by Tetsuya Nakashima (2004's Kamikaze Girls).IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (370 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (1 review)Flixster User Rating: 91% (359 user ratings)Release: Released in June 2010 in Japan, and has made over $22 million internationally. No US release has been announced, but a UK release is set for February 18th 2011 and the Japanese DVD/Blu-ray release is in January 2011 (so expect to see it sooner than later).Official Synopsis:

Middle school teacher Yoko Moriguchi's (Takako Matsu) life comes crashing down after the murder of her 4 year old daughter. Eventually Yoko Moriguchi suspects some of her own students to have been responsible for her daughter's death. An elaborate plan for revenge then ensues, including forcing students to drink HIV tainted milk ...

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The Man from NowhereNotes: This South Korean action crime thriller about "an ex-con is lured back into the drug trade." The film, directed by Lee Jeong-beom and starring Won Bin was released in South Korea in August and played at the 2010 Fantastic Fest in December. It was Korea's highest grossing film of the year with $42.4 million, and took the awards for best actor, best new actress, best cinematography, best music, best lighting, best visual effects and best editor at the 2010 Korea Film Awards. Here is an excerpt from Twitch's review: "Laced with black humor and some truly impressive action sequences, The Man From Nowhere is a quietly building slow burn of a film, one that arrives at a point of bleak ultraviolence so subtly that you hardly realize you've gotten there at all until the knives and guns come out and the blood sprays across the screen and you're left thinking, "Oh, of course. That makes perfect sense.""IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (433 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (1 review)Flixster User Rating: 99% (140 user ratings)Release: The movie was released in limited theaters in the US on October 1st 2010, and is now available for preorder on DVD/Blu-ray (to be released on March 8th 2011).Official Synopsis:

An ex-special agent CHA Tae-shik's only connection to the rest of the world is a little girl, So-mi, who lives nearby. Her mother, Hyo-jeong smuggles drugs from a drug trafficking organization and entrusts Tae-shik with the product, without letting him know. The traffickers find out about her smuggling and kidnap both Hyo-jeong and So-mi. The gang promises to release them if Tae-shik makes a delivery for them, however it actually is a larger plot to eliminate a rival drug ring leader. When Hyo-jeon's disemboweled body is discovered, Tae-shik realizes that So-mi's life may also be in danger. Tae-shik becomes enraged at the prospect that So-mi may already be dead and prepares for a battle, putting his own life at risk.

Trailer:Batman: Under The Red HoodNotes: Directed by Brandon Vietti (The Batman) and adapted into a direct-to-video animated feature by Judd Winick (from his own 2005 comic-book story arc), Batman: Under the Red Hood tells the story of a brutal underworld boss, the mysterious Red Hood, who "takes Gotham City by firestorm." GrouchoReviews wrote: "with its colorful, exciting action and well-defined emotional underpinnings, Batman: Under the Red Hood is the best yet in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line." The voice cast includes Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Isaacs, and others.IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (433 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (6 reviews)Release: Available now on DVD/Blu-ray and on Netflix Instant.Official Synopsis:

Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when the Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.

Trailer:Waste LandNotes: Devil's Playground/Blindsight director Lucy Walker's new documentary follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from Brooklyn to Brazil to photograph the lives of people who work collecting and selling recyclable materials such as bottles, plastic, and metal in landfills.IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (433 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (41 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 89% (312 user ratings)Release: The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, and is now in limited release. A DVD will be released on March 29th 2011 (preorder here).Official Synopsis:

Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of "catadores" — or self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz's initial objective was to "paint" the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both dignity and despair as the catadores begin to re-imagine their lives. Walker ("Devil's Playground," Blindsight") has great access to the entire process and, in the end, offers stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.

Trailer:Going PostalNotes: This Sky1-produced UK made-for-television comedy fantasy is based on Terry Pratchett's 33rd Discworld novel about an artist who is conned into taking the job as Postmaster General in the Ankh-Morpork Post Office.IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (1,286 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: No reviews yetFlixster User Rating: 82% (64 user ratings)Release: Aired on May 30th 2010 in the UK, and is available on Blu-ray and DVD (region 2). No word on a US release.Official Synopsis:

Suddenly, condemned arch-swindler Moist von Lipwig found himself with a noose around his neck and dropping through a trapdoor into ... a government job? By all rights, Moist should be meeting his maker rather than being offered a position as Postmaster by Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork. Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may prove an impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, greedy Grand Trunk clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical headman. But if the bold and undoable are what's called for, Moist's the man for the job — to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and specially deliver that invaluable commodity that every being, human or otherwise, requires: hope.

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The IllusionistNotes: Academy Award-nominated director Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville) returns with the hand-drawn animated The Illusionist. I got a chance to screen the film at the Telluride film festival, and it is a visually stunning testament to the art of 2D animation.IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (1,286 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (49 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 79% (1,411 user ratings)Release: The film is in limited release from Sony Pictures Classics.Official Synopsis:

The Illusionist is one of a dying breed of stage entertainers. With emerging rock stars stealing his thunder, he is forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theatres, at garden parties and in bars and cafés. However, whilst performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland, he encounters Alice, an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever. Watching his performance to the excited villagers who are celebrating the arrival of electricity to their remote island, Alice becomes awestruck by our hero and believes his tricks are real magic. Following him to Edinburgh, she keeps his home while he goes to work in a small local theatre. Enchanted by her enthusiasm for his act, he rewards her with increasingly lavish gifts he has 'conjured' into existence. Desperate not to disappoint her, he cannot bring himself to reveal that magic does not exist and that buying these gifts is driving him to ruin. But as Alice comes of age, she finds love and moves on. The Illusionist no longer has to pretend and, untangled from his own web of deceit, resumes his life as a travelling entertainer, a much wiser man.

Trailer:PoetryNotes: Directed and written by Lee Chang-dong (Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Peppermint Candy), a South Korean drama centered on "a woman at the end of her life in search of new meaning." Poetry premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, and has been on the festival circuit ever since (hitting Toronto, New York, London, Dubai and more). Sean Axmaker wrote that "At its best, Poetry offers a complex combination of anger, yearning and compassion from a woman struggling to communicate herself as words fail her." Poetry is a candidate for Korea's official entry for best foreign language film in the 2010 Academy Awards, and the winner of the Best Screenplay award in Cannes this year.IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (507 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (5 reviews)Flixster User Rating: 91% (359 user ratings)Release: Will be released in theaters on January 28th, 2011.Official Synopsis:

This quietly precarious film opens with an enigmatic scene of a young girl's corpse floating down a river, only to then settle in with an elderly woman who cares for her troubled grandson in their modest home. She leads a simple existence as a cleaner and caregiver to an elderly disabled man. When her grandson becomes involved in a horrific public scandal, the crisis sends her into an existential downward spiral, and she turns to her newfound interest in writing poetry for solace and guidance. As in Lee's previous works, POETRY explores the human capacity for bestial darkness and how our worst failings can define and shape our shared moral landscape.

Trailer:Zero IINotes: Often compared with Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, this Lithuanian comedy crime thriller has been described as a mix of "a gangster film and a soap opera".IMDB User Rating: 7.8 (1,829 votes)Rotten Tomatoes: no reviews yet.Release: No release date announced. Released in Lithuania in January 2010.Official Synopsis:

When the under-worlds of crime and show-biz collide, hit-men buddies Max and Sylvester are suddenly thrown in the midst of bizarre events and soap-like drama. Faced with the onslaught of sleazy intrigues and silicon boobs, friends must still complete their task – retrieve a missing shipment of drugs. And then, there's also a kidnapped delivery boy to save, loads of people to kill, dangerous women to love. The trick is not to lose your head. Or your balls. Whichever goes first.

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