Cronos

1993 Director Guillermo del Torro

This the Guillermo del Toro's directorial debut film.

The film tells the story of elderly antique dealer Jesus Gris who, with his eight-year-old granddaughter Aurora,  discovers an ancient artifact secreted within a statue obtained from the estate of a 16th-century alchemist. Unbeknownst to Gris, the device houses an immortal parasite which will grant eternal life to its host. Naturally, there is a terrible price for this gift, which Gris is doomed to discover after the object anchors itself to his body. He begins to develop an extreme aversion to daylight, as well as an agonizing thirst for human blood. To compound matters, dying millionaire has learned of the device's existence.

This is a classic Vampire tale albeit with an inventive twist to it. It pays homage to many of the classic films of this genre. The cover hails it as one of the greatest chillers of all time, but I think it falls short by quite a mark. The girl's role is ambiguous and her actions are counterintuitive for one so young. If you are a vampire film fan then this is probably worth the view. If this isn't your preferred genre then you're not missing anything by giving it a miss.

Japón

2002 Director Carlos Reygadas

This is Carlos Reygadas' brave debut film about a man on the brink of suicide regaining the will to live under decidedly unusual circumstances.

A quietly despondent man leaves behind the city for a journey into a quiet village in the valley, telling anyone who cares to know that once he's settled in, he intends to kill himself. The man takes a room with Ascen, an elderly woman who lost her husband some years ago. Keeping to himself, he paints, thinks, and prepares himself for death, while Ascen slowly becomes aware of the depth of his depression. As Ascen's nephew attempts to rob her of her share of the family estate, the man feels a desire to live waking inside him again, as well as the desire for a woman. Improbably, the man turns to Ascen for physical affection, and sensing his need for comfort, she complies, though the seduction lacks a great deal in the way of romance.

The cinematography is excellent and befitting of the stunning location. The characterisation has had a great deal of attention paid. Although Ascen was a local woman of no acting background, her performance is worthy of praise. One to see, but because of the explicit content, it's probably better if the children are elsewhere.

Amores Perros

2000 Director Alexandro Gonzalez Inarritu

This is Inarritu's debut film which sets a very high standard. The English translation of the title "Life's a Bitch" is a misnomer. It should be "The Love of Dogs, which is what Amores Perros actually means and what this film is really about.

The whole film is set in Mexico city. Three lives become inextricably linked in the wake of a terrible car crash: a young punk stumbles into the sinister underground world of dog fighting; an injured supermodel's pooch disappears into the apartment's floorboards; and an ex-radical turned hit man rescues a gun-shot Rottweiler.

This film is not for the squeamish but it does deliver a fast paced, attention grabbing ride. It is coherently structured which allows it to yoyo back and forward in time without confusing the viewer. All the loose ends come nicely together in the end without stretching your credulity.

A particularly memorable moment is when the tramp/hit man contemplates killing the dog only to realise that he and the dog are cast from the same mold; born and trained to kill. This film benefits from a second viewing even when the final outcome is known.