Woodsman

Watch Woodsman last night without much expectation; it stars Kevin Bacon whom somehow I didn't think much of, well. But his much restrained and brilliant performance as a former child molester newly released from jail after 12 years behind the bars won me over unconditionally. Without moving his body or raising his voice much, he reveals the inner struggles the character undergoes and the dark side he is trying to contain. Hip hop musician Dos Def is also surprisingly good as the cop who provokes and humiliates the ex-convict at every opportunity. His flamboyant performance blurs the boundary between good and evil, and also exposes the ridicule and complacency of the police force. All these of course wouldn't be possible without a refined script co-written by the first time director Nicole Kassel.

Un Poison Violent

Love like Poison is the English title for the directorial debut of Katell Quillevere, a 'natural director' to be reckoned with. Sad yet absolutely engaging and beautifully shot, the film is like a poem about the transformation from a childhood to adolescence. And yet like critic Sarah Marvel points out, the film continues a disturbing trend in French cinema in the exploitation of the young actress body.

The Limits of Control

Despite its Russian dolls structure and a sheer lack of interest in moving the story forwards, this Jim Jarmunsch's film is enigmatic and magnetic, thanks largely by the music scored by some of the best bands of the moment.