Surprises are great, aren’t they? As long as they’re not bad surprises, anyway. So, yeah, Carl went to see Lovely By Surprise at the Edinburgh Film Festival… In light of its title, it is a lovely movie that I am expecting, and by surprise? Im not telling you in the intro! First off, this feels like quite a strange movie, and by all rights, it is. The characters arent quirky as such, but they do have their quirks....

But he loves the Lost Room mini-series. He’s a bit contrary like that. (It is really good, though.) In my darker moments of self-reflection, Ill admit it. I know that it takes a lot to like me these days. Show me something entertaining and Ill be placated for awhile. Show me something new though? I dont even know where to begin in describing it; you just have to see it....

An Uwe Boll film not based on a computer game? Yup, and there aren’t any supernatural monsters in sight, either. It polarised the audience and actually instigated a Springer-style shouting match during the post-film Q&A. No one seemed unsettled. Most people laughed.Seed, however, got them rankled. Theres almost no humanity whatsoever in the film. There is intentionally rudimentary characterization. The viewer isnt manipulated into rooting for anyone or feeling anything....

It comes out here mid-October, and Ive seen it 2 months in advance. Is it sad that Im really chuffed with that? The movie opens, and it feels like everything is happening way too quickly. He then goes home, and nine months later, is followed by a baby boy named Tristan. Ad content continues below When all is said and done,Stardustdoes what it sets out to do. It takes you on a huge journey, one that you wouldnt have imagined, but Neil Gaiman would....

Anime: it’s not all Studio Ghibli or tentacle porn, you know. Tekkonkinkreet is certainly weird, but is it wonderful? At all.Tekkonkinkreetis one of these films to support this theory ocassionally stunning and affecting but very hard to follow. (Well, what we can make out of the storyline.) Ad content continues below A mature reflection on modern masculinity in mainstream anime? Who woulda thunk it? Rating: 3 out of 5

Year of the Dog was the first movie Carl watched at the Edinburgh Film Festival. Typically, we’ve put it up in the wrong order. But never mind - the point is, was it any good? Its my first movie of the festival. He says hello, I calm down, and am now ready to watch. So, the jist of the movie is about dog lovers, right? Im not going to give everything away, but the dog does die pretty early on....

But whileHatchetwas a love letter to the slasher genre,Spiralis something completely different. Instead, its the story of a young man whose life isnt quite what it seems. Despite the low budget,Spirallooks great, and its original jazz soundtrack means it sounds great, too. Hints were dropped throughout; but they were occasionally contradictory, meaning you never quite know where you stand. Its much more subtle and much more insidious than that. Rating:...

The reason why I did it is simply because I think it is funny. Ah, but of course. Amongst her fellow patients is Il-sun (Jung Rain Ji-hoon), a kleptomaniac who steals other patients souls. As you… yeah, you get the idea. In case you havent noticed,Cyborgis an odd-sounding little film. The only question is: what will he pull off next? Will we like it? Will he fall into a pattern?...

Another review, then: result! Yeon (Zia) is a sculptress whose life, bluntly put, sucks. Jang Jin is a murderer awaiting execution. Rating: 4 out of 5

Really good little indie film? Check out Carl’s latest review from the Edinburgh International Film Festival… I really wanted to like this movie, mainly because of the simple and caper-inducing concept. This, thankfully, was saved by the two moronic geniuses running the show. These actors and characters are fantastic, especially together. Then you have the Satanists… Weirdsvilleis kind of a surprise enjoyment actually. The movie is an hilarious, well directed, small adventure of a caper....

The opening movie of FrightFest 2007 involved sheep. It all really happened. New Zealand is a scary place, dont ever go there. Touche, Mr King. Black Sheepis, at heart, your basic creature feature. Take some people, put them in an isolated location, and chuck in a monster to terrify them. ButBlack Sheepdoes it really, really well. Instead, its just a really good movie. The transformation scene that directly referencesAmerican Werewolfis awesome, too....

Okay already, we can stop being angry about the wholeGrindhousething now. Yes, it seems Tarantino had his hormones buzzing harder than ever before making this particular film. With a massive killer car. Driven by Kurt Russell. Yup,Death Proofsure is an odd concoction. a skull on the bonnet. The joy ofDeath Proofis in the surprises it offers throughout. Break the fourth wall? End on a ridiculously cheezy freezeframe? Get Eli Roth away from the torture chamber for a cameo?...

Can Seth Rogen be stopped? (Look how we completely resisted making super-puns. These two hopeless losers are actually friends, rather than acquaintances. Weve all been there, either when we graduated high school or when we graduated college. Theres a seismic shift in the things we knew and held to be true for years called growing up. Nobody wants to do it, but everyone does. Thats what elevatesSuperbadinto something than just a funny movie; its funny and realistic....