My Blueberry Nights (US/HK, 2007)

Ever seen a trailer clip and thought "That looks really good, must see it"? So it was with this, Wong Kar Wai's first English language feature; it's not bad, but feels a bit studied in places, particularly the early cafe scenes. Norah Jones' performance (her first too) holds up well though and the cinematography is, not unexpectedly, very good.

Colombiana (US, 2011)

Proof were it required that anything bearing the name Luc Besson is overrated. Eminently missable.

1900 (IT, 1976)

Seen through the perspective of childhood friends-of-a-sort, Angelo and Olmo (played by the youthful-ish Robert de Niro and Gerard Depardieu respectively), this ambitious grand sweep of a historical melodrama stretches from agrarian disputes at the start of C20 to the eventual appearance of the blackshirts to liberation in 1945.

It's uneven and a little far-fetched (cf 'The Dreamers'), in places crudely and unnecessarily overacted, and beset by the preponderant glorification of the communist movement, ever-present in European arthouse historical dramas, particularly those Italian. Somewhat curious that almost all the major parts are taken by non-Italian actors (Burt Lancaster and Donald Sutherland are in there too). This 2-disc DVD version appears to be dubbed in English, with no Italian dialogue option. The subtitles remained on in any case.

Not Bertolucci's finest momement, but Emilia, the Parmense, the Po Valley and Dominque Sanda are, as always, resplendent however, and despite its (in)famous lengthiness, it doesn't feel overly long.

Lo Straniero/L'Etranger/The Outsider (IT/FR, 1967)

I read 'The Outsider' by Albert Camus at 19, not expecting much, but soon found it unputdownable, pausing for a smoke every time Meursault did in the book. On finishing it, there was a sensation of having read something truly outstanding, concise, articulate, not-happy yet hugely likeable. It remains an all-time favourite, unequalled until I read Donna Tart's 'The Secret History' some years later.

What of the film?

Beautiful Lies/De vrais mensonges (FR, 2010)

A tiresome and rather obvious romantic comedy.