Film Reviews by None

The Arostocrats could have been a great window into creative freedom, originality and throwing off the straitjacket of taboo and censorship. It would have made a good 30 minute documentary with some of the best versions (Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Silverman and the best, in my opinion, Wendy Liebman.) Instead of seeing how original people can be, taking the joke down fresh roads, we just get lots of repetitive, competitive obsession with how far down very well-trodden roads (i.e. ruts) some of these gifted comics can take us. Dull. Nice to see Phyllis Diller though.

Caitlin McKiernan, London.

Into the Wild is an astonishing film. Since first reading that Sean Penn was planning it, I'd been keen to see it. A story about walking your own road, challenging received wisdoms and taking risks to live authentically seemed to have found the perfect director and screenwriter. Penn's enormous talent for depth, grace and truth just keep going from strength to strength.

This true story is extremely moving. Easily the best film I've seen this year, by a mile. It's beautiful in many ways. The way the landscape is cherished and photographed brings Brokeback Mountain to mind. The characters are written astutely but gently with grace and compassion and perfectly cast. The music is just gorgeous.

The brother/sister relationship is handled with a very light touch, honouring what was clearly a strong bond between two allies coping with some harsh truths.

Towards the end, during the quietly affecting scenes with Hal Holbrook, it struck me that Into the Wild makes a good companion piece for David Lynch's The Straight Story.

Into the Wild is clearly one of those films that is worth seeing several times. Magnificent.