LE VENDEUR (Canada 2011) ****
Directed by Sebastien Pilote

LE VENDEUR (THE SALESMAN) begins with a slowly shot montage of a dead moose removed from a snow bordered road.  The scene, an important one in the film’s plot development is re-visited half way through the film.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (UK 2011) ***
Directed by James Watkins

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is best known as London West End’s second longest play in history after MOUSETRAP.  The ghost story is based on the book written in 1983 by Susan Hill and had already been adapted into a TV movie.  I had seen the original play some 15 years ago in London but hardly remember anything of it except at how difficult it is to stage a scary ghost story without it being laughable.  The play succeeded.

THE INNKEEPERS (USA 2011) *
Directed by Ty West

Though touted as a ghost haunted house film or rather haunted hotel film, THE INNKEEPERS is more light comedy or unfunny light comedy that turns horrific at the end.

MISS BALA (Mexico 2011) ****
Directed by Gerardo Naranjo

MISS BALA is a fast paced disturbing drug crime action drama that was a hit at Cannes where it debuted.  MISS BALA is Mexico’s entry for this year’s Oscar’s Best foreign Film though it did not make it.

MONSIEUR LAZHAR (Canada 2011) ****
Directed by Philippe Falardeau

Philippe Falardeau’s (the little seen but excellent CONGORAMA) latest drama is a well thought of drama that bears the message of tolerance amidst multiple issues dealing with death, the school system and growing up.  It starts off with a young student’s discovery of his teacher’s suicide by hanging in a classroom.