Margaret Umbers Movies

Writer/director Ching C. Ip makes her filmmaking debut with the road movie See You Off to the Edge of Town, about a Chinese-American family reuniting in Los Angeles after a long time of separation. Matriarch Suyin Kwan (Zhu Xi Juan) is the nagging-mother type while Huan Kwan (played by Hong Kong producer K.K. Wong) is her quiet, reserved husband. They join their daughters -- college graduate Maggie (Jo Chim) and New York travel agent Jenny (Yvonne Teoh) -- for a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Just as the family starts bickering, Maggie's car breaks down and she calls her unconventional boyfriend Tommy (Christopher Cheng) for help. Tommy agrees to drive them the rest of the way in his giant blue party mobile while the family sorts out their differences. Originally shot in digital video, See You Off to the Edge of Town premiered at the Seattle ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Meg (Heather Bolton) is a typical girl next door beleaguered by a haunted car in this light thriller by director Gaylene Preston. Like most young women, Meg suffers from overprotective parents, at least from her perspective, and as a way to assert her independence she buys a used Jaguar. When odd occurrences in the car seem a little paranormal to Meg, she begins to investigate the Jag's history. Much to her surprise, she discovers that the car's previous owner was murdered. Added to that chilling history is the equally odd Mr. Wrong (David Letch) and a suspicion that she is going to be the next victim. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

A key entry in the "renaissance" of the New Zealand film industry, Smash Palace stars Bruno Lawrence as an ex-racing champ. Returning home to take over his late father's business, Lawrence finds that his sophisticated European wife Anna Jemison is bored beyond measure at her new existence. She throws him over in favor of his best friend, policeman Keith Aberdein. Lawrence might have been able to weather his wife's leaving him, but it is too much to bear when she takes their daughter with her. Shoved over the edge, Lawrence kidnaps the child, precipitating a grueling cross-country chase. Co-written by star Bruno Lawrence, Smash Palace was garlanded with praise from some of the world's most influential film critics. It's not that good, but it certainly holds one's rapt attention from start to finish. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi