2008 Shop Movies

In this thoughtful science fiction drama from filmmaker Kanji Nakajima, Kohei Takahara (Mitsuhiro Oikawa) is an astronaut who is invited to take part in a top-secret scientific study in which a clone will be created from his DNA and brought to life in the event of his untimely death. Kohei agrees to participate, and when he loses his life as his mission goes awry while returning to Earth, the clone is brought to life. While the "new" Kohei seems healthy and all but indistinguishable from the original, a major flaw is soon discovered -- the clone has no memories past Kohei's childhood, and doesn't comprehend the notion of the astronaut's death. When the clone escapes, it happens to find Kohei's body near the crash site, and is jarred back to a memory of the death of Kohei's twin brother when he was little. The clone is convinced Kohei's corpse is actually the lost twin that died years ago, and he sets out to take the body back to his family. Kuron Wa Kokyo O Mezasu (aka The Clone Returns Home) received its American premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Two strangers who have met in one another's dreams come face to face in the real world with disturbing results in this psychological thriller from Mexico. Chelo (Barbara Mori) is a successful and well-respected architect who found little satisfaction in her love life. While the men she dates cannot satisfy her, each night she dreams of a handsome man who can fulfill all her desires. Meanwhile, Dr. Marquez (Leonard Sbaraglia) is a leading heart surgeon who is engaged to marry a beautiful woman, Marcela (Marina de Tavira), but as he sleeps he's visited by terrible visions of a woman who wants to kill him. Chelo believes she can't go on without finally meeting the literal man of her dream, who she is certain is real, so she devises a plan -- she makes herself look as if she's been attacked, and goes to the police and tells them she's been beaten and raped. Chelo gives a careful description of her assailant that closely resembled the man in he dreams, and they soon present her with a suspect who matches the description -- Dr. Marquez. At the same time, when the doctor gets a look at Chelo, he's terrified as he realizes she's a dead ringer for the malevolent woman from his nightmares. Violanchelo, a.k.a. Amor, Dolor y Viceversa (aka Love, Pain and Vice-Versa) was the first feature from director Alonso Pineda-Ulloa. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

When communications to a top secret underground research facility inexplicably cut-off, eight desperate workers must battle their way up through 13 floors, fighting flesh-eating mutants every step of the way, in order to reach the surface and escape a fate worse than death. The year is 2017. One mile underground, in research station 320, all hell is about to break loose. With no means of calling for help and hordes of rampaging mutants blocking every exit, two research technicians, a pair of research subjects, a medic, and three mercenaries find their supplies starting to dwindle, and their time running out. Now one of them is in the beginning stages of a horrifying transformation, and unless they reach the surface soon, everyone will die. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A group of scientists conducting underground flora research in the wake of World War III encounter a disturbing development in this ci-fi drama based on a story by celebrated author Ray Bradbury. One of the scientists is experiencing a bizarre physical transformation. Could his mutation signal a new era in human evolution, or is it a harbinger that mankind's reign on planet Earth has finally come to an end. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Magic and fierce rivalries set the stage in this epic-scale fantasy set in 17th Century Thailand. The Black Raven (Winai Kraibutr) is a fearsome pirate who has joined forces with a rogue prince to overthrow the rule of Queen Hijau of Pattani (Jarunee Suksawas). Needing weapons, the Black Raven and his crew set out to steal a cache of powerful cannons from Janis Bree (Andre Macchieisen), a Dutch master of firearms, and Lim Kium (Jakkrit Phanichphatikram), his Chinese right-hand man. The Raven's plan, however, goes awry, and the cannons sink to the bottom of the sea as a child named Pari is born in a village not far away. As the youngster grows to manhood, it becomes evident that Pari (Ananda Everingham) has a gift for magic, and his uncle Anjar (Preecha Katkham) arranges for him to learn the art at the hands of the gifted White Ray (Sorapong Chatree). As Pari hones his powers, he learns that his father died battling the Black Raven on the day he was born, and White Ray tells him it is his duty to bring justice against the pirate once he masters his magic. As Pari makes plans to put the Black Raven in his place, the pirate is making new plans to rescue the cannons he lost years ago, and Queen Hijau, sensing that revolt is afoot once again, approaches Lim Kium and asks if he can recreate Janis Bree's fabled weapons. Puenyai chom salat (aka Queens of Langkasuka) also stars Anna Ris and Jacqueline Apithananon as the Queen's daughters. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide