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"The Minx" is a hilarious no-budget independent film about a sexy, female, Asian-American Robin Hood (Mia Park) set in modern-day Chicago. It begins with a montage of her exploits (stealing from the rich, giving to the homeless), an extraordinary sequence that hearkens back to early silent-era cinema. From there, the story unfolds as The Minx becomes romantically involved with a Hispanic reporter (Edgar Alvarez) while simultaneously fighting off the advances of a sleazy CEO (Circus-Szalewski). Suspense is generated as both of these men, as well as the chief of the Chicago Police Department (Duane Sharp), begin to figure out her real identity.

Shot on video and made for the DVD market, this is easily the best film of its kind I've ever seen. Although it was obviously made for no money, it's an enormously entertaining film - fast-paced, funny and full of killer dialogue and colorful performances. In particular, the way Circus-Szalewski reads his lines has to be heard to be believed. Lead actress Mia Park comes across as cold and reserved in her early scenes but has a highly emotional climactic scene that causes you to re-evaluate her entire character.

Fans of silent movies, Hong Kong action, French new wave-style self-reflexivity and good old American indie films should take note. In an age of cookie-cutter Hollywood blockbusters with big budgets but no soul, "The Minx" is truly a breath of fresh air.

Funky Forest: The First Contact is a movie that defies description. It is so uncategorizable, so jaw-droppingly strange, so unlike anything you've ever seen before that you can't help but either laugh and/or shake your head in disbelief for most of its 2 and a half hour running time. The movie has no plot. Instead there are a series of loosely interconnected scenes involving various characters who say and do the strangest things. I was particularly fond of the three female co-workers who visit a spa and take turns telling each other hilariously inane stories. On top of that there is uber-hottie Tadanobu Asano, bursts of animation, unexpected song and dance numbers and some truly disturbing sci-fi elements. For the sheer weirdness factor alone, this is essential viewing.