Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Little Otik (2000)

Director: Jan Svankmajer

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A wonderfully wicked comedy, this is adapted from a traditional Czech folktale about the destructive aspects of humanity's procreative urges. Unable to have a child, a couple become so desperate that the husband decides to amuse his wife by carving a garden tree stump into a baby-like shape. Hilariously, her inability to distinguish the twiggy monstrosity from the real thing at first causes further tensions, but then proves infectious. With folktale inevitability, the thing comes to life and develops a murderously insatiable appetite - but still the parents will protect their offspring, however destructive he gets. Dark, dreamlike and very subversive, it is yet again distinguished by Svankmajer's dazzling blend of animation and live action.

Author: GA

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing