The City of Lost Children (La Cité des enfants perdus)
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
1995
*****
Alas, the brilliant collaboration of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and  Marc Caro ends with only their second film, the visually stunning The City of Lost Children. Their first film Delicatessen, is a masterpiece, The City of Lost Children is much the same but on a much larger scale. Although I prefer the previous film, The City of Lost Children is probably a better film technically. The production, editing, cinematography, lighting, effects, make-up, costumes...the lot, it's nothing short of breathtaking. The beginning title sequence alone is better than most of the Hollywood films released in the same year put together. The inventiveness and stunning visuals are incomparable. Warning: Under no uncertain terms should you watch the dubbed into English version which has been cut to pieces and rearranged with wall paper paste!!

Delicatessen
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
1991
*****
There is nothing quite like a good collaboration, Jeunet and Caro being one of the best in the history of cinema in my opinion. Delicatessen crosses into so many genres; Comedy, Apocalypse, Cannibalism, Futuristic, Noir...the list goes on. It's comedy is black, surreal and absurd, and quite glorious it is too. The cinematography is second to none with simple yet beautiful visuals that have satisfied the staunchest of critics. I love every aspect of it, from it's mysterious horror to it's awkward romance, its bizarre circus references, sexual innuendos and political swipes. This is something special indeed. One of the best of the decade.