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587,128 | 783,721 | 88,009 | 8 | Reality bites | The Year of the Quiet Sun tells of the love which blooms with considerable difficulty between an American GI and a Polish woman in postWWII Poland ( ? ) . Unlike most war romance flicks where people virtually collide with each other driven by the stark desperation and deprivation of war , this film has the pair of protags ( Wilson & Komorowska ) spending most of the film's almost 2 hour run tentatively sorting through their pain and suffering to find feelings they can trust to be real . There's little doubt this is an excellent film . However , it is as depressingly barren as the ravaged landscape it occupies and for many will prove to be too real to be enjoyable . Not an escapist film , " . . . Quiet Sun " is for realists only . In multiple languages with subtitles . ( |
585,879 | 783,721 | 147,612 | 8 | Darkly sardonic comedy not for everyone | Happiness plumbs the outwardly normal lives of a handful of loosely interconnected characters and discovers everything from neuroses to depravity to criminal insanity . This bleak and very dark comedy's austerity serves to make the characters stand out as it methodically reveals its disturbing stories . Not for everyone , " Happiness " is a " ground-breaker " which many will wish had left the soil unturned . |
585,706 | 783,721 | 252,444 | 8 | So much with so little . | Few films have garnered so much applause ( from critics and public alike ) with so little . The plot of " Rabbit Proof Fence " can be found elsewhere on this website . Suffice it to say it's about three girls walking and walking and walking and walking and . . . . across some of the most visually austere country on the planet ; the Aussie outback . There's little story behind the film , zilch for Hollywood tinsel , and a minimal cast of relative unknowns ( except for Branagh's small role ) . It would be easy to make the case that this film is one long boring flick . However , it would also be easy to make the case it is a beautifully filmed story of courage , determination , and the triumph of the human spirit . I would argue the latter . ( |
586,347 | 783,721 | 338,139 | 8 | Hear them roar ! | Iron Jawed Angels is an HBO historical biopic / docudrama which turns the lens on Swank who delivers a sterling performance as Quaker , suffragist , and women's right activist Alice Paul during her campaign to secure the 19th Constitutional amendment . Director Katja von Garnier , who gave us the wonderfully hip girl-power cult flick " Bandits " , takes on the daunting task of delivering an entertaining film about a somewhat dry , esoteric subject and a relatively unknown character ( as history goes ) and succeeds . Sometimes whimsical , sometimes intense , spritzed with humor and drama , and packed with zingers and maxims , " Iron Jawed Angels " may be a chick flick but no man can deny nor should fail to appreciate the grace and beauty is delivers . ( |
586,735 | 783,721 | 140,888 | 8 | A simple and poignant story which refuses to compromise . | Central Station focuses on two very different people , a poorish middle-aged spinster and an orphaned boy , who come together because of circumstance and mutual need . The relationship and journey which ensues is the substance of this simple film . The story is told with harsh reality and an uncompromising honesty which serves to make the bad times bitter and the touching moments sweeter . An earnest effort which breaks all of Hollywood's rules of commercialism and will find it's market among cinema purists . |
587,694 | 783,721 | 101,318 | 8 | Ahhh ! Those French ! | Never mind they do drugs , vandalize , rob and steal , try to kill each other , whack one dude and torch another . After all , it amour that counts , right ? " The Lovers on the Bridge " is a look into lives of a couple of down-and-out street bums who call a Paris bridge home . The film does an excellent job of telling it's 2 hour long story and the peculiar sort of " trouble loves company " kind of relationship which abides the two principles played by Levant and Binochet . Most will get lost in the pathos of this compelling and well constructed love story of sorts . Others may find it takes too long to get to the " feel good " part . |
585,829 | 783,721 | 112,767 | 8 | Amazing artistry ! | Cyclo tells of an impoverished Saigon family whose son ( Cyclo ) turns to crime and whose daughter turns to prostitution as a matter of economic survival . A magnificent accomplishment in cinematography , there's little new to be found in the film's somewhat muddled story which is told almost exclusively with the camera as Oscar winning director Anh Hung Tran demonstrates mastery over the lens in delivering this tapestry of pictures which captures the beauty and blight of a bustling Vietnamese city . Not for everyone , " Cyclo " will play best with those who appreciate true artistry in film . |
587,427 | 783,721 | 390,221 | 8 | Maria full of cocaine | Maria Full of Grace tells the tale of an impoverished 17 year old Colombian who becomes pregnant and , in need of money , signs on as a drug " mule " , smuggling cocaine pellets into the US in her GI tract . An exceptional film for a low budget one man band indie with a deubting artist in the leading role , this film imparts a strong sense of been-there-done-that reality as it follows Maria from Bogota to New York where her life begins to unravel . Unusually well managed without being junked up with the usual Hollywood tawdry tinsel and situational extremes , this very human drama does more pound-for-pound than most films many times its size . Kudos to auteur Marston and company and ingenue Moreno for this interesting and enjoyable drama . ( |
586,943 | 783,721 | 365,190 | 8 | The less you know the better | Red Lights , a subtitled French film , spends it's 1 . 75 hour run following Antoine ( Darroussin ) and his wife Hélène ( Bouquet ) as they leave Paris for a night drive to Bordeaux to pick up their kids . What should have been an ordinary road trip turns into an extraordinary series of events which will leave the couple forever changed . The less you know about these events prior to viewing the better as any hint of what happens could lead to a case of mistaken genre and spoilage . This film is a human drama which doesn't attempt to entertain with extremes but rather opts to engross with a slowly seductive tale of intrigues kept to realistic proportion . " Red Lights " relies heavily on the ability to identify with the adult married couple and the problems they encounter and , therefor , will play best with mature adult audiences . A nicely managed , methodical and very believable film which spends most of its time with Darroussin , " Red Lights " received good marks from critics and public alike and is well worth a look by mature viewers into French flicks . ( |
587,197 | 783,721 | 325,145 | 8 | Brains vs brawn | Box 507 ( not a PO Box but a safe deposit box ) is all about a husband and father , Pardo ( Resines ) , who loses his daughter in a brush fire and seven years later serendipitously discovers the fire was not the result of an accident but rather subterfuge . Pardo sets about to seek justice and finds himself embroiled in a web of intrigues involving Mafiosos and other criminal elements . This well crafted drama gets busy and stays busy with a coolly cerebral approach which avoids extremes of emotion , sex / nudity , romance , and other visceral appetizers though there is blood letting aplenty . A worthwhile watch for anyone into Euroflix with , of course , subtitles . ( |
585,679 | 783,721 | 272,979 | 8 | Oh my aching feet | Peripatetic documentary host Michael Wood treks across Asia retracing the - 20 , 000 mile campaign of Alexander III of Macedonia in this historically rich film exploration of one of history's greatest conquerors . Wood and crew take you from Greece to the Holy Land , Egypt , Iraq , Iran , Afghanistan , India , and more as he uncovers shreds of evidence from artifacts to ancient stories still told by storytellers and pieces them together into a mosaic of the short 32 year life of the legendary conqueror of Persia ( circa 356-323 BCE ) . The always affable and upbeat historian / host Wood travels by everything from burro to boat to helicopter to foot over some of the most barren and rugged terrain in Asia tirelessly brining us the history and legends of Alexander . " In the Footsteps of . . . " is not only a well composed documentary but also a travelogue of places you'll not likely want to visit and will probably never see . Easy to understand didactics and great locations up close and personal makes this a should see for all ancient history buffs . ( |
587,294 | 783,721 | 160,513 | 8 | A powerful drama with speed bumps . | A Map . . . offers a mature , lengthy look at the vicissitudes and tragedy which befall Weaver's character , a Wisconsin dairy farmer's wife with an unusual ability to cope . A powerful performance by Weaver and excellent support by Moore and Strathairn help to make this sometimes tedious film well worth watching . |
586,138 | 783,721 | 290,664 | 8 | Girls just wanna be loved | Hysterical Blindness , which has nothing to do with the psychogenic condition suggested by the title , is a gritty character study with Thurman at the vortex as a graspingly needy working class woman whose poor sense of self drives her like a derailed freight train into the arms of a man who uses her like a Bic . Supporting cast members Rowlands and Lewis portray characters who are also manless but with contrastingly better coping skills . An excellent slice-of-life flick set in backstreet - under - the - bridge - and - by - the - railroad - tracks Jersey , " HB " is a riveting watch for those into character driven dramas about working class people . ( |
587,050 | 783,721 | 151,691 | 8 | An excellent no frills , no nonsense human drama . | With dogme-esque style , " My Name is Joe " takes the audience to Scotland and into a pivotal slice of life of one alcoholic Scot . . . a man named Joe who , nearing midlife , finds himself still struggling for some semblance of success and happiness . Earnest , honest , and realistic apply to both film and character in this look at the seamier side of Scottish life . An excellent watch for those who enjoy realistic Euro-flicks . |
587,152 | 783,721 | 83,946 | 8 | An amazing feat of filming an amazing feat . | The late Klaus Kinski plays the title character in this much heralded 2 . 5 + hour long film about Fitzcarraldo's obsession with opera which he is determined to bring to his remote village in the jungles of Peru . An obsession which leads him into an adventure in the treacherous headwaters of the Amazon . This film of considerable magnitude is an adventure / drama with the emphasis on drama . Little time is spent with action sequences , stunts , or cliffhangers . Rather , Herzog presents the depths of the jungle as a place where mystical beauty overshadows peril and focuses on accomplishments over failures . Not for everyone though many viewers will be caught up in the eccentricities of the story and swept away by the incredible beauty of a pristine jungle wilderness . |
587,316 | 783,721 | 264,689 | 8 | An E . Q . test for guys | Home Room spends most of its time fleshing out two teen female characters from opposite ends of the campus peer group spectrum who both survive a high school home room shooting spree . One is a goth chick with a bad attitude and the other a prissy sosh from the upper class . In addition to the obvious school shooting topic , this exceptional one man band indie drives home some important points about death , appearance-based judgments , etc . However , the real meat on the bones of this film is the evolution of friendship between the two protags ; something which drives home the oft missed point that we all have more in common than not and a little empathy can serve us well . " Home Room " manages solid performances , style , enough depth to make the plot holes easily overlooked , and more bang for the buck than most one man indies . Most likely to be appreciate by females not because it's a chick flick but because most guys just won't get it . ( |
586,156 | 783,721 | 118,275 | 8 | NYPD Blue in uniform | Brooklyn South , from the minds who brought us " NYPD Blue " , is a one-season-wonder TV drama series about the street cops at the 74th precinct in Brooklyn , NY . Where sibling series " NYPD Blue " focused on the detectives , " Brooklyn South " takes us into the lives of uniformed patrol cops spreading its complex , fast moving stories over about ten no nonsense characters weaving its plot lines into short , mid , and long term story threads while spending most of the 45 minute episode time on cops and cop issues with action , " perps " , and other characters used only as necessary . Series ' stories are a pleasing mix of humor and drama , pathos and poignancy , gritty reality and entertaining contrivances which show the Brooklyn cops to be as vulnerable and human as they are tough and determined . Worth a look by cop show junkies or anyone who enjoyed " NYPD Blue " , this entertaining DVD watch will take a little time to " get into " because of the number of characters and the intricacies of the stories . ( |
585,767 | 783,721 | 210,075 | 8 | Ever wonder why women want to box ? Well , here's one answer . | Girlfight follows a project dwelling New York high school girl from a sense of futility into the world of amateur boxing where she finds self esteem , purpose , and much more . Although the film is not about boxing , boxing is all about the film . So much so you can almost smell the sweat . Technically and artistically a good shoot with an sense of honesty and reality about it , " Girlfight " is no chick flick and no " Rocky " . It is , rather , a very human drama which even viewers who don't know boxing will be able to connect with . |
585,640 | 783,721 | 285,861 | 8 | All Hoffman | Owning Mahoney tells of a bank account manager and pathological gambler who lives from one wager to the next on a collision course with oblivion . A powerful and compelling tour de force by Hoffman - who once again proves he ranks among the actor's actors with the likes of Brando , Pacino , and Nicholson - this engrossing film claims to be a true story of a man , money , and an obsession of remarkable proportions . A worthwhile watch for Hoffman fans and anyone into character studies , particularly of obsessive-compulsive types . All others stay away . ( |
586,725 | 783,721 | 100,873 | 8 | Bravo ! | Vincent & Theo tells of the later years of the too short lives of painter Vincent Van Gogh and his lesser known brother , Theo . I was surprised , after viewing a Tivo'd version of the film , at how little has been written about and made of this wonderfully crafted period film by Robert Altman . Roth ( Vincent ) and Ryhs ( Theo ) distinguish themselves with superb performances which make the spectacle of their work on screen as interesting , if not more so , than the lives of their humble characters . The entire cast turns in solid performances , something which must be attributed largely to Altman , and the film offers excellence in every aspect with the possible exception of sound . Running a tad long for a somewhat less than extraordinary biography , " Vincent & Theo " is recommended for more mature viewers into period films or those with a special interest in Van Gogh and / or classical painting . |
586,458 | 783,721 | 130,444 | 8 | The best lesbian love story I've seen | Aimee and Jaguar tells of the love which blossoms between two women , one married with four children and one a Jewess , in Berlin . Beautifully filmed and character-driven with splendid directing and superb performances , there's little to fault in this film as two women cleave to one another under the pall of war , the terror of bombing , and the absence of men . The only liability " A & J " has is the subject may not whet the interest of many . |
586,498 | 783,721 | 286,476 | 8 | A wonderfully warm and amusing character study | Autumn Spring tells of the misadventures of a dapper , walrus faced , 78 ( approx ) year old Czech man who haplessly befuddles and bemuses all who know him with his mischievous ways while his wife meticulously plans her funeral . Centerpiece Hana ( Brodský ) shows us how to get babes to kiss you when your 78 and how to cop a feel in an elevator and get thanked for it as he pranks his way from day to day in this warm and glowing look at old age and one man's creative , amusing , but socially unacceptable ways of enjoying life while refusing to be relegated to the old folk's home . " Autumn Spring " is a plodding , subtle comedy with messages for all ages which will have the greatest appeal with more mature foreign film buffs . ( |
586,046 | 783,721 | 118,111 | 8 | A wonderfully satirical comedy . | Waiting for Guffman is a clever satirical comedy about a handful of citizen's in Blaine , Missouri , a fictitious town celebrating its sesquicentennial . The film uses the mockumentary approach to show a motley bunch of wannabee performers as they create a musical stage play depicting the town's history . Actor / Writer / Director Christopher Guest is the centerpiece of the film playing a gay performer with some real off-off-off-off-Broadway experience who produces the town's musical . A great watch for anyone who loves satire or that off-the-wall , tongue-in-cheek Second City brand of humor . |
587,079 | 783,721 | 276,751 | 8 | Shallow Hugh | About a Boy is a Brit flick about a happily eligible and independently well off bachelor ( Grant ) who learns from a boy ( Hoult ) that his self absorbed life may be needing something more . Clever , wry , and witty with plaudits aplenty , the fun in this flick is in the slightly skewed and skewering take on the shallow protagonist . There's are some poignant moments but precious little romance in this tale of one man's awakening from a life of sleep walking and the discovery that a man can be an island unto himself as long as he's part of an archipelago . ( |
587,066 | 783,721 | 260,775 | 8 | A must hear for lovers of Latin jazz | Calle 54 , named after New York's 54th street where most of the studio filming was done , is a gift from director Fernando Trueba ( " Belle Epoque " ) to lovers of Latin Jazz everywhere . The film features 90 minutes of music by some of the idiom's finest artists with bonus material including a director's voice over offering brief commentary and bio's on the featured artists and interviews which trace the origins of Latin jazz in general and Afro-Cuban jazz specifically . Artistry includes la musica picante of Tito Puente in his final weeks to the haunting sax of Gato Barbieri . However , such notables a Arturo Sandoval , Poncho Sanchez , etc . more were not included leaving plenty of room and yearning for another installment . A must see / hear for Latin jazz lovers . ( |
585,921 | 783,721 | 130,761 | 8 | Sleeper alert | Heart , a lean and taught psychodrama , peers into the life of a heart transplant patient as a strange and aberrant relationship develops between him and the heart donor's mother . An excellent film for those into razor sharp , no frills drama , " Heart " qualifies as an under-rated " sleeper " . The film's only deficits are ( on the DVD version I watched ) , mediocre video quality and poor sound with no English subtitles or CC . I listened to it via headphones so as to not miss a syllable . ( |
586,281 | 783,721 | 269,095 | 8 | The " Good Bye " guy | City by the Sea is all about De Niro as a New York homicide detective who views the world as black and white and has trouble dealing with the grays of interpersonal relationships . Adrift between a broken home history , an ex-wife , a companion and bed mate ( McDormand ) , and a adult son junkie ( Franco ) , the aging cop protag finds that forging needed reconciliations is more difficult than busting the scumbags on his beat . A solid three star drama , " City by the Sea " is a must see for De Niro fans and a good watch for anyone into gritty dramas . ( |
587,115 | 783,721 | 190,861 | 8 | Splendid . | Vatel is a French period film with Depardieu as the title character , a master steward under the crown of King Louis XIV whose job it is to put on feasts and spectacles for the pleasures of royalty . Typical of director Joffe , the film peers deep into the character of Vatel , around whom swirl politicking and wickedness , with such depth and dimension as to make the plot of secondary importance . Replete with sumptuous sets , elegant costuming , and epicurean delights , the film fills the eye and whets the palate as few films can while it paints a portrait of a sensitive and honorable man who makes the supreme sacrifice for dignity . A superb watch for those into period films painted with delicate brush strokes and subtle nuances . |
585,694 | 783,721 | 190,590 | 8 | Good old fashioned fun uniquely Coen . | O Brother is a meandering comedy set in 1930's Mississippi which tells of the misadventures of three chain-gang escapees . A highly original and creative piece of work , the film amuses , taunts , and teases as it delivers a cleverly crafted script , some unique characters , and simple fun with little fanfare . As with other Coen flicks , the hype is after the premier and comes from the audience . . . the best kind . Good fun most likely to be appreciated or understood by mature folks . . . people who remember pomade , spittoons , sparkling oil , and phosphates . Did that car really hit the cow ? |
587,015 | 783,721 | 241,303 | 8 | Creamy , smooth , rich , and very sweet | Chocolat is a sort of light drama fable which tells of a chocolatier ( Binoche ) who blows into a French village and with her winsome smile and confections methodically cuts the corset strings which bind the populace to Catholic dogma . An elegant fable with some top tier talent , " Chocolat " will be a satisfying watch for those who can overlook its many unanswered departures from reality . Footnote : My personal favorite character was Pantouf who received no credit but should be praised for an excellent performance . |
587,317 | 783,721 | 290,145 | 8 | Given its resources , an excellent film | Blue Car looks long and hard at a middle class teen female poetry student ( Bruckner ) who struggles with unhappy circumstances , the vicissitudes of her age , and discovers the yin-yang of human nature too often leans toward the negative . The young protag , well represented by Bruckner , finds herself with inadequate coping skills as she discovers the limits of dependability of the only person on whom she can depend - herself . A very substantial drama given it's indie-ness , writer / director Moncrieff conjures convincing performances and delivers some important subliminal messages about the pitfalls and foibles of life . Good stuff for what it is . Recommended for more mature realists . ( |
586,641 | 783,721 | 156,096 | 8 | Everything an indie should be . | Spring Forward has the same limited resources as most indie films but applies them intelligently for maximum effect . The story , a simple male bonding tale about a couple of Parks Dept maintenance men , leapfrogs through the New England seasons as the all-conversation male musings and reflections take the entire run fleshing out the characters so well we'd like to have them to dinner by film's end . Those looking for escapist entertainment should pass on this flick . However , those interested in a character-driven film about what it is to be male shouldn't miss it . Kudos ! ( |
586,025 | 783,721 | 167,565 | 8 | Goooooood and Loooooong | This miniseries rendering of pulp novelist Dumas ' 18th century " The Count of Monte Cristo " runs about 6 . 6 hours in length , all of it subtitled for non-French speakers . That's a whole lot of reading . However , the length allows this version of the oft filmed story to bring the characters to life in truer fashion and with greater depth than the many abbreviated knock-offs . The result is an expansive , in-depth telling the young French sailor , Edmond Dantès , who is wrongfully imprisoned for 14 years , discovers a treasure which makes him filthy rich , then uses the wealth to sustain his own cunning schemes as he seeks vengeance under an assumed identity as The Count of Monte Cristo . This film offers a fine cast with Depardieu providing a commanding presence as the charismatic Count and no one does French period films better than the French . Deficits are small , easily overlooked non sequiturs such as having to swallow the robust form of Depardieu as a man who lived for years on the meager sustenance of the dungeons of D'If . . . etc . An excellent but long presentation which trades the usual swashbuckling and action of the more abbreviated knock-offs for a more faithful presentation of the sagacious Count who seeks to understand who he's become and reconcile that with the man who lusts for vengeance . ( |
587,425 | 783,721 | 369,339 | 8 | One night in L . A . | In " Collateral " , an icy contract killer ( Cruise ) hijacks a cabbie ( Foxx ) who he forces to drive him around L . A . while he makes his stops to take care of business . The film neatly knits a scant human story including a babe and some cops with action , drama , suspense , and intrigues into an engrossing if not spellbinding two hour tale . When all is said and done , this taut action / drama ties up all loose ends including the question : Why would a hit-man hire a cabbie to drive him around L . A . instead of renting a car thereby eliminating the hostage / witness problem ? And , although " Collateral " doesn't break any new ground and does follow the Hollywood play-book to the letter , it is sufficiently intelligent , busy , unpredictable , and entertaining to be a worthwhile watch for anyone into cop / killer flix . ( |
585,802 | 783,721 | 95,765 | 8 | The best gifts in life are not given . They're taught . | Cinema Paradiso tells of the younger years of a successful middle-aged businessman via flashback ; his life in Sicily , especially his relationship with a movie projectionist at the theater " Paradiso " . This award winning , critically acclaimed 2 hour classic-to-be if full of poignant moments , musings on life , and explains why " you can never go home again " . " CP " is a must see for all film buffs and an enjoyable watch for all . |
586,736 | 783,721 | 117,959 | 8 | A very well crafted film with compelling undercurrents . | The Truce chronicles the homeward bound odyssey of an Auschwicz survivor - Primo played by Turturro - in the chaos immediately following the fall of the Third Reich . Although Primo , an Italian Jew , is the central character , the camera spends more time on the people , places , and vicissitudes which he encounters on his journey from Krakow to Turin . This beautifully shot , somber film with an abundance of extras and a minimal core cast has no specific focus . The interest in this film is in the story and the story is in the telling . A very worthy cinematic endeavor . |
586,522 | 783,721 | 265,086 | 8 | One humungous firefight . | There are plenty of resources for info about the infamous and well documented Mogadishu fiasco recounted in " Blackhawk Down " . The film is both artistically and technically excellent . However , character depth and story is sacrificed in the interest of squeezing as much action as possible into a somewhat difficult to follow orgy of bullets and blood . Recommended for those interested in watching a failed close-in tactical U . S . Army combat operation up close and personal . A first rate military action film . Note - Those interested in the actual events ; planning , chronology , logistics , politics , and accounting of what went wrong , etc . should look elsewhere . |
586,083 | 783,721 | 300,015 | 8 | Excuse me while I go fall out of love with Cassandra | I Capture the Castle is a coming-of-age flick ( circa 1930 ) about a 17 year old English girl whose family takes up residence in a castle . A delightfully lyrical tale , the film spends time with the eccentric father suffering from terminal writer's block , the step-mother who likes to romp in the altogether , a sister who marries Cassandra's love , a handyman / boy who loves Cassandra , and sundry other characters . Humorous and plaintive , whimsical and surly , but always romantic , " . . . Castle " is a chick flick which scored well with males and critics as well . Worth a look for anyone into English period films about the awakenings in a young woman and unrequited love . ( |
587,482 | 783,721 | 364,961 | 8 | A spellbinder for psychodrama fans | The Assassination of Richard Nixon is all about Penn as a mentally challenged man who , in spite of his best efforts , finds his life unraveling . The film is an in-depth study of the Penn character and reveals a kind of person not often examined in film . The character is a man living his life in that gray area between normal and abnormal with impaired mental capacity , low IQ , who looks and acts like everyone else but has difficulty understanding the complex relationships in life . Carrying the burden of guilt for his failures , low self-esteem for his handicap , and swelling anger from his frustrations , he focuses on the American political establishment as the source of his problems and sets about to kill the president . An excellent film in all respects based on real life events , this tour de force by Penn received only good marks from public and critics , probably owing to a lack of appreciation for or interest in the psychodynamics of the central character . Nevertheless this film is a must see for Penn fans and anyone into psychodramas . Those into " going postal " flicks might want to also check out Michael Douglas in " Falling Down " . ( |
586,135 | 783,721 | 276,607 | 8 | A near perfect " indie " . | Virgil Bliss tells the story of a revolving door criminal who is released from Rikers to the streets of NYC where we watch his best intentions to go straight dissolve before our eyes . Maggio tells a moving and believable story and delivers a message about social ills while working with the obvious limitations of the truly independent film maker . . . no small accomplishment . Pound for pound , " Virgil Bliss " is more movie than most of the stuff coming from Hollywood studios . Viewers , however , should be advised the subject matter is gritty and not pleasant . Recommended for realists only . |
586,785 | 783,721 | 43,014 | 8 | Old but still a pretty good watch . | Wilder's Oscar winning noir psychodrama " Sunset Blvd " pales in comparison with many middle tier films of today in spite of being revered as a classic . In keeping with the public's appetite of its time , " Sunset . . . " is melodramatic , fraught with overacting , and promotes a plot which raises more questions than it answers all in the interest of entertaining a movie going public hungry for escape from the memories of global war and the realities of reconstruction . Telling of a reluctant gigolo and hack screenwriter who is kept by a has-been Hollywood silent screen star on the verge of madness , the film is rendered like a jig-saw puzzle with characters distorted as necessary to make them fit the desired end result . In spite of its shortcomings in light of present day cinematic capability and technology , " Sunset . . . " is an interesting watch and a durable film . As with another Wilder film , " Sabrina " , a contemporary remake could please Hollywood exec's as well as the public at large . |
586,598 | 783,721 | 245,574 | 8 | A superficially ordinary flick with great depth | Y Tu Mama Tambien might be analogous to the great pyramids of Egypt . Some may find them breathtakingly beautiful / magnificent while other will see little more than antiquated simplistic geometry . However , all have to appreciate engineering which went into their construction and no one can deny the mysteries they conceal . Though not epic , such is " Y Tu . . . " , a multilayered flick about two teen males in Mexico City and their road trip to the beach with a somewhat older woman . The film is not so entertaining - unless one is entertained by adolescent male behavior - as it is an obvious masterwork of film-making with depth and unspoken meaning . " Y Tu Mama Tambien " is a foreign flick with plenty of subtitles to read and none of the old school Hollywerid-style entertainment . So , those looking for obvious entertainment should pass on " Y Tu . . . " while those into honest representations of life - something many see films to escape - should not miss it . ( |
587,420 | 783,721 | 381,681 | 8 | All you need to know | Before Sunset is an open-ended and worthy sequel to the very popular romantic niche film " Before Sunrise " . However , it will have little meaning or magic for those who have not seen the original 1995 film . Therefore . . . . - If you saw " Before Sunrise " and liked it , this film is a must see . - If you saw " Before Sunrise " and didn't like it , pass on this film . - If you didn't see " Before Sunrise " , check it out on this website and see if you want to give it a try . If you don't enjoy it , pass on this film . If you enjoy it , you won't want to miss this film . The pair will make a great back-to-back watch . ( B ) |
585,720 | 783,721 | 278,504 | 8 | Good stuff in spite of being flawed and over-hyped . | Insomnia 2002 tells a tortuous tale about a top cop from L . A . ( Pacino ) who travels to Alaska to help with a homicide investigation while being investigated by I . A . at home . Unable to sleep under the midnight sun , he begins to unravel as he digs deeper into the crime and becomes a reluctant partner to his quarry . A slick shoot with excellent acting and good auteursmanship by " Memento " director Nolan , " Insomnia 2002 " is not without its plotholes . An over-hyped drama and not a murder mystery , this flick has little action , no sex / nudity , few moments of thrills and / or suspense , and characters who are not likely to engender empathy . Solid dramatic entertainment worth a look nonetheless . ( |
585,757 | 783,721 | 274,117 | 8 | A gripping character-driven psychodramatic caper flick | Read My Lips tells of a strange symbiosis which develops between a plain , socially maladroit female office worker ( Devos ) and her workplace trainee , a crude excon ( Casel ) . As the film fleshes out this unlikely duo down to their ids they become embroiled in a chilling merging of the minds , each using the other for their own selfish reasons with an extraordinary outcome . Good stuff for anyone into character-driven films with strong psychodramatic undercurrents . In French with easy to read subtitles and good translation . ( |
587,326 | 783,721 | 106,226 | 8 | Not so much a wonderful story as a wonderful telling . | The Age of Innocence takes the audience into the pages of 19th century New York's social register as it follows one eligible blue blood , Day-Lewis , and his love interests ( Pfeiffer & Ryder ) . The film , which boasts many awards including several Oscars , is a 2 + hour long tale of the this and that of the upper crust's elite replete with lavish sets , elegant costuming , and a narration which is required to explain the film's esoterics . The fun of " Age . . . " is not so much in the story as it is in the telling . A feast for those interested in period flicks and the social innerworkings of high society . |
586,434 | 783,721 | 144,201 | 8 | Man , woman , knives , love . | An artfully shot , black and white contemporary French film , " Girl on the Bridge " is a peculiar sort of romantic drama about a man and a woman bound together by an alloy of danger , fatalism , luck , libidos , and sharp steel . On one level the film is preposterous ; on another , implausible ; and yet on another a compelling , fantastic drama . A good watch for the jaded . |
586,939 | 783,721 | 362,269 | 8 | An excellent biopic but not for everyone | Kinsey is all about Neeson as Alfred Kinsey , the first scientist to take on the daunting challenge of scientifically investigating human sexuality in the mid-20th century when sex education was still happening in the streets and American society was still corseted with the stays of puritan mores . A very well presented biopic , " Kinsey " manages the provocative aspects of sex well , keeping the subject in a clinical perspective , avoiding sensationalism , while fleshing out a complex character who is driven by scientific fervor while wrestling with his own desires , conflicts , and professional and marital woes . Worth a look by anyone interested in ground breaking psyco / social research or aficionados of psychodramas . However , not for those who may be squeamish about sexuality . ( |
585,795 | 783,721 | 257,360 | 8 | Great if you get it . | About Schmidt sticks Nicholson at the center as a recently retired nondescript midwest WASP widower who , finding himself with too much time with which to reflect on the emptiness of his life and the vacuum left by the absence of spouse and career , takes a road trip . A wonderful blend of off-kilter stereotypes , keen satire , plaintive reflection , and bittersweet humor , " About Schmidt " will drive like a dagger through the hearts of many while soaring over the heads of others . How you react to the film will tell you more about yourself than about " . . . Schmidt " . An excellent wry meditation on the meaningful meaninglessness of one man's life which will resonate most with more mature audiences . ( |
587,181 | 783,721 | 265,307 | 8 | Time well spent | The Man From Elysian Fields tells of a struggling writer ( Garcia ) who pens his soul into the pages of a novel in a last ditch bid for success . A solid three star romanticized drama with a beautiful cast , " . . . Elysian Fields " delivers its " deal with the devil " story with seductive style and an engrossing ebb and flow which will entrance those who can overlook the subtle contrivances required to make the puzzle pieces fit . Good stuff for all but the most cynical drama junkies . ( |
586,102 | 783,721 | 280,707 | 8 | Professor Plum in the parlour with Miss Peacock | Gosford Park examines the clockworks of British class society ( circa 1930's ) through a wry and clever nonstory about a gathering of sundry notables at the manor of an aristocrat for chit-chat and a grouse hunt . Turning the audience into voyeurs , the camera spys on the manor staff as and guests exploring the crusty to the commoner from boudoir to billiard room with endless banter and repartee . A masterpiece of dialogue weaving and filmcrafting , what " Gosford Park " lacks in story it more than makes up for in elegance of execution as it serves up a sumptuous feast for the more sophisticated film going palate . |
585,726 | 783,721 | 208,990 | 8 | Good grief | The Son's Room is a study in the grieving dynamics of a well off Italian family of four which loses a son in a SCUBA accident . On the up-side , the film is an exceptional one man tour-de-force by Moretti which takes the audience into the heart and soul of the immediate family with its realistic , even , plaintive , and sober examination . On the down-side , the film deals with an unhappy subject which runs counter to why most people watch movies . A nonescapist unsensationalized rational film recommended for realists who enjoy empathizing with people in emotional pain and wrestling with the anguish of the loss of a loved one . ( |
585,965 | 783,721 | 157,583 | 8 | Nutritious whole brain entertainment for the mind | Enigma blends fact with fiction as it tells a carefully crafted story about the unseen and unsung heros of British WWII code-cracking who decrypted the infamous " Enigma " code which Germany used to command it's U-boat armada in the North Atlantic putting allied convoys in peril . With plenty of history and super-secret code cracking to feed the left brain and a dramatic tale of a top code-cracker and his surreptitious affairs of heart and mind for the right brain , " Enigma " has something to offer everyone . The film manages it's intricate plot well , offers solid performances , blends intrigues with lots of WWII crypto-speak , and moves along swiftly while staying real and avoiding the usual excesses of filmdom . A smart flick for smart minds . ( |
587,415 | 783,721 | 249,462 | 8 | Brit flick goes Hollywood and wins kudos . | The much lauded and nominated film " Billy Elliott " is a slice of life flick about an 11 year old English boy who , to the dismay of his motherless working class coal mining family , chooses ballet over boxing as a pastime . The film is technically excellent , artistically well done , and follows the traditions of Hollywood film-making . The story is a pleasant mix of humor and pathos , not too deep , and palatable enough to make it an audience favorite . In addition to being just plain fun to watch , " BE " makes a few points about accepting people for who they are ; about the undeniability of innate passion by artists ; and about the sublimation of aggression through dance . Not a classic and somewhat over rated , the simple numbers prove " BE " is a box office favorite and an enjoyable watch for most . Kudos to the choreographer and Bell for some fun to watch and never seen before kookie , kid-like mixes of jazz , tap , ballet , and jigs . |
585,782 | 783,721 | 114,117 | 8 | Forget the book . Enjoy the movie . | Persuasion , another Jane Austen novel knock-off , is a romantic dramady about a twenty something spinster , Anne ( Root ) , in Victorian England whose quiet demeanor leaves her and her secret affections eclipsed by the busy prattling and affectations of her polite society family . At issue is whether the unrequited love of the quiet , true , and intelligent protag will succumb to the rigors of societal manipulation and die in obscurity or win out over all the false pomp and circumstance . The film offers excellent production value , is skewed toward reality and away from melodrama , and provides a sumptuous feast for anyone with a taste for English period flicks . I personally have " Persuasion " right after " Sense and Sensibility " and " Mansfield Park " in my list of favorite Austen adaptations . ( |
587,109 | 783,721 | 209,144 | 8 | Under hyped , over lauded , and damn good . | Memento is a little , minimalistic drama , artistically and technically well done film , which has received accolades from all corners well beyond both budget and hype . A " whodunit " of sorts with a curious premises , the film tells of an insurance investigator ( Pearce ) who suffers midterm memory loss and can't remember anything for more than 15 minutes . Pearce sets about find the killer of his wife , a difficult task for a normal investigator much less one with his " condition " . The film's story is simple , the characters few , and there's no sex and little action or emoting going on . Rather the film focuses on the investigation with a clever one step forward , two steps backward flow and tortuous denouement which camouflages the many holes in the plot making for a compelling watch . Recommended for all adults into whodunits who want something to mentally chew on . |
585,675 | 783,721 | 443,518 | 8 | A fresh lil ' romcom with an agenda . | He's a stereotypical laconic mid-50s workaholic " bean counter " for Britain's finance minister and she's young , attractive , and available . They meet in a cafe and in typical romcom fashion one thing leads to another and they're off to Reykjavik , Iceland for the G8 summit where a lack of accommodations planning has them sharing a room and , well , one more thing leads to another . . . etc . Up to Reykjavik , the film is an utterly charming little autumn / spring romance in bloom . However , once the G8 summit begins the film takes on a more serious tone and then begins to manifest it's agenda as the girl seizes the opportunity to assert her passionate opinions about starving African children much to the chagrin of her companion and his entourage . The film's obvious social , political , and economic agenda will doubtless cause much eye rolling , especially among those who , like me , feel entertainment should stick to entertaining while leaving politics to politicians . However , this delightfully seductive little film is so adroit in its blending of tenuous and tentative romance with world hunger preachiness that I'm up for a sequel . . . or maybe even a series . Should be worth a look by most anyone who doesn't take the hidden agenda too seriously . Would probably rate about a PG-13 . ( |
586,478 | 783,721 | 82,054 | 8 | When is a girl a woman ? | When a woman is killed in a car wreck , she leaves behind a husband and a daughter by an exhusband who become the center of gravity of the film . As the step father and beautiful 14 year old nymphet share their grief under the same roof , the girl reveals an uncommon maturity as she insinuates herself into the step father's life by taking on her mother's responsibilities and demanding her place in his bed . What follows is an unemotional , matter of fact , tastefully presented tale of two people whose familial love morphs into something more as they grapple with all the issues which come with their extraordinary and taboo relationship . " Beau Pere " aims for the head and ricochets off the heat but leaves the crotch alone . Not " Lolita " and not a film about pedophilia or seduction , this flick should be an interesting watch for anyone into films about atypical romantic relationships . ( |
587,191 | 783,721 | 319,960 | 8 | LAPD Blue | Boomtown ( Los Angeles ) is a one-season-wonder TV cop show series which focuses on a pair of detectives , a couple of beat cops , a DDA , a paramedic , and a reporter with the usual sundry side characters ( spouses , lovers , friends , etc . ) as it develops its self contained episodic dramas set in the mean and not-so-mean streets of Los Angeles . The series ' hallmark , a storytelling format which moves each episode forward by flashing back to review the episode's central story from the perspective of each the characters involved , may be interesting for some and annoying for others . Although it hampers coherence , it allows for the development of multiple parallel story threads making it both an asset and a liability for the audience - probably more of the former as audience adjustment becomes easier as the format become more familiar . The series is well cast with an ensemble of competent players with not-too-familiar faces , all of whom seem a tad too young , lean , and attractive for their roles . The writing is good but uneven over the full series giving it a lumpy consistency with some weak and some strong episodes . Character development is adequate but not on par with " NYPD Blue " and the series generally has the glossy Hollywood tinselization of a " CSI " mixed with the look , feel , and smell of Los Angeles . The series is a fearless endeavor , unflinchingly conjuring creativity which sometimes plays out more like brain farts or bad ideas detracting from its " realness " . " Boomtown " fared much better with the public than the network , garnered some awards during its short life , and will probably play best with cop show junkies and younger , less jaded TV audiences . Personally , I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable DVD watch ranking slightly below L & O : SVU , CSI , Homicide , and NYPD Blue . ( |
587,343 | 783,721 | 365,651 | 8 | Tennison anyone ? | Prime Suspect 4 continues the exploits of the inscrutable and dogged seeker of truth and justice , Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison ; the first of three miniseries ( PS4 , PS5 , & PS6 ) with the notable absence of founding writer Lynda La Plante from the credits . Imbued with the same gritty reality of the first three series , the second three series pit Tennison against the forces of evil while coping with middle age , loneliness , indiscretions , a host of personal and professional problems , and resolutions which are sometimes less than ideal . PS4 conjures two stories while PS5 & PS6 are single stories which find Tennison seeking justice on behalf of the brutally wronged while waging war against institutions which are willing to sacrifice the interests of her victims for those of a greater good . In other words , to prevail , Tennison must overcome both evil and good forces , something which makes the always gray scenarios of the PS series yet grayer and the Tennison wars as much a matter of principle as of finding murderers . Very good stuff which only gets better from series to series . For reasons of continuity , watch in chronological order . ( |
586,734 | 783,721 | 166,896 | 8 | A sentimental story beautifully told . | Straight Story tells the tale of an old man's cross-country odyssey on the back of a lawn mower to visit an ill brother and mend the rift between them before either passes on . More than just a slow moving , wistful , and sentimental drama , Lynch and Farnsworth manage to show us a unique charm and wisdom through the central character's encounters and tribulations along the way . The scenic beauty of middle American at harvest time provides the backdrop for this wonderful film . |
586,315 | 783,721 | 195,685 | 8 | A good all around flick . Entertaining . Enjoyable . | Erin Brockovich , with Julia Roberts in the title role , is a not-too-serious and entertaining film based on a true story . The film wisely spends much of it's time developing the Brockovich character ; a very human but savvy divorcee with three kids , more brass than brains , more brains than education , and more education than taste in clothing . Laced with humor and avoiding melodrama , " . . . Brockovich " delivers laughs and tears , runs a tad long , and doesn't take itself too seriously . This film does what Hollywood does best . It entertains . |
587,341 | 783,721 | 114,182 | 8 | Tennison anyone ? | Prime Suspect 4 continues the exploits of the inscrutable and dogged seeker of truth and justice , Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison ; the first of three miniseries ( PS4 , PS5 , & PS6 ) with the notable absence of founding writer Lynda La Plante from the credits . Imbued with the same gritty reality of the first three series , the second three series pit Tennison against the forces of evil while coping with middle age , loneliness , indiscretions , a host of personal and professional problems , and resolutions which are sometimes less than ideal . PS4 conjures two stories while PS5 & PS6 are single episodes each which find Tennison seeking justice on behalf of the brutally wronged while waging war against institutions which are willing to sacrifice the interests of her victims for those of a greater good . In other words , to prevail , Tennison must overcome both evil and good forces , something which makes the always gray scenarios of the PS series yet grayer and the Tennison wars as much a matter of principle as of finding murderers . Very good stuff which only gets better from series to series . ( |
586,394 | 783,721 | 319,769 | 8 | Masterfully masculine | Mondays in the Sun speaks boldly , loudly , and honestly albeit narrowly about the plaintive existence of a group jobless Spanish shipyard workers . What this study of working class men lacks in depth of story it makes up for in depth of character as it moves methodically through bitter , sweet , poignant , and humorous moments with sincerity , honesty , and drenched in masculinity . With high marks from public and critical corners alike , " Mondays in the Sun " will be time well spent for most . ( |
585,677 | 783,721 | 361,862 | 8 | Reminded me of " Memento " | The Machinist is a dark drama all about an unrecognizable Bale as a gaunt machinist who hasn't slept in a year and looks to be a sandwich away from the grave as we observe his daily activities which invariably include some peculiar and irreconcilable events . The film opens with the protagonist dumping a corpse and then flashes back where it spends the rest of the run working it's way back to it beginning in a series of interesting if not compelling and strange if not unsettling happenings . As the film wears on we get the notion it is either a well done work which is trying to get us to empathize with a likable but delusional man or a shoddy film which is trying to delve into the realm of the paranormal . Fortunately , it's the former and a solid watch for drama enthusiasts who like curious plots ( ala " Memento " ) with protagonists who are suffering from them . ( |
586,825 | 783,721 | 335,119 | 8 | The painting was better than the book | Girl with a Pearl Earring tells a fictional tale about how the title painting by 17th century Dutch painter Vermeer might have come to be . Outwardly , the film is a story about the painter and a household maid who becomes the subject of the painting . Inwardly , the film is about the unspoken but palpable feelings between two people of very different stature and station which may or may not be forever cast in the crazed pigments of the masterpiece . Those who can tap into the subtle human emotional undercurrents will find this film far more satisfying than those who cannot . Regardless , all will find " Girl with a Pearl Earring " a masterpiece of filmmaking . ( |
587,227 | 783,721 | 166,707 | 8 | The last day of 1999 . Someone must live . Someone must die . | Midnight is a powerful Brazilian drak drama with a minimal script and a gritty shoot in the slums of Rio which tells a man and a woman on a collision course with destiny . The film does not explain itself and leaves the audience to voyeuristically witness the the plight of the characters while not bothering with the " why " of it all . Artfully done , technically sound , " Midnight " is an intense 70 minute watch which will be most appreciated by foreign film fans . |
586,966 | 783,721 | 304,229 | 8 | The less you know about this film , the better . | It would be impossible to say anything substantially meaningful about " Japanese Story " without spoiling the film for those who have not seen it . Suffice it to say , it's set in Australia and works with a an Aussie woman ( Colette ) and a Japanese man ( Hiromitsu ) to build slowly to an emotionally potent situation - a series of moments - and then lingers in the denouement allowing the audience to savor the emotions evoked . For some , those feelings may be nil . For others they may be powerful and overwhelming . Personally , I wept . Objectively , the film , about a woman by women , is well crafted and Colette's performance is outstanding . The film deserves high marks in all aspects from cinematography to music to casting , etc . However , when the closing credits roll , your experience will have been as unique as yourself . And whatever that experience is , it will be less if you know the outcome in advance . ( |
586,665 | 783,721 | 116,790 | 8 | Needed relief from the excesses of Hollywood . | Kolya , an award winning Czech film set in Prague , is a sweet and sentimental story about a boy ( the title character ) and a male cellist who , through circumstance , becomes his guardian . Set against a backdrop of Czech countryside and the architecture of Prague , this well crafted and wistful tale is a worthwhile 100 minute watch for those in need of relief from the numbing excesses of Hollywood blockbusters . Potentially enjoyable by all , " Kolya " will be most appreciated by mature audiences , particularly those who favor European films . |
587,650 | 783,721 | 300,879 | 8 | The usual high quality BBC Victorian novel knock-off | The Way We Live Now , like most Victorian period satire , looks into the lives of numerous characters sorting through the intrigues and foibles of romance , wickedness , power , and the pursuit of peerage and property . A lightly perfumed costume flick which tilts unabashedly between comedy and drama , this story centers on a crude but rich businessman ( Suchet ) whose powerful performance is the backbone of the film . Side plots include an issue fraught romance , an attempt to marry into a fortune , a scheme to build a railroad from Utah to Mexico , cheating at love and cards , politics , a woman scorned , and much more . A four hour TV miniseries from the BBC , " The Way We Live Now " has plenty of time to sort through its many characters while tidying up at the end making it a busy and enjoyable Victorian period film . A should-see for anyone into BBC TV fare , Victorian period stories , and 19th century pulp fiction . ( |
586,403 | 783,721 | 191,636 | 8 | A beautifully austere film about character . | As the best of French cinema does so adroitly , " The Window of Saint-Pierre " tells most of it's story laconically with knowing looks and subtle behaviors while the story it tells is a relentlessly plodding drama of unspoken words and the emotions they evoke . " Widow . . . " is more about integrity , honor , love , and other intangibles than it is about its relatively simple storyline and the characters involved . A beautifully crafted somber film , " Widow . . . " is recommended for mature audiences because a measure of maturation is required to appreciate all this austere film has to offer . |
587,320 | 783,721 | 116,985 | 8 | A huge little movie . Kudos to L . Kreueger . | Manny & Lo tells of two runaway girls and the how they deal with the challenges which arise when one gets pregnant . What this film lacks in big budget blockbuster appurtenances it more than makes up for with it's creative and unpredictable story , depth of character , raw charm , tongue-in-cheek humor , and insightful sensitivity . A wonderful little " sleeper " which necessarily starts slow and builds delivering pound-for-pound much more than films with many times the hype and box office . Most likely to be appreciated by females and more mature males . |
585,912 | 783,721 | 124,298 | 8 | If there was an Oscar for " best little comedy " . . . | . . . " Blast " would have likely won . It boasts excellence in all aspects of the film from story to casting to acting to sets to costumes , music , etc . This tight , creative , unpretentious , and lightly romantic comedy romp between a hip " new millennium " chick and an old fashioned stuck - in - a - fallout - shelter - for - 35 - years guy is a breath of fresh Hollywood air deserving of it's critical acclaim . |
586,317 | 783,721 | 124,315 | 8 | An ample helping of the warm and fuzzies . | Part of the charm of " Cider House Rules " , a coming-of-age movie with Tobey Maguire at the center , is the finesse with which it presents itself as a " feel good " movie when most of the characters have precious little to feel good about . The film could easily have had a harder edge to it . However , the makers of this carefully crafted film tiptoe so adroitly around such issues as abortion , murder , infidelity , and incest as to leave the audience with an ample helping of the warm and fuzzies . The film deserves high marks for enjoyability and for bringing back the charm of Hollywood's golden years . |
585,664 | 783,721 | 120,514 | 8 | The importance of being accurate | Wilde is an elegant film with sterling performances by Fry , the title character , and a superb supporting cast . However , " Wilde " is also a shaded and skewed partial portrait of the 19th century playwright , poet , and master of the epigram . The film is not so much a biopic as it is a drama : A drama which spends too much time on the sensational aspects of the writer's life and not enough on his history , early life , idiosyncrasies , works , and last years . Nonetheless , " Wilde " is solid entertainment for anyone interested in Victorian period dramas or the man himself . ( |
586,755 | 783,721 | 116,722 | 8 | Beautifully depressing | Set in late 1800's Britain , " Jude " traces the life of the title character ( Eccleston ) , a learned but humble stonemason , who courageously struggles with life's disappointments only to be struck with unspeakable tragedy . A beautifully depressing human drama , " Jude " traverses the highs and lows of life through its dreary tale of one man's steadfast conviction to his beliefs and to the woman he loves . Not for everyone , " Jude " is a film for realists into serious drama which many will likely regard as a " downer " . ( |
587,084 | 783,721 | 93,223 | 8 | The hand is quicker than the eye . But is the mind quicker than a bullet ? | Plenty has been written about Mamet's " The House of Games " ; most of it good . I decided to revisit the flick to see how it held up after 17 years and was surprised at how much I enjoyed viewing it again . The film's success and durability probably has much to do with two principal ingredients which are always fun on film ; a good story and a good scam . Mamet manages to bring his signature moodiness and obvious histrionics to the film while scamming us , the audience , and the mark simultaneously . Then he explains the art of conning only to do it again , etc . all the while building the story . " The House of Games " , now a freebie on cable , is worth a look for first timers and an okay rerun for Mamet fans . ( |
586,072 | 783,721 | 258,273 | 8 | Fresh , fun , and female . | Lovely & Amazing is a slice-of-life dialogue-intensive comedy / drama-lite examination of a mother and her two adult daughters stumbling through life one day at a time . Holofcener paints an insightful portrait of the three women with delicate brushstrokes , sufficiently colorful to be interesting and sufficiently real to engender empathy , as the they face their daily vicissitudes with a the usual mix of insecurity , courage , self-doubt , and certainty . A critically lauded , delightful , easy to watch , and entertaining little chick flick for today's woman . ( |
586,108 | 783,721 | 246,719 | 8 | A sleeper for the discerning drama enthusiast | Julie Walking Home is about a woman coping with a rocky relationship with the father of her children , her son who has cancer and may or may not be healed by a faith healer , and her feelings for a man who believes he has mystical healing powers . Though the film's storyline is nothing new , the sheer reality of the drama , the wonderful performances Holland wrests from some relatively unknown actors , and Otto's tour-de-force makes this film eminently worthy . Not unlike " Behind the Red Door " ( 2002 ) , " Hysterical Blindness " ( 2002 ) , or " Unfaithful " ( 2002 ) this film is a " sleeper " which will be of greatest interest to the discerning drama enthusiast into film's about women in turmoil . ( |
586,278 | 783,721 | 246,772 | 8 | Mostly Martha but all good . | Mostly Martha is a thoroughly delightful tale of a comely , self contained , socially unassured , and occasionally gauche German master chef , Martha ( Gedeck ) , in need of a recipe for living who finds love through tragedy and romance through cooking . In thinking about these comments I concluded that there is nothing I would change about this film except the language ( I don't speak German ) . A perfect little gem , " Mostly Martha " is the kind of flick which makes you feel sorry for those who won't watch foreign films because of subtitles and wonder why audiences dine voraciously on cinematic junk food when such palate pleasers as this are not only delicious but nutritious . ( |
586,486 | 783,721 | 301,199 | 8 | A slightly flawed gem | Dirty Pretty Things tells an obviously fictional tale about an illegal immigrant in the UK ; an African doctor ( Ejiofor ) who discovers a human organ black market operation in the hotel where he works as a night clerk , is blackmailed because of his illegal status , falls in love with a Turkish illegal immigrant ( Tautou ) who also suffers coercion at the hands of her evil employer , and sets about to right all those wrongs in one fell swoop . An engrossing no frills human drama , " DPT " takes hold quickly , builds depth and humanity into its characters , lays out multiple plot lines with continuity and coherence , wrestles with moral issues , doesn't resort to cheap and tawdry thrill tactics , and wraps up neatly in the end . . . an accomplishment which even with the biggest and the best Hollyweird has to offer seldom achieve . This little foreign gem is not without its plot holes but makes for an engaging watch which received numerous critical raves and awards nonetheless . ( |
585,958 | 783,721 | 110,598 | 8 | A fun Aussie comedy with a message | Muriel's Wedding is all about a young Aussie woman who bears the scars of a dysfunctional family as she sets out in life in search of happiness . Very much an Aussie film , rough as a day old beard but with a heart of gold and a visceral sense of humor , " MW " is one of those few movies which can accurately be called a " gem " . Buoyant , coarse , and poignant , " MW " tells a story of personal conquest as we watch a courageous Muriel struggle with low self esteem from patriarchal abuse while looking for love in all the wrong places . A roller coaster ride with a feel good ending for anyone into movies with morals and / or Aussie films . ( |
586,336 | 783,721 | 124,207 | 8 | A very worthy film out of Russia . | The Thief is a Russian slice-of-miserable-life film about a Soviet boy and his young widowed mother who fall in with a charismatic soldier of low character . Other than a beautfully filmed look at the Russian landscape and culture , rarely seen in the West , this austere but well crafted Hollywood antagonist offers the viewer little more than the three characters and their story . The interest in the film is realized through empathy for the characters ; something made easy by excellent performances , direction , screenplay , etc . An excellent , plaintive film about life under difficult circumstances and one boy's coming of age . |
587,346 | 783,721 | 340,377 | 8 | Size matters | The Station Agent is a slice-of-dwarf-life character study which takes a long , hard look at little person Fin ( Dinklage ) , a train buff who inherits an old , inactive train depot where he takes up residence and then becomes involved with the locals . This poignancy packed flick spends its full 88 minute run with a sometimes cheeky , sometimes plaintive and always human development a handful characters who all have problems of their own . An extraordinary first outing for writer / director McCarthy , this little indie received raves from critical corners and applause from the public at large making it an almost sure thing for potential viewers . A wonderful film which makes the point that size does matter when it's size of character and not stature . ( |
587,409 | 783,721 | 107,002 | 8 | A French epic masterpiece and " must see " for movie buffs . | Germinal , based on a novel by Emile Zola , is an epic film which studies the anatomy of a strike in a 19th century French coal mine . During it's 2 . 5 + hour run time , the film shows the wretchedness of coal miners , their deplorable living conditions , their attempts to organize , negotiations , strike , rioting , police suppression , sabotage , etc . The story is woven around a handful of characters who represent the forces at work ; management , union , profiteers , scabs , etc . About Zola's novel , Havelock Ellis wrote : " It was neither amusing enough nor outrageous enough to attract the multitude " . So it is with the film which emphasizes realism over romanticism and exists more as a study of a timeless social / political issue than pure commercial entertainment . A must see for cinema buffs but not likely have broad commercial appeal . |
586,000 | 783,721 | 177,858 | 8 | How far is Istanbul ? Far enough to fall in love . | No one does people movies better than the Europeans and " In July " is no exception . This wonderfully creative flick tells of Juli who is attracted to Daniel after a chance meeting at a street bazaar . However , Daniel is struck by a beautiful Turk , Melek , who is leaving for Istanbul . Deciding to follow her , Daniel sets out alone but bumps into Juli who is also en route to Istanbul . A wonderfully fresh and fun film which is sometimes sassy and sometimes capricious , this warmly romantic road trip pic will keep you guessing from moment to moment as the protags take a journey through Europe and the process of falling in love . An worthwhile watch for anyone into European romantic comedies with great music and great big subtitles . ( |
586,523 | 783,721 | 285,742 | 9 | A very human tale of redemption | Monster's Ball tells of a white man and a black woman in the rural South coming together through desperate human need ; each suffering grief , guilt , remorse , and misery . A slow , plodding drama with rumbling racial undercurrents , the film tells a simple story , though not uneventful , with finely nuanced performances , especially by Berry who earned her keep and kudos . Recommended for mature audiences into serious drama . |
587,422 | 783,721 | 260,615 | 9 | Wonderful | The Forsyte Saga traces several generations of the monied upper-middle class English Forsyte family from the mid-Victorian period into the 20th century . The 6 hour miniseries immerses itself in all of the usual family affairs from feuds to alliances to romances to marriages to births and deaths , etc . all wrapped in the Victorian social ethos . The backbone of the saga is the bifurcation of lineage from two patriarch brothers Forsyte in general and the enduring obsession of one , Soames Forsyte ( Lewis ) , an intense and inscrutable solicitor , for a beautiful woman in particular . A sort of elegant Victorian soap opera , " The Forsyte Saga " captures the period well and fleshes out interesting and wholly believable characters with depth , color , and passion . Well worth a look by anyone into films about families or Victorian familial dramas such as " The Governess " or " Sense and Sensibility " . ( A ) |
585,779 | 783,721 | 83,390 | 9 | Peerless | Brideshead Revisited is an 11x50 minute ( approx ) TV miniseries which takes the viewer into the lives of the residents of a magnificent English country house and sprawling estate called Brideshead , the ultra-rich Flyte family of Lord and Lady Marchmain , and a much welcomed interloper , Charles Ryder ( Jeremy Irons ) , of a somewhat lesser class . The film follows Ryder for two decades from his early years at Oxford to his return to Brideshead as a soldier during WWII . It opens with Ryder's return , then flashes back for most of the 11 hour run where it explores the relationships , exploits , misfortunes , adventures , and generally the lives of the very rich Flytes while fleshing out some deliciously peculiar side characters and peering deeply into the way of the English upper-crust . There's little to fault between the credits of this leisurely and expansive masterpiece which winds circuitously from Brideshead to Venice , Morocco , Central America , Paris , and New York ever tracing Ryder's footsteps through sumptuously appointed period settings and the stately halls of Brideshead ( Castle Howard ) . A peerless , critically lauded , and award winning series featuring a superb cast including such notables as John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier , " Brideshead Revisited " should play very well with anyone into the many popular Victorian films and similar fare featuring the pomp , pith , vigor , and vanity of the English aristocracy . Note : the DVDs I watched had no CCs , Subtitles . or extra features . ( |
586,678 | 783,721 | 243,931 | 9 | Good advice ? Watch it . | Good Advice tells of a down and out ex-stock broker ( Sheen ) who takes over his girl friend's advice column leading to love , success , and much fun . With a zinger every few seconds , funny characters and situations , a clever story with a feel good conclusion , " Good Advice " makes for a fresh and fun watch . In the absence of hype and considering the talent behind the film , " GA " qualifies as a " sleeper " and should be a pleasant surprise for most who manage to snag it on cable . |
587,696 | 783,721 | 178,737 | 9 | Intelligent , witty , beguiling . | Mansfield Park is a wholly wonderful motion picture in every aspect based - how loosely we cannot know nor should we care - on a Jane Austen novel . The film which delves into the lives of an 18-19th century English gentry family is replete with lush scenic beauty , perfection in costuming , a rich and elegant script , superb casting , faultless acting and direction , and , when taken as an entity unto itself is near sheer perfection in all respects . Given the genre and period , it just doesn't get much better than this . |
585,937 | 783,721 | 335,266 | 9 | A mirror of nuances | Lost in Translation is by all accounts a huge film . Telling of a 50-something married man ( Murray ) and a 20ish married woman ( Johansson ) - both Americans stuck in a hotel in Tokyo with too much time on their hands - who come together to soothe the yearning they both have for companionship , " Lost . . . . " is a sometimes funny , sometimes poignant , and always sensitive look at the importance of being human . Masterfully struck from little more than nuances with slick art and technicals , this Coppola coup will tell you more about who you are than about the two principals . " Lost in Translation " will speak most loudly to anyone who has ever experienced the love which could never be . ( A ) |
586,363 | 783,721 | 316,188 | 9 | Exquisitely human | For what it is , " Raising Victor Vargas " is about as close to perfection as a film can get . Either sheer genius from a fledgling auteur or just one of those lucky mixes where everything clicked ( probably some of each ) , this simple little slice-of-urban-life ethnic first love flick fleshes out its young characters with such depth you can almost read their minds . The film begins with a strong flavor of " street " but works its way into a Latino family affair and then focuses on a story which speaks volumes about the uncertainty of youth and the profoundly natural desire to love another . In my experience , never has so much been done with so little ( cast of tyros , novice director , etc . ) . Praised by the critics but not for everyone , " Raising Victor Vargas " is recommended for indie lovers and realists into simple tales rich in humanness . ( A ) |
587,222 | 783,721 | 149,723 | 9 | A film about what love should be | Take everything you ever knew about Hollywood and filmdom and flush it . Open you mind and your heart and , if you're lucky , " Besieged " will speak to you of love like no other . Make no mistake , this film is not about romance or sex or even closeness . It is about what love should be ; pure , unsolicited , unencumbered giving . It is a sad testament to the shallowness of popular concepts of giving-to-get love that this film received lukewarm reviews , one star from Ebert , and a mere 6 . 5 by IMDB . com users . Sometimes the only way to love someone is to set them free . |
586,375 | 783,721 | 105,977 | 10 | The fat man rides again | Cracker is all about a behemoth but successful criminal psychologist , Dr . Edward Fitzgerald ( Coltrane ) , who armed only with his wits , Holmesian powers of deduction , superior intellect , knowledge of human behavior , etc . solves police-stumping murder mysteries . However , the biggest mystery for the drinking , smoking , over-eating fat " Fitz " seems to be how to quit gambling so he can pay bus fare and get his wife back . Save the idiosyncratically irascible and charming cop shrink character ( reminiscent of the 1940's radio detective program " The Fat Man " ) there's little new in this TV series out of the UK which spends 60 % of the time solving mysteries and 40 % exploring the ups and downs of Fitz's personal life . Worth a look for those into British TV caper busters . ( B ) |
586,355 | 783,721 | 200,276 | 10 | The best ever ? | The West Wing is quite possibly the best TV series ever . Consider that the series avoids the usual cheap shot ratings boosters such as soapy melodrama , sex , violence , romcom cheese , silly fluff , etc . . Consider the series has been smartened up as opposed to dumbed down , something which would sink most shows which had to play to the average prime time sofa spud . Consider that the series serves up ample helpings of American history , inside the beltway political strategizing , lobbying and wrangling , and much more of those things which were all big turn-offs in high school civics class . Consider that the cast is rock solid but not the most glamorous bunch of megastars to hit the small screen . Consider that the series never loses sight of the importance of high minded principles and delivers family value subliminals as well as a strong sense of ethics in government and morality in life . Consider that the series conjures moments of wit , drama , sentiment , and poignancy in big doses in almost every episode . Consider that because of and in spite of the above , " The West Wing " has been enormously popular with critics and public alike and garnered a substantial brace of awards . No series can be all things to all people . However , " The West Wing " is likely more things to more people than any series to come before it . ( |
442,503 | 819,382 | 457,270 | 1 | What Hath Playboy Wrought ? | Here is this perfect family - - nice Mom and Dad , clean-cut kids . The 13-year-old boy is not only a good student but a star of his high school swimming team . He's got a girl friend , Amy , who is as cute as a button , and moral too , since she won't go all the way with him . He does a lot of homework and things on the PC in his bedroom . Enter pornography . The boy discovers he can find pornography on the internet and meet girls of questionable values too . He arranges a date with one of them , who happens to be a fellow student , and five minutes after their first meeting - - no , LESS than five minutes - - she moves from her side of the drug store booth to sit next to him , presses his hand against her breast , and asks , " Why don't we go to my place ? My parents aren't home . " Well , I'll tell you . Things just go from bad to worse . This clean-cut , polite , industrious 13-year-old kid becomes " addicted to porn , " as his Mum puts it . He can't stop . He neglects his clean-cut moral girl friend , he puts off studying and lies about it , his swimming deteriorates , he gets up in the middle of the night to creep with a demonic smile into the family room where his parents have moved his PC . He somehow gets his friends ' names on some email lists and they get snotty with him , slap him a little , and call him a " twisted freak " and complain that they get a lot of Spam now . ( They evidently don't have " ignore " devices . ) He begins - - and I know this is difficult for us perfectly normal adolescent boys to believe - - he begins to dream of beautiful half-naked girls swimming around him in the pool . It gets even worse . He swipes him Mum's credit card and begins charging porn-site membership fees to her account . Not that he's all bad , though . He finally winds up in the bedroom of this high-class slut from his high school . She jumps him on her parents bed and begins tearing at his clothes . " Can we go a little slower ? " he begs . " Sure . We can go as SLOW as you like , " the nubile nympho hisses . But it's no use . " This isn't how I imagined it would be , " he says , disappointed and awed by the too-frank advances of this Jezebel . She throws him out , his virtue intact . I don't know how it ends . I couldn't sit through it . But anyone who is able to take " Reefer Madness " as a serious description of a social problem ought to enjoy " Cyberseduction . " As for criticisms , I wouldn't really know where to begin . I guess we could start with the arguable generalization that every 13-year-old boy who has ever lived on the planet Earth loves to look at dirty pictures and masturbate . Also a goodly but undetermined portion of females of all ages . and mature , happily married men . If that isn't " normal " I don't know what is . ( When I was a kid we didn't have PCs , just the bra ads in a Sears and Roebuck's catalog . A classmate of mine was caught using one of the photos in such an add for an unintended purpose and was punished by being made to memorize Tennyson's " Charge of the Light Brigade " - - every line of it . That kid is a doctor today . ) Theoretically , I suppose , it's possible to take any normal activity too far , so that it becomes an obsession . ( This could be a movie about a kid who decides to eat nothing but rib eye steak - - and lots of it . He can't stop because he's " addicted to steak . " ) The media have been doing their level best to turn the internet into a social problem - - just as they tried to do with Satanism , hypodermic syringes in cans of Pepsi , and missing children on milk cartons . I don't know why it hasn't taken off yet . It would seem to be fertile ground . Here we have this complicated machine which maybe the parents don't understand much about . Mum and Dad probably know there are " chat rooms " hanging around in the box somewhere , although who knows what goes on in them . Then too they must be aware of internet pornography . All they have to do is watch a movie like this , and there are a couple of them floating around . There's no point in going on about it . It's a meretricious piece of trash designed to add to the worries of parents who are already stressed out over second-hand smoke , peanut allergies , and trans-fatty acids . I'd start to think about it , though , if my kid did nothing but watch slasher movies and play video games in which over-muscled figures made each other's heads explode in a shower of glee , gore and glia . |
442,233 | 819,382 | 89,927 | 1 | This isn't Mike Tyson , this is Woody Allan | It poses as another epic boxing movie but it boils down to a piffle . I can't believe the positive comments this piece of garbage has received . Is there no end to our lack of taste ? It's a " guilty pleasure " only in the sense that having a dominatrix snap a wet towel at your bare buns in a guilty pleasure . Rocky goes through his usual homey and decidedly low-tech training routine , schlepping a huge log up a mountainside , carrying it like a yoke across his shoulders . ( Oh , Lord , let us hope this wasn't intended as a religious allusion . ) Dolf Lundgren , who cannot act , is a sullen Aryan monster . He's given a lousy haircut , in case we might not get the point , and even sports a black mouthpiece in the ring , in case we missed the haircut too . Stallone almost always has non-Latins in the role of the heavies . A couple of African-Americans , an Irish gang in Paradise Alley , a Nordic here , an Eskimo there . I wonder if he knows exactly what he's trying to tap into , what tribal animadversions are oozing out of his cortical sulci . He practically converts the Soviet Union to capitalism at the end . And all those years we were sending people like Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman around as Goodwill Ambassadors . Let's see . Drago - - great name ! - - can land a punch that packs 2 , 000 pounds per square inch . That's 131 . 5789474 times the force of gravity at sea level . And Rocky comes away from that final bout looking put upon . And all I have to do is look in the mirror to see what gravity alone is doing to my face ! Watching this - - this - - thing - - I couldn't tear myself from the screen , any more than I could pass a highway accident without gawking at it . What an execrable piece of movie-making crap . |
442,024 | 819,382 | 808,279 | 1 | Complete Rubbish . | A pair of queer young men invade the summer cottage of a middle-class couple . At first the two preppy-looking boys seem clumsy but apologetic and innocent . Then they turn rude , and finally violent , taking the husband ( Tim Roth ) , the wife ( Naomi Watts ) , and the child ( Devon Gearhart ) captives . They break Roth's leg , force Watts to strip off her dress and then bind her with tape , and mistreat the child . The teasing and mistreatment get worse . Attempts to escape or phone outside are thwarted . The plot has a self-conscious quality in that the two miscreants sometimes turn to the camera and make wisecracks or ask questions of the viewer . In the German original of ten years earlier , playing with the fourth wall was one of only two tries for originality . The other was that the two goons tortured the audience as well as the filmic family . Not only does the entire family wind up dead , but the boys explain the deaths to us this way - - they had to die because in a movie like this you weren't expecting them to . I didn't watch this to see if this remake is faithful enough to the original to senselessly kill the husband , wife , and child off . I can't imagine why the original was made , let alone why it had to be remade . The first half hour is engaging enough , focusing as it does on minor transgressions like dropping the four eggs you have just borrowed from a helpful neighbor , then dropping their replacements too , then politely refusing to leave when the family asks you to . But the rest is undiluted suspense and finally unmotivated horror . We don't know the two sadistic crazy boys . We identify with the bourgeois family - - and they're murdered , so we're denied the catharsis we've earned . And just because the movie makers think it's clever . It would be just as bad if the family members showed anger or defiance or any sign of stoicism , but they don't . They play it realistically , just as in the original . The terror and the pain seem real . There are moments when Naomi Watts runs around in her underwear so that we see her flawless figure , but it's anything but erotic because the suffering is abject . Her face is red and streaked with tears . It's a slasher movie for adults , if you want to put it that way , only this time it's not just the bad kids who die - - and the virgins don't get safely away . I've never understood the appeal of slasher movies . Who gets a kick out of seeing innocent people slaughtered ? Who is this movie aimed at ? Who is the audience ? |
442,476 | 819,382 | 28,346 | 1 | A Horrible Tragedy . | We all know there are some movies that are so bad they're funny . " Plan Nine From Outer Space . " They needn't be old or cheap either . John Wayne's " The Conquerer " is right up there in the first rank of the fifth rate . I think what we tend to forget , between viewings , is that bad movies are also extremely dull . And after a first viewing , prompted by curiosity twenty years ago , this one was a real caution to sit through a second time . I can't truthfully say it's worse than having a colonoscopy , but then I LIKE colonoscopies . Briefly , mercifully , I'll keep the plot short . Good old Bill Harper ( Kenneth Craig ) is a high school kid , " a fine upstanding American young man , " according to his principal ( Joseph Forte , in one of the most execrable performances ever committed to celluloid ) . Fine , upstanding Bill reluctantly finds himself attending reefer parties held in an apartment owned by a gang that includes Carlton Young and Dave O'Brien . Aficionados of John Ford's mature movies will recognize Carlton Young , but you have to be knee deep into an obsession with the short comedies of the 1940s to recognize Dave O'Brien . Anyway , nature takes its natural course . Young Bill joins the others in their intoxication , neglects his upstanding young girl friend , Mary , takes up with a sleazy blond , learns to enjoy doing wild dances , and is framed for the accidental shooting death of Mary . Nobody involved in the production could have had the slightest idea of what marijuana is or does . They may have gotten their ideas from Cecil's Textbook of Medicine or someplace - - symptoms of cannabis intoxication include high pulse rate , rising blood pressure , compulsive laughter , impaired judgment , euphoria , sluggishness , and so forth . ( They left out the munchies . ) A snap of the surgically scrubbed fingers and , voilà , it's not a high at all , it's a disease . The writers scripted in some additional symptoms , for the sake of their dramatic purport , I suppose . Reefers also make you snappish and angry . They prompt you to hold up stores . They drive you insane , as they did Dave O'Brien . They lead you to drive too fast and too recklessly , so that you tend to run over innocent pedestrians . ( That last symptom bespeaks a high level of imagination ; most drivers intoxicated by cannabis are likely to drive too slowly and to begin applying the brakes while the Stop sign is still a quarter of a mile away . They're burning up the road until they look down at the speedometer and realize they're traveling at 35 miles an hour . ) Well , in 1936 , hardly anyone had had any exposure to marijuana and this film was designed to be educational in the vulgar sense . It's easy to generate hysteria in a crowd by slipping them disinformation about the unknown . If it's not marijuana , it's internet predators , Satanists , UFOs , Illuminati , masturbation / insanity or something else . These kinds of fomenters of fear reach our more primitive subcortical structures . The fear is , for good reason , hard wired in our brains and sits there waiting for the trigger to be pulled . Since most of what we have to fear now , as opposed to when we lived in caves , consists of symbols that pose no immediate physical threat , we seem compelled to pull make-believe triggers from time to time . We wind up with a false fear , or what psychologists call " an arousal jag . " This movie is a good example . |
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