Stranger Than Paradise - (Jim Jarmusch;1984;USA/West Germany)
A New York hipster is visited by his Hungarian cousin. She moves in with her aunt in Cleveland, and soon joins him again for a trip to Miami.
The more I see, the more I feel Jim Jarmusch is probably the closest thing America has to John Cassavetes today. Like Cassavetes, Jarmusch is able to take relatively simple scenes that feel more like reality rather then a script, and make it immensely interesting to watch. That simplicity was evident in Coffee and Cigarettes. Here however, he gives us a portrait of disenchanted youth that ends with a wonderful feeling of poetic irony. Like Mean Streets was to Scorsese, this is a prime example of Jarmusch's style. The camera never moves save for one or two scenes, and each scene ends with a fade to black, feeling almost like a play.

Octopussy ***

Some pretty elaborate fight scenes towards the end there with the circus folk

Never Say Never Again ** 1/2

I was glad to see Sean Connery 1 last time as James Bond even if he was beginning to show his age. I also didn't know that Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) was in a James Bond flick

Fight scenes? how about an island full of pretty girls?

r u going to start a special edition of "whos hotter" for bond girls???

-if u do, I suggest you keep Ursula Andress/Honey Rider (Dr No) out of the poll.....if you want a contest...otherwise, she'll win as always...its a given. (and the poll would be useless)

I think that'd take up too much time for me which is limited now with school, work, and "stuff to watch." However, if you wish to do so, you have my full endorsement

The Weather Man (2005) - ***1/2
Director: Gore Verbinski
A recently divorced Chicago weather man attempts to turn his relatively depressing life around.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had heard a mix of things in regards to this film. It may not have been a masterpiece, but it was pretty damn good. The performances are all great, and hilarious... Not a single actor--not even the kids--fail to deliver. The best way to describe this would be the mutual love-child resulting in a one-night stand between American Beauty and Charlie Kaufman's sub-conscience. It was great; It was ultimately funny yet beautiful at the same time. I would consider this one of the five funniest movies of the year--but don't get me wrong... there is plenty of drama and serious-tones to go around. I highly reccomend this for anyone looking for an overall enjoyable film.

I'm glad you liked it LLC and found it funny!

So far, today, but hopefully not all.

Gerry - (Gus Van Sant;2002;USA/Argentina/Jordan)
Two men named Gerry get lost at a hiking site and eventually become completely lost in a desert.
A painful film to watch. While the beginning seems normal in it's spirits it soon becomes very isolating. The cinematography may be the best of it's kind since Lawrence of Arabia. It's depiction of physical and mental degradation is very effecting, and depicted wonderfully by Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. Of course, what makes this film the masterwork it is, is Van Sant's direction. Like his other two Death Trilogy films he brings an effective use of the camera, whether it be a simple shot that never moves, especially the distant shots that really give you a sense of loneliness, or my favorite moment in the film, when the camera rotates around the main characters with the very emotional piano score in the background. The best film of 2002.

Grumpy Old Men - (Donald Petrie;1993;USA)
Two old men spark a rivalry when a woman moves into the neighborhood.
One of those charming comedies that you can watch over and over through the years. It's not a great film, but still a good comedy. Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret, and Burgess Meredith really make this a decent, fun comedy.

I think that'd take up too much time for me which is limited now with school, work, and "stuff to watch." However, if you wish to do so, you have my full endorsement [/b][/quote]Naaa, I already have the "Whos Dirtier" column

so you finished the AFI list? - whats your opinion on the list?

The Dead Pool - (Buddy Van Horn;1988;USA)
Insp. Harry Callahan investigates the murders of local celebrities.
A rehash of the old Dirty Harry formula. Aside from having a humorous parody of the Bullitt chase scene it's only fun for diehard Eastwood fans. The climax is the most absurd event in the series.

Ocean\'s Eleven - (Steven Soderbergh;2001;USA)
An ex-con plans to rob three casinos at the same time.
Unlike the sequel, this turns out to be a good film. It works a nice blend of charm and interesting aspects of the heist. The cast is very good and the direction is also good, unlike the tacky sequel. Nothing amazing in the long run but still a good film that can be watched again and again.

Yeah, it was great. I'll probably go out and buy it when I can be damned.

No I'm not done yet. I'll have to give The African Queen another view. Next month I gotta catch Double Indemnity on TV. And I have no way of getting ahold of a copy of The Jazz Singer. Other than that yes I have finished and I did enjoy the list. I'll love to give it another go round in a couple of years but I got to see a lot of movies that I needed to see. Right now I'm in the middle of the James Bond series and I'm loving it

The Brown Bunny
Vincent Gallo 2003 US/Japan/France (2nd time)
A motorcycle racer travels across America to meet with his girlfriend; along the way, he tries to fill in her absence.
An oddly beautiful film and moving depiction of sexuality and guilt, which, stripped to its bare bones, is a road movie with an interesting closure; captivating for those who can take the director's heavy self-indulgence.

TOYS (1992) - *1/2

Barry Levinson has got to be one of the most uneven directors in Hollywood. For every RAIN MAN and WAG THE DOG, he gives us SPHERE, ENVY, and this failure.

Reportedly a long-time dream project for Levinson, taking over a decade to be developed, and over 10 months(!) of shooting...and the end result is a film that while it has admirable art direction that attempts to tell its own mood of story, let's just say that Levinson is no Sir Ridley Scott!

At times it feels like Levinson simply let Robin Williams improvise his scripted part, which in this case perhaps is a fatal flaw.

Then again, this is one of the few films where obviously much effort was placed in it, but I still have to ask Levinson if I ever corner him in some random diner in Los Angeles....what was the point of this movie? What is the message, that good peaceful toys are superior to war toys or whatever the hell?

What is annoying as well is how that Levinson directed this stinker after BUGSY, a picture that I did enjoy.

Walk the Line *** 1/2

I really can't believe that Crash got the Oscar nom for Best Picture over Walk the Line. I'm really hoping that Reese and Joaquin win in their respective categories. 1 of my favorite movies from last year. Rent it or buy it on Tuesday!

Amazing, I agree wish Irishman! I have only two words to express what I think. Fuck CRASH.

I did finally watch a great great legendary picture from ole Hitch...

REAR WINDOW (1954) - Masterpiece - *****

Truely this film deserves its hefty reputation and legacy of respect, for visual storytelling itself tells quite a dramatic tale using only body language, human reactions, you name it. I don't have the right words at the moment, but its always great when one watches a great film. More thought and observations will be put perhaps in a review for AV.

Although it's been awhile since I saw this film, I know exactly where you're coming from on your review.

As for the last movie I just watched, well it was the first Godfather film. I'm pretty sure I don't need to review that particular movie.

The Ice Harvest **

I had heard from some people that this reminded them a lot of Bad Santa. Other than the fact that it's a comedy with Billy Bob Thorton and it takes place during Christmas I don't know why else they'd think that. It's NOTHING like Bad Santa. Very funny at first and finishes telling the "story" at the end, not bad but not great. I won't be buying it Tuesday

I consider Wag the Dog one of the worst films Ive ever seen.

I like Levinson for Bugsy and Bandits, and I need to rewatch Rain Man.

Why exactly is WAG THE DOG quite awful? I mean, I can understand say TOYS or SPHERE or especially ENVY....but hey, one's opinion is his own.

VERTIGO (1958) - Masterpiece - *****

Many call this Hitchcock's supreme masterpiece. Others argue it as one of the greatest films of all time. Either way, both camps have a pretty damn strong case to each title. Truely the most surreal and emotionally-touching movie of the Master of the Macabre's career. Interestingly, this will be Hitch's last collaboration with frequen lead-star James Stewart. One fucking hell of a way to end it.

This is a must see for those interested in seeing Holocaust related movies. Outstanding and daring, it focuses on a different angle of the events.

Amen

I thought Wag the Dog was horrible firstly, for its really non-sensical story. This didnt give the film a sense of satire or hilarious chaos or anything of that sort, it was just annoying and bothersome.

Levinson also did a horrible job of making the characters really likeable for the most part.

Basically, he really just seemed to come up with a good concept, which I did like, but then proceeded to just throw this shit together around the concept, without any real care for the rest of the film. The one good idea of the film is dragged out so much that by the end its not even interesting or funny anymore and all of the other, less intelligent humor in between fails to be funny.

Levinson also kind of seemed like he was trying to instill this feeling in the viewers that the characters were smarter than them and the events taking place on screen were occuring above them in terms of social importance or something, but none of them came off as especially intelligent or savvy, kind of discrediting the story.

Lastly, the ending was terrible. I don't quite remember it as of this moment, but I just remember Dustin Hoffman's character being led off to die somewhere for reasons that were kind of vague. Seemed like a desperate 4th quater attempt to wrap up the film in an interesting way.

DeNiro and Hoffman were even average at best in this film, and Anne Heche was just horrible.

So in conclusion, one of the worst films I've ever seen.

I had a fun drunken movie night last night. Expecting TV to be, as usual, aweful once I finished work I was surprised to find out Silence of the Lambs and Suicide Kings were on.

I've been obsessed with Silence of the Lambs ever since I was 11 years old sneakily watching it on a black and white TV in my room. I thought maybe I'd actually seen the film far too much and would be bored watching it again. But I was so excited watching it, hearing my favourite lines and repeating them. I'm such a dork.

Suicide Kings has to be one of my favourite undderated movies. I figure without Denis Leary and Christopher Walken the movie would be mediocre but their characters and performances are so good it really bumps the movie.

I agree Walken and Leary really help that film. Walken and Garcia do the same for Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, although I liked that one better than Suicide Kings.

And I still have yet to see Silence of the Lambs

I watched Breathless last night, but was too tired to post a proview.

Down by Law - (Jim Jarmusch;1986;USA/West Germany)
In New Orleans, two men are framed and end up in the same cell together where they meet an Italian eccentric who soon plans to escape.
Jim Jarmusch really knows how to make a film. It would seem like this is your average prison escape film but it's not about the escape, but the interaction between the three main characters, who are all very likable. Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni are all great in their roles. What is also striking is the cinematography from the streets of New Orleans to the woods and bayous. The dialogue is wonderfully written and Jarmusch's direction, especially his use of music is wonderful.

À bout de souffle Breathless - (Jean-Luc Godard;1960;France)
After killing a police officer, a thief tries to convince his American girlfriend to follow him to Italy.
A film made unlike most of it's time, especially being the major milestone of French New Wave. Godard's use of the camera is very influential. While most films of the time were using it generically, Godard used it more freely. The jump cuts are another cinematic innovation created in this film. Like Down By Law, it's about the interaction most of all. The scenes with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg are gold and hold a more modern charm to them. It also indulges in wonderful cinematography, especially the French countryside in the opening. One of the great cinematic achievements that remains powerful to this day. The only problem I had was the occasional feeling a jump cut was put in an awkward moment.

Big Fish
Tim Burton 2003 US (1st time)
A father and son, both storytellers in their own right, try to rekindle their relationship when the former hasn't long to live.
Almost two hours of exposition, wanting to create a whole mystery around this persona and succeeding for the most part; like many of the individual stories told throughout, though, its purpose is only to serve an ending of sentimental charm. It may even work, if you're willing to go along with its iffy CGI and the distracting contrast between McGregor and Finney as the younger and older father.

Elephant (2003, Van Sant)
A violent incident rocks the students and faculty at a high school in Portland, Oregon.

Gus Vant Sant fails miserably to tell a conventional story. (Not that he was trying to do that anyway.) Instead he gives us a beautiful pseudo-documentary about a regular day in a school that goes brutally wrong. He doesn't give us any reasons as to why the massacre reasons, no insight into the psyche of the two killers. Instead he shoots it as a regular day, lets the events unfold, gives us no backstory. That's part of the greatness of this film. The idea of casting non-actors and just regular kids was brilliant, it made this film all the more realistic and haunting.

Definitley one of the best of the 2000's (so far).

Glad you liked it DA. Though I have to say the backstories result from us connecting the dots from the few flashbacks we see.

Last Days, Elephant, and Gerry are all masterworks and the best of their years (2002, 2003, 2005) IMO.

Proof **

Starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gylenhaal

The daughter of a crazy mathematician shares some of his brilliance and eccentricities. A phD student of this mathematician falls in love with his advisor's daughter. Excellent acting by everyone, though the story as a whole did not impact me much at all.

I can't wait to watch this movie. What a pity there's Gwyneth Paltrow in it. I totally dislike her. She's such a cold fish.