I haven't watched it yet. But I want to do it soon, especially after these excellent critics. Unfortunately I don't now much about Brazilian cinema, but I liked "Central do Brazil" very much and I suggest everyone to watch it.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - (Michel Gondry;2004;USA) - ****
When a man's ex-girlfriend gets her memories of him erased, he does the same only to realize during the process he doesn't want to forget them.
I was thinking about this film for a little over a half-hour soaking it in again like I did with my first viewing. I had to see it again after last night. This is truly one of the most creative films to come out of recent Hollywood. It's not only an outstanding film visually, but also in it's writing. I hope to see more of Kaufman's writing. This was by far the best of 2004. It also brings out a good performance from Jim Carrey in his best role, and another very good one from Kate Winslet. Gondry's direction is excellent, and it doesn't lose it's touch. The music is also great, in fact, so is everything else.
#13

City of God is indeed a very good film, and coincidentally, it may be apt to take note of Meirelles' use in the film of the freezeframe technique. Obviously one of the reasons it was (unjustly) promoted in distribution as "The Brazilian GoodFellas".

I watched the following these last two days:

A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies ** (1st Time)
1995, Scorsese/Wilson, US
Martin Scorsese presents in a talking head his influences behind much of his work.
A comprehensive made-for-TV document told in both chronological development and thematic patterns in American cinema. From the dissection of Gangster, Westerns and Musicals, to the account of individual directors who influenced him, the only complaint must be the geographical restriction of the title.

Pickpocket *** (1st Time; big screen)
1959, Bresson, Fr
A novice pickpocket becomes a skilled thief through practice and determination.
Austere presentation of a deceptively complex theme and character. No cinematic theatrics are to be found here, and it's a joy to watch because of that.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl ** (1st Time)
2003, Verbinski, US
A pirate who was once mutineered against and marooned on an island, teams up with the son of a former friend to save a Governor's daughter and reclaim his ship.
Enjoyable feast of a swashbuckler, agreeably entertaining and witty if a little overlong.

The Football Factory(1st Time)
2004, Love, GB
A Chelsea supporter and football thug has second thoughts about his chosen life, while his contemporariesorganise a fight with Millwall fans.
Unexpectedly down-to-earth portrayal of this horrid hobby, but in the process, it has been marred by stereotypes and uninteresting, unlovely characters, with a derivative narrative.

Mick

It's on HBO, or one of the big movie channels all the time, but for some reason I always skip over it. I'll have to check it out.

Shadows - (John Cassavetes;1959;USA) - ***1/2
An improvisational film that looks inside interracial friendships and relationships during the Beatnik era of the 50's.
Although the acting isn't good, this is a great film and was a much needed break away from the average Hollywood films of the 50's, leading the way for Independent film. Not as good as The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, but still a great film with excellent Jazz music. For a 50's film, it's surprising seeing interracial relationships examined.

My ma was watching Duplex on TV the other day and never got a chance to see the whole thing so we watched it tonight. I originally think I wanted to see it in the theater but heard so many bad things about it that I never made it to the theaters or the DVD until tonight. It wasn't as horrible as people made it out to be (they probably expected it to be better), but it had its funny parts. Nothing great but nothng horrible

Or expected it to be what they found it to be, shitty? :p

True. I remember it looked pretty good from the trailers but again, I'm glad I didn't watch it in the theaters.

I don't get hung up over most of these teen-targeted comedies. They all recycle jokes. All of those new Vaughn, Stiller, or whoever movies. They're actors I liked before, but now they're just repetitive.

but on the bright side two of those movies had Jack Black in them

Meh, the last decent/good comedy with him is The School of Rock. If you wanna see a GREAT romantic comedy featuring him, watch High Fidelity.

I liked Envy...

It was just a spur of the moment decision for my family to watch it, and we were all cracking up at it...Va-Poo-Riser...oh, man. As I've said before, I'm an easy laugh.

I watched The Godfather last night. Always good to watch.

I was so disappointed with this movie. I wanted to see this in the theaters too and I'm glad I didn't. It was worse than Duplex IMO. I just hated it because all the funny parts were in the commercials.

Yesterday I happened to catch Les Miserables. While I've seen it about 10 times, I hadn't seen it in about 5 years.

Such a well written movie that just keeps your interest. Excellent'


Don Cardi

The Shootist ** (1st Time)
1976, Siegel, US
A famous gunslinger diagnosed with Cancer and only months to live arrives in a quiet town with young competition.
A methodic, well-done character study and hymn to the Western, a genre which was at the time all but dead.

Mick

I haven't watched it yet. But I want to do it soon, especially after these excellent critics. Unfortunately I don't now much about Brazilian cinema, but I liked "Central do Brazil" very much and I suggest everyone to watch it. [/b][/quote]I also recommend O Que É Isso, Companheiro?/ Four Days In September (1997), an excellent crime/drama with Alan Arkin as the American ambassador in Brazil. and just to remember, a big part of it is spoken in english.

I'm going to Italy soon, so I'm planning on watching the trilogy, just to get in the mood...

I don't think I ever caught a commercial for it, but I do hate when they do that.

I'm not sure if I'd even heard of it before I saw it...

Here's an intense movie which I enjoyed (and would recommend):

Faces - (John Cassavetes;1968;USA) - ****
Richard and Maria are a married, middle-aged couple. Over a day, Richard cheats on his wife with a young woman named Jeanie while Maria cheats on him with a young man named Chet.
Although in some instances overacted, this is an excellent film about a married couple who are burnt out in happiness. This Cassavetes' best so far that I've seen. Aside a few little moments, John Marley is great as Richard, at times charismatic and others filled with angst. Lynn Carlin and Gena Rowlands are also very good in their roles, as well as Seymour Cassel who has an energy perfect for his role. Perhaps the film would be better off with a color, rather then black/white gritty feel but it works on many levels. The final image just before the credits role a perfect ending.

Next up tomorrow or Saturday, A Woman Under the Influence.

I only saw this movie once and it was just because Neve Campbell was in it but I remember that I surprisngly liked it

I'm going to the theater today for this.

I just rewatched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Great fun.

I want to see Crash.

I hope you enjoy it Vercetti. It's one of the best fims of the year.

I'm looking forward to seeing Crash as well.

Autumn in New York (00/Joan Chen/US) 2/10
Total waste of time. I wonder what Richard Gere and Winona Ryder were thinking signing up for this movie. I wish I'd checked out IMDb before getting this movie.

I enjoyed these movies:

Un homme et une femme aka A Man and a Woman (66/Pierre Uytterhoeven/France) 6/10


Dick Tracy (90/Warren Beatty/US) 6.5/10


Lola Rennt aka Run Lola, Run (98/Tom Tykwer/Germany) 6.5/10


Bourne Identity (02/Doug Liman/US, Germany) 8/10


The Bourne Supermacy (04/Paul Greengrass/US, Germany) 8/10

Crash - (Paul Haggis;2004;USA) - ****
The lives of several racially diverse people in post-9/11 L.A. over two days.
Even better then Million Dollar Baby, Haggis brings an excellent piece of work. The writing and directing are both top notch, as well as the acting. All sides of discrimination are explored, and it works immensely, leaving a powerful impact by the end. The music is also wonderful. Don Cheadle's performance makes me wanna see Hotel Rwanda more now. Terrence Dashon Howard was also very good, as well as much of the cast.
In top 100

Man On Fire with Denzel Washington. A really good movie with a good story. The relationship that builds between him and the little girl is really touching. And his payback to those bastards is very enjoyable.


Don Cardi

Great choice in movies Don Cardi and glad you enjoyed it