You're right. In fact during the making of the film when Griffin was young Hitchcock gave her a doll of her mother in a box, though she was scared because it resembled a coffin. It's well known that Hitchcock became infatuated with some of the leads, especially Tippi Hedron.

I watched Clerks yesterday morning. Some of the acting is a bit off, but overall a pretty good, and at times hilarious comedy. 7/10.

I didn't know it was the film that spawned Jay and Silent Bob.

I kind of failed to appreciate the humor and style of Clerks. Not that I didn't know it was there, I just didn't like it very much.

Whirleygirl **

A pretty far fetched tale about a stripper who steals a guys watch. He winds up tracking her down and "changing her life." Not very interesting but my gosh is Monet Mazur ever so H-O-T!

Funny Games
Michael Haneke 1997 Austria (1st time; DVD)
A bourgeois family is held hostage and tortured at their holiday home by two young males with no motive.
It is telling that by the end of this film, we are immune, even bored with, the disturbing violence depicted onscreen; the torturers are constantly aware of their role in the film, making direct reference to audience expectations and what they should be doing. At the end of the day, it's the director pulling all the strings, and we are completely helpless, puppets in his hand.

Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen / Even Dwarfs Started Small
Werner Herzog 1968 West Germany (1st time; DVD)
A colony of dwarfs rebels against its leader.
A humorous, original film with powerful images and a descent into chaos which makes it seem like it may have been best suited to a short. One of Herzog's most absorbing films, and a clear inspiration for Korine's Gummo.

The Jazz Singer #90 on the AFI Top 100 List ***

The first talking movie and I enjoyed it. I liked how most of the movie was silent but the songs were talking. I'm so happy because now I am FINALLY done with the AFI list!

SPOILER I did have one question however. Why did Jack paint himself black when he went on stage? END OF SPOILER

When did you see Citizen Kane?

The French Connection ***
Very interesting movie based on the real-life new york policemen who busted a drug deal. The cinematography and direction are excellent. No wonder it won so many oscars. Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider reproduce the chemistry shared by the real-life cops well. The dvd has lot of extra features and deleted scenes. The more movies I watch from the 70s, I get the feeling that it was the best times for cinema.

Months ago, before the Christmas break

United 93 ****

I too was one who thought a movie about 9/11 was premature. I'm glad to see I was wrong. I cannot put into words how wonderful this movie was. Tasteful, emotional, respectful, etc. It might be a bit much to see in a theater (I thought I was ready but towards the end I thought twice about it). However, one day, when given the chance and are ready to view it, definitely see it!

Rare to see a 4-star film from Irishman.

That must mean it's good :p J/K

I actually have no interest in seeing it.

Why?

Doesn't seem like the type of movie I'd enjoy, plus I'm low on cash. From the trailer, it looks melodramatic and corny. I could be wrong.

If you or Capo see it and give it a good proview, I might reconsider.

Well considering I heard the trailer is misleading like the action-packed Miami Vice trailer, I don't think that's a good way to judge it. Though I doubt it's one of the best ever like some said.

Why wouldnt it be one of the best ever?? It is their opinion.. .all lists are someone's opinion... what is on the AFI's list may not necessarily be on mine...

If someone wants to label it one of the best ever... then for him it is....

I said I doubt it'll be one of the best ever to me. I didn't talk about anyone's opinion.

I need further consideration, but I'd say I consider it to be the best film released in the last year and a half or so. Maybe cracking top 10 of the new millenium.

Maybe.

Have you seen it Vercetti?

Obviously not if you read what I said. :p

Yeah I kind of misinterpreted it.

I'd say the best 2 movies this year thus far are V for Vendetta and United 93

Watched National Treasure. Crappy movie. Lost a couple of hours of my life. And Nicolas Cage's reddish hair was the last straw.

Has anybody watched "Ask the dust" by any chance?

Well, some say that if you find a film unbearable to watch it is too touchy, or too soon to be released. I think that if it moves you, then the timing couldn't have been better.

I'd hate to think people would watch it a century from now and be totally despondent, wouldn't you?

Yeah, shit happens though. Time heals all wounds. Eventually, when a time comes where no one is left alive who had any sort of emotional connection to 9/11, the topic will no longer induce sadness in people and it will probably become the butt of a few jokes, just another event in American history.

When A Stranger Calls **

Better after a 2nd viewing. Not a particularily great movie but with the recent crap that's come out over the years, there's worse out there. I think it would have been better if they didn't try to make it such a thriller and added more of a horror aspect to it.

it's up to us never to let this happen. Just as in the case of the Shoah, we are obliged to keep the memory alive in the future generation and so on. If we fail to do that, we are going to be objectively accomplices of the terrorists.

Fata Morgana / Mirage
Werner Herzog 1969 West Germany (1st time; DVD)
A series of images filmed in and around the Sahara; narration tells the story of a planet's creation.
The opening shots, of planes landing in the desert, each one becoming more and more blurred as the heat of the day increases, is telling as to how abstract, visually arresting this "science-fiction" film really is. As it goes on, the music and images interact profoundly; Herzog pays little attention to narrative cohesion, and instead tries to articulate deep emotions via new visual contexts.

Herz aus Glas / Heart of Glass
Werner Herzog 1976 West Germany (1st time; DVD)
When a glass factory loses a worker, and with him the secret of ruby glass, a pre-industrialist village falls apart, watched by a foreseer of events.
A strained, slow, absorbing piece for which most of the cast was hypnotized. It is an absurd, beautiful film full of memorable moments, such as when Herzog momentarily casts aside plot to document the glass factory workers at work, or when a drunkard dances with the corpse of his best friend, whom he inadvertantly killed the night before. The final moments are up there with Herzog's finest closures.