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Munich - rating: Good****
USA
A very realistic view on isreali hitmen in the 1970's after the Munich
terrorism event. This is a look at real life spy activity in that period.
Les Destinees - rating - Ok ***
France 2000
This film explores the life of a factory owner in France before World
War 2. The main man is obsessed with his porcelin plate factory and this
causes issues in his family life. It is a classical atmosphere full of
formalities and the stuffy life of the rich at the time. There is little
edge in the movie. It effectively shows the life of the rich in France
at the time. That is it's main credit. It is long and moves slowly.
Loves of a Blonde - rating - Ok ***
Czech Republic 1965
This film seems only half finished. But I give them credit because it
was made during communism when film budgets were not the top priority.
The part which was completed was a good look into the life and culture
of 1960's eastern europe. A culture and time which now only exists in
the minds of middle aged people there. The dating scene and methods seem
funny compared to now, and the stubborn family near the end is stereotypical
and amusing.
Satin Rouge - rating - Good ***
Tunisia 2002
This Tunisian film follows the life of a middle-aged single mom who discovers
the joy of belly-dancing. It is a beautiful transition from mid-life bordem
to finding one's fire again. This film is believable and real.
A Taste of Others - rating - Ok ***
France 2000
Two guys work as bodygaurds of a unrefined factory owner. They have some
love discussions and a relation with a waitress.. etc. etc. The Factor
Owner falls for an artistic English teacher, it's funny at times seeing
his clumsyness. In the end, the unlikely happens.
I think this is a chick movie. it's almost an Eh... rating.
The Last Metro - rating - Ok***
French. 1992
Heinz Bennent, Gerard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve
A Jewish owner of a theater hides in a basement during nazi occcupation
of Paris. His wife (Catherine Deneuve) runs it while the world believes
he has left France. It is full of moments of tension as Nazi authorities
almost discover the secret, and the movie shows the theater scene. It
wasn't really gritty, it seemed to have a little hollywood style fakeness
to it, but it was entertaining. The tension of the situation keeps you
hanging on at the same time it does move slowly an odd combination.
Cerberus - rating - U rate it for me!
USA 2004
This Sci Fi Channel Film was shot in Romania and follows the adventures
of an american tough guy team who battle a three headed dog from hell,
while also fighting the chinese mob - all set in a small town and caves
of Romania. This film is full of cheesy lines!
The Skeptic - rating - U rate it
US. 2006
You should see it cause it's shot in Saratoga. It has a lame plot, but
it cost millions of dollars! So hey, at least you can enjoy the sets (I
just happened to work in the art department on this one). No bias here!
Taste of Cherry - rating - good****
Iran - Farsi - 1997
Abbas Kiarostami Director. Starring Homayoun Ershadi.
Makes you think.
Wealthy Mr. Badii drives through the streets of Tehran looking for someone
to assist in his suicide which he intends to commit on the sunny hills
above the city. Along the way he meets a lot of people who discuss their
particular interesting perspectives on life and opinions on his actions.
The end is a suprise. The film shows an interesting cross section of common
people and their stories. It is not a quaint or culturally romantic, but
has a freshness and realism.
My Summer of Love - rating - good**** (chick flick)
UK - English 2004
Pawel Palikowski - director
Two girls from opposite economic backgrounds spend the summer together,
getting into trouble together in a small contemporary english town. This
is a chick flick with many topics that girls can relate to from their
teenage years.
Mediterraneo - rating - Ok***
Italy - Italian, Greek 1991
Italian sailers are abandoned on a small greek island during WW2. The
movie is full of funny little stories of the soldiers. It is a very human
movie about the common man told with an interesting italian perspective.
Lila Says - rating: good****
French 2004
A young man from a muslim neighborhood in France falls in love with a
french girl and this creates problems with the young man's buddies. The
film is seductive and blue collar. It shows a multi-dimensional side of
European muslim life that exists. It is good.
Don Juan - rating: waste of cellulose*
French
with Penelope Cruz, Emmanuel Beart.
This movie sucked, don't rent it. Boring, no direction, not exciting
in any way, and no solid set of events. I think penelope cruz quit her
job after the first part of the movie.
The Motorcycle Diaries - rating: good****
Argentina 2004
Che Guevara - his life before he was famous, the movie follows his early
experiences travelling across South America. The story moves quickly and
has a modern production feel with full budget lighting and detail.
Advertising Rules - rating: ok***
Germany 2001
This is a silly movie where a young man finds himself fighting the old
stodgy system of the elders in Berlin within the advertising industry.
It is funny, reminiscent of a Hollywood style comedy.
Bandits - rating: ok***
Germany 1997
Starring Katja Rimann, Jasmin Tabatabai, Nicolette Krebitz
this one was a little cheesy, but the charactors were very strong, good
acting for the young woman who starred. it is hollywood style, but takes
place all within Germany, so it is different.
Russian Ark - rating: ok***
Russia 2002
Very different style of movie. follow a man through time in St. Petersburg.
Learn alot of russian history, get the feel of the 18th century. this
should be a good movie. I wished for more of a 'people' story in it, but
that wasn't the point of this type of movie. The point is to focus on
history, understand the marble-floored lives of the tsars, parties, obsession
with art, and Russian cultural self-focus.
#32 The Blond - La Bionda - rating: good ****
Italy 1992
This was an enjoyable film of an unusual situation where a common watch
repairman living in modern Milan finds himself involved with a woman (Nastassia
Kinski) he accidentally hits with his car. She has memory loss, but finally
returns to her old life in organized crime. The common man played by Sergio
Rubini is accidently sucked up into a complicated situation. The movie
has a typical italian flavor, with dramatic music and a slightly aged
look(despite the film being from the 90's)
Honey for Oshun - ??? spanish title - rating: Eh.... **
Cuban 2001
This film had a complete story, with suspense, and strong characters.
Roberto (Jorge Perugorria) goes looking for his long lost mother after
returning from the US which is father brought him to when he was a child.
The problem with this movie is it is tooooo slow. if they removed all
the silences between lines, it would be better. Second, the movie soundtrack
is aweful and synthetic sounding and is used throughout the movie even
when it is inappropriately matched to the visuals. Too much music, too
poor of a quality.
Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift - rating: Good****
USA
This was a fun movie, not too harsh or deep. I learned a little about
modern Japan through the movie. Amazing cars, hot chicks, some story...
It is entertaining for men and woman.
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Read My Lips - rating ok
French
Did not finish this film
Under the Sun - rating - incomplete
Sweden
Did not finish viewing this film, but it seemed ok in the first half.
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