[7/10] Natural Born Killers

Phew!

Violence, murder as fun? 

The movie is almost unwatchable. The only way I could stomach it, there were no red bloody scenes, like for example in Carrie.

Crazy angles, crazy plot, mad acting. 2+ hours of insanity just to get a point across... it all starts from the childhood. And, maybe another point - abusive men make children messed up. That theme was the one that really bothered me. The scene with shaman went in the depth of it. Rape, violence, abuse... 

If years back I'd be calmer about this topic, today, it make my blood boil. So, the subject matter here is awful and disgusting, very difficult to watch. 

And yet it is 7/10...

Well done!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

[8/10]
Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not yet the end. This is exactly why I love the movie. Of course I couldn't bring myself to give it a 10...snob cough, but it really an inspiring movie about old people finding a new meaning in life.

I Love You to Death (1990)

[6/10]
"I want him dead, but I don't want him hurt." Dark and silly. The wife's revenge on a cheating husband ends with a number of failed attempts. Light hearted, weird and comical, with thick italian accents... Yet, it's just not too funny - the pace is a bit slow, and it's missing a punch.

to watch

I finally came across a list of movies to watch, I had it hiding for years:

Suite Habana by Fernando Perez
The Making of a Martyr by Alistair Leyland and Brooke Goldstein
Following Sean by Ralph Arlyck
Stolen by Rebecca Dreyfus
Nothing More by Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti
Angel on the Right by Jamshed Usmanov
The Best of Youth by Marco Tullio Giordana

plus
JFK 1991
The Last Temptation of Christ 1988
The Birth of a Nation 1915
Natural Born Killers 1994
Last Tango in Paris 1972
Deep Throat 1972
Baby Doll 1956
The Warriors 1979
Freaks 1932
I am Curious (Yellow) 1969
Basic Instinct 1992 *
Cannibal Holocust 1985
Bonnie & Clyde 1967
Do the Right Thing 1989
Kids 1995
Triumph of the Will 1935
Caligula 1980

Priceless (2006)

[9/10]

A clever film with Audrey Tautou & Gad Elmaleh, Priceless (2006) is a refreshing contrast to banal romantic comedies of Hollywood. It's amusing to watch Irene's expensive taste in men and resourcefulness in becoming their girlfriend. Her handling of tricky situation is to be desired (in most NYC ladies especially). Irene certainly knows her game, which Jean is not meant to be a part of. He'd better catch up in order to win this girl - even if it costs him his last euro. Fun, but not for kids =)

Julie & Julia (2009)

[9/10]

What a lovely movie! Inspiring, uplifting ... Before watching it, I was sad & angry, and didn't even want to watch it, but did so to avoid thinking. What a surprising turnaround! The characters are fun & the scenes are gorgeous. Glad I wasn't hungry!

Watch it on a rainy afternoon, when you don't have any plans & it's not quite the time to call it a day. You might find yourself quite creative.

A Single Man (2009)

[10/10]

Sometimes it is incredibly hard to pick just the right words. I got addicted to staring & examining George's life, back in 60's. I loved every scene and every sound of the film. George's character is impeccable... clear and clearly in pain, deeply in love and lost in grief.

The sad plot didn't make me tear, perhaps because it is a gorgeously crafted film. I was aware of that throughout. It did not bother me. I just enjoyed each scene - each camera frame, the lighting, outfits, the music, the dialogs. I thought of references to Eakins, in the suggestiveness, complexity and the display and the beauty of the male body.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

[9/10]

Maybe I'm the mood to watch beautiful women make out with each other, as a voice behind the camera clearly narrates on what they feel. (I generally don't even like Scarlett Johansson, nor Penelope Cruz... ) With all the odds, I quite enjoyed this movie. It must be Woody Allen's obsession with psychoanalysis... and my interest in its ideas. It was surprisingly easy to be comfortable with this movie. I'm just going to relax and maybe replay parts of it - why not.

I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2008)

[7/10]

I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2008) took me by surprise. The trailer really made it seem as a comedy. I found it to be a tragicomedy with a very creative take. It was bizarre most of the time, often for a reason and sometimes just because. Slow pace took time to get the characters and their backgrounds. On the other hand, it was never a still snapshot to begin with.

I really loved multiple references from the past into the present, with alternations in perception, imagination taking over the whole ward and interchanging within the patients. Few moments were quite sad, I sympathized with the characters over their losses. I certainly expected a mellow semi-ambiguous ending with an positive feeling overall, wondering whether it could have been any different.

Sunshine (1999)

[7/10]

Sunshine (1999), an amazing story of a family journey through the era of dictatorships and wars. It's a long movie, but the one you can watch in one breath. I saw it twice, and both times absolutely enjoyed it. I love larger-than-life epic films, and Sunshine(1999) is one of them.

Brüno (2009)

Brüno (2009)

[no comment]

The moment Brüno(2009) started, the moment it ended, the only thought in my mind was "WTF!?" What a disturbing movie to watch on a Sun eve! It had some hilarious moments, yet the level of perversion superseded my expectations. On the other hand, it's a comedy and taking it seriously is just silly.
I wouldn't watch it again. I have tough times rating it - bizarre, funny, extreme. There are very few movies that left me undecided, and Brüno(2009) tops the charts.

Big Love (2006)

5-6/10

What a bizarre show... not many movies or shows out there about Mormons. Would I recommend it? Probably not, though getting to see lives of polygamous families is quite interesting and odd. The hubby's character seemed weak =(

PS: I enjoyed Jeanne Tripplehorn's performance quite a bit.

Burn After Reading (2008)

10/10

Burn After Reading (2008) - a surreal dark comedy, with an excellent plot development, hilarious twists and, most importantly, outrageously ridiculous characters. It's no family comedy, save it for a group of friends with an eccentric sense of humor. Loved it, really.

Mystery Train (1989)

3/10

Mystery Train (1989) is definitely a movie I would never recommend - it is slow, character development and most importantly the overall message are missing. Why spend over an hour of your life on a pointless movie.

If you enjoy artistic movies in general, the Mystery Train (1989) is just not good enough, still. So take a risk if you don't trust my good taste =)

Outfoxed(2004)

8/10

Outfoxed(2004) is a provoking documentary. It's definitely worth seeing - whether you watch Fox or CNN. Outfoxed(2004) makes you question pretty much the whole TV industry. As Robert L. Peters, the principal of Circle (http://www.circle.mb.ca), said: "Question answers. Assume nothing." Wish editing was of a higher caliber, including the background music.

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance(2005)

10/10

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance(2005) is absolutely my favorite kind of movie, except that it is not as uplifting. Other than that - a-m-a-z-i-n-g! It's rich, symbolic, deep. Watch it!

2011: Re-watching this movie again, and I'm getting a different impression. I'm still impressed with the twisted plot and excellent craftsmanship. But I'm a little disturbed by the amount of violence.

Wordplay (2006)

6/10

Wordplay (2006) is OK. It was similar to Spellbound (2003), but about adults. The subject matter - the world of crossword puzzles - is original, and the main characters, the New York Times crossword puzzle compiler - Will Shortz - and crossword puzzle solvers, are super intelligent and geeky at the same time.

For the first time I did not to like Jon Stewart. I think he took a part of a salesman for this movie. Wordplay (2006) also seemed too long at times. Overall I was glad to get out from the theater.

The Beauty Academy of Kabul (2006)

10/10

How can a world swapped by war and destruction be inspiring. Or was it the movie that was inspiring and not the actual situation. Either way, Beauty Academy of Kabul (2006) is stunning and heartbreaking at the same time. It shows the world outside our bubble: the perception on a woman in the non-western society. It is one of few documentaries that carry more than just entertaining information. It starts off with a fairly simple subject in a complex situation. The plot progresses beyond expectations, and grows into a thought-provoking personal story of regular women and their place in the eastern world.

Beauty Academy of Kabul (2006) is truly postmodern in the way it depicts the world: from inside out, with all the subjectivity and realism. It is a reminder of war atrocities through the dialog with women and their families. The Beauty Academy seems to drift away from being a focal point.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

8/10

"Brokeback Mountain", I easily give it an A-/B+ on my movie rating scale. It was hard to push back the prejudice and expectations due to the loud criticism it received by media.

But let us push others' impressions aside and look why "Brokeback Mountain" is worth seen. First of, it is beautifully shot. The views of the nature are picturesque and memorable. Camera work is thrilling, it reinforces the magnificent landscape and convinces the viewer as if I am a part of the scene.

Second, the characters are amazing in all aspects - from development to performance. The cast of the "Brokeback Mountain" is beyond expectations. Each character is distinct and consistent: every move, every gesture, every facial expression - everything is real.

Third, the drama is powerful and nostalgic. The movie is not a Hollywood "happily ever after" story. It is truthful in the same way the characters are truthful to their believes. It is strange to see the ending, and want a better one.

"Brokeback Mountain" is one of its kind. Love drama is the essence of this film. Like or not, it brings us the rough truth and just one way of thinking.

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)

7/10

"Mrs. Henderson Presents" is relaxing and fun to watch. The plot is plain and characters are bold. There are no twists or secrets, however there is an inspiring story about the birth of London'’s Windmill Theater. This movie is definitely fun to watch over and over if you got nothing better to do.

Andrei Rublev (1969)

?/10

3 hours of still grey camera work, zero transitions, strange characters and monotonous Russian mutter is nearly impossible to enjoy on a Sat late night. The plot as we think of it, is absent. Instead, there is Rublev's life in its finest detail with all the surroundings, and a panoramic recording of XV century Russia. While the information presented might be of historical interest, Tarkovsky'’s style is overwhelming with complexity and depression.

100/100 rating as assigned on Rotten Tomatoes is to be questioned. I accept the respect of critics towards Tarkovsky, and I enjoyed his "Solaris" before. However, "Andrei Rublev" is truly "a wrenching testament" that has to be watched and understood ... and both are VERY difficult to do in this case.

Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)

9/10

Intellectual and "designed" to be a 1950s film in all of its aspects. Of course, it is black and white, dramatic in its plot and polished in its visuals, the movie has a steady pace that keeps you involved. Make sure don't be tired when you pick this one, or hold on to a cup of coffee to let your thoughts wonder about quality of the news reporting...
Strathairn does a superb job. It's a fact-based movie well worth your time.

The Island (2005)

3/10
There is a story line that could be believable, pretty nice sci-fi effects and absolutely sucky acting. A trying-to-be-"all-that" kinda movie. It could be a decent thriller overall.
Oh, did I forget to mention, the cast is absolutely gorgeous... Just one more proof that a good looking actor is not necessarily a good actor.

Capote (2005)

9/10

This is a movie that will affect you deeply, on a condition that you understand Hoffman speak. It is an intense drama that pushes you to encourage yourself once you walk out from the theater. What makes it good is that it is based on a true story. Non-fiction movies are the ones to watch for sure.

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

5/10

It's a fun romantic comedy about ballroom dancing world, where innovation is absolutely unacceptable. Tired of traditional stiff steps, the protagonist dances away against the conventions of the corrupt jurors and predetermined family. He has support from very few people, neglected romantics.
The movie has funky steps, few analogies, and great camera work in relevance to characters. Throughout the movie, main characters go through artificially fast progress. On the other hand, other characters stay as extreme in their artificiality as they first appear in the beginning of the movie. The good guys win, and the bad guys lose.
Final word.
This movie will make you grin few times. If you are not into ballroom dancing, pick something else to watch.

Layer Cake (2004)

8/10
      A type of movie you can watch over and over again. This movie is good for a little town boring party, and is definitely not for a relaxing eve with the family. The movie is thought-provoking, fast-paced and complex on many levels. Raw language and cold violence of modern drug dealing world are balancing out the twisted plot.
      The cast is perfect, acting is very believable and impressive, specials are expensive but not overwhelming, and scenes are beautifully composed.
      Final word.
      Although it is just another gangster movie, it is original and refreshing.

1st post

5th day of 2006. This is a blog idea from Dave.

I dedicate this blog to MOVIES, cause they ROCK!