| 9.50 |
American Beauty |
1999 |
MENDES, Sam |
SPACEY, Kevin; BENING, Annette; BIRCH, Thora; BENTLEY, Wes; SUVARI, Mena; GALLAGHER, Peter; COOPER (I), Chris |
Mesmerizing in its perfection - performances, story, direction, courage |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0169547 |
5 |
Yes |
| 9.50 |
Ararat |
2002 |
EGOYAN, Atom |
ALPAY, David; KHANJIAN, Arsinéel; PLUMMER, Christopher; |
Awsome - Perhaps Egoyan's best, and that's saying a lot. Intricate as always. Totally beautiful and thoughtful. |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0273435/ |
1 |
Yes |
| 9.50 |
Once were Warriors |
1994 |
TAMAHORI, Lee |
Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga |
Amazingly well made view and explanation of brutal urban Mauri life. Every moment contributes. (Brutal violence) |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0110729 |
2 |
Yes |
| 9.25 |
Big Night |
1996 |
TUCCI, Stanley; SCOTT, Campbell |
Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Ian Holm, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney, Campbell Scott, Marc Anthony |
One of the most nearly perfect films made in the U.S. Perfect textures and tension. (Eat well before or after!) |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0115678 |
2 |
Yes |
| 9.25 |
English Patient, The |
1996 |
MINGHELLA, Anthony |
Ralph Feins, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Naveen Andrews, Colin Firth, Julian Wadham, Juergen Prochnow, Kevin Whately, Clive Merrison, Nino Castelnuovo, Hichem Rostom |
An almost perfectly made film. Disappointing but perhaps necessarily simplifed version of the book. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0116209 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Hamlet |
1996 |
BRANNAGH, Kennith |
BRANNAGH, Kenneth, CHRISTIE, Julie, CRYSTAL, Billy, ATTENBOROUGH, Richard; |
Marvelous. Wonderfully directed, especially well shot and staged. Slightly tiresome cameo appearances. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0116477 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
High Art |
1998 |
CHOLODENKO, Lisa |
SHEEDY, Ally; MITCHELL, Rhada; CLARKSON, Patricia; GRIMES, Tammy; MANN, Gabriel |
Extraordinarily well made, intelligent, beautiful and sexy film. Realism in no way detracts from the tension. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0139362 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
High Noon |
1952 |
ZINNERMANN, Fred |
COOPER, Gary; MITCHELL (I), Thomas; BRIDGES, Lloyd; JURADO, Katy; KELLY, Grace |
Very stylish, suspenseful (western) suspense thriller |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0044706 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
I am Sam |
2001 |
NELSON, Jessie |
PENN, Sean; PFEIFFER, Michelle; DERN, Laura; FANNING, Dakota; WIEST, Dianne |
Very powerfull tear-jerker. Michelle over-the-top in first half only. So well made. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0277027 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Manchurian Candidate, The |
2004 |
DEMME, Jonathon |
WASHINGTON, Denzel; STREEP, Meryl |
An unusually good re-make of an outstanding original |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0368008/ |
3 |
Yes |
| 9.25 |
Mystic River |
2003 |
EASTWOOD, Clint |
PENN, Sean; ROBBINS, Tim |
Very very well done. Great ensemble. Rich characters but none ever over the top. Marcia Gay Harden might be good - but she only shows one emotion all through the film. (One goof - the girl can be seen breathing on the autopsy table.) |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0327056/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Naked |
1993 |
LEIGH, Mike |
David Thewlis, Leslie Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge |
Wonderful dark film; philosopher societal drop-out and bevy of pathetic heros |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0107653 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Run Lola Run |
1998 |
TYKWER, Tom |
POTENTE, Franka; BLEIBTREU, Moritz |
Fantastic three-scenario/version hip movie - clever, superbly edited. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0130827 |
2 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid |
1987 |
FREARES, Stephen |
Shashi Kapoor, Frances Barber |
Excellent nothing-for-granted view of alternative England. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0093913 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Secrets and Lies |
1996 |
LEIGH, Mike |
Brenda Blethy, Timothy Small, Marianne Jean-Baptiste |
Incredable film. Totally believable, superbly directed and acted. Massive tension created just from compassion for the characters. At least two wonderful shots of several minutes duration - very theatrical. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0117589 |
2 |
No |
| 9.25 |
Seven |
1995 |
FINCHER, David |
Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow |
Absolutely superb, wonderfully made, incredibly suspensfull. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0114369 |
1 |
No |
| 9.25 |
William Shakespere's Romeo + Juliet |
1996 |
LUHRMAN, Baz |
Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Pete Postlethwaite |
Awsome present-day setting. Terrific insertion of scenes into gangsta culture. Better than Zerffereli's, for acting, direction, but especially design. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0117509 |
3 |
Yes |
| 9.00 |
101 Reykjavík |
2000 |
KORMAKUR, Baltasar |
GUONASON, Hilmir; ABRIL, Victoria; KARLSDOTTIR, Hanna Maria; KORMAKUR; Baltasar |
Fabulous! Makes me want to go to Iceland and party. Colorful. Very well made. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0237993 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
21 Grams |
2003 |
Alejandro González Iñárritu |
PENN, Sean; WATTS, Naomi; DEL TORO, Benicio; GAINSBOURG, Charlotte; LEO, Melissa |
Inticate structure creates suspense until it unfolds. Great acting. Nice style. |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0315733/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
American History X |
1998 |
KAYE, Tony |
NORTON, Edward; FURLONG, Edward; D'ANGELO, Beverly; LIEN, Jennifer |
Amazingly well done - Norton is fantastic |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0120586 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
An Ideal Husband |
1999 |
PARKER (II), Oliver |
EVERETT, Rupert; MOORE, Julianne; NORTHAM, Jeremy; BLANCHET, Cate; DRIVER, Minnie |
Superbly made, perfect performances, a triumph. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0122541 |
2 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Apocalypse Now |
1979 |
COPPOLA, Frances Ford |
Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper, DUVAL, Robert |
Awesome, fantastically well made, tremendously powerful. "The Horror..." |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0078788 |
4 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Beautiful Mind, A |
2001 |
HOWARD, Ron |
CROWE, Russell; HARRIS, Ed; CONNOLY, Jennifer |
Powerful and moving. Slightly subtler acting (and makeup) would have been good. Nice saturated but dark pallate. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0268978 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Big Lebowski, The |
1998 |
COEN, Joel |
GOODMAN, John; BRIDGES, Jeff |
Hilarious and clever |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0118715 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Boys Don't Cry |
1999 |
PIERCE, Kimberly |
SWANK, Hillery |
Powerful, moving, superbly performed and made |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0171804 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Career Girls |
1997 |
LEIGH, Mike |
CARTLIDGE, Katrin; STEADMAN, Lynda |
Excelent, funny. Extraordinarily well directed, written, and acted. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0118818 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Contempt |
1963 |
GODDARD, Jean-Luc |
BARDOT |
Splendid self-referential film. Interesting critical commentary - which neglects to suggest that the title perhaps refers also to Godard's view of the mainstream which he is joining? |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0057345/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
East is East |
1999 |
O'DONNELL, Damien |
PURI, Om; BASSETT, Linda; |
Clever and delighful. (Sad about the humour drawn from the brides' appearance though) |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0166175 |
2 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Eyes Wide Shut |
1999 |
KUBRICK, Stanley |
CRUISE, Tom; KIDMAN, Nicole |
Wonderfully made, judiciously paced. Cruise fairly good - Kiddman better |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0120663 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le |
2001 |
JEUNET, Jean-Pierre |
TAUTOU, Audrey |
Wonderful. Beautiful palate, very richly but economically developed characters. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0211915 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Farenheit 9/11 |
2003 |
MOORE, Michael |
|
|
|
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Godfather, The |
1972 |
COPPOLA, Frances Ford |
BRANDO, Marlon; PACINO, Al; |
Richly but not over directed, amazing film. UniversallPerfect performances. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0068646 |
5 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Good Night, and Good Luck |
2005 |
CLOONEY, George |
STRATHAIRN, David; DOWNEY Jr. Robert; CLARKSON, Patricia; WISE, Ray; lANGELLA, Frank |
Wonderful, hardly-veiled 2005 resonance, cigarrettes (dissent from Ben Hippen, loyal and more perceptive assent from Megan) |
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433383/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Greed |
1925 |
VON STOHEIM, Erich |
Gibson Gowland, Jean Hersholt, Zasu Pitts, Chester Conklin, Dale Fuller |
Fabulous depressing, detailed silent movie. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0015881 |
1 |
Yes |
| 9.00 |
Hustler, The |
1961 |
ROSSEN, Robert |
NEWMAN, Paul; GLEASON, Jackie; LAURIE, Pyper; SCOTT, George C.; LaMOTTA, Jake; GARDINIA, Vincent |
Incredibly well developed characters. Great trick pool shots. Strong screenplay. Good performances. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0054997 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Igby Goes Down |
2002 |
STEERS, Burr |
CULKIN, Kieran; SARANDON, Susan; GOLDBLUM, Jeff; DANES, Claire; PHILLIPPE, Ryan; PULLMAN, Bill; PEET, Amanda; HARRIS, Jared |
Amazing "Catcher in the Rye" meets "The Royal Tenenbaums" - wonderful ensemble; hilarious while real |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0280760 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
In the Name of the Father |
1993 |
SHERIDAN, Jim |
Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, Peter Postlethwaite |
Amazing! Power comes from pure quality and subtleness; unusually logical character development and iter-relationships |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0107207 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Jésus de Montréal |
1989 |
ARCAND, Denys |
Lothaire Bluteau, Johanne-Marie Tremblay, Robert Lepage, Marie-Christine Barrault, Catherine Wilkeny, Remy Girard, Gilles Pelletier, Denys Arcande |
As incredable the THIRD time. Performances, script, direction outshine. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0097635 |
4 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Laurel Canyon |
2002 |
CHOLODENKO, Lisa |
McDORMAND, Frances; BALE, Christian; BECKINSALE, Kate; McELHONE, Nataschal NOVOLA, Alessandro |
Great ensemble cast; great characters - lots on anxiety |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0298408 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Malcolm X |
1992 |
LEE, Spike |
Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, BASSETT, Angela |
absolutely superb, (weak editing) |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0104797 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Maltese Falcon, The |
1941 |
HUSTON, John |
BOGART, Humphrey; ASTOR, Mary; GEORGE; Gladys; LORRE, Peter; GREESTREET, Sydney |
Classic - they don't do characters like this anymore. Great lighting and shots too. (Prison metaphore at the end.) |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0033870/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Manchurian Candidate, The |
1962 |
FRANKENHEIMER, John |
SINATRA, Frank; HARVEY, Laurence; LEIGH, Janet; LANSBURY, Angela |
Fantastic! (Why does 'The New Yorker' slam it?) Thrilling, stylish, thoughtful. Obviously the seed of a lot of brainwashing belief. Sinatra was very very good. Leigh too - and extremely sexy. Interesting Lincoln motifs. |
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056218/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Matchstick Men |
2003 |
SCOTT, Ridley |
CAGE, Nicolas; ROCKWELL, Sam; LOHMAN, Alison |
Very good - much more so than I expected. Almost plausible. Great ending. |
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0325805/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Million Dollar Baby |
0 |
EASTWOOD, Clint |
|
|
|
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Persona |
1966 |
BERGMAN, Ingemar |
Liv Ulman, Bibi Andersson; KROOK, Margaretha |
Wonderfully textured. Hard as Hell to out (which is good) |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0060827 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Pillow Book, The |
1996 |
GREENAWAY, Peter |
McGREGOR, Ewen… |
Incredibly stunning, visual film. Surperbly edited (often multiple images). |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0114134 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Postino, Il |
1995 |
RADFORD, Michael |
Massimo Troisi, Philipe Noiret, Maria Grazia Cucinotta |
Stunningly beautiful (in terms of scenes and characters) film, subtly directed but outstandingly well acted. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0110877 |
2 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Pulp Fiction |
1994 |
TARENTINO, Quenten |
John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Quenten T., Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken, Eric Stoltz, Amanda Plummer, etc. |
(Upon reflection SUPERB!) But made me laugh at repugnant violence. All performances, direction great. Most thought provoking film in a long while. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0110912 |
4 |
Yes |
| 9.00 |
Raising Victor Vargas |
2002 |
SOLLETT, Peter |
RASUK, Victor; MARTE, Judy; DIAZ, Melonie; GUZMAN, Altagracia; RASKUK, Silvestre; RODRIGUEZ, Krystal |
Brilliant and refreshing. Poignant. Incredible performances by allegedly almost amateur actors |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0316188 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Royal Tenenbaums, The |
2001 |
ANDERSON, Wes |
HACKMAN, Gene; HUSTON, Anjelica; STILLER, Ben; PALTROW, Gwyneth, WILSON, Luke; WILSON, Owen; GLOVER, Danny; MURRAY, Bill |
Clever and hilarious and stylish and audatious |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0265666 |
2 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Sideways |
2004 |
PAYNE, Alexander |
GIAMATTI, Paul; CHURCH, Thomas Haden; MADSEN, Virginia; OH, Sandra |
Very thoughtful and moving - wonderful acting. A delight. |
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/ |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Sling Blade |
1996 |
THORNTON, Billy Bob |
THORNTON, Billy Bob; YOAKAM, Dwight; WALSH, J.T.; RITTER, John; BLACK (II), Lucas; CANERDAY, Natalie (DUVALL, Robert; JARMUSCH, Jim) |
Awesome ensemble, script, direction, filming, everything. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0117666 |
1 |
Yes |
| 9.00 |
Swann |
1996 |
BENSON GYLES, Anna |
Miranda Richardson, Michael Ontkean, Brenda Fricker |
Wonderful film of Carol Shield's book. Similar intricasies to 'Stone Diaries'. Affectively subdued performances |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0117798 |
2 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Talk to Her |
2002 |
ALMODOVAR, Pedro |
|
|
|
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Thelma & Louise |
1991 |
SCOTT, Ridley |
SARANDON, Susan; DAVIS, Geena; KEITEL, Harvey |
Important, funny movie. Both stars amazingly good. |
http://us.imdb.com/Details?0103074 |
3 |
No |
| 9.00 |
Toys |
1992 |
LEVINSON, Barry |
Robin Williams, Joan Cusak, LL J Cool (?) |
Wonderfully stylish, funny, warm film. (Top notch design.) That Maltin hates it proves how stupid he is. |
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0105629 |
1 |
No |
| 9.00 |
United 93 |
2006 |
GREENGRASS, Paul |
wonderful ensemble cast of mainly unknown actors |
Powerful - brilliant in it's subtlety and neutrality. High-anxiety, specially for a film where we know the ending |
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475276/ |
1 |
No |