HISTORY & ART

You do NOT have to be a history buff to enjoy this type of movie (perhaps it helps!) What a performance...FUNNY!! GREAT ACTING! OLD MEDIEVAL TIME FRANCE, I BELIEVE (Charles II) ....even a penned author (female Elizabeth Barry) in this tale!! God, the depiction of syphillis...Will NEVER look at Johnny Depp and think pretty (sexy) boy again!!

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(May, 2005 Director: Mick Davis) WONDERFUL THOUGH TRAGIC!! Do you love the Renaissance? Art? This is a story of a cubist painter during the time of Picasso! It portrays the alcolism & poverty of those dedicated to their Art. This is a rare performance by Andy Garcia and an impeccable portrait of the life and times of a bygone era. Don't miss this one!! Deals with the real issues of life, poverty, alcoholism...harsh ending...NOT a "chick: flick!

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Maybe my second John Cusak flick & now I cannot get enough! What Talent! I am not going to tell you the subect matter! JUST WATCH IT~~ What talent thse 2 actors have (Cusak and Noah Taylor)!!! ARTISTS (Post WW I)

(Dec 2003 Director Edward Zwick) Do you like History? Martial arts? Tom Cruise? How did YOU miss this movie?!! Best of the Best!! Superb everything and incredible story line......SPANISH REVIEW HERE:
jonathannet MCT: User hasn't taken. May 17, 2007 Me Gusta mucho la cultura de los Samurai y claro las muy hermosas Katanas, por eso recomiendo altamente esta pelicula.

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(April 2006, Director Andy Garcia) Andy Garcia, Dustin Hoffman & Bill Murray right away worth seeing...add Cuba's history to this & you have what movies ought to be!! TREMENDOUS IMPACT! Watch it for Andy Garcia's character who has tremendous heart and responsbility in the face of life's most serious events thrown at him! Dustin Hoffman & Bill Murray's performances--off beat but very special in this movie! 6 STARS!! Also check out Modigliani....if you have a passion for painting or the Renaissance..or the arts!

(2006 Director: Edward Zwick) This motion picture reaches toward social conscience in this study of the oppressive civil conflicts within parts of Africa and the diamond trade as it is set in the 1990's during the brutal Sierra Leone civil war. Jennifer Connelly portrays a genuinely spirited American journalist, Maddy Bowen, driven to get her story...pursuing Leonard DiCaprio who plays Danny Archer, a S. African mercenary born in S. Africa. Yes this deals with the civil war factions within S. Africa and the terrible toll this is wreaking on family structures as pre-teens are kidnapped and forced to join gangs which recruit more "labor" for the diamond trade. This is another film where Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator, Deep Rising) stole the show as the empassioned father captured into slavery mining for diamonds in Sierra Leone. Hounsou earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor:

DiCaprio earned both an Academy Award nomination + a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama). Zwick's direction moves at a fast pace and the brutality and cruelty of the S. Africans toward their own peoples will not be easy to watch. Extreme violence.

1994 Academy Award Winner (Director Edward Zwick again!!) Here is one that was required reading for me in Junior High? I found Brad Pitt believable in this role (hey, I'm also 1/16th Cherokee myself). Also related must sees: (1) "Dances With Wolves (Kevin Costner), (2) The New World (Colin Farrell is amazing in The New World), and (3) Little Big Man (Dustin Hoffman shows his funny bones again!!)

Based on the book by James Bradley (2006 Directors: Clint Eastwood & Steven Spielberg) Wonderful tribute to the men who died & who survived WW II in Japan. Story deals with the ceremonial welcome and publiciity surrounding the "heroes" of that war, cerntering on the lives of a choice few of these fine men. Adam Beach portrays an Indian hero and survivor with fellow solidiers Harry Pepper (The Green Mile, Battlefield Earth), Jamie Bell, (King Kong, Undertow), Jesse Bradford (Heights, Eulogy, Hackers), Neal McDonough (The Guardian, Walking Tall) & Paul Walker. Tale is told from each of the perspectives & their familes......Robert Patrick (Terminator II, Walk the Line) has a short role as Captain in this film.

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(Dec. 2005 Director: Lasse Hallstrom) Superb! Great storyline (didn't I already write this review??? LOL ...Okay, well....Jeremy Irons is hell bent to see young Casanova prosecuted for his "crimes" of passion...AS A TRIBUTE TO HEATH LEDGER watch his video of "Can't Take my Eyes Off of You (I Love You Baby) by Franke Valle" from 10 Things I Hate About You!

Trailer: 10 Things I Hate About You

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As a tribute to the late Heath Ledger...He was amazing as was George Sands (Lena Olin) who becomes the unhaveable challenge/ game of chase to young, clever as a fox & just as elusive Casanova! Casanova befriends the young George Sands while being chased by half of the ladies of the Court ! Please watch his singing video of I Need You Baby (see below)!!

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Hilarious views of the period..and King Louis ?

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Trailer: 10 Things I Hate About You

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(Nov. 2004 Director: John Turtletaub) Just saw this...and loved it! Lots of Nicholas Cage high energy & humor charges a racing plot.....themed around the quest for a treasure hunt based on clues in the Declaration of Independence...the plot thickens, shall we say?? Oohhhhh! Thrills, opens with a memorable childhood recollection of Benjamin Gates (Cage) as a youngster spying in the attic & followed by his superb gran-pere (none other than Christopher Plummer)....Even Harvey Keitel's talents are featured as the FBI head agent leading the investigation of Gates alias Woods & did I pay an honorable mention to Cage's wiley father (Jon Voight)?? ........This film also pays its tributes to our historical foun

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ding fathers..5 stars for great editing & fun thrown into the tense suspense & action of this treasure-hunter thriller!!
NO, IT IS NOT RELATED BUT HERE IS A TOAST TO THE LEGENDS INGRID BERMAR & HUMPHREY BOGART!!

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(December 2006 Director Shawn Levy) WOW!! Delightfull story of mystical museum.......Owen Wilson, Dick Van Dyke, Ben Stiller (lead), even Mickey Rooney are the cast in this movie!

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Inventive book by author Milan Trinc.

(January 2001 DVD release)

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A very very understated role for the very talented Andy Garcia....Kevin Costner shines.......Always have liked Charles Martin Smith..can relate to him!! MUST SEE THIS!!

(1981 Director: Jean-Jacques Annuad) RAW! BRILLIANT!! This is TRUE primitive prehistoric man...yes, of course there is brutality tribalism competitiveness & raw sexuality!! Has much changed?? Far superior (no script)....to 5000 Years B.C. starring Raquel Welch (though I enjoyed that movie too!!) Brilliant!

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(1986 Director: Ross McElwee) Documentary. Watching it now. review to follow...Watched this as an Instant View from Netflix but encountered difficulty completing it. Cute story of a young Southern male filmmaker being fixed up by his family who is trying to find him the right girl! Interesting & beautiful photography...but i had been hoping for some historical data about CIVIL WAR'S SHERMAN'S MARCH..oh well..

Hmmmm Christine (The Celtic Poet's) Top pick of 2006! This movie is also on Alexander's favorite movies list

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Hmmm I think my son would say, "Hey, Mom you get to see Hugh Jackman as a bald guy in this one!" .....

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Hey both Ben & I are HUGE fans of Hugh Jackman (Wolverine-Xmen, The Prestige, Van Helsing) & Rachel Weisz (Nephretiri-The Mummy/Returns, Sunshine & The Constant Gardner)

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(2006 Director: Christopher Nolan!) Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansen, Chrisian Bale, Michael Caine & DAVID BOWIE!! WHAT A CAST!! Watched this movie today (New Year's) in parts. It seemed kind of long but enjoyed it. I thought it was rather oriiginal. I liked the historical aspect & the setting oin likely what the late 1800"s (there was electriicity invented obviously)

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Michael Caine is a fascinating actor...Christian Bale also. Parts are a bit raw (violence) not graphic sexuality (for once!!) Based on the book by Christian Priest.

(1998) Wonderful performance by Cate Blanchett & Joseph Fiennes (I did not realize it was him who played her lover Robert until I saw the credits) I felt her pain...joys fears & disbelief at the repeated amazing betrayals she suffered. THIS version of her historical story paid more attention to HOW she became Queen and even made it the theme of the movie, I feel. I have yet to see Judith Dench's portrayal (but anxiously look forward to it as time permits).

Cate Blanchett was so genuine in this film. Her performance was RAW.

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Hmmmm stars Klaus Maria Brandauier (The Crown Affair, Out of Africa)...I can't believe I missed this one!!

Gritty...based on true story of Mexican labor story. Hey Martin Sheen is in this one too?? Gotta see it now!

(2003 Director Eric Till) Superb! The true story of the German monk Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes) who translated the bible into the language of the common man...changing history and barely escaping execution for his tyrrany! He is aided by a very wise old German ruler (Peter Ustinov)...

Really good. Just watched it. To be continued...

a much better than the average yarn.....depicting not only the lives touched by this amazing race horse, son of infamous legend...but also baring insights into the tough times faced during the Great Depression...Great acting performances....Bill Macy is spiritied, as is supportive Jeff Bridges, Trainer David McCullough...and a fine performance by young Toby McGuire (Spiderman, The Cidar House Rules) himself!

(1996 Director Alan Parker)Must have to referred to this movie 5 times in the past 2 or 3 weeks. I loved it, adored it! Do YOU like Madonna? Could I please then recommend this one to you!? She is phenomenal in it! You know, she made this almost RIGHT AFTER she gave birth to her FIRST CHILD!! 5 STARS HANDS DOWN! "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina..."

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FAIR WRNING**THIS IS DEFINITELY A MUSICAL!! She plays the late wife of Argentina President Colonel Perrone, Eva Perrone, who gains the power of the throne Based on the true storry of these popular rulers in Aergentina's history. Powerful performance by Madonna. .AWESOME BUT IT IS A MUSICAL!!

(1997 Director: John Badham) Excellent story of the choices we make in life. Had forgotten to review this "guilty pleasure." Love the chemistry between the lead character and his captive. Highly recomend this one. Not as predictable as it looks. Subject: Forgery of "the Greats' paintings.

(1958 Director: Cecil B DeMille) Hard to believe this timeless tale was prodcuerd in 1958. Charleton Heston will always be Moses and "Blue Eyes" (Planet of the Apes) to meThen there is the lovely Yvonne DeCarlo (Mrs. Munster)

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And let's not forget Yul Brenner, Edgar G Robinson, et cetera et cetera et cetera. EPIC

(1968 Director Alan Parker) One of Gene Hackman's most brilliant films!! A MUST SEE..So you THINK you know a little about the costs for freedom? civil rights? Lots more have bled than just hearts!! Please also note Spanish review by Ramiroguiller (in Comments section below...) Aquí hay una página para comenzar a ver otra realidad sobre los negros:
http://www.concytec.gob.pe/foroafroperuano/inventado.htm It is NOT a "Blood Diamond," but I found it to be a bold and moving film, along the lines of "To Kill a Mockingbird."

(2008 Director: Brett Morgen) Animated & artistic portrayal of 1968 CHICAGO VIETNAM WAR PROTESTS...Co-stars Dylan Baker & the awesome Nick Nolte. Winner of Sundance Film Festival award. "Free speech died here under those clubs."

(2009 Director: Jonas Elmer) Saw ithis movie early this Summer @ Women's Church Group with guests/friends. All loved it! Perhaps a bit of "Baby Boom" --mixed with Bridget Jones + Gidget makes good (but seting: freezing cold winter in Wisconsin) maybe.....LOVED Siobhan Fallon as the very casual + "homey" Minnesota secretary...Bridget could almost be a Spice Girl for her glamour & amazing figure in this film...watching her trying to walk in ice/snow in spiked high heels.. !Aye caumba!! LOL Know any Minnesotoanseoses?? Kind of a bit on the Canadian side, hey?! :) MORE TO FOLLOW

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(Director: Mike Newell) (To be releasted Summer 2010) REVIEWS...Sir Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina co-star...New Bond Girl Proud of Her 'Little Oddity'
Posted by SexiVixxEN 3 hours ago
Full Story: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/gemmaarterton_blog...
Bond girls have long been exceptional women. From Ursula Andress to Halle Berry, they have each embodied the feminine ideal of their particular time. Gemma Arterton, the statuesque stunner who plays Agent Fields in next month's Quantum of Solace, has proven herself to be exceptional not only for her English Rose beauty, but also because she was born with six fingers on each hand.
"It's my little oddity that I'm really proud of," she said to Esquire magazine. "It makes me different." Different indeed. The condition, called Polydactyly, occurs in 1 of every 500 births.
Don't bother looking for additional digits in the film, though. As a child, the surplus digits were "tied," which causes the boneless protrusions to fall off with time. She still bares bumpy scars where her extra appendages once were.
Earlier this year, she revealed that she was also born with a crumpled ear, which was surgically corrected in childhood. "I was born with lots of deformities," the 22-year-old actress told the British press.
Arterton, a graduate of London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art who was best known for a BBC adaptation of Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," beat out 1,500 contenders to become the latest Bond girl. She admitted to InStyle magazine that having to kiss Daniel Craig on her first day working on the film had her "giggling left, right, and center and being really immature."
Next up for Arterton is the movie adaptation of the videogame Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, coming the summer of 2010. To see more of the genetically unusual but undeniably extraordinary future star, watch the behind-the-scenes video from "Quantum of Solace"

(Feb. 2007 Director: Olivier Dahan) This movie touched me in the old style very very Charlie Chaplain kind of way...not exactly a musical..although rich and demonstrative of the times it is set in....

Gerard Deparieu (Cyrano, The Man in the Iron Mask & the Count of Monte Cristo) as Daddy De L'Eppe..who was a savior truly a saviour to little near orphan Edith, now Edith Piaf (Marion Coutillard). I am almost ashamed to have waited to see this on Netflix online as an "instant play," but it moved me so on this late Saturday night..I feel I myself this woman's life story is an inspiration to go on--no matter what obstacle or loss! This mighty little woman with the big voice & incredible big violet blue eyes...went from singing with her circus performing Dad on the streets (begging) passing through a deep albeit life-long friendship with another runaway gal (portrayed by Elisabeth Commelin) and ultimately to arrive in demand commanding the talents of many refined & talented along the way.....

St. Theresa is to whom little Edith prays as a small child...and she even has visions regarding this spiritual connection.

Craig's & Badblondie's reviews definitely made this sound like a must-see! And they were oooohh soooooo right!

Sad...heart rendering story of an amazing life, born a deprived child, shuffled back and forth between Dad & Grandma (who ran a brothel where she was truly loved, however), back with dad...rather sickly in her youth.

A tiny frame with such a large spirit & love of the cabaret night life & camaraderie as a common person who was destined for fame despite her obstacles.

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(1990 Director: Alan Parker) Seems there were made a film or 2 including hush hush accounts of the internment of Japanese living in America in response to WW II! This film is one; another is Snow Falling on Cedars, though in a less underplayed way..

Just watching this movie (Netflix rental) tonight. I have awaited its arrival & been looking forward to it! Wished to see it both for the actors & its themes & wondering how it was handled--released in 1990 (filmed at the end of the '80's "Me" generation] Both sides of this cd-rom have film--the main movie on one side; the flip side has directorial comments, video images & much more.

This is a very sensitive handling of the racial & nationalism issues of the 1940's just pre-bomibing of Pearl Harbor set when this very unlikely pair met. Irish Projectionists' Labor Union attorney Jack McGunn (Dennis McQuaid) well versed in the Wagner Labor Relations Act. Jack is ousted because he disapproves of the dirty politics and is forced to move to Los Angeles to stay with his brother (Colm Meany) and meets through his modest job as projectionist for a private theatre in Little Toyko the beautiful Lily Wakamura (Tamlyn Tomita) seamstress & daughter of a modest Japenese family living in Little Tokyo (Los Angeles).