My Favorite Movies

Director Hal Ashby is pure genuis in this sleeper hit. Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon are perfect for this odd tale of romance. The script is full of insightful truisms that bring joy to the heart. What makes this film my favorite is the fact it was filmed in San Mateo County where I lived from 1982 to 1992. When I watch it now it bring a sentimental tone to me when I pick out the Daly City/Colma locations.

This film changed my life. It was so thick with characters that it took several viewing just to completely understand the whole picture. I learned how to view a film by this process. Robert Altman loved to challenge the viewer with his over lapping dialogue creating an aspect of real life. His ability to give his actors the confidence and freedom created excellent performances. The large cast is perfect and I learned to love each one's story. In the 90's I was able to watch this film in a theatre again at the Castro in San Francisco. The packed house recited the lines and sang the songs. It was pure bliss.

One of my favorites!

I film helped define the punk generation.

I love Catherine Deneuve. A great Roman Polanski film.

The cinematic experience doesn't get much better than this. This a beautifully stylized film with a violently obscene topic. I kept thinking back to when I saw Martin Scorsese's Taxidriver in 1977. That film is similar in nature. A lot of time has passed since 1977 and I must say the future for director Steve McQueen is bright and exciting. He has taken Europe by storm with accolades from the Irish, British film awards as well as Cannes. It seems to have escaped the attention in the states.

The story centers on Bobby Sands the IRA prison in 1981. The prisoners were protesting lack acknowledgement of IRA as political prisoners but as criminals. The film is brutal as you see a slice of prison life from beatings to the hunger strike that ended Bobby Sands life. Actor Michael (300) Fassbender is brilliant as Bobby Sands.

McQueen who is a product of art school puts his flair for an artistic eye to work throughout the film. He gives the viewer different angles of perspective that the schlock of Hollywood couldn't even dream of. What's brilliant is that it's not obviously arty; it's just away to get a closer look at a dark subject.

I'm sure the fate of this film. In Kansas City it looks like it might end tonight. If you have the chance, go see it. If you have to wait rent it when it hits the home market.

Bergman at his best!