My Favorite Movies

The Last Samurai overcomes its formulaic story to some degree in its execution. Japanese culture and history clearly fascinate director Edward Zwick. His team created authentic sets and gorgeous costumes and took copious advantage of the beautiful surroundings, especially the small town of Himeji.


The attention to detail becomes a bit much, however, as the samurai prepare for their final climactic battle--several of these scenes could have been cut. But Zwick really shines as the battle finally begins: When the outnumbered samurai make their last stand, charging a hillside of Imperial soldiers armed with rudimentary machine guns, it's with the same doomed bravado the director captured in Glory when the black Civil War soldiers fought their last battle. The emotional impact continues when the battle ends and the entire Imperial army--made up mostly of Japanese peasants who have been turned into soldiers but cannot suppress many of their own beliefs--bow down on the battlefield to honor the fallen samurai. It's certainly a memorable moment.


All the acting performances in this film are top notch, and I wouldn't be surprised if Watanabe was nominated for an Oscar. Cruise gives a convincing performance of the transformation from a broken man who cares about nothing to someone who cares so much for these foreign people that he's willing to die for them. The only problem with Cruise is his "stardom." He's such a huge mega-star that it's often impossible to forget you are watching Tom Cruise dressed up as a samurai, which is more than a little distracting.


The Last Samurai is a breathtakingly beautiful film that is sure to land cinematography nominations. When the Japanese conscripts armed with muskets face down a charge of mounted samurai you will feal their fear. Kurosawa would be proud.


While the story is not perfect, and we are forced to endure a few cheesy moments of Algren, it is undeniably powerful and moving. It's definetly a must see...

"Crash" shuns political correctness with an enthusiasm rarely observed in modern cinema: its characters say exactly what they think and feel providing for an uncomfortable but uniquely edgy experience. What Haggis seems to be saying is that we're all prejudiced in some way or another no matter how broadminded we like to think we are and his film takes a look at the aftereffects of that ignorance, of all that bottled-up resentment and intolerance. Bullock's character Jean sums the incendiary situation up best when she says she wakes up angry every morning and doesn't know why. It's because L.A.'s racial boundaries are so clinically defined, so stringent that the city's rich melting pot of inhabitants rarely comes into physical contact with one another on its bustling, dangerous streets.


Bottom line, Crash is a masterpiece, thought provoking film that encourages dialogue on racism and ignorance. Given the tumultuous state of our current society this is indeed a positive thing.

Life is Beautiful: I think the title of this film says it all. Roberto Benigni won his first American Oscar for the film, in which he starred, directed, and wrote; quite a repertoire for the foreign actor. The film is set against the backdrop of a pre-conquered Italy in the late 1930's and early 40's. Life, at that time, was truly beautiful for Roberto's character as he captures the heart of a debutante school teacher for whom he falls madly in love. They are eventually wed and bear a child, just as Italy is on the cusp of being taken over by Hitler's Nazis. The family is soon forced to relocate to a concentration camp.

Although some of the subject matter happens to be rather dark, Benigni managed to keep the film light and humorous and somehow forces you to laugh. He told the touching tale with historical accuracy that makes the movie viewer feel like a primary witness to a time not-so-long-ago.

This may sound cliché, but "you'll laugh, you'll cry!" Sorry, I had to say it. Life is Beautiful will have you at the edge of your seat fighting back the tears. It celebrates love, love between soul mates, and the love between a parent and their child. It celebrates the survival of innocence during a time that was ravaged by a horrific war. This movie has it all. It is well worth the watch.

Gladiator delivers on every level. As a historical drama (it's very loosely based on a true story) it's engrossing and features a beautifully constructed Ancient Rome. As an action film, it is full of heat-stopping moments. Any time Maximus heads into the arena, you're in for a treat. Ridley Scott has had a magnificent career, and it's incredible how he was able to innovate with the action scenes at such an advanced age.

Phoenix, Djimon Hounsou and Connie Nielson all put in nice supporting performances, but this is Crowe's movie. When he yells to the crowd ?Are you not entertained?!?? just try and not get chills down your spine. He carries an obscene amount of emotional weight throughout the whole film, and you can't blame him. Avenging the brutal death of you family is an easy motivation to give your lead character, but it never puts Maximus's direction in doubt. He is singular in his mission and you have no doubt throughout the film that he will either avenge his family or die trying.

extraordinary...I've seen it at least 8 times...it never ceases to inspire me...
I can't imagine any other actor pulling this role off as convincingly as Williams does. There is a madness that twinkles in Williams eyes that you just can't fake. I consider this one of the best films of the 90's and is one of my all-time favorites

With elaborate costumes, vivid battle scenes, and a noble hero as its focal point, Braveheart is more than your typical run-of-the-mill action movie. Part history, part Hollywood heroism - its timeless idealism strikes a cord with every viewer. In fact, the movie itself led to a revival in nationalistic pride that fueled the successful Scottish independence movement of the 1990s. It's a testament to the strength and character of the real life William Wallace. A thousand years later, his enduring legacy continues to transform the European landscape, and Mel Gibson captures the noble warrior's passion with an awe-inspiring Academy Award-winning masterpiece.

What can I say more?!...Watching this movie several times, made me express an enormous sense of respect towards this nation, called Scotland.

Oh, and I almost forgot...the final scene, when he is captured, and he yells his last breath out "freeeeddooooommm", it gives me the chills evry time I watch it - that's what I call emotion power...

Rarely do we see a mainstream film ("indie" as it is) that deals so openly and concretely with the concept of faith, depicting the different ways that people deal with a possible encounter with the divine. Henry is not the only skeptic. It's intimidating, even frightening, for some to come face to face with the divine. Even Father Salazar is cautious, sensing the weight of having to confirm or dispel a miracle. The film also explores the relationship between miracles and faith. Do we perceive miracles because we have faith, or is faith the product of being touched by miracles? Do we believe in miraculous healing, or do we heal ourselves through the power of our own minds? And what role can we play in growing and nurturing the faith of others - particularly those lost in despair?

Henry Poole Is Here is a very personal film for director Mark Pellington, who suffered a devastating loss in his own life. How lucky we are that he chose to exorcise his grief by creating for us tender, life-affirming and faith-filled movie. Despite its limited release status, I was thrilled to see Henry Poole showing the other night at my local multiplex. Can a beautiful little film like this find an audience? I guess you've got to have faith.

Simply the best film i have seen for twenty+ years...It just entered my top ten favorite movies... Almost made me cry...Brilliant acting, extremly moving story and magnificent music...Definitely a masterpiece....It has the same haunting feeling that The Searchers gave with an epic John Wayne performance. I believe this film will also be seen as a classic 70+ years after its release.

This film is something rare in today's cynical film scene - it's unabashedly sentimental. It wears its heart on its sleeve and isn't ashamed of doing so. In this way, it invites you to be a part of the magic. You, as an audience member, need to simply accept and let the film flow over you. There are logic problems, sure, and the willing suspension of disbelief is necessary but it is well worth it. If you let it, August Rush will fill you with a bit of the magic of the world.

The cast is wonderful. Keri Russell, who turns in a magical performance, is rapidly becoming a reason to see a film. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is understated and calm, in a role which could have easily gone the other way and Freddie Highmore, with his angelic smile, makes you believe he can really feel the music. The only misstep in casting is Robin Williams. He tries, but has a very hard time over-coming his smirk to really turn in the credible performance of which we know he is capable.

I have watched a variety of movies in my lifetime and I have never before been so moved by how this extroardinary little boy just touches your heart letting you feel his strong emotion of love . The power of his faith at what he knows in his heart what will be. And even tho the odds,and people are against him, he never gives up to the overwhelming negativity in his life. I could feel the many emotions in this film,I could even relate to alot of the circumstances.

August Rush couldn't be more of a fairy tale if it started with "once upon a time" and ended with "happily ever after." And it will leave you feeling just as good as all those fairy tales you remember from your youth.


"All you have to do is listen..."

brilliant screenplay, and genious acting by hanks..."run, forrest, ...run"

freeman's genius simplicity and vega's latino innocence...very tastefull...
...worth discovering, and it can be discovered by each person who watches it, no matter how many reviews are read, no matter how many friends see it and recommend it. It's just that kind of movie

masterpiece of simplicity







you may initially underestimate the film's many virtues and only came to truly appreciate it through repeated viewings...

smth to learn from...

It tells with sophisticated simplicity a not so simple story of faith and unconditional love and the sadness that comes to one who falls short in both

For all of its apparent melodrama, "The Color of Paradise" is not an obvious or manipulative film. It is too deliberately simple. And it is made with delicacy and beauty. The soundtrack is alive with natural sounds of woodpeckers, birdsongs, insects and nature, voices and footfalls. A blind person would get a good idea of the locations and what is happening--as Mohammad does. The performance by young Mohsen Ramezani, as the boy, is without guile; when he cries once in frustration, we do not see acting, but raw grief.

"The Color of Paradise" is a family film that shames the facile commercialism of a product like "Pokemon" and its value system based on power and greed. Because they do not condescend to young audiences, Majidi's films of course are absorbing for adults as well, and there is a lesson here: Any family film not good enough for grownups is certainly not good enough for children.

Robbins and Freeman's performance go hand in hand perfectly...but again, who doesn't Freeman go hand in hand with?!...An amazing movie. Easily one of the best movies made during the 90s and definitely one of the top 'prison' movies of all-time. Pretty much everything about this movie works and works extremely well!

circle of trust:))

Watching Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris onscreen, I soon forgot the awkwardness of the missing armrest next to me. Their performances were nothing short of excellent, especially that of Cuba Gooding Jr. At times, mere glances with his eyes were enough to tell the story, superbly conveying Radio's feelings to the audience, especially before we heard him speak at the beginning. Ed Harris's character enjoyably complemented Cuba's, and the two developed a very believable and enjoyable onscreen friendship.

Aside from the acting, one of the most impressive things about "Radio" was that, by the end of the film, almost every character had been believably changed in some way. From the coach to his wife and daughter, to the players on the team, they were all in some way noticeably different by the film's end. This included Radio himself, who had found a place for himself in a world where most people had barely cared to notice him. This is a difficult task for most films to pull off convincingly with one character, let alone several. Director Michael Tollin and screenwriter Mike Rich deserve to be commended.

In the end, "Radio" was a remarkable film. James Horner's musical score brilliantly highlighted nearly every scene, blending flawlessly with the unfolding story. It was a story that embraced the very essence of living, reminding us of virtues that can make us all a little bit better.

it's simple and yet captivating

Robert D. Jr, Stiller and Cruise...just a perfect combination

two words...damon wayans

magnificent performance by carrey with another "not-funny" character...and...kate winslet is just amazingly talented, not to mention one of the most beautiful actresses...

"Invincible" may not be perfect but it really doesn't have to be, because when the yards are counted and the score is tallied thanks to its rugged hero this film's a winner.

eleanor...

...retorical question!...:))
u're a disgrace to all gelatinous, outta shape little kids out there.....billy bob has done it again....wicked..:))

Smith really keeps this movie afloat though, showing he isn't afraid to move into even darker territory. He still has his nice smile but he also portrays a bruised sadness, a brooding anger, and moments of real uneasiness around people. His work with Rosario Dawson is near perfect, as is she. The romance becomes a big set-piece of the second half and even though I wish the film spread its focus around a little more, I treasured the time between Smith and Dawson and thought the two showed fantastic chemistry together. She's vulnerable, honest, and heartbreaking and proves to be a fantastic romantic match. If only more of the plot was allowed to breathe as well as the romance does, "Seven Pounds" would have been among the truly great films of 2008.

eat to bite...bite to eat:))

u chunky...

Control freaks, battered wives, the homeless, a woman as entrepreneur, old school Calvinism versus modern flexible Christianity? So many contemporary social issues all in one seemingly innocent tale about the therapeutic effects of chocolate? ...Yep, Chocolat has them all.

The film, finally, is about having the power to change, to accept others regardless of their differences. Brimming with dualities, it pairs themes of feast with fasting and Christian tradition against pagan rituals. Though Vianne is clearly the heroine, the Comte, who believes he is doing good, is not altogether villainous.

dark comedy, yet very nasty scenes...but where is the stone?:))

But what really makes THE TRUMAN SHOW work is all the side issues raised by the screenplay. At one level, it's a satire of television, in that the viewers and producers talk about Truman as if he really were nothing more than a character in a TV show, and some of his little daily problems are the artificial, contrived stuff of soap operas. It can also be read as a shot at the current fad of "reality" programming that has brought us the likes of "World's Scariest Police Chases" and "When Animals Attack." Equally interesting, however, is the issue of how we simply accept the reality into which we are born. There are times when I found myself wondering why Truman didn't start getting suspicious earlier, but the small bits of weirdness like the supposed crumbling airplane may well just be part of everyday life as far as he's concerned. Niccol's screenplay also addresses the human rights aspect rather well. He allows Christof to argue that it is the outside world with all its violence and unrest that is sick and twisted rather than his scheme to keep Truman in the studio and on camera, yet still ultimately sides with the small "Free Truman" movement that seems to have sprung up.

Simply put, THE TRUMAN SHOW has everything that makes for an excellent film: an engaging lead performance, a screenplay with solid characterization and plotting and interesting subtexts, and controlled direction that adds to the personality of the film without getting in the way

it's not about fight scenes, which are excellently displayed, but the screenplay...I love the part when he is on the rice plantation

perfect story of survival

original footage and very interesting plot

interesting message, but if you truly want to learn something you definetely have to go beyond it and understand that human logic is not what makes this universe running