Lene's Talk

Fireworks (Hana-bi)

An ex cop tries to spend time with his dying wife during her final days, but a Yakuza loan shark refuses to leave him in peace. A typically understated marriage of violence and poetry from Beat Takeshi, Hana Bi examines loss and mortality in a deeply personal way. It shares many of the themes of Sonatine, but is not as brutally nihilistic; there is much warmth in the often wordless scenes with his wife which have far more humanity than the contrived schmaltz we are used to from most mainstream film making. Takeshi's laconic persona is taken to the extreme in this film as he silently deals with the loss of his child, his wife's illness and his guilt over his suicidal ex-partner's crippling injury, although he still manages to find humour with the use of some oddball supporting characters. In other words another typically brilliant and artful Beat Takeshi film.

Blood Diamond

A fisherman caught up in the civil war of Sierra Leone reluctanctly teams up with an amoral smuggler to retrieve a precious stone in the hope that it will secure freedom for his family. Edward Zwick has made a career of making worthy adventure-with-a-message movies which have tended to be a cut above the usual Hollwood action blockbuster fodder, and Blood Diamond is very much in this tradition. Rather than a deeply insightful analysis of the political situation, it is more of a straight action adventure that uses the conflict as a colourful backdrop to the story. Not that it doesn't have any points to make; it highlights the cynical complicity of the West in the conflict diamond trade, and the "politics" of the warring factions whose ideologies extend no further than greedy and corrupt self interest. Zwick's penchant for dewy eyed sentimentality does rear its head towards the end of the film, but no more so than most other films of its type; personally my favourite moment was when Hounsou wordlessly eyed the absurdly ostentatious bauble that has been the cause of all his woes, destined for the necks of the idle rich in a jewelry store window. Not in the same league as the likes of The Killing Fields, but if you want something more in the way of rousing adventure rather than emotionally harrowing, this is a fine choice.

Wendy and Lucy

A mesmerizing film of a young woman and her dog on their way to Alaska from Indiana in hopes of starting a new life by getting a job at a Northwestern fish cannery. When Wendy's car breaks down in a desolate Oregon town, her financial situation becomes much more of an issue due to the fact that she's on such an extremely tight budget. The cinematography is quite effective in the sense that it really catches a dour mood, and the haunting humming from Wendy comes and goes as somewhat of a reminder of how simplicity isn't always so simple.
Michelle Williams delivers a fine performance as Wendy Carroll who just can't seem to get ahead, and of course, Lucy, the dog ready to fetch what's thrown even if it takes her into the unknown, followed by her wistful companion.

Hackers

A film I probably would never have watched, but happened to see enough of which caught my interest. And hey, I was curious to see Angie in her first big film role.
This film is geared towards a teen audience, but has elements most can identify with as computers have become such a big part of our lives these days. This film is from 1995, so that's around the time computer technology took another, bigger step for business and personal users.
Angelina Jolie's character portrayal of "Acid Burn" is quite different than her
work in films such as "Changeling", but it was interesting to see how she's evolved as an actress in the last fourteen years. Her natural ability has always been there, but she just got better with her craft.
The story is of a group of young "hackers" who discover a plot to unleash a dangerous computer virus which forces them to use their computer skills to find the evidence as they're pursued by the Secret Service, and the evil computer genius behind the virus. Not too interesting, but not too bad.
I'm recommending this film for people who appreciate Angelina. If you don't, there really isn't much here for you.

State of Grace

Magnificent look at the Irish mob in New York known as the Westies. Gary Oldman's character work as the ruthless Jackie Flannery is brilliant. He makes Jackie vulnerable and likable, showing he is one of the most unsung actors of our time. Sean Penn and Ed Harris turn in outstanding performances as well in this riveting film set primarily in New York City's "Hell's Kitchen". Even though Oldman's performance alone makes this film a "must see", the film is pretty much a perfect piece of cinema in every way. Very likely the best film of the last twenty years.

Prom Night

What can I say, this film's a horror classic, and one of the first slasher films that spawned many, even to this day. Sure the acting isn't great to say the least, but Jamie Lee Curtis stands on her own as the "scream queen" she was so destined to become. She just has it; plain and simple.
The lighting in this film is eerie, and the premise is familiar because you've seen it copied by many filmmakers. This film however, delivers horror and unintentional comedy in one dose which is something that can not be duplicated.
And as Randy(Jamie Kennedy) says regarding the police in "Scream", "If they watched Prom Night they'd save time. There's a formula to it, a very simple formula, everybody's a suspect!"

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

My absolute fav A&C. A classic. Luv Bela & Lon always.

Revolutionary Road

An intense film, yet quite disturbing as well with it's unique edge. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio star as a young married couple in the '50s whose lives are based on what they believe to be of the higher ideals, only to find themselves on emotional rollercoasters due to the inadequacy of their stereotypical existence in Connecticut. Frank(DiCaprio) works at a job he hates because he feels that is the way, and never gives himself the chance to find out who he really is. April(Winslet) has a desire to start over again in Paris which was once fondly spoken of by Frank. But do the pieces fit into the puzzle of their dream of the "perfect" life they imagined themselves living?
I was impressed with Kate Winslet's performance as the daydreaming housekeeper, and Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as the guy who just does what he thinks he has to do as a father and husband. However, each character does questionable things which helps define this union as unsavory indeed.
The "Stepford Wives"-esque feel of the film is eerie even though it may not have even been planned, and I feel a film like this is scarier than the average horror film of these days. Show me a good thriller of the horror genre, and it's an enjoyable ride. But when it comes to harsh reality so often prevalent in the world, it scares the hell out of me.
And ironically enough, Kathy Bates of "Misery" portrays a real estate agent who shows them a house on Revolutionary Road.
"Ozzie and Harriot", I think not.

Rear Window

Waking Life

Amazing,like a breath of fresh air! Wow this movie really surprised me,so intellectual as a film. In fact it very well make the average viewer feel like an idiot. The whole movie takes place in a dream like state,the main character talking to or rather listening to people rant on a particular subject. Each one is memorizing and captivates you almost like you are in a college course or something.
Another plus is the amazing animation. They switch between animators so each scene seems refreshing to me. Although I must admit some of the scenes gave me a headache.
I think my favorite scene was when he was talking to the man about dreams. This really opens your mind to some interesting stuff. Like controlling your dream once you are aware that it is a dream and that you can tell its a dream when you can't turn off the light switch.
Some may be bored by this film,but the one thing you can't say is that its not original. Its one of the most original movies I have ever seen,always kept me captivated! On top of all of this it has a great ending. What more can you ask for in a film?

Guy Forsyth: Did you ever have a job that you hated and worked real hard at? A long, hard day of work. Finally you get to go home, get in bed, close your eyes and immediately you wake up and realize... that the whole day at work had been a dream. It's bad enough that you sell your waking life for minimum wage, but now they get your dreams for free.

Waking Life

Amazing,like a breath of fresh air! Wow this movie really surprised me,so intellectual as a film. In fact it very well make the average viewer feel like an idiot. The whole movie takes place in a dream like state,the main character talking to or rather listening to people rant on a particular subject. Each one is memorizing and captivates you almost like you are in a college course or something.
Another plus is the amazing animation. They switch between animators so each scene seems refreshing to me. Although I must admit some of the scenes gave me a headache.
I think my favorite scene was when he was talking to the man about dreams. This really opens your mind to some interesting stuff. Like controlling your dream once you are aware that it is a dream and that you can tell its a dream when you can't turn off the light switch.
Some may be bored by this film,but the one thing you can't say is that its not original. Its one of the most original movies I have ever seen,always kept me captivated! On top of all of this it has a great ending. What more can you ask for in a film?

Guy Forsyth: Did you ever have a job that you hated and worked real hard at? A long, hard day of work. Finally you get to go home, get in bed, close your eyes and immediately you wake up and realize... that the whole day at work had been a dream. It's bad enough that you sell your waking life for minimum wage, but now they get your dreams for free.

Radio

This is quite a powerful film.
Cuba Gooding Jr. turns in a brilliant performance as the mentally challenged loner James Robert Kennedy nicknamed "Radio" due to his vintage radio collection in which one is always in his hand playing music he loves, and gives a "score" to his lonely existence of pushing a grocery cart up and down the streets of a South Carolina town.
Ed Harris is brilliant as usual as the town's popular high school football team coach who takes an interest in Radio upon seeing him watching a practice session. His friendship and concern for Radio develops into something that means much more than football to the very well respected coach, Harold Jones.
Jones allows Radio to be part of the team's practices and games on the sidelines, and sit in on his classes in school which opens up a whole new world for James(Radio), and essentially gives him a life that he is in dire need of.

Taking Woodstock

Il Grido (The Cry)

Trick 'r Treat

Before Sunrise

Great movie! Nothing short of a masterpiece,in my eyes this is a perfect love story. Screw,the Notebook,fuck A Walk To Remember,this is the ultimate romance of out time! This movie so original,taking you into a journey into two strangers live for about 1hour and 40 mins. They enrich us with their deep conversations. The stories about their first love experiences,never before have I have to engaged in to what two characters had to say on screen. For the most part the dialogues felt natural and unforced. Ethan Hawke and Juli Delpy felt almost perfect for each other and the part. There wasnt a second that I denied their chemistry on screen. I could tell that they were falling in love,they may never meet again,but that didnt matter to me,just that they were in the moment for one night. Perfect...

Jesse: You know what's the worst thing about somebody breaking up with you? It's when you remember how little you thought about the people you broke up with and you realize that is how little they're thinking of you. You know, you'd like to think you're both in all this pain but they're just like "Hey, I'm glad you're gone".

Dracula - Prince of Darkness

The Wicker Man

Cztery Noce z Anna (Four Nights with Anna)

Antichrist