The Forgotten (2004)

Rating: * * (Out of 5)

The setup is very good. Then it got stupid. Too bad.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "We have no opnion of this movie. We could not get this dvd to play in either of our players and therefore could not view it."

The Company (2003)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

Kudos to Neve Campbell for pursuing this project and for getting Robert Altman to direct it. She was a dancer before becoming an actress and she co-wrote the script.

I love that the film is not one of those cliche movies about a dancer's struggle before finally making it. It is about a dance company. We get little glimpses of the lives of the dancers, the choreographers and the director, interspersed with dance performances. We do see the dancers' struggle but it is not really about that. It is about the creative process more than any of the characters' lives. There is no conventional plot as it is not necessary.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "I did not enjoy this movie at all. I love dancing movies, like Save the Dance, but this was nothing like that. Don't waste your time!"

No, The Company is nothing like that dance movie classic, Save the [Last] Dance.

The Holiday (2006)

Rating: zero * (Out of 5)

The Holiday is absolute rubbish. The filmmakers just coat the film with tons of sugar and call it a "feel good romantic comedy". It did not make me feel good, it wasn't romantic in the slightest, and I didn't laugh once in the entire 136mins of it. I needed a holiday after sitting through this piece of crap.

Director Nancy Meyer made the pretty good Something's Gotta Give and the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, but The Holiday seems to be shot from the 1st draft of the script. Every scene is too long and predictable, and I can't think of a scene without cliches. Not a single scene is believable. Who gave the go ahead on this project?

Cameron Diaz and Jude Law are possibly the most annoying on screen couple in a long long time. I am a big fan of Kate Winslet, but I must admit even she is a bit annoying in the film, which I did not imagine was possible.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "I have to say that I absolutely loved with movie. I'd have to say that's it's something I'd watch again and again. Not only was it written amazingly but that acting was quite superb. Jude Law and Cameron Diaz have such amazing chemistry that it makes you almost forget that your watching a movie. It's the same with Kate Winslet and Jack Black, The combo is great together. I would absolutely recommend this movie to any one who just needs a good laugh and to enjoy love!!!"

Maybe I don't enjoy love? Is that why I hated this movie?

28 Days Later (2002)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

Excellent film from Danny Boyle. Is it a horror film? It is certainly scary. If anything, it is better than any of the modern horror films. Most new "horror" movies are torture movies for people who are sick enough to find that entertaining. Even when the studios remake classic horror films, they simply take out all the subtext, in essence what was good about those films, and just film the slash and gore. I am not sure if the movie execs don't get it, or they just understand the demographic so well that they simply cater to their sick and disturbed taste.

Fortuntely, Boyle knows what makes a good scary movie. 28 Days Later (Not to be confused with the Sandra Bullock snore fest 28 Days) is about human nature more than zombies mindlessly killing people. The humand soldiers are scarier than any of the zombies. Boyle definitely has some visual flair and there are plenty of cool shots in the film.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "This is the stupidest movie I have ever wasted my time watching. I am sure there was some sort of deep social commentary going on, but it was buried so deeply in slow moving bad acting, that I must have missed the message. The British Army goes "Lord of the Flies for Adults"? Yes - rage is deadly and spreads like wildfire, but watching this movie just INFECTED ME WITH RAGE!"

Fantastic Four (2005)

Rating: * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Saw this on a plane. It is obviously made for people aged 13 or below. I am older than 13, so naturally I didn't enjoy it at all. It is mindless and dumb. The characters are mindless and dumb. They are 13 years old characters played by adult actors.

On the positive note, Jessica Alba is hot! But they made her invisible! Idiots!

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Great Movie!! My kids loved it! Def. a movie to see if your a super hero fan. May be a bit much for younger kids though."

A bit much for older kids too.

Birth (2004)

Rating: * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Birth could be a good movie, but it is a missed opportunity, and I understand all those negative reviews. The first 60mins of so is actually very well made, especially the beautifully shot opening sequence of a man jogging in Central Park. However, the ending is so lame that it ruins whatever good was done in the first two third of the movie.

Nicole Kidman is mesmerising, particularly in the opera scene. I know she has some detractors, but I like her and she can act. The Rosemary' Baby hairdo looks good on her.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Did the director not hire an editor for this film? It starts with a 10 minute sequence of a man jogging. And jogging. And jogging. Another scene goes on for almost 5 minutes where we see nothing except Nicole staring at the opera! Truly do not waste a rental on this one. If you have seen the EXTREMELY mis-leading trailer, you have seen ABSOLUTELY every scene worth watching!"

Elizabethtown (2005)

Rating: * * * (Out of 5)

An undeniably Cameron Crowe film. It is not as bad as some of the reviews suggest. I enjoyed it.

The two leads are likable. You have your usual Cameron Crowe sentimentality, which sometimes is just too much, like Susan Sarandon professing her life after the death of her husband on stage. Apart from those moments, there are some sweet and romantic moments between Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. I must admit that sometimes, even those moments seem a bit romantic for the sake of being romantic, but that's Cameron Crowe for you.

The soundtrack is fine, although it borders on too much like an ipod playlist being forced on you.

My pick of the Netflix comment: " I was inspired to see this movie because I live in Elizabethtown, KY. In light of all the fanfare that surrounded its opening here, I was shocked to see how bad it was. Cameron Crowe came to our town and they rolled out the red carpet, people were lined up on the sides of the street, holding up signs so that they could get tickets to the premiere. I can't even imagine what it was like after this movie finished, and people had to pretend that they liked it. I think it would have have been a very awkward experience. Crowe totally exagerates the small town angle of Elizabethtown. Although it's not a major metropolitan city, it's not a small town. That scene where Orlando Bloom drives into town and everyone knows who he is and where he needs to go is absolutely impossible. The character's motivation for their actions were totally implausible. I understand Crow is sentimental about this area, beacsue his dad spent summers here, but if you are going to use the name of a town at least make it realistic and believable. "

Three Times (2005)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Of the three stories, the first one is by far the best. In fact, I think it is the best 40mins of pure cinema I have ever seen. The camera observes sensitively to capture every little gesture and every stolen glance. A line of dialogue here and there, the visual offers a more direct experience of the emotions. The Taiwanese pool hall becomes a space that has meanings. Juxtaposted with the American music over the radio, the feelings of youth against tradition is ever present in the understated romance of the two lovers.

I admired the audacity of the 2nd story more than I liked it. Shot as a silent film, the effectiveness of it wears off after a while.

The chaos of the 3rd story reminds me a bit of Hou's other film, Millenium Mambo (also with Shu Qi). I understand the rationale of the style, but as with the 2nd story, I think that it seems good on paper, but in actuality, it becomes a bit tiresome. Hou Hsiao-Hsien is one of my favorite directors, but I must say that this is not his best style.

But the 1st story more than makes up for the other two. I was blown away after the 1st 40mins, and I kept wishing to have that feeling again, but I suppose it was too much to ask for.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "I thought Talledaga Nights was the worst movie of 2006..until I saw this cinematic equivelant of chloroform. Take the opening scene- a surreal bit in which the leads pointlessly knock billiard balls around a table without pockets- as a warning: ain't nothing gonna happen in the whole damn movie."

Come on, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was funny!

Next Stop Wonderland (1998)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

I miss true indie films like Next Stop Wonderland. Somehow after the 90's indie/Sundance explosion, independent films have gradually become studio films with low budgets.

I really liked this Brad Anderson film. He is an interesting director. Stylistically, this film reminds me a lot of la Nouvelle Vague. The story is sweet and romantic, and it is told with a sense of humor, which I always appreciate.

Hope Davis is a wonderful actress and it is too bad that she doesn't land that many leading roles.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "I don't care how much you like Phillip Seymour Hoffman, if you are a heterosexual male and you're not actively going to watch this with someone who you might have sex with, than AVOID this film. I could tell it would suck within 5 minutes but I fast-forwarded through the whole thing in case someone got Naked. Nobody does."

It would be great if Hope Davis got naked.

I Heart Huckabees (2004)

Rating: * 1/2 (Out of 5)

It so wannabe intellectual, philosophical, and original, but it is pretentious and illogical. A waste of talent.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Apparently some folks don't understand what's at stake in this wonderful film. It represents the battle between eastern and western visions of the world; or more properly between asceticism and existentialism. Is it better to avoid suffering by withdrawing connection from the world, read Buddhism (or knocking yourself in the head!), or to fully engage in the world with the suffering that entails (read existentialism or having intimate but dangerous relationships). It is the essential question of one who thinks about how to live life: it is Hesse's Narcissus and Goldman on celluloid (well on DVD at least)."

Thank you for enlightening me.

Living Out Loud (1998)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

So obviously a film directed by a screenwriter. The conversations are so natural and realistic. It is a film about two very real people who enjoy the companionship of the other but at the same time sensible enough to realize that they couldn't possibily be together. A Hollywood romantic comedy would force them to be together at the end and live happily ever after, but luckily writer/director Richard LaGravense is more interested in his characters than silly endings.

Living Out Loud is such an excellent film that it pisses me off that so few people have seen it. It seems that if a movie is not mainstream, it has to be "edgy" or dark or violent to be recognized. An understated film like this one gets no attention at all.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Queen Latifah should never make another movie, and Holly Hunter should stick with the erotica genre (aka - Crash). Devito was his best in My Cousin Vinny. This movie was horrible."

Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny. And Joe Pesci - hair = Danny DeVito.

Ma Femme est une Actrice (My Wife is an Actress) (2002)

Rating: * * (Out of 5)

Charlotte Gainsbourg is not pretty, at least not in the conventional sense, but she is very attractive. I am not sure why. Maybe it is the way she carries herself. Nonetheless, she is very attractive.

Unfortunately, apart from Ms. Gainsbourg, there isn't much I liked about the film. While the husband's jealousy is understandable and sometimes even identifiable, it seems strange that it would occur all of a sudden. Hasn't he thought about that before they got married? That is not even considering the impluasibility of someone like her marrying someone like him in the first place. The secondary storyline of the sister and the brother-in-law is annoying and unnecessary.

There are some attempts at humour, but they often fall flat, as I can't even recall a single funny moment. It would be better if writer/director/star Yvan Attal actually makes it a drama instead of a comedy wannabe drama. He puts his character in a sympathetic position, but he is not a likable character, which could be a result of the uneven tone of the film. The "happy ending" ruins whatever emotional impact generated in the much too long 93mins of the film.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Hilarious! Yvan Attal ("Not 'Yvonne' he tells Terence Stamp with contempt but 'Y-VAAAHN' with you mouth OPEN) is hysterical, as neurotic as Woody Allen but not as whiney. And gorgeous to look at. What's best is that it's a true-life look into the sweetness and exasperations of Attal's marriage to Charlotte. There is a hilarious all-nude scene, among many others. The dvd has a great, funny "Making-Of" featuretter, plus a great, funny director's commentary. Just a joy of a movie."

Old Boy (2003)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Part of Chan Wook Park's vengeance trilogy, Old Boy is so distburbing and so violent, but is interspersed with moments of genuine sweetness and humour.

The visual is showoffishly stylish, but then everything else in the film is over the top. It definitely pushes the envelope and I was constantly surprsised at how far it would go.

It is interesting how moral is presented here, or is there any? It goes to the depth of the human heart, which is a scary place.

I liked the film and I admired the film, but it is not the kind of film I would want to watch again.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Hated it! This rental was a huge mistake. What was I thinking? All the language difficulties of this genre and a lot of gratuitous posing & posturing. I didn't think the fight scenes were all that either, tho did appreciate the realism that our hero might tire during them."

The hero gets tired during fights... the saving grace of the film.

Little Fish (2006)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

Brilliant little film from Australia. I like that the Asian male lead and the Asian community are treated as natural parts of the film. A lesser director would feel obligated to explain why there is an Asian character, but credits to Rowan Woods, to present the reality instead of the Hollywood vision of the society.

There is no question that in movieland, Asian males are not accepted as romantic leads. How many western movies can you think of that has Asian male/non Asian female romantic pairing? So, it is refreshing to see Little Fish presents an Asian male/white female couple (or actually an ex-couple).

I love that the film begins almost in the middle of the story. So much has happened before the movie begins, and the omission of it only adds to the depth of the story and our curiosity of the characters.

Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actors in the world and she is brilliant as usual in the film.

Too bad this gem of a film got practically no marketing and distribution in the US.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "I could not get past the first 10 minutes of this movie. I found it quite dull, I had a difficult time hearing and understanding the actors were saying, and did not like the controversial content even in the first 10 minutes of the movie. "

Those Aussies talk funny.

Marie Antoinette (2006)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

As much as I liked Lost in Translation, it was probably a bit overrated. And Marie Antoinette is probably a bit underrated.

Kirsten Dunst is perfect for the role and Sofia Coppola seems to know how to film her. I do like the pop music soundtrack, but it isn't exactly a new thing to do. It is a very girly film, but there is nothing wrong with that. Like other Sofia Coppola films, it is more about emotions and moods than plots, and I like it for that.

My pick of the netflix comment: "Went to see this movie in the theaters and I wish I would saved my money or went to a different show. No Plot at all!!! I was so disappointed. It was so bad that I wish I had a guillotine to roll my own head off!"

People love plots.

La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (The Passion of Joan of Arc) (1928)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

An extraodinary film, not only artistically, but how the film miraculously survived. The original film print was lost to fire before its release, but a perfect print was found in an ayslum in Norway in 1981. Now, how that happened could be an interesting film too.

A customer review on Netflix (on those people who love the film): "You people are hard up for entertainment. You are the same folks that could play with a ball of string for hours. This movie stunk!"

Incidentally, a few days before reading that comment, I spent a couple of hours untangling a big ball of strings, and had a good time doing it. Go figure.

Une femme de ménage (aka The Housekeeper) (2002)

Rating: * * * * (out of 5)

I love films that care about characters more than plots. In fact, I usually don't like movies which have strong plotlines.

I love those scenes that observe, like when the guy eyes a woman in a jazz club but does not approach her, and then later on, where he unsuccessfully tries to chat up a woman at a cafe. Those little scenes tell us so much about that character, but to the audience who are used to being told what to think, these observation scenes may seem too dull.

There isn't much plot in Une femme de ménage and there are a lot of people who find it boring, slow, or just plain a waste of time. Just read the customer reviews of this film on Netflix. By the way, reading those customer reviews on Netflix has become one of my favorite things to do when I am bored. I love reading negative reviews of the films I like, like this one, and then very pretentiously think that those people just don't get it.

My pick of the Netflix comment: "Exceedingly dull and not the least bit funny, this movie fails on many levels. Underdeveloped characters make weird decisions and are bummed when they don't work out. So what."

The Apartment (1960)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

After watching Brief Encounter, Billy Wilder was so fascinated by one of the minor characters that he made a film based on that character. The Apartment is not simply a romantic comedy, although it is romantic and it is funny. The two main characters have a lot of depth to them which is a quality most modern day romantic comedies sadly lack.

Sex and Fury (1973)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

Awesome sexploitation trash cinema!

Casino Royale (2006)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Casino Royale is definitely better than the last 2 or 3 James Bond films. Daniel Craig is believable as Bond. However, I miss Q and I miss the gadgets. Another complaint: what's up with all the blatant product placements? James Bond in a Ford (gasp)?

The Gay Divorcee (1934)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

I am really in a muscials phase right now, I have watched so many lately. The Gay Divorcee is another Astaire/Rogers collaboration with a lot of the same actors from their other films. The story is cute and Ginger Rogers is just lovely. It's so funny when Fred Astaire has to act tough and it's even funnier when the other person is actually inimated by Mr. Astaire!

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

A very intelligent and somtimes humorous film which reminds me a bit of Charlie Kauffman's Adaptation. I don't think it's nearly as good as Adaptation (which I think it's one of the best films in the last 20 years), but Will Ferrell's performance shows that he is more than just a comedic actor.

Scoop (2006)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

A very light Woody Allen film. Set in London again, Scoop is a good companion piece to the superior Match Point. Come to think of it, Allen has not had a great comedy in quite some time. Not that I did not enjoy Scoop, but I think the last great Woody Allen comedy was Bullet Over Broadway more than 10 years ago. I am not really complaining, I enjoy pretty much all his films (Okay, maybe not Celebrity). Scarlett Johansson has become his muse, and her Woody Allen impersonation is much cuter (and less annoying) than many of the other actors' (notably Kenneth Branagh in the terrible Celebrity).

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Fred Astaire's first MGM musical after ten movies with RKO, nine of them with Ginger Rogers. He is paired up with the Queen of Tap, Eleanor Powell here. Ms Powell was an even better dancer than Ms Rogers, and the "Begin the Beguine" number is an aboslute delight. That being said, there is just something about the Fred and Ginger pairing that is so special, the chemistry so perfect, that I don't think even Ms. Powell's world class dancing ability was able to match.

Carefree (1938)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

Great Irving Berlin music (one song about yam) and great dancing. The slow motions of one dance number really showcases the elegance of Astaire and Rogers. The smile of her face when she dances is priceless. The plot (with hypnosis and all that) is silly but fun.

Fando y Lis (1968)

Rating: * * * (Out of 5)

A very strange film by Alejandro Jodorowsky. There are some Felliniesque images but the film has a performance art feel to it. It inspired me to have some interesting dreams that night after I watched it.

The Curse of the Cat People (1944)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

I prefer horror films to be pyschologically scary rather than simply gory like most of the new ones out there. The Curse of the Cat People manages to be creepy and scary without resorting to using cheap gimmicks. The connection to the first film is very slight, but it did not bother me. The only complaint is the ending, which I thought was a bit unclear.

Undertaking Betty (2002)

Rating: * 1/2 (Out of 5)

You would think that any film with Christoper Walken and Naomi Watts would be at least decent. Well... the scenes with Walken and Ms. Watts (love her accent!) are decent in Undertaking Betty... the rest of the movie is not.

Lee Evans has got to be one of the most annoying actors around.

My review here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/11/undertaking-betty-2002.html

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

Rating: * * * * 1/2(Out of 5)

South Korea has produced so many interesting films in recent years. Director Ki-duk Kim has made some ultra violent films, but this is a very Zen piece. Gorgeous cinematography with virtually no dialogue, the film shines in its simplicity.

I am a Sex Addict (2005)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

I wanted to see the film because of Rebecca Lord, but Caveh Zahedi's very personal film was a pleasent surprise. It was funny, and insightful, and very honest. Mr. Zahedi completely broke down the 4th wall, and would take himself out of the film narrative to address the viewer. He also shows that you can make a good film with almost no budget.

Follow the Fleet (1936)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

The dance numbers are good, but it is not the best Astaire/Rogers film. Maybe because they had to share the leads with Randolph Scott and Harriet Hilliard, not that Scott and Hilliard are not likeable. For a change, Fred Astaire plays a working class character.

Rien ne va plus (The Swindle) (1997)

Rating: * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Claude Chabrol's 50th film is a bit of a disappointment, considering that his 49th was the chillingly excellent La Cérémonie. Rien ne va plus seems routine by comparison. The cons in the film are not particularly exciting, and neither are the characters, even though it is always a joy to watch Isabelle Huppert and Michel Serrault.

Clash by Night (1952)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Now part of the Film Noir Classic Collection, I am not sure if Fritz Lang's Clash by Night is really a film noir. That being said, what is film noir anyway?

Singin' In the Rain (1952)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

One of my very favorite films of all time. What more can I say about this film? I think we have run out of superlatives. Everytime I watch it, I have a silly grin on my face for the entire two hours.

The picture quality on the special edition DVD is absoultely brilliant.

I wrote quite a long review, you can read it here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/10/singin-in-rain-1952.html

Friends With Money (2006)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Well, I like any film with Catherine Keener.

The film is enjoyable and the four female leads are all excellent, but it feels lightweight. There are some discerning observations of the conflict of money and friendship, yet the depiction of the characters seem on the surface, especially the Jennifer Aniston character.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

A thoroughly delightful film!

Little Olive is the nucleus of the film that binds all the characters together, and she steals the show. 10 year old Abigail Breslin displays the kind of innocence and charm that makes your heart melt. Oh, and the final scene is an absolute hoot.

The Weather Man (2005)

Rating: * * * (out of 5)

Gore Verbiniski, the man who made The Pirates of the Caribbean films, directed this rather downbeat drama of a weather man facing an existential crisis. There are moments of insight, but in the end, the character and his problems just seem too inconsequential for me to really care about.

A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

It is a sweet, heartwarming adaptation of a long running radio show to the screen. The expert handling of the ensemble cast is pure Altman, and the actors are all excellent as expected. The small moments in the film are actually the most precious. It seems like Altman actually loves his characters, which you cannot really say for most of his other films, and that makes the film so enjoyable to watch.

United 93 (2006)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

I was skeptical of the film when it first came out, I guess because the trailer kind of made it look like a conventional thriller. The film is anything but. It is one of the most powerful films I have seen in recent years.



You can read my review of the film here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/10/united-93-2006.html

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

I was entertained throughout Thank You for Smoking, but when I thought about it afterwards, I wished it was more. It is a good comedy, but it just does not have the bite to be considered a good satire.

You can read my review of the film here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/10/thank-you-for-smoking-2005.html

What's New Pussycat (1965)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

The humor may be a bit dated, but it is still a lot of fun. You've got to love a film with both Peter Sellers and Woody Allen... The car chase at the end is just crazy!

What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah

Top Hat (1935)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

What a delightful film! I think this, along with Swing Time, are the two best Astaire/Rogers films ever made. The "Isn't This a Lovely Day" number rivals the "Pick Yourself Up" number in Swing Time, which is no easy feat.

And by the way, I think men should still wear top hats, tuxedoes, and carry canes... then we would all be stylish like Mr. Peanut.

You can read my review of the film here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/10/top-hat-1935_116172740916340103.html

Ellie Parker (2005)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

I really like Naomi Watts, and I applaud her for taking on roles in small, low budget films like Ellie Parker.

The film is interesting as we get to take a look at a day in the life of a struggling actress. Shot in the style of a documentary on digital video, Scott Coffey's film attempts to blend fiction and reality, and it often succeeds, in no small part due to Ms. Watts' entertaining perfomance.

Café Lumière (2003)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

It is amazing that one of the very best directors in the world is so little known in the US. Only one of his films (Millenium Mambo) has ever been picked up for distribution here.

In this homage to Yasujiro Ozu, Hou Hsiao-Hsien seems to be even more Ozu than Ozu. The sparse narrative offers quiet images and keenly observed details. The tranquil pillow shots of trains give a nod to the old master. The character's travel mirrors the director's own metaphysical journey to immerse himself in the cinematic influence of his spiritual mentor.

In our culture of extravagant visuals and rapid cutting tailored for the attention deficits, Mr. Hou has turned back the clock to a era of simple moving images. Images that are more enchanting and more captivating because of their simplicity. I love this picture!

Absolute Beginners (1986)

Rating: * * * (Out of 5)

I remember really wanting to see this film when it first came out in 1986, mainly because of Patsy Kensit, and of course David Bowie.

The cinematography is simply breathtaking in this Julien Temple musical. Long tracking shots (especially the opening scene) with brilliant colors. Bowie has one scene but a good one (so Bowie!). Patsy Kensit was so young and was so sexy in her wild African Jazz fashion catwalk dance number.

But ultimately, the heavy subject matter of racism weighs down the film. I just don't think a muscial should take itself so seriously.

Free Zone (2005)

Rating: * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

I saw this film in France, which means that I had to read French subtitles for the Hebrew and Arabic portions of the film. Fortunately, most of the film was in English.

The opening of Amos Gitai's film has nothing but a close-up of Natalie Portman crying against a Hebrew song about animals brutally killing other animals... for almost 10mins straight! The point would soon become obvious and it was a powerful scene. The three women represent three different countries' roles in the middle east. However, even with some interesting (and rather old school) visual maniuplating, the film does not have enough substance to fully build on the opening 10 mins. The metaphor wears thin after a while, and it becomes a fairly stolid road movie.

Shadows (1959)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (out of 5)

The grand-daddy of American indie films. Cassavetes' film is not so much a great film as a great breakthrough.

One thing that I really like about the film is the almost excessive use of close-ups. I have to marvel at the number of different angles Cassavetes came up with to frame the actors' faces, in close-up, of course.

You can read my review here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/10/shadows-1959.html

La Jetée (1962)

Rating: * * * * * (Out of 5)

I have seen this film many times on VHS, but the picture quality was always poor. In the restored DVD version, I notice little things that I didn't notice before. Like the scene where the woman is in bed, the poor print quality on the VHS did not show her blinking her eyes at all. I am grateful for the improved picture quality of the restored version, because it is such a beautiful moment.

You can read my review of the film here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/10/la-jetee-1962.html

Millions (2004)

Rating: * * * (Out of 5)

I really admire Danny Boyle's stylish visuals. The film is sweet and charming but it's a bit too "feel good" for my taste. Who would have thought the guy who made Trainspotting and 28 Days Later could make such a family film? I suppose I like his grittier films better.

Toni Takitani (2004)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Adpated from a Haruki Murakami short story of the same name, Jun Ichikawa's elegant film captures the novelist's essence perfectly. Its unhurried pace might be too slow for some, but the mood it creates is what makes it so poetic. It is also good to see the beautiful Rie Miyazawa again, if nothing other than to feel nostalgic.