Korean.
Official Site: http://www.isawthedevilmovie.com/
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/I-Saw-the-Devil/70144554?trkid=1660#height1716
Revenge films are great, but I had to fast forward through most of the first 19 minutes, past the murder & dismemberment to get to it. And woe, there's more in this violent, graphic, bloody tale, which is particularly hard on the females. A handsome young man seeks retribution on the sick serial killer who slaughtered his betrothed. Slick, stylish, great characters, not for the squeamish.
Korean. Official Site: http://www.isawthedevilmovie.com/ Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/I-Saw-the-Devil/70144554?trkid=1660#height1716 Adorable Japanese animated film suitable for young kids and adult too. A treasure in frequent play here at our home! No other animated film has captured the attention of our two year-old.
(Fox version.) Netflix:http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/My_Neighbor_Totoro/60032294?trkid=2361637 More info: http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/totoro/ The Arctic is beautiful, and the tedium of working there is captured, but the story is slightly boring, and only occasionally suspenseful. Too many close-ups and not enough narrative.
Official Site: http://www.howiendedthissummer.com.au Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/How_I_Ended_This_Summer/70132737?trkid=496624#height1552 Why did I put Blue Valentine in my queue? Gave it a shot, but quickly realized that this was two hours that I'd rather spend reading a good book: Cleopatra, A Life, by Stacy Schiff. Makes me want to watch HBO's Rome, again! Although I wasn't enamored with their casting of Cleopatra...
Made for German TV (167 minutes) and based on the true story of defectors from East Germany who burrow underground to rescue others. Emotional and suspenseful. Love the story, style, setting (1960s), characters, and the acting; stoic, cool, minimal.
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The_Tunnel/60025064?trkid=496624#height2085 Essential primer on the nation of Pakistan, and it's most famous family and first daughter turned two time Prime Minister: Benazir Bhutto. From the dynamic opening title sequence 'til the end, this quick paced and informative documentary chronicles the life of an amazing woman.
Official Site: http://www.bhuttothefilm.com/ Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Bhutto/70129349?trkid=496624#height977 Jacques Tati's screenplay is adapted and directed by The Triplets of Bellville creator and the result is a beautifully crafted yet emotionally distant film. A lovely work of art. It's refreshing to watch a film without dialogue or close-ups, true to Tati in style, and only 80 minutes long.
Official site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/theillusionist/ Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The_Illusionist/70134430?trkid=496624#height2570 La Haine, or in English, Hate, is the most Hollywood style French film about French culture that I've ever seen. Vincent Cassel establishes himself in his film debut as a BadAssMofo. The film is technically strong, the characters engrossing, but the overall theme is so brutally bleak, it's hard to take... Spike Lee & Martin Scorsese fans will enjoy.
Official Site: http://www.criterion.com/films/216-la-haine Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/La_Haine/70007071?trkid=496624#height2187 Love Kevin Spacey? His characterization of Jack Abramoff is engaging. The narrative flows at a quick pace. Barry Pepper and Jon Lovitz add to a humorous well-written political romp.
Official Site: http://casinojack-movie.com Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Casino_Jack/70122321?trkid=496624#height1648 Funny Norwegian drama about an ex-con and the choices he makes upon his release from a 12 year prison term. Great characters, cool style, wonderful performances, solid story: loved it!
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/A-Somewhat-Gentle-Man/70132813?trkid=1660#height1554 |