tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79124878054990426272024-03-12T20:23:38.325-04:00Nick Plus MoviesNick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-88803995373913449222011-11-04T11:33:00.001-04:002011-11-05T09:30:17.545-04:00Written & Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée: Filmmaker Spotlight<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, here I am... a month later. If you want to know the truth, I chose to hold off my reviewing of the last film I saw at the Toronto International Film Festival-- Jean-Marc Vallée's "<b>Café de flore</b>"-- for one simple reason: I was so blown away by the director's profoundly moving visual style that I felt the need to explore his equally acclaimed work "<b>C.R.A.Z.Y.</b>" so I could subsequently dedicate a blog post to his overlooked talent as a French-Canadian filmmaker (maybe I let a <i>little</i> too much time pass). So please c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ontinue reading for my <b>reviews</b> of both films mentioned above-- especially if you're looking for a new obscure director to begin obsessing over.</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUxIBOOh5KL4Xa9GYtY3ZxOonpNi9J2eQOzgc9vluwYNXvzhOgc0XEtGDPCZC7hXMBLuh-kQOZkj2365YTl_0XYKAQFhqvOdu7O2eQKroU2hkQkpsA0rwBMyP36ESM8Sd5kL8jTY60hoo/s1600/4c599478aaf8404d50a348d0fe8e7f4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUxIBOOh5KL4Xa9GYtY3ZxOonpNi9J2eQOzgc9vluwYNXvzhOgc0XEtGDPCZC7hXMBLuh-kQOZkj2365YTl_0XYKAQFhqvOdu7O2eQKroU2hkQkpsA0rwBMyP36ESM8Sd5kL8jTY60hoo/s640/4c599478aaf8404d50a348d0fe8e7f4a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>C.R.A.Z.Y.</b> (2005)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkehOTA2MOJ1vxw8MkKojEVqk02SqCadsWtfCx3E73JVLCdlYq8hw4tnD6mWZBu9fnmelB_HB7R-rm7PPnClMAbGdb7Ar71HhwNCibOP8M-zPU_Z-nIqC2U_TUf3b9abGbV5DvoHvbEb9/s1600/c-r-a-z-y-original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkehOTA2MOJ1vxw8MkKojEVqk02SqCadsWtfCx3E73JVLCdlYq8hw4tnD6mWZBu9fnmelB_HB7R-rm7PPnClMAbGdb7Ar71HhwNCibOP8M-zPU_Z-nIqC2U_TUf3b9abGbV5DvoHvbEb9/s640/c-r-a-z-y-original.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"C.R.A.Z.Y." is the coming-of-age story of Zachary Beaulieu, the fourth born of five sons, focusing on his continuous struggle to live up to his brothers in his father's eyes while refusing to face his true identity. As a kid, Zac has always felt different and disconnected from everyone else-- for being born on Christmas Day (1960), for not taking an interest in hockey like all the other boys, for secretly dressing up in his mother's clothing, etc.. Although his mother, a devout Catholic, looks at him as her miracle son, his overly conservative father fears that he is a "sissy" who will never grow up to be a real man. As he progresses into his teenage years, Zac tries to please his father by concealing his true nature with a new found passion for music and... "smoking up" (there's a nearly unparalleled amount of nicotine and marijuana consumption in this film). Up until his early 20s, he maintains a false image and a small reputation for being a somewhat carefree type around his peers, family, and girlfriend. It's also during these years that the already existent tensions between him and his wayward, drug addict brother Raymond escalate and thereafter bring about the resurfacing of his own feelings and memories that had long been suppressed. Zachary must ultimately come to terms with the one thing he has been denying all along... (You can figure out what that may be.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n6jnXpz_mdqPi-Vb3q8fjN6LLZMYVVzjoKX70-rxUFpBQiSs6ab3mE3GHZucoTI3_rdgvGNkI87LoA4lHie_DAF2XKCh45lYNRYV2Jd7KEo47t1GOxCKA3tYLsiAuX7n2luXCPYbdU6e/s1600/1133_4bf39de3017a3c320f0004e4_1297476298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n6jnXpz_mdqPi-Vb3q8fjN6LLZMYVVzjoKX70-rxUFpBQiSs6ab3mE3GHZucoTI3_rdgvGNkI87LoA4lHie_DAF2XKCh45lYNRYV2Jd7KEo47t1GOxCKA3tYLsiAuX7n2luXCPYbdU6e/s640/1133_4bf39de3017a3c320f0004e4_1297476298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jean-Marc Vallée does a fine job crafting a very personal film that captures the quaint, close-knit feel of Quebec and all the drastic transformation the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">heavily Catholic and strictly Conservative </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">French-Canadian population must undergo throughout the 60s and 70s. The film has a cool, rocking personality backed up by a fantastic soundtrack featuring era-defining songs from David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and many other big artists (as a matter of fact, Vallée had to cut his own salary to acquire all the music rights). In contrast to all the hip music, we are also reminded of the old-time world when Zac's father listens to the tunes Patsy Cline and Charles Aznavour. Music plays a key role in offering a genuine portrait of the world the characters live in.</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSVn2ayOaHPfpY8Im3hrNO-_nkkxwqVZxenhanYtiP7AnNaBjJHCob7eu_EYLXEM_J518NBbAxNN_P0z1D1pxUvC6bsqfrWZ6Lq7z47ISbnxecpIeHIqqxPeU-gwkMQoNn696hkmmtTsR/s1600/crazy-2005-09-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSVn2ayOaHPfpY8Im3hrNO-_nkkxwqVZxenhanYtiP7AnNaBjJHCob7eu_EYLXEM_J518NBbAxNN_P0z1D1pxUvC6bsqfrWZ6Lq7z47ISbnxecpIeHIqqxPeU-gwkMQoNn696hkmmtTsR/s640/crazy-2005-09-g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how "C.R.A.Z.Y." manages to transcend the boundaries of your typical gay film (There, I gave that little part away!) by choosing not to focus as much on Zachary's sexual awakening during his teenage years as much as on the way his family interacts in response. If I were to categorize this film, I would have to call it a "family drama". But in reality, it's so much more than that. It skillfully blends sarcastic humor with heartfelt emotion, allowing you to get wrapped up in every character in the story.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA1q3inmktvcTzay-UTWXLCwdwFmWJoW86jRmOWvaVPS8v6r7UsmqJB833dkaQkNWKy8G3iJtqOt6-0kQHEaGOZspEgwDOto_go1sD3yPXIP7EdvAtkJTaAZn-ZOSwC2MO9kmVbokPlAs/s1600/crazy-2005-05-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA1q3inmktvcTzay-UTWXLCwdwFmWJoW86jRmOWvaVPS8v6r7UsmqJB833dkaQkNWKy8G3iJtqOt6-0kQHEaGOZspEgwDOto_go1sD3yPXIP7EdvAtkJTaAZn-ZOSwC2MO9kmVbokPlAs/s640/crazy-2005-05-g.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along with giving praise to Jean-Marc Vallée's sublime writing and direction, I would like to highlight a few outstanding performances, which equally contributed to the film's overall excellence. The director was able to cast his son, Émile Vallée, as Zachary from age 6 to 8-- you would be surprised at how well this kid acts. But the true star of this picture, if you ask me, is Marc-André Grondin, who plays the same character from age 15 to 21 (for the greater part of the film). I can't see anyone else being able to pull off the role as masterfully as he did. Not only does he look the part with his rigid yet soft facial features-- suggesting a duplicity of both aggressiveness and vulnerability-- but he also succeeds in completely soaking himself in his identity-crisis-stricken character. Since he isn't a big name actor, in my mind there was nothing separating him from Zachary Beaulieu. I would also like to give praise to Michel Côté and Danielle Proulx, who portrayed Zac's father and mother respectively, and whose performances were definitely deserving of the Genie Awards ("the Oscars of Canadian cinema") they ended up winning in 2006 (the film took home a grand total of 11 Genies).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaCxrtlmnGWy9j2tzAA-aV1_Kc-Exlf-6SXJZqCYW4SCNRjgbBYvZe3vEkO42_-GFQkJygc7HMlNvdMTpY1X980ms2H0egUKj84T9wKO4kmtRmEpg-mjc2ND_WPPthvowSnocYrcm3d2l/s1600/crazy-2005-07-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaCxrtlmnGWy9j2tzAA-aV1_Kc-Exlf-6SXJZqCYW4SCNRjgbBYvZe3vEkO42_-GFQkJygc7HMlNvdMTpY1X980ms2H0egUKj84T9wKO4kmtRmEpg-mjc2ND_WPPthvowSnocYrcm3d2l/s640/crazy-2005-07-g.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If I were to wrap it up in a couple sentences, I would say that "C.R.A.Z.Y." is a very fun, imaginative film with a cool personality counterbalanced by a sweet tenderness rarely found in movies from the past decade. I can say without any hesitation that this bright gem is among the 5 greatest Canadian films I have ever seen. It's so terrific that I am now surpassing my just established sentence limit so I can say that you absolutely need to see it (if you haven't already).</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Four stars out of four.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG2h64pC7XhjjoVfBxE6o-ApXgUZnouvIchJD2oCz3tjM6mO_Do_0vtsXG9T0e1PAFY7GFAJ7woDU8d3yZlGZfhvKFoZtvd-JFVfFmYRIZwYXWMEMMFEaHXZLIjWoxsh-QTg408AHktkO/s1600/4-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG2h64pC7XhjjoVfBxE6o-ApXgUZnouvIchJD2oCz3tjM6mO_Do_0vtsXG9T0e1PAFY7GFAJ7woDU8d3yZlGZfhvKFoZtvd-JFVfFmYRIZwYXWMEMMFEaHXZLIjWoxsh-QTg408AHktkO/s320/4-stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>CRAZY</i> GOOD!</b></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Café de flore</b> (2011)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq30zZ42rHiP0trdrTYmF3IjhYR5HbUCeKhfcfLkUpxZuwm6XYx57RF5EB-gQZv0tnjVf-Ht3vkb1GN_KbqpDW-brx70BR5qB6gLC1SydjuN5nymKiVHry7a2XQDyI-DXeXUdejf-VTcQ8/s1600/cafedeflore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq30zZ42rHiP0trdrTYmF3IjhYR5HbUCeKhfcfLkUpxZuwm6XYx57RF5EB-gQZv0tnjVf-Ht3vkb1GN_KbqpDW-brx70BR5qB6gLC1SydjuN5nymKiVHry7a2XQDyI-DXeXUdejf-VTcQ8/s640/cafedeflore.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jean-Marc Vallée returns to his beloved Québécois roots with his latest work, "Café de flore", one of the many films that screened at TIFF back in September (and that I was lucky enough to see). The story is composed of two interwoven narratives that-- only at first glance-- seem completely unrelated to one another.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first story is set in present-day Montreal and centers on a recently divorced father of two girls, Antoine Godin (Kevin Parent), who leads a successful life as a professional DJ. Despite having found true happiness in his relationship with his girlfriend Rose (Evelyne Brochu), he feels a little remorseful for having left his ex-wife Carole (Hélène Florent), for whom he still cares deeply. Antoine understands that she continues struggling to move on with her life, heartbroken. And to make the situation they find themselves in even more difficult, their eldest daughter persistently plays their nostalgic love song with hopes of reuniting her parents.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsD_52LpSPz_MCOWX4jQqZuQ2cvj5drw2YAsD4EARf0DA9o7INVggv608yA-aan3Vdr5nXomrBkCIRLSfJtCFQVcMNrIdm36zEAtYIofwvlcPX1-46nkG1nHnfVVleocTT7wl-8WNO79T/s1600/CafeFlore-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsD_52LpSPz_MCOWX4jQqZuQ2cvj5drw2YAsD4EARf0DA9o7INVggv608yA-aan3Vdr5nXomrBkCIRLSfJtCFQVcMNrIdm36zEAtYIofwvlcPX1-46nkG1nHnfVVleocTT7wl-8WNO79T/s640/CafeFlore-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second story is set in Paris in 1969 and focuses on Jacqueline (Vanessa Paradis), a self-sufficient, loving single mother who becomes the embodiment of perseverance and selflessness as she promises to devote herself both physically and spiritually to her son Laurent, who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. She spends every minute of spare time with her beloved young boy with the goal to elongate his limited life expectancy. One day, when Laurent begins to be infatuated by Véronique, a new girl in his class-- who, incidentally, also has Down syndrome-- Jacqueline is struck by an overwhelming feeling as she fears that her inseparable bond with the only person she loves will be be lost with time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up until the very end of the film, it seems like the only link between both stories is the music the characters listen to (the jazz album "Café de flore" appears in the second story while a certain remix is featured in the first one), but as we progress further into this mystical mystery, we learn that there is something much deeper tying together the characters and their stories of love and loss. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWtFzKKKXjzXes3zk5ivLu513V4KK_fbI32rQ2F9nnmqAsgnKAzmMTqFwKSp3vJKNzzoFKQw-6Gkn6o1bsD_OJQPnXSTKMStqxggxzjcOGET-qym0ZDcx9ekDfrYaW_h26X_mrYNC22nq/s1600/CafeFlore-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWtFzKKKXjzXes3zk5ivLu513V4KK_fbI32rQ2F9nnmqAsgnKAzmMTqFwKSp3vJKNzzoFKQw-6Gkn6o1bsD_OJQPnXSTKMStqxggxzjcOGET-qym0ZDcx9ekDfrYaW_h26X_mrYNC22nq/s640/CafeFlore-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing that "Café de flore" would be composed of intertwined stories, I was initially a little reluctant to seeing it and very worried that its structure would collapse within the first few minutes of the film. To my pleasant surprise, this modern approach to storytelling proved to be ultimately rewarding. I believe credit is due to the film editor, who is-- believe it or not-- Jean-Marc Vallée, again. It's nice to hear that he had control of almost every visual aspect of his own work of art. With Vallée's perfectly orchestrated editing, the audience is able to follow the story without ever sensing an abrupt switch between story lines. In the film's entirety, not once did I feel that some scenes were fragmented or disjointed from others. Vallée always progresses deeper into his creation by carefully and seamlessly shifting between narratives just at the right time, creating a smooth, fluid tempo. Briefly, everything flows like a river. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fbCXI7jUyGL5o0BJvxpa_b_fclomS0sc65fLhx3ChX0lBMxavHhGzue-nzCsQNO_ArViifxglLJGTtKzREkB_4oGK-ApFZ0h9RwqnB5TIXZFnX5dbEfGdgSzwiGLpZe7jzO5SBsgR73Z/s1600/CafeFlore-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fbCXI7jUyGL5o0BJvxpa_b_fclomS0sc65fLhx3ChX0lBMxavHhGzue-nzCsQNO_ArViifxglLJGTtKzREkB_4oGK-ApFZ0h9RwqnB5TIXZFnX5dbEfGdgSzwiGLpZe7jzO5SBsgR73Z/s640/CafeFlore-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just like in "C.R.A.Z.Y.", music is a vital element to this film. Jean-Marc Vallée selects many tunes with ethereal, ambient qualities to match the profound thoughts and feelings of all the characters. While he features some more Pink Floyd ("Speak to Me/Breathe"), he makes of Sigur Ros's "Svefn-g-englar" the film's most haunting musical piece-- by far.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are far too many impressive performances in "Café de flore" to name. Vallée must be what one would call an "actor's director", because he seems to continuously squeeze out the most confident, natural performances from all of his actors-- young or old-- in order to achieve his goal to craft a realistic family drama. He even went to the lengths of finding two children who have Down syndrome in real life for the roles of Laurent and Véronique (these are two "performances" that will make your jaw drop). This is proof of his everlasting adherence to realism as a filmmaker.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC5f0OmBdoZTvOXjgbkMGyRDWSqTvh99b9quhPVTIsbclVpsNQg8Ai8ldnoclsxDKS58nsCHIZKjCsECndZEdGyUISzFUF_a6Rnv1bgIfkoTUDEVOKqg5R_UF_DaLAXps9c9K1jePRplS/s1600/cafe_de_flore_still_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC5f0OmBdoZTvOXjgbkMGyRDWSqTvh99b9quhPVTIsbclVpsNQg8Ai8ldnoclsxDKS58nsCHIZKjCsECndZEdGyUISzFUF_a6Rnv1bgIfkoTUDEVOKqg5R_UF_DaLAXps9c9K1jePRplS/s640/cafe_de_flore_still_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In sum, "Café de flore" is a sensual, deeply touching chef-d'oeuvre that will have you shivering every minute in pure emotional awe. It never comes across as overly sentimental, but rather genuinely heartfelt. I can't recall the last time I found myself on the verge of tears while simultaneously smiling at the bittersweet beauty of a film. Come to think of it, there isn't a single movie from 2011 that I could recommend seeing more than this one. I believe it's an essential viewing for anyone who has felt the most fundamental of human emotions. (That means you... I hope)</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Another four stars out of four.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG2h64pC7XhjjoVfBxE6o-ApXgUZnouvIchJD2oCz3tjM6mO_Do_0vtsXG9T0e1PAFY7GFAJ7woDU8d3yZlGZfhvKFoZtvd-JFVfFmYRIZwYXWMEMMFEaHXZLIjWoxsh-QTg408AHktkO/s1600/4-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG2h64pC7XhjjoVfBxE6o-ApXgUZnouvIchJD2oCz3tjM6mO_Do_0vtsXG9T0e1PAFY7GFAJ7woDU8d3yZlGZfhvKFoZtvd-JFVfFmYRIZwYXWMEMMFEaHXZLIjWoxsh-QTg408AHktkO/s320/4-stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Transcendent. Sublime.</b></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To end this review on a different note, I'd like to address myself to my own country: Dear Canada, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">why didn't you nominate this film for next year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Film? Do you not want to increase your chances of winning? You suck!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>***</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I demand you to watch these two films!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-80646244195771664442011-09-29T11:59:00.001-04:002011-09-29T17:01:52.546-04:00TIFF 2011 - SHAME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Country:</b> United Kingdom</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Year: </b>2011</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Language:</b> English</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Runtime:</b> 99 minutes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Acclaimed director Steve McQueen-- whose name became widely known by film aficionados after earning much praise for his debut feature "Hunger"-- continues to explore the arena of intense character studies with his latest effort "Shame". Chances are you've heard of this film and await its release with much anticipation. In that case, allow me to tell you what there is to look forward to...</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRbgXXc1e0hr2GCSGmWSER7njw3QGG4hzSlFv6Vu22ugCFeZxh0JHvb91VpAfW8j3Ffivroz-HIPyTAq_AuleCj76trEFnMh_VA80c9l9gnVnsXiq9PFnyvNwb6cJ5rxAtP6zBJZu21md/s1600/Shame-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRbgXXc1e0hr2GCSGmWSER7njw3QGG4hzSlFv6Vu22ugCFeZxh0JHvb91VpAfW8j3Ffivroz-HIPyTAq_AuleCj76trEFnMh_VA80c9l9gnVnsXiq9PFnyvNwb6cJ5rxAtP6zBJZu21md/s640/Shame-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The story centers on Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a lonely, self-alienated man in his thirties who tries his best to appear as your average New Yorker with an office job whenever he finds himself out in public. The trouble with this young man-- or his tragic flaw-- is that whenever he finds a minute of privacy in his day, he hastily delves into his own fabricated reality: a world of excessive sex, pornography, and masturbation. One might laugh at the absurd nature of these addictions, but trust me: this film shows that it really isn't a laughing matter. Brandon is obsessed with pleasuring himself to the point where he lets himself succumb to his sexual impulses in a washroom stall at his workplace. He has grown accustomed to such disgusting, pitiful habits. But the day his distressed, disruptive sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) barges into his condo looking for a place to stay until things wind down and her sorrows disappear, his life begins to spiral out of control. He grows increasingly frustrated with her as he feels her invasive presence will bring about the exposure of his deepest and darkest secrets. However, we see that this is just a manifestation of his feelings of intense shame and regret for leading the sad, artificial life he believes is the only one fit for him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_Yw0EKmsA9Bm0P7Q8r95Ele0Ldxd9rGG4lsnlz9bxpsOoL7pAOIYB4Xf3O7IZDhJm4c0xwjfkPS9Yizo8mmLH9L-YxftzsadsWp4QyYyakqXO2sK47SGyY-U3NnRt-Xhra0I7ncC4ovq/s1600/Shame-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_Yw0EKmsA9Bm0P7Q8r95Ele0Ldxd9rGG4lsnlz9bxpsOoL7pAOIYB4Xf3O7IZDhJm4c0xwjfkPS9Yizo8mmLH9L-YxftzsadsWp4QyYyakqXO2sK47SGyY-U3NnRt-Xhra0I7ncC4ovq/s640/Shame-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Steve McQueen has the sheer audacity to go where very few filmmakers have dared to go before by making a film about sexual addiction and its effects on the human mind. In this ambitious boldness, he doesn't want to hold back on anything and he isn't afraid to show everything, so the result is a film with enough full nudity and explicit sexual content to receive an R-rating in Canada, which would probably translate to an NC-17 rating in the US, unfortunately. There are several scenes in the film where you literally see every inch of skin on the bodies of the actors (Fassbender is probably the most physically exposed). Having said that, this is never something that comes across as frivolous and it only enhances the film's shock factor as a whole.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you asked me who the most notable rising star of 2011 is, I would say-- without any hesitation-- Michael Fassbender. His career has exploded in recent months, and here you will find him at his peak! I truly believe he delivers the performance of a lifetime in "Shame", and I currently can't see anyone else winning the Oscar for Best Actor at the upcoming Academy Awards. He seems to understand his sad, lonely character just as well as the screenwriters who gave birth to him (Abi Morgan and Steve McQueen). In a superficial description of his troubled personality, Brandon appears to be an unethical, antagonistic character who doesn't feel the need to look over his behavior in regret. But in reality, he's just as much of a human being as any other character in this film. The only thing that differentiates him from the next guy is his incapability to withhold his distasteful desires and his continuous struggle to make a simple connection with humanity through the art of conversation. This man is his own worst enemy, for he longs to find solace in someone and discover genuine human affection, but the other side of him remains too caught up in a shameful world detached from real feelings and emotions. There are some scenes in the film where we, the audience, are left alone with nothing but his introspective, subdued presence as he reflects upon his actions in regret. These scenes say more than most movies can say within their entirety. It's thanks to Michael Fassbender's pitch-perfect performance that we can step into his character's shoes and get to feel what he's feeling. They say actions speak more than words; with "Shame", acting speaks more than the inclusion of any sort of narration ever would. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBjMQaUhgKR8Gxvg5bGDO0s25L4VZTDmKq6_xyvITtlLt_I-XkW2jfxYAI6oSDaFnDnZA0AD6TexnP1-Zsoj3Z_7j0Oyunh7cuIhA60aLY-6_qDkpUZVii-oeyQ-XmDostEpeasj8JGMF/s1600/Shame-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBjMQaUhgKR8Gxvg5bGDO0s25L4VZTDmKq6_xyvITtlLt_I-XkW2jfxYAI6oSDaFnDnZA0AD6TexnP1-Zsoj3Z_7j0Oyunh7cuIhA60aLY-6_qDkpUZVii-oeyQ-XmDostEpeasj8JGMF/s640/Shame-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't worry; I didn't forget about Carey Mulligan! I thought I would highlight her performance separately, too. If I had to say only one thing about it, I would emphasize how amazed I was at seeing her in such an unusual, singular role. She has a tendency to play soft-spoken, prim and proper characters-- but that's not the case with "Shame". She really submerges herself into this disastrous, uncontrollable mess of a young woman who never conceals her deepest feelings to the world-- be it joy or sorrow. There's this one very memorable scene in the film where she sings her own rendition of the jazz standard "New York, New York" in a lounge (she's a singer who does gigs here and there), and for the duration of the song, the camera stays focused on her face. There are no cuts nor camera movements for a good five minutes (of course, this won't come as a big shock to you if you have seen Steve McQueen's "Hunger"), yet somehow, this scene is absolutely mesmerizing-- almost hypnotizing. Just the way she naturally glances about apprehensively as this beautiful voice is unleashed (although it probably isn't hers) is enough to send shivers down your spine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjdPiIP8e3Wb5ahyphenhyphenwNcm_AJ2ZTGC1MbzUa7AEx2vbj4DVRxZsKg3gILrDjDHf8u8XcEhR0BQwJvyDXELHeI62yxt7_6c1Dfau8onWcaMCuy5r6ltkmIwfnv_AX1BjomjOxJASOCQG6Uov/s1600/Shame-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjdPiIP8e3Wb5ahyphenhyphenwNcm_AJ2ZTGC1MbzUa7AEx2vbj4DVRxZsKg3gILrDjDHf8u8XcEhR0BQwJvyDXELHeI62yxt7_6c1Dfau8onWcaMCuy5r6ltkmIwfnv_AX1BjomjOxJASOCQG6Uov/s640/Shame-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What can I say about all the other aspects of the film? Well, since Steve McQueen was the man behind the direction and shot composition, it's no big surprise that "Shame" is expertly crafted in every little detail. McQueen used the same cinematographer (Sean Bobbitt) and editor (Joe Walker) of his first feature to achieve the same impressive aesthetic look. Some parts of the film must have required so much time and effort from the editor, it's hard to believe what was accomplished! As for the cinematography, I'm sure you'll be floored by it within the first five minutes of the film. In this opening scene, Brandon finds himself staring at a woman sitting across from him as he is riding the subway. He misunderstands her frightened glances and nervous attempts to display her wedding ring as romantic advances, so when she gets off in a panic at the next stop, he immediately follows her. In one of the most beautiful, gliding shots I've ever witnessed-- with an emotionally shattering musical composition by Harry Escott playing all throughout-- we see Brandon running up the station stairs and looking around for the woman, only to realize that she had run away from him. His failure to comprehend human interactions in this scene already gives us a distinct perception on this poor character's serious vulnerability.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7S3G3WYaDmQE97O-OXwcy7wjddBuk4ZDSmPmh9T5-iC3DkxVYkFc8xKdBdYA8-LhwJePMSKCJwHXReCHxKM4IpI1WObUmdtYJq9CrLGo9veD_VbS5SmqUh5OfP4ERxvaqX7iyT4LjH1dt/s1600/Shame-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7S3G3WYaDmQE97O-OXwcy7wjddBuk4ZDSmPmh9T5-iC3DkxVYkFc8xKdBdYA8-LhwJePMSKCJwHXReCHxKM4IpI1WObUmdtYJq9CrLGo9veD_VbS5SmqUh5OfP4ERxvaqX7iyT4LjH1dt/s640/Shame-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In sum, Steve McQueen's "Shame" is a masterful character study with top-grade performances from Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan and a raw power unmatched by any other film I've seen. This is surely not a film for everyone, as it deals with dark, gritty topics often labeled as far too controversial for the big screen. But if you're open to true cinema, here's a devastating powerhouse of a film that will chill you to the bone and forever stay with you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four stars out of four.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-nKBuJXviaUFcOLj_ihyphenhyphen0KZmTQlZ-l-woxCJqqpLeKSJdyn0DTJUcXDtm4Qjr1hMDcxT1a3V5Spy8r9VZZHieTE0rjwdPAYGw-KnaenMtTxb1xe7B6JINpF-afEDsfJPh7p26Sehchnt/s1600/4-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-nKBuJXviaUFcOLj_ihyphenhyphen0KZmTQlZ-l-woxCJqqpLeKSJdyn0DTJUcXDtm4Qjr1hMDcxT1a3V5Spy8r9VZZHieTE0rjwdPAYGw-KnaenMtTxb1xe7B6JINpF-afEDsfJPh7p26Sehchnt/s320/4-stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A MASTERPIECE!</span></b></div>
<br />Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-79591677445563850712011-09-19T07:15:00.004-04:002011-09-19T11:12:54.169-04:00TIFF 2011 - MELANCHOLIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Country:</b> Denmark/Sweden/France/Germany</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Year: </b>2011</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Language:</b> English</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Runtime:</b> 135 minutes</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many of you who have seen Lars von Trier's notoriously disturbing "Antichrist" are probably curious to find out exactly in what direction the director is headed with his films. Does his latest effort, "Melancholia", measure up to his other work? Does he explore new terrains here or does he continue to aim for the usual edginess seen in his most controversial crafts? Answers to these questions can be found in what's written below. So, you kind of have no other choice but to read on...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFL5DlCPKszw6_cPdZBNZvVl3OoxQ9RsJ-hxfYKPM8qs3Ej8oL_sOdPJhFCIVfz5WJj6zXZi37F8_snl18DrGKNL3F8bufedbvMmUcikZH5OFBlDhUazanENLLFbSDu_CmIN2ojElvdkF/s1600/Melancholia-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFL5DlCPKszw6_cPdZBNZvVl3OoxQ9RsJ-hxfYKPM8qs3Ej8oL_sOdPJhFCIVfz5WJj6zXZi37F8_snl18DrGKNL3F8bufedbvMmUcikZH5OFBlDhUazanENLLFbSDu_CmIN2ojElvdkF/s640/Melancholia-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The film's narrative is split into two parts, entitled "Justine" and "Claire". The first part focuses on Kirsten Dunst's character, the ad executive Justine, as she and her newlywed husband arrive hours late at their wedding reception, planned by Justine's caring sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her wealthy, irritable husband, John (Kiefer Sutherland), and held at this couple's grandiose estate (this place has everything from a golf course to a horse stable). All is bound to go downhill from the moment Justine is warned by her wise sister not to cause a scene in front of the guests, no matter what the night may bring (Claire must know her sister's emotionally unstable tendencies very well by now). And what do you know? Justine lets herself get upset by her dysfunctional family's words of disapproval (particularly from her vile mother), and she can't help but take off in the midst of events to roam around outside, aimlessly (and this happens on more than one occasion). During these fits of severe depression, Justine begins to take interest in what appears to be a red star in the sky. In the second part of the film, we focus more on Claire as she and her husband have to deal with her sister who, on the following day, finds herself in a state of melancholia-- which also happens to be the name of the approaching planet Justine took notice of the night before. This is where we begin to understand what exactly has been troubling Justine all this time, and why she now finds herself without the slightest bit of hope. We also discover Claire's own apprehensive thoughts as the end of the world nears.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaDDbCm7ebhNQ256eZCTWdvcRLovq1RgfXlWfz-zNjVpcp8GP9Yg_2BQ6xF3doH76RfK9A8XtL9w78DxTgYkgbcBeRqIDbyirKuQPYY21aUg8bbtAFfeM6MQuVgiKtGo1Pz7U4Ef5xxYz/s1600/Melancholia-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaDDbCm7ebhNQ256eZCTWdvcRLovq1RgfXlWfz-zNjVpcp8GP9Yg_2BQ6xF3doH76RfK9A8XtL9w78DxTgYkgbcBeRqIDbyirKuQPYY21aUg8bbtAFfeM6MQuVgiKtGo1Pz7U4Ef5xxYz/s640/Melancholia-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The opening sequence of the film is magical and sublime. Lars von Trier toys with our minds by making us sit through what appears to be a series of insignificant, nonlinear shots; simple bits and pieces arranged in a dreamlike progression. There is no dialogue or sound in this sequence, but rather powerful classical music (Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde") that does a swell job accompanying some of the most gorgeous slow-motion photography I have ever seen. Lars is teasing us with all of these nonsensical shots; this spectacular, operatic prologue is really just a sneak-peek or preview, setting the tone for all the bizarre sights we will soon come to discover in this motion picture. Did this opening ever blow me away! And you should have seen the faces of the other audience members throughout these first 10 minutes! Most of them looked as bewildered as any human being would be while watching the famous ending of Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ScyrrPjdVXuTxHPuU-IfAI0Sf5XYMENsZ0JVM5l7ysZJD_bIzzSwzAceFFX7kGs4q-BNNZfooI8WIOWkiCwYCibHjWqLg4kuMkZMvKhbeQst24VN4jN25JT-HRI66Mzqs_3KkXi_lo_F/s1600/2011_melancholia_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ScyrrPjdVXuTxHPuU-IfAI0Sf5XYMENsZ0JVM5l7ysZJD_bIzzSwzAceFFX7kGs4q-BNNZfooI8WIOWkiCwYCibHjWqLg4kuMkZMvKhbeQst24VN4jN25JT-HRI66Mzqs_3KkXi_lo_F/s640/2011_melancholia_004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you've seen a Lars von Trier film before, you probably have a pretty good idea of what his style is when it comes to composing shots. When he isn't shooting in slow-motion, he employs his trademark Dogme 95 influenced unsteady, "moving camera" cinematography, with tight close-ups and recurrent jump cuts that make for more of a mesmerizing, absorbing cinematic experience. If you're new to the man's work-- and especially if you're a fan of smooth, subtle shots-- you'll probably be irritated by this. But trust me, this unique filmmaking vision should grow on you with time-- or rather, with more viewings of his movies. (Come to think of it, the only gliding shots I can remember are the helicopter shots of Justine and Claire horseback riding on a beautiful, foggy, countryside road.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Melancholia" is breathtakingly beautiful all throughout. Most of it is shot on location in what must be Denmark, Sweden, France, or Germany (how am I supposed to know in which country it was filmed!). But somehow, in these natural conditions, the lighting is able to be fiddled around with to achieve an aesthetic brilliance nearly unmatched by any other film. I can recall the particular beauty of the nighttime scenes shot outside of the estate, where the tall, trimmed hedges cast a line of shadows over the well manicured lawn. The first thing that came to mind then was Alain Resnais' "Last Year at Marienbad". Furthermore, it's obvious that a fair deal of CGI was used to transform the landscape and atmosphere (mostly the sky) into something out-of-this-world, yet it's so well done you wonder how anyone could have accomplished such visual perfection.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaciN0TXu23U_LDebt3b4kKVhmSDsoV0vWRM-ZwFJTCaTt_yY7CkGc3CuPZpB3hbK1AkmfofxjByQeGyl5WuBombnxy8NXPxybh8AwBT1qN4xH4VfGrt0Ks5hxp9XdeXeIDbMqTDtta6E/s1600/2011_melancholia_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaciN0TXu23U_LDebt3b4kKVhmSDsoV0vWRM-ZwFJTCaTt_yY7CkGc3CuPZpB3hbK1AkmfofxjByQeGyl5WuBombnxy8NXPxybh8AwBT1qN4xH4VfGrt0Ks5hxp9XdeXeIDbMqTDtta6E/s640/2011_melancholia_002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to matters of greater importance (at least, in your eyes): the acting! Is it possible to describe how mind-blowing Kirsten Dunst's performance is? Perhaps it isn't, but I'll give it my best shot. I've never been much of a fan of her work, but by the end of this film, I had a new appreciation for this fine, young actress. I think she owes credit to her director, though, because obviously it isn't a coincidence that he always gets the most outstanding performances out of his female leads. For the first part of the film, you really get to see Justine's level of emotional vulnerability thanks to Dunst's spot-on portrayal of her character. I think she gets better as the film progresses into the second part, though. When she plays a woman in a state of deep depression, you could swear she was actually going through a hard patch in real life. She makes her character feel so apart from the rest of humanity; so aware of things that she has purposely disconnected herself from reality. I wouldn't be surprised if she snagged an acting nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for the rest of the cast-- I'm not just saying this to sound proper-- everyone does a fine job at getting into character. Some remarkable performances would be from Alexander Skarsgard as the husband who isn't quite familiar with his wife's distant attitude, Charlotte Gainsbourg (who would be the runner-up to Dunst in my book) as Justine's loving, nervous wreck of a sister, and Kiefer Sutherland as Claire's continuously aggravated husband, who happens to be the one to deliver all the comic relief in the film. Even the actors and actresses I didn't name have glowing performances in the film. "Melancholia" could almost be placed alongside "Network" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" for having some of the best acting from an entire cast.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHYXjUvRCN0mKS7NpiQCDuHiWOcYV-clobvUjqYKt0z_BXhLMrM6aJTOjuRvnBhhpfEkefOIzCCFL6cv_CsISh8gfJWA5vPJfuInXO0ocQOUpqI2rBbQKIBGCC84gEKw7IXj9sd4vOvIw/s1600/Melancholia-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHYXjUvRCN0mKS7NpiQCDuHiWOcYV-clobvUjqYKt0z_BXhLMrM6aJTOjuRvnBhhpfEkefOIzCCFL6cv_CsISh8gfJWA5vPJfuInXO0ocQOUpqI2rBbQKIBGCC84gEKw7IXj9sd4vOvIw/s640/Melancholia-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Melancholia" is a one-of-a-kind, visionary film that uses gripping storytelling to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. It manages to be an extremely intense, sensational movie-watching experience without relying on the same old formula of most apocalyptic films. I love how it doesn't get too caught up in its own imagined version of the end of the world, but instead chooses to focus on subjects involving humans in a much smaller, deeper, and more personal scale (such as the troubles of dysfunctional families). This is without a doubt one of Lars von Trier's greatest works, as well as one of my favorite films of the year. Very highly recommended.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four stars out of four.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-cdKXSja3uQvu4LzVdNtlLJtz-b9nHXUPuEPhT_5YX1cTNsQg_wQPvMUFL_Pm68ZMe5NXSqjqt0CsWQpjGhFfMkh_HtvtDg_tzpgg7D4NXneaBWk9uhnJEhZmUWeeaout4GQbizdjfV9/s1600/4-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-cdKXSja3uQvu4LzVdNtlLJtz-b9nHXUPuEPhT_5YX1cTNsQg_wQPvMUFL_Pm68ZMe5NXSqjqt0CsWQpjGhFfMkh_HtvtDg_tzpgg7D4NXneaBWk9uhnJEhZmUWeeaout4GQbizdjfV9/s320/4-stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EXCELLENT</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comToronto, ON, Canada43.653524 -79.383906943.46971 -79.6997639 43.837337999999995 -79.0680499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-34465696828242214112011-09-14T20:18:00.002-04:002011-09-15T06:39:12.380-04:00TIFF 2011 - TRISHNA<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Country:</b> United Kingdom</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Year: </b>2011</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Language:</b> English, Hindi</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Runtime:</b> 117 minutes</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reviewing this film will probably prove to be the most challenging effort of mine as a self-proclaimed film critic, simply because I feel that I will either give away too much or not say enough about it. Since I wish for you to live the same cinematic experience as I did with "Trishna", I will try my best to say as much as I can without letting you know exactly what to expect.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFqTuoLRDzjDMTmyfB_hVLu8imNO0zRYNZanAq3vL3sJwVWdj599Ot-AqtQQPEZwNiAs2hfSf5Yrf4YaAyT7N6JRz3-jxtHJoMiaPi0lr53tYCkpNAQhN-DkYzHG-f7qHb8voypqceDkp/s1600/Trishna-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFqTuoLRDzjDMTmyfB_hVLu8imNO0zRYNZanAq3vL3sJwVWdj599Ot-AqtQQPEZwNiAs2hfSf5Yrf4YaAyT7N6JRz3-jxtHJoMiaPi0lr53tYCkpNAQhN-DkYzHG-f7qHb8voypqceDkp/s640/Trishna-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The story is based on one of the most celebrated pieces of literature of all time, Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Ubervilles". Director Michael Winterbottom takes this classic tale and adapts it for modern audiences by changing the setting to contemporary India. Does this work? Surprisingly, it does, and this is coming from someone who hasn't ever read the novel nor seen the 1979 Academy Award winning film adaptation from Roman Polanski, "Tess".</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The titular character, Trishna (Freida Pinto), is a humble, soft-spoken young woman and the eldest daughter of a poor, rural, Indian family. While working at a nearby resort to help pay the bills, she is swept off her feet by a young British businessman, Jay (Riz Ahmed), who finds himself in India to manage a hotel at the request of his father, a wealthy property developer. When Trishna's father is severely injured in an automobile accident, Jay asks her to work for him, and she shyly accepts. Their feelings for each other grow the more they spend time together. However, Trishna isn't easily torn away from her beloved family nor her traditional life nor her ambition as a dancer, and she's in for some drastic changes when she moves to Mumbai with her lover.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3MjACs7y5yZYWJmWgJTzFEdVGmBHTnLdt_iT3NZiZk9YJ1Ffr7HWjYlKEIbEqqtI6kQdCtcI8Kc7gagiyuENfJVwXSSmMZoVzMZeOu_qqVvyQdfMMHPx1Iembb4iaiuuGZ7Qo20kn4D3/s1600/Trishna-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3MjACs7y5yZYWJmWgJTzFEdVGmBHTnLdt_iT3NZiZk9YJ1Ffr7HWjYlKEIbEqqtI6kQdCtcI8Kc7gagiyuENfJVwXSSmMZoVzMZeOu_qqVvyQdfMMHPx1Iembb4iaiuuGZ7Qo20kn4D3/s640/Trishna-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest, I really didn't know what to expect from this film. I entered the theater only knowing two things about it: (1) the story is based on a classic novel and (2) it's set against an Indian backdrop. Never would I have guessed-- even at an hour and a half into the film-- that this simple premise would progressively turn into something a lot more shocking, to say the least (the last 10 minutes made the whole audience gasp simultaneously).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a unique kind of cinema that really transgresses the boundaries of conventional filmmaking with the way it develops a seemingly simple story and with the many reactions it gets out of the audience as it unfolds. I guess you could call the film a little deceiving, because it never goes in the direction you imagine it would go. But I'm not suggesting that there's a plot twist at the end, so please don't go expecting that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4p0ycd0Lf6doUBxwxoi09-Tr3s_KBGF-IWysWdSWF1F1XaOc9OeHU_RilB5FNOmpy3M3fUzOpwwD9IiaWdkurt6NfzEG679CHq2f19yjqU85EkK1GYWNwM5Y_C4bB9cgTAUywYrdcTzI/s1600/Trishna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4p0ycd0Lf6doUBxwxoi09-Tr3s_KBGF-IWysWdSWF1F1XaOc9OeHU_RilB5FNOmpy3M3fUzOpwwD9IiaWdkurt6NfzEG679CHq2f19yjqU85EkK1GYWNwM5Y_C4bB9cgTAUywYrdcTzI/s640/Trishna1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What makes the ending so shocking, then? It's all due to the gradual, subtle buildup that does a great job developing the characters of Trishna and Jay as their relationship becomes increasingly odd and discomforting for the viewer. I don't know if I was alone here, but as I was watching the film, I was kind of going through what Trishna had to go through-- emotionally, of course. I believe this confirms that Freida Pinto still has what it takes to deliver a solid performance since her "Slumdog Millionaire" fame. The acting isn't anything amazing or noteworthy, but there's no denying that she does a good job in her role, despite being a little inconsistent in some scenes of dialogue between her and Riz Ahmed, the male co-star who plays Jay. He was surprisingly decent for a relatively unknown industry newcomer, but-- once again-- nothing extraordinary.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest, if it weren't for this ending, the film's many flaws would be significantly more distinctive and visible for me. I just can't get over how well everything is tied together in the last few scenes. This is where Michael Winterbottom finally achieves in putting his point across; in making sense out of the film as a cohesive whole.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmrxL4iyGeRhX3LaxIGOkw0XzxnBIcqBgotgUXq94IJ4N3cf9VV4wtfOEvuqhCnRI4figBiX9EOVVhE46zAMQF_6Hf1WdQimVqHN21B6GuuHLi07jU0fNWdsFtbb3oW2nVd87XF9OTQIo/s1600/Trishna-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmrxL4iyGeRhX3LaxIGOkw0XzxnBIcqBgotgUXq94IJ4N3cf9VV4wtfOEvuqhCnRI4figBiX9EOVVhE46zAMQF_6Hf1WdQimVqHN21B6GuuHLi07jU0fNWdsFtbb3oW2nVd87XF9OTQIo/s640/Trishna-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apart from the unique structure and progression of the story, "Trishna" has many other memorable elements. I was particularly blown away by the beautiful, on-location shots and nearly candid cinematography that gave us a very realistic perception of life in India, and the clearly-defined division between both social classes. I loved how a great deal of non-actors were used in the production of the film (for instance, Freida Pinto claimed that her character's family was in fact a real family in rural India who cooperated with the crew).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout the entire film, there's so much absorbing beauty in all the outside locations in India that you won't believe your eyes! For the mere fact that what you're seeing in the background is completely real, you should be as blown away as I was while watching the film! It's breathtaking! This exquisite imagery is backed up by a powerful original score from Mike Galasso that complements the Indian countryside and the Mumbai cityscape without ever sounding too traditional or foreign. Music plays a key role in enhancing the emotion of this particular film.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite all of these admirable aspects, this film is far from being perfect (though the concept of perfection is, in itself, flawed). I still question the pertinence of certain scenes in the film, as well as the strength of the narrative structure. Will "Trishna" stand the test of time? Will it live up to its original power upon multiple viewings? I'm inclined to say "no" to both of these questions, despite being very affected by this piece of cinema. It was clear that most of the audience wasn't very impressed by such avant-garde cinema, but I'm sure I wasn't the only one who admired it in so many ways. To me, this film feels like a one-time experience; an interesting artistic vision capable of marking you and staying with you for some time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUgeex2vFMUYnSysi3eQxU13qGCmVmlYkCVhUFIiCD3dX02m0U-NVwYY5eZga1Yc_4ogyEWf1mIa0JnK9IGy3_ilvnzCpc3cGZk2Tgx7S1bfglZpY5cqKx3eTZVhIM51ymwZH_O8kfQhb/s1600/Trishna-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUgeex2vFMUYnSysi3eQxU13qGCmVmlYkCVhUFIiCD3dX02m0U-NVwYY5eZga1Yc_4ogyEWf1mIa0JnK9IGy3_ilvnzCpc3cGZk2Tgx7S1bfglZpY5cqKx3eTZVhIM51ymwZH_O8kfQhb/s640/Trishna-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, go ahead! Whenever you get the chance to see this film, I say "go for it!". It's something refreshingly unconventional that you might find yourself drawn by for the same reasons as me! I recommend seeing "Trishna" because of its ultimately shocking, thought-provoking nature. Come on! You have nothing to lose! (Except a small sum of money, perhaps.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three stars out of four.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="63" src="http://fandangogroovers.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/3star.jpg" width="200" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>GOOD!</b></span></div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-54289592854902913052011-09-10T13:18:00.001-04:002011-09-15T06:36:05.193-04:00TIFF 2011 - LE HAVRE<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Country:</b> Finland</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Year:</b> 2011</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Language:</b> French</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Runtime:</b> 93 minutes</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started off my experience at this year's Toronto International Film Festival with Aki Kaurismäki's "Le Havre", a rather obscure, small production that was competing for the Palme d'Or at Cannes (it was Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life" that was the big winner). The question is: Did I start off on the right foot? Read on to find out...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvktSsuzmRKCgCzLHKiOuYrfontzdzUhJvg9cXXBZx9pocwX4EJTjowhaQjZcDahvGt4kAQmO3nhDZcGiYlV8fZHdRsgd6PsfK1EzWs1iH05RRLxsN4dxrFCHmNGRYxYnMjgWCXBVoTfM/s1600/Le-Havre-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvktSsuzmRKCgCzLHKiOuYrfontzdzUhJvg9cXXBZx9pocwX4EJTjowhaQjZcDahvGt4kAQmO3nhDZcGiYlV8fZHdRsgd6PsfK1EzWs1iH05RRLxsN4dxrFCHmNGRYxYnMjgWCXBVoTfM/s640/Le-Havre-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Le Havre" centers on an elderly, working-class shoe shiner named Marcel Marx (played by André Wilms), living with his loving wife Arletty (Kati Outinen) in the French port city of... Le Havre. Although his profession only leaves him with enough money to get by, he never gives up hope and always finds great joy and warmth in all the people in his life-- be it his friendly, selfless, next-door neighbor or the kind owner of the local bar. Marcel's life takes a bit of a turn when he must send his ill wife to the hospital, hoping she will get better soon. But that's not it-- soon after, when he finds himself alone, eating a sandwich at the harbor, he discovers a young African boy named Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) hiding in the water. Marcel befriends him and learns that he had been hiding with many other illegal immigrants in a shipping container, with hopes of arriving in London to meet up with his aunt. The old man voluntarily goes out of his way to keep him away from authorities and completely out of sight, but soon, this situation quickly transforms into a cat-and-mouse game, lead by the persistent, intimidating, wolf-like police inspector Monet (Jean-Pierre Darroussin).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxLT7W2SrOFt9LP1npSZeeItcqOJYYkKUjUNLIYJF0jVRag6FgQ0UJiTry5prDKrwRu4b6yo6zWEBb_muz5JyKqkn_ADPkejpSeqza24366JmmCKYEF4zMQ-_Eo3fBOiEOzjgQhkDlZ25/s1600/Le-Havre-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxLT7W2SrOFt9LP1npSZeeItcqOJYYkKUjUNLIYJF0jVRag6FgQ0UJiTry5prDKrwRu4b6yo6zWEBb_muz5JyKqkn_ADPkejpSeqza24366JmmCKYEF4zMQ-_Eo3fBOiEOzjgQhkDlZ25/s640/Le-Havre-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With its simplistic plot, clearly defined characters, and inviting setting, this film has all the qualities and characteristics of a great short film-- if you don't count its feature-length runtime. Is this a bad thing? Hardly! I find that this makes the film all the more absorbing and enjoyable, though slow in progression at times and thus able to make your average modern-day moviegoer lose interest. But I still believe that sometimes, it's nice to just sit down and follow a naturally flowing, straightforward story, when most of the movies you see today are flashy and overly stimulating to the point where they bore you. "Le Havre" is something refreshingly different, for a change.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rarely do films combine comedy with drama in such a natural, uncontrived way. With this film, Aki Kaurismäki proves to be one of the few working directors able to pull off a mixture of dark, ironic, and deadpan humor while maintaining the same upbeat, cheerful, and optimistic tone throughout the entire film. A great example of this guy's exemplary sense of humor is the opening scene of the film, where we see Marcel going around with his shoe shining materials, looking for a paying customer. He finally lucks out when he approaches a suspicious looking type holding a suitcase in his hand. As he shines this man's shoes, we see two other mysterious figures watching from a distance. It's clear that something's up. When Marcel finishes his job, the man pays him and quickly tries to escape. But it's too late; we hear gunshots, a tire squeal, and a scream as the camera lingers on Marcel, whose facial expression remains pleasant. He simply says: "Luckily he had time to pay.". Of course, since it's more of a visual gag, it's much funnier when you see it for yourself. Having said that, there's no denying that this film has very smart comedic elements.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ncksrB1fPoy-ZidIt7Uc8RO6s-Y9CighHa3vGt4QeL84qz5NIRMEcdF2xYyi6P8g5oPJ434-h2lNcOV-DPoEqHvZUGU1HQj9Y5KNVC_yicG6YIbE4fQazZk51KiuBbFl7PWQKv6Yb4YW/s1600/Le-Havre-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ncksrB1fPoy-ZidIt7Uc8RO6s-Y9CighHa3vGt4QeL84qz5NIRMEcdF2xYyi6P8g5oPJ434-h2lNcOV-DPoEqHvZUGU1HQj9Y5KNVC_yicG6YIbE4fQazZk51KiuBbFl7PWQKv6Yb4YW/s640/Le-Havre-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I love just as much-- if not, more-- about this little film is how authentic and down-to-earth the characters are in their interactions. Every scene is made into such an accurate portrait of life thanks to all of the real, human performances from the entire cast of lesser-known actors. The only thing that threw me off was how the couple of Finnish actors in the film let their accents slip through as they were speaking French. But this would be barely noticeable for those of you who don't speak either one of these languages.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although this film is Finnish, it's obvious that it's shot on location in France. I was breathless as I got to admire the beauty of the ocean and the quaint coziness of the old city buildings. Sadly, this is the closest I've ever gotten to visiting France! No wonder these sights took me away.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWaGv2T7vKgZwngvdZZktqo9u8dTXLrnqFmEcCs-MN5RpHG54InRsreQzAUlkN5QB1jgGC0Sejglui6NT5kUmTEx2Qt3huhymYcj2AxUoEVAn6XlDJ9sC9W7MWAVThlEBMlRfgfOk5zkw/s1600/Le-Havre-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWaGv2T7vKgZwngvdZZktqo9u8dTXLrnqFmEcCs-MN5RpHG54InRsreQzAUlkN5QB1jgGC0Sejglui6NT5kUmTEx2Qt3huhymYcj2AxUoEVAn6XlDJ9sC9W7MWAVThlEBMlRfgfOk5zkw/s640/Le-Havre-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In sum, Aki Kaurismäki's "Le Havre" is a simple, human tale that remains light and pleasant while brushing on topics of illegal immigration and the illness of a loved-one. It's a soulful film that mixes smart humor with true emotion, without ever feeling artificial. I recommend looking for this hidden gem. You might just like it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three stars out of four.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fandangogroovers.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/3star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="63" src="http://fandangogroovers.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/3star.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>GOOD!</b></span></div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comToronto, ON, Canada43.653524 -79.383906943.470439999999996 -79.6997639 43.836608 -79.0680499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-87820097929860768562011-08-24T14:58:00.003-04:002011-09-19T20:30:09.054-04:00Great Movies - Being There (1979)<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Life is a state of mind.</i>"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnAnFOovU3HYY7RQ3Hu5AymJ49H0Fc552_Z_Qb8MEYJA0MB1d-KJVKpa_IhN4Q0GYJR19JDjojuubHM-VoizZ-yHgeFanNwxiKvRKLiOxprFwq-wzJidNbNgn_iCUEyQFqrl85uA_yQnO/s1600/beingthere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnAnFOovU3HYY7RQ3Hu5AymJ49H0Fc552_Z_Qb8MEYJA0MB1d-KJVKpa_IhN4Q0GYJR19JDjojuubHM-VoizZ-yHgeFanNwxiKvRKLiOxprFwq-wzJidNbNgn_iCUEyQFqrl85uA_yQnO/s400/beingthere.jpg" width="260" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQLhl-j6E_ZPTr7rD8v2PXC2y_X4XT875Epwrnn7WIbPn5bKgwbr1XpFsdf3hdkQGI4G_xxSTSLpsKZ5fJ3QISV04lgktkvP8Wc-9uuwHwKMbr4-XnW814B-hBtq1E4QIgcpVf7Z7tcKw/s1600/being_there_movie_blu-ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQLhl-j6E_ZPTr7rD8v2PXC2y_X4XT875Epwrnn7WIbPn5bKgwbr1XpFsdf3hdkQGI4G_xxSTSLpsKZ5fJ3QISV04lgktkvP8Wc-9uuwHwKMbr4-XnW814B-hBtq1E4QIgcpVf7Z7tcKw/s400/being_there_movie_blu-ray.jpg" width="304" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rarely do films provoke so much thought to the point where you feel the need to search for other people's interpretations. Hal Ashby's <i>Being There</i> is one of these cinematic gems purposely left ambiguous for the viewer's appreciation. However, if you haven't seen the film, reading on about the premise might give you different ideas, contradicting what I'm arguing. Although essentially simplistic in plot, I must reaffirm to you that-- ultimately-- there's a lot more to <i>Being There</i> than it seems...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Plot summary</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKLq2MnZxum0LMJHF648tkoDTSeZph24JLs9bIJJma5kfAnJzE_lnwaMCGBIiUAqXnPxsUi2SgV3-vRboIQlbEQP2FvBIWBxdx7YnG_RG7P749qs-meNP-O_X2WlOiP42f0Jt0E7Zamxq/s1600/title+being+there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKLq2MnZxum0LMJHF648tkoDTSeZph24JLs9bIJJma5kfAnJzE_lnwaMCGBIiUAqXnPxsUi2SgV3-vRboIQlbEQP2FvBIWBxdx7YnG_RG7P749qs-meNP-O_X2WlOiP42f0Jt0E7Zamxq/s640/title+being+there.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr. Chance (played by Peter Sellers) is a middle-aged gardener in Washington, D.C. who has never stepped foot outside the home of his employer, a wealthy old man. One morning, Louise, the maid, lets Chance know about the old man's passing, and she leaves him behind in the empty house. When the attorneys handling the estate fail to discover any documents stating any sort of connection between him and the deceased, Chance is forced to evacuate from the house he resided in for as long as he can remember. Since the only reality he knows is that of which is shown on the television, he is unfortunately moronic in the outside world. Lucky for him, when a limousine lightly hits into him as he is roaming the streets, the lady inside, Eve (Shirley MacLaine), insists on taking him to her mansion so he can receive proper healthcare for his sore leg. Once there, she introduces him to her husband Ben (Melvyn Douglas)-- a highly influential businessman-- as "Chauncey Gardiner", and people henceforth call him by this misinterpretation of his name. Throughout Chauncey's stay, he becomes better acquainted with his two hosts, and everyone around him begins to admire him for his simple, care-free, and down-to-earth personality. When the president of the United States of America drops by for a visit to discuss economical matters with Ben, Chauncey is asked to give his input on the topic. Unable to comprehend, he simply utters something oddly vague about gardening ("<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden</i>."). Both men are marveled by his solid choice of words, convinced that there's some commendable philosophy behind everything he says. Chauncey soon builds up a reputation for being a very insightful political insider, appearing on TV and meeting several important people. While Ben grows more and more fond of him as a close friend in which he can confide, Eve wishes to be more than that...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Analysis</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMw4gDQgQEHcij8cx0NqxoOg6JnpDIxsSWkxuDyJhLwjzXaHsbMo3OMtTiXmCj99-TNE9bKkeDhWIKI0lWIRP4TaXF0ICck9UOR1roxw2PsYaBQGe3NL620xTPCJYM2IWWDDZbG_alU5V/s1600/being-there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMw4gDQgQEHcij8cx0NqxoOg6JnpDIxsSWkxuDyJhLwjzXaHsbMo3OMtTiXmCj99-TNE9bKkeDhWIKI0lWIRP4TaXF0ICck9UOR1roxw2PsYaBQGe3NL620xTPCJYM2IWWDDZbG_alU5V/s640/being-there.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The key to really understanding this film is knowing the meaning of the ending. Since it's left to interpretation, I don't see how discussing it could do you any harm if you haven't seen the movie. In the final shot, we see Chance stepping into the property pond and proceeding to literally walk on water. This is such an incredible moment set apart from the rest of the film that it makes you stop and think for a minute. It doesn't make any sense to you until you look at it with the eyes of a poet. Only then do you realize that it's nothing but a metaphor for the popular perception of his character. In other words, we are looking at Chance in the way of most of the characters in the film, holding him in such high regard that we see him "walking on water" when-- in reality-- he is just crossing the pond on stepping stones.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">There's another interpretation out there that I find incorrect but nonetheless interesting. With the final quote being the president saying "<i>Life is a state of mind</i>.", some people like to believe that Chance really did walk on water in the final scene because he knew nothing of the act being impossible. In his mind, he didn't see why he couldn't do it, so he was able to go through with what we know is an impossible feat. Although I find this conclusion far too mystical, I like it because it brings me to a grander point I find true: Chance goes out in the world and doesn't let himself get crushed by anyone because defeat is a thought that will never enter his mind. He just goes on living his life without having to worry about anything, a concept that may sound impossible to human beings having grown up in society.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It's for that very reason that Chance is nearly worshiped by every person he meets. Everyone looks up to him because he is the ideal human being, a model for those struggling with their own lives and wanting to throw away their countless worries. Chance rises up to a celebrity status because he gives hope to dreamers everywhere, whose goals and desires are projected onto him. He is living proof that nothing is impossible. Nobody sees him as the idiot he truly is, because everyone chooses to see what they want to see in themselves.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">While watching the film, I discerned a substantial racial theme that was often made pretty blatant. For instance, we see the maid, Louise, watching TV with her family as Chance goes on the air to discuss his economical philosophy. Knowing that he's a fool, she expresses her disgust at his fortunate situation, saying "...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>all you've gotta be is white in America to get whatever you want</i>". There are other scenes where he makes it clear in his actions that he perceives black people as being all the same. The movie is definitely not racist, but it often brings up the status of black people at the time to accurately depict the era.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM2DbpHp6u8eehgWzIs8tLBQmIxNxHUBa_CWkqbxNbhEpV3Sihu1wagrCEyX1Tn1YOhnz_tz5sOM4YtFaQuByPLNNQ0f74MRllDkqzCsSXce-XlQWFuZ87_889mh3IJAjappWB5TRDmgS/s1600/being-there-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM2DbpHp6u8eehgWzIs8tLBQmIxNxHUBa_CWkqbxNbhEpV3Sihu1wagrCEyX1Tn1YOhnz_tz5sOM4YtFaQuByPLNNQ0f74MRllDkqzCsSXce-XlQWFuZ87_889mh3IJAjappWB5TRDmgS/s640/being-there-poster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Another thing I noticed was the heavy presence of TV in the film. There are scenes after scenes of people watching TV. I guess it would make sense, since it was television that raised the main character, so its recurring appearance could be seen as that of a mother figure. Then again, this could probably be simply explained by the fact that television was especially widespread during the late 70s and played a big role in everyday American life. Having seen movies like <i>Network</i> and <i>Dog Day Afternoon</i>, this seems like an easy conclusion to make on this motif.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I would like to finish my analysis by discussing what the title of the film means to me. I thought about it for a while, and I was overwhelmed by many different ideas. The first thing that came to my mind was the old saying "Been there, done that.". And then I thought about the relation to that and being old and having grown familiar with every facet of life. I knew that wasn't right, so I tried harder. I settled on this: "Being There" describes how Chance lives his life. He doesn't look back at his past in regret nor reflect upon what misfortune may come, but instead he goes through every new day by simply "being there" with a carefree attitude.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Review</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicktEAPs6yJQF5I80xfs5hM3tzacMg7IFnGVhvN8rVRq-oSayVEOEB4jGh_8etj8YbrTH0a9vn2ZnfMuT3fkLjmki7ooXYbFYrV6iMgEr9LBupRlyFLcQ2ztbhghyphenhyphenW4_Wc0LGqaTBirL6C/s1600/being-there-w1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicktEAPs6yJQF5I80xfs5hM3tzacMg7IFnGVhvN8rVRq-oSayVEOEB4jGh_8etj8YbrTH0a9vn2ZnfMuT3fkLjmki7ooXYbFYrV6iMgEr9LBupRlyFLcQ2ztbhghyphenhyphenW4_Wc0LGqaTBirL6C/s640/being-there-w1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Being There</i> is a wonderful treat of a film. It has lots of genius comedic delivery that will make you laugh (the film is fueled by dramatic irony and endless misunderstandings), but it's also full of heartfelt pathos as you can't help but feel for all of the lovable characters, particularly Mr. Chance, aka Chauncey Gardiner. I felt a little bit of pity for him due to his unfortunate ignorance of the world around him, but this sad feeling was soon diluted by the sight of him carrying himself around like a happy child. His character evoked a beautiful blend of mixed emotions.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And who could do a better job than Peter Sellers at playing such a memorable character! He really dove into the shell of Mr. Chance and became him in every second of footage used in the film. The comedy in the film was so good because it rested on his spot-on performance. Never did his acting feel forced or exaggerated. He was absolutely incredible, and definitely deserved the Oscar he was nominated for (Best Actor in a Leading Role, 1980). He lost to Dustin Hoffman in <i>Kramer vs. Kramer</i>, a win I can't disagree with because I thought both performances were equally amazing.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I should add that Melvyn Douglas and Shirley MacLaine were also outstanding in their given roles. I can see why the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role was given to him, but I can't see why she didn't land any nomination. She plays her character with such apparent confidence that it's impressive. It's a shame the film was only nominated for two Oscars.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhe9iWyAPrmO458jOBf1EnIqAZ2CJi8sPYbb-vAnIGruSt9t7i95q2UE3iPar-bh4tYrrdZU-Yzap_0o5ce6PJI0HY2ckJ-HWexUT074lgmjvtxhnVXTHtsxXZQLFetaoEpSHVs_TqlRG/s1600/being-there-poster+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhe9iWyAPrmO458jOBf1EnIqAZ2CJi8sPYbb-vAnIGruSt9t7i95q2UE3iPar-bh4tYrrdZU-Yzap_0o5ce6PJI0HY2ckJ-HWexUT074lgmjvtxhnVXTHtsxXZQLFetaoEpSHVs_TqlRG/s640/being-there-poster+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The writing is spectacular. Rarely do authors adapt their own novels for the big screen, but Jerzy Kosinski is one of the few who was able to pull it off. I haven't read his novel, but judging by how well structured the film's storyline is, I can tell that it was masterfully adapted. Perhaps I will check out the book to find out what changes were made.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me tell you, Hal Ashby is now topping my list of directors whose work I must discover. I can't wait to see his other critically-acclaimed works-- especially <i>Harold and Maude</i>. I have a feeling his style is right down my alley.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And that is all I have to say about the hilarious, touching, thought-provoking, sharply written, brilliantly acted, and thoroughly engaging film called <i>Being There.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> If you have yet to see it, I highly recommend it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four stars out of four.</span></div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="50" src="http://fandangogroovers.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/4-stars.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>GREAT</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-12472937901360968992011-06-14T23:00:00.002-04:002011-06-14T23:13:09.411-04:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 8<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My never-ending list of favorite films is finally coming to its long-awaited close with this very post (sorry for letting so much time pass by since the last post!). So if you must break out into tears, now is the time. Alright. Now take a deep breath, and get ready to find out which films I chose for the final part.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. - Since I have lived through the 2000s more than any other decade (I grew up then), you will notice that I mention a much larger amount of films on here than on any other one of the eight parts. I must stress that this was probably the toughest decision I've had to make for this feature.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Final Part</u></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 8: The 2000s</b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b><u>Mulholland Dr.</u> </b>(2001)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHR1kY_d2hvQKEHofp0UN0aivCNshFpttgUSkCd8_n_C1qopc3plQrIpnnj5cLQwSRYHWTACMoBNvUHGepRotRgMvPLlA_HEBiHfVnUUx1vDfCWzrrV6PB38SfXVqjb3SHvKNmC3ossry/s640/mulholland-drive-2001-02-g.jpg" width="640" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently experienced this perplexing film for my second time around, and it seems to have cast a spell on me. Whenever I begin to think about this wonderfully mystifying treasure, in a matter of seconds I am overwhelmed by my thousands of thoughts surrounding the film. Why do I love it so much? Maybe because it's strange, enigmatic, eerie, haunting, thrilling, shocking, horrifying, disturbing, hallucinatory, sexy, erotic, beautiful, and heartbreaking-- all at once. <i>Mulholland Drive</i> is a puzzling expression of David Lynch's unique talent as a filmmaker, featuring an amazing performance from Naomi Watts.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b><u>Almost Famous</u> </b>(2000)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfGL1YChOQUISkPIFX_H-mi1ljH_Plp5Wu6hVRmc72wDCOfr_1NDZZhOJZtzoSuvrnDdB1DyI_xSkJl8XbETcLxdIq8NXv0H9NpLwUzNgVCVjT6-A12KtwHpXakCDM_cycoBgN788MFQ/s640/Almost_Famous_031.jpg" width="640" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The more I watch Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical <i>Almost Famous</i>, the more I realize how much better off I would've been if I were to be born three or four decades earlier. This nostalgic film captures a whole generation passionate with music, and centers on an ambitious boy growing up during such high times. Watching this film for the firs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t time, I instantly related to it and saw a bit of myself in the main character (which explains why I'm so personally attached to every single scene). When it was over, I felt like I had been going over old memories in my head-- or simply replaying memorable moments from a time so far back.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Donnie Darko</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(2001)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjKVthxI8Q63IjtLuZh-4y_k2erQYvBj8wjrq1jKpYU1euW4lSD6ODswhrizymgSMTM0iyQMHYe65mu14NrGizr2TG8trtEI61xiwa5-gg1GnrSoXhJNXixThyphenhyphenQgJfZWY9eFBP4KIyRnN/s640/Cinema1.jpg" width="640" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't describe what I'm feeling, every time I watch <i>Donnie Darko</i>. It puts me in this nearly singular mood where I seem to be feeling both a great amount of happiness and a great amount of apprehension. I guess the theme within this cult classic that hits me the most is the fear of the future. What lies ahead? What is there to look forward to? My shared agnosticism with the title character makes me emotionally vulnerable to every question asked throughout this film. It's beyond me how any human being could conceive such an original, imaginative story, while mixing elements of time travel with those of a coming-of-age tale. Richard Kelly, I honor you.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Amelie</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(2001)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img height="385" src="http://image.toutlecine.com/photos/f/a/b/fabuleux-destin-d-amelie-poulain-2001-10-g.jpg" width="640" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is all about the simple pleasures-- the little details that put a smile on your face. And every contact or encounter-- no matter how minimal-- has some sort of effect on the lives of others. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's <i>Amelie </i>(Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) is a beautiful portrait that illustrates this wonderful concept of the world we live in. Using engrossing storytelling techniques such as descriptive narration and displaying fascinating imagery with its breathtaking cinematography, it's surely a delightful treat that is impossible to resist. If you're ever looking for something to cheer you up after a long day, be sure to put your trust in this exquisite feel-good movie.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b><u>Pan's Labyrinth</u> </b>(2006)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="360" src="http://offtheedgeproductions.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/18.jpg" width="640" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first time I watched <i>Pan's Labyrinth </i>(El laberinto del fauno), I had absolutely no idea what to expect. In essence, it's a fairy tale, but in no way is it a light, fluffy one with your usual happy ending. Guillermo del Toro takes a fantastical tale about an innocent young girl venturing into a world of magic and sets it against the backdrop of the Spanish civil war, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">integrating powerful dramatic themes and symbolism found both in children's fairy tales and in serious adult dramas. It's this very special cross-breed of cinematic genres that makes it all the more enchanting. The music and cinematography are guaranteed to have a profound, long-lasting effect on you as you go through this heartbreaking experience.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Kill Bill</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">There Will Be Blood</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">City of God</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Let the Right One In</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Little Miss Sunshine</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Inglourious Basterds</span></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Requiem for a Dream</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monster's Inc.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lord of the Rings</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary and Max</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Pianist</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Dark Knight</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Memento</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No Country for Old Men</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lives of Others</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spirited Away</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WALL-E</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sin City</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gran Torino</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Prestige</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Million Dollar Baby</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Wrestler</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finding Nemo</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Into the Wild</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slumdog Millionaire</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Diving Bell and the Butterfly</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Road to Perdition</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grindhouse</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Children of Men</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mystic River</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Letters from Iwo Jima</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gosford Park</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Fall</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Departed</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ratatouille</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Incredibles</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Big Fish</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>"Yeah, I'll get to it"</b></span></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talk to Her</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A History of Violence</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brokeback Mountain</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Children</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amores Perros</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3:10 to Yuma</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oldboy</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dogville</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hero</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Bruges</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adaptation</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Royal Tenenbaums</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before Sunset</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blood Diamond</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Infernal Affairs</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Y tu mama tambien</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Downfall</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waltz with Bashir</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hotel Rwanda</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Bedroom</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Secret in Their Eyes</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hours</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Milk</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gladiator</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Best of Youth</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Traffic</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Atonement</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Motorcycle Diaries</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frost/Nixon</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The White Ribbon</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Persepolis</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Juno</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Single Man</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eastern Promises</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sideways</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Squid and the Whale</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Is England</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chicago</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">21 Grams</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zodiac</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I hope you enjoyed this extensive feature while it lasted! I will now return to writing reviews, preferably sooner than later.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Before you leave, share your thoughts on the whole thing!</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-9812419875445714892011-05-29T10:35:00.005-04:002013-08-22T08:52:46.633-04:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 7<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I present to you my favorite films of the 90s, I must apologize again for letting so much time pass by since I posted the last part. Anyway, unless you haven't read any of the previous parts of this feature, you should already know very well how this works. So without further ado, I allow you to check out my picks! </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 7: The 90s</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b><u>Fargo</u> </b>(1996)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCo2gjBZi2UILz4wHAi_UwfIbgGTtD1MAFyduSoh0PriQoTR1xLAgyAHEfyzu1IO39JYeg_mrWDp9w8DG-L_uGm0_wOlmeTvZtxrqe5MM3e2TD4kEJF3vfiPzTDvuUhqPOC7KRGE0FPfa/s1600/fargo_1996_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCo2gjBZi2UILz4wHAi_UwfIbgGTtD1MAFyduSoh0PriQoTR1xLAgyAHEfyzu1IO39JYeg_mrWDp9w8DG-L_uGm0_wOlmeTvZtxrqe5MM3e2TD4kEJF3vfiPzTDvuUhqPOC7KRGE0FPfa/s640/fargo_1996_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Fargo</i> is a true American <b>masterpiece</b> (and when I use that word, I mean it). It couldn't possibly be any more unique: it's a murderous thriller set in the cold, snowy landscapes and cityscapes of North Dakota. And on top of that, it manages to make the sticky situation the characters find themselves in something that's darkly humorous-- or, should I say-- hilarious. This wonderful cross between comedy and thriller makes the film both intensely suspenseful and ridiculously fun. And that's something that's almost singular to the work of the Coen brothers.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b><u>Schindler's List</u> </b>(1993)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPuCe9Jo5E7cu-nlENFysk3bhyphenhyphenL3DKxoevPVX-tznJ0J2zDI-ovS6N1ew1S6Iyf7WQEhtwE1AuTL2g1xc61tjxf6Ya5aKrXilLI8IgxIGpNycbliZben12oP749Matxx88L_weXC1/s640/La-Lista-De-Schindler-In02-DVD%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spielberg is among the great directors who mastered both the artistic and money-making sides of film. However, with <i>Schindler's List</i>, it's clear that his aim was on following his lifelong passion for his Jewish heritage, rather than on making a pretty penny like he did with his many blockbusters. It's that very passion </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">put into this grandiose Holocaust picture-- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">combined with the spot-on period reconstruction and character depictions-- that makes <i>Schindler's List</i> such a raw, emotional piece of cinema with so much heartfelt nostalgia. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>L.A. Confidential</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(1997)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-dSRaXXTXnWQDA56agrEXOyBIJvLUrZKPnRY3E6D2K90h110MG-fQ7S9bPsMOsUxEOv42UqJsZqiiKXdSAIj1yB968mhfdCMTv8zcwPwMDI28LkEdFw3_OEPKMuseHpAgAZLFMegwiRR/s1600/image4full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-dSRaXXTXnWQDA56agrEXOyBIJvLUrZKPnRY3E6D2K90h110MG-fQ7S9bPsMOsUxEOv42UqJsZqiiKXdSAIj1yB968mhfdCMTv8zcwPwMDI28LkEdFw3_OEPKMuseHpAgAZLFMegwiRR/s640/image4full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've always been crazy about film noir, and for me, <i>L.A. Confidential</i> is one of the few films that brought me all of the things I love about the genre (though it's technically a <b>neo-noir</b>), from elements of corruption to the <i>femme fatale</i> mold. All of the characters in this film are incredibly well-developed by the writer and wonderfully portrayed by the ensemble cast, which includes the talents of Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, and James Cromwell, among others. And though the film starts on a lighter foot with its upbeat opening, it soon becomes a real nail-biting experience. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>American Beauty</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(1999)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<img height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnqkYn4-7ryuV_0SwGBlZ2KES6ZJnp0TEcTFBrQpihcuEpLFK2bEcJ-Ihy9AS8BghzK11tveLK-rv3ZUWTYp4hsrPMaiA3VQBQR_ck0ZZxpbjzZay_UOi28P4yu5VLIWOK925OoTQXsQ/s640/American+Beauty.jpg" width="640" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>American Beauty</i> has so much to say by saying so little, and in turn, I will refrain myself from going on and on about how perfect it is in my mind, and instead I will simply point out what there is to love: Conrad L. Hall's beautiful cinematography, Thomas Newman's hypnotic original score, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sam Mendes's outstanding direction, Kevin Spacey's and Annette Bening's miraculous lead performances, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and Alan Ball's amazing screenplay which delivers very powerful themes and resonant messages about the true meaning of life and beauty. Both hilarious and poignant at times, <i>American Beauty</i> is a truly unforgettable film.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b><u>Pulp Fiction</u> </b>(1994)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkpC0EwexiCdDIDO1MvUEDn8BZ42IRKBMiqaE8tz9DvVkGfJVHomvUtYmi6L8i5V7uRdfmO6d4LzlqyuBuGXC3GIFDJ6gXfK4cB1UrtiUcmVxRAdgM8SOunRU96INER0GKUoZMVTOd80/s640/pulp-fiction-1994-24-g.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I told you that the previous film is my second favorite film of all time, what would you make of this one? Yes, you guessed correctly. Pulp Fiction is indeed the film that holds the #1 spot on my list of all-time favorites. And why is that? Because it's so much fun! I could watch it a thousand times over and never get tired of it. With all of its blazing originality, creativity, and style, it creates its own mood and lets it become a part of the spectator. And like every Tarantino film, it's a pastiche made up of bits and pieces from a thousand other great movies, making it even more enjoyable for a movie-lover like myself.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eyes Wide Shut</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reservoir Dogs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fight Club</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Shawshank Redemption</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forrest Gump</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life Is Beautiful (La vita è bella)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Truman Show</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Matrix</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GoodFellas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jackie Brown</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unforgiven</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boogie Nights</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Big Lebowski</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Thin Red Line</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Silence of the Lambs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Usual Suspects</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trainspotting</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lion King</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toy Story</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>"Yeah, I'll get to it"</b></span></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Magnolia</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sixth Sense</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terminator 2: Judgment Day</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Braveheart</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rushmore</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Office Space</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Princess Mononoke</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Groundhog Day</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clerks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Casino</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three Colors: Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good Will Hunting</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ed Wood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Name of the Father</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La haine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before Sunrise</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sling Blade</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Check out the <u>final part</u> - </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/06/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-films-part.html">Part 8: The 00s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-55588170443137660672011-05-15T12:00:00.001-04:002015-03-22T01:22:24.142-04:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 6<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though I would have to call it my least favorite decade when it comes to film, I still had quite a struggle picking my five favorite films from the 80s.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By now, y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ou should know the drill: check out both my <b>honorable mention</b> and <b>"Yeah, I'll get to it"</b> lists at the bottom, and please</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b>rate</b> this post and leave a <b>comment</b>. And just to make things more interesting, why not answer this question in your comment: <b>Which decade in the history of film is your favorite, and which one is your least favorite? </b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 6: The 80s</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b><u>Wings of Desire</u> </b>(1987)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O5YQqj6qyk4/TQmS5RSDD6I/AAAAAAAABqw/1bGVy6wD4Ug/s640/der-himmel-uber-berlin-original.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wim Wenders' <i>Wings of Desire</i> (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Der Himmel über Berlin) is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful films of all time. With its rich black and white and color cinematography, visual and verbal poetry, overall tranquility, and reflective outlook on humanity, how could one not fall in love with this work of art? You don't need to believe in angels to gaze in wide wonder at this masterpiece.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b><u>Once Upon a Time in America</u> </b>(1984)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://filmbalaya.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/once-upon-a-time-in-america.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sergio Leone's final work comes close to Francis Ford Coppola's <i>The Godfather</i> as the greatest epic gangster film ever made. It has a runtime of nearly four hours, yet at no point does it feel too long. It seems like time is flying by when you're watching this masterpiece. But you don't ever want it to end, because as the end credits roll it has already become a part of you. And Ennio Morricone's moving score contributes to the unforgettable heartbreak this film causes.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Amadeus</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(1984)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWJ39GNfuTd2lOT-EqxxuqoiBDgeUmJkPNIKMXoH3IbUAfH-dyxNYipz_GkNEMMVFjmJQcZKwEOJh3VKfN-K0d_K_iTT0NgwyY6iSVMONTCjlj8PBttfi3nNC_V5t4qwnbVvTOYK7tJCo/s1600/amadeus_1984_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWJ39GNfuTd2lOT-EqxxuqoiBDgeUmJkPNIKMXoH3IbUAfH-dyxNYipz_GkNEMMVFjmJQcZKwEOJh3VKfN-K0d_K_iTT0NgwyY6iSVMONTCjlj8PBttfi3nNC_V5t4qwnbVvTOYK7tJCo/s640/amadeus_1984_5.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What could've been a long and drawn out (or quite simply dull) story ended up being an extremely compelling one, all thanks to playwright and screenwriter Peter Shaffer. <i>Amadeus</i> is far from being considered a biopic; instead of retelling Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life as it was, it prefers fabricating a tale of rivalry between him and the lesser-known composer Antonio Salieri. And with such a masterful screenplay being the basis of all the extravagant period reconstruction, <i>Amadeus</i> surely is one delightful film. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>The Shining</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(1980)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9FvYZOvaCcA8hvh_GNr9SdqWW-39zuQuBRUM0TkUYW981niq7KN4hrKE-B8RyBNEj1pXpWrYoJ726DybmKj0lX-zcwadRqCWfeTQHpdqBfc-jkkAXotAs72ZJQyR7Z42rqoAKxxrIvd-/s1600/026-the-shining-theredlist.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9FvYZOvaCcA8hvh_GNr9SdqWW-39zuQuBRUM0TkUYW981niq7KN4hrKE-B8RyBNEj1pXpWrYoJ726DybmKj0lX-zcwadRqCWfeTQHpdqBfc-jkkAXotAs72ZJQyR7Z42rqoAKxxrIvd-/s1600/026-the-shining-theredlist.png" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Must I remind you of my love for Stanley Kubrick every time? Throughout his career, he was able to do what most directors could only dream of accomplishing; he redefined nearly every cinematic genre, including horror. And I do not lie when I say that <i>The Shining</i> is the best horror film I have ever seen. Despised by most Stephen King fans upon its release, this film can fortunately be appreciated today for its bone-chilling suspense, terrifying performances, thought-provoking imagery, and breakthrough cinematography. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b><u>Cinema Paradiso</u> </b>(1988)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://whistlingwoodsinternational.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/cinema-paradiso.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a strong fondness Giuseppe Tornatore's <i>Cinema Paradiso</i> (Nuovo Cinema Paradiso), mostly because it's a semi-autobiographical film that resonates well with me. It shares every outlook I have on life, whether it's about childhood, friendship, aging, love, or movies. With a deeply nostalgic core, it's a film that can be very heartbreaking and poignant at times. And I must once again give praise to Ennio Morricone for enhancing the true emotion of this masterpiece with what I believe is the most heartwarming music ever composed.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brazil</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Full Metal Jacket</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raiders of the Lost Ark</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blade Runner</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Au Revoir Les Enfants</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Last Emperor</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ferris Bueller's Day Off</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Princess Bride</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rain Man</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dead Poets Society</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Christmas Story</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>"Yeah, I'll get to it"</b></span></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blue Velvet</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fanny and Alexander</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paris, Texas</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Das Boot</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aliens</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scarface</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ran</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tootsie</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Untouchables</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Harry Met Sally...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who Framed Roger Rabbit</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sex, Lies, and Videotape</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do the Right Thing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Is Spinal Tap</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Elephant Man</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grave of the Fireflies</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Breakfast Club</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Platoon</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ordinary People</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chariots of Fire</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gandhi</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terms of Endearment</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out of Africa</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Terminator</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stand by Me</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Color Purple</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hannah and Her Sisters</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Check out <i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/05/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-films-part_29.html">Part 7: The 90s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-81390580291541800462011-05-08T09:08:00.002-04:002013-12-24T09:28:52.060-05:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 5<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who doesn't love the 70s? Film was a visual medium that had really matured by that point, and a great deal of groundbreaking classics (in the making) were astonishing audiences everywhere. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I never cease to have a hard time boiling it all down to a selection of five films, I once again included an <b>honorable mention</b> section below. I also conceived the brilliant idea of inserting a <b>"Yeah, I'll get to it"</b> list at the end of the post, which consists of a bunch of widely praised films I haven't seen and would like to see sometime soon. That way, I won't get too many comments where people complain about the exclusion of a certain film I haven't seen.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, don't forget to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b>rate</b> this post and don't be afraid to leave a <b>comment</b>. I always enjoy reading everyone's opinions! </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 5: The 70s</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b><u>Annie Hall</u> </b>(1977)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2c3qgKlSxRlMlFqZciNAZ9mgC0gzs9BAZa4OX1p5rmFMUeuVXSi0SqP3KOJvSX5ZoQbf33YFwpKJId2lBBjizRy40k1M4V-P5K7BCcKrG-Es-6Jm6zAlYzY0r5_AFa1Lgnyo1dBXaodr/s1600/annie-hall-original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2c3qgKlSxRlMlFqZciNAZ9mgC0gzs9BAZa4OX1p5rmFMUeuVXSi0SqP3KOJvSX5ZoQbf33YFwpKJId2lBBjizRy40k1M4V-P5K7BCcKrG-Es-6Jm6zAlYzY0r5_AFa1Lgnyo1dBXaodr/s640/annie-hall-original.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Romantic comedies don't get much better than this one. <i>Annie Hall</i> is a love story that is told piece by piece, using a very unique narrative structure-- a breakthrough style at the time. While Woody Allen plays his usual self, Diane Keaton delivers what is arguably her greatest performance as the quirky, ditsy title character he falls in love with. Unlike many of yesterday's and today's "rom coms", this one is refreshingly realistic yet hopeful.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b><u>Network</u> </b>(1976)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBRDVMJNs4sgzkhuoqA9RScPHXjYcHGIKN6sCypqtQE12DELCEsw9V_wHlqkXadN1Rzwanc1oRJZDM0E6wuYFrxmLpM8fCSiB_v_3GjDmR7p-C9t0QNyVqOFmzIfRVJ9METxhMIMzGlZK/s640/Network+1.png" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are only a few films that measure up to this one in terms of acting and writing. <i>Network</i> displays an overwhelming amount of talent in the outstanding performances of all of its actors; Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Ned Beatty, Beatrice Straight, and Peter Finch (seen above) together make one of the best ensemble casts ever. And on top of that, Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay is an absolutely brilliant, hilarious piece of satire, brought to life by the masterful Sidney Lumet (R.I.P.). </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Chinatown</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(1974)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="388" src="http://image.toutlecine.com/photos/c/h/i/chinatown-1974-20-g.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What can I say about <i>Chinatown</i>? It represents a milestone in my lifelong appreciation of film, because it's the film that marked the beginning of my love for the film noir genre. Of course, it isn't a classic noir but rather a neo-noir, yet in every single aspect it parallels-- or in my opinion even surpasses-- most of the true film noir classics. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway shine in their lead roles (they instantly became my favorite actor and actress after I saw this film for the first time), while Roman Polanski does a great job directing the magnificent original screenplay by Robert Towne.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>A Clockwork Orange</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(1971)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="388" src="http://image.toutlecine.com/photos/o/r/a/orange-mecanique-1971-10-g.jpg" width="640" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was an obvious choice for me as a worshiper of Kubrick, and something you would also expect from me if you followed me on twitter (@Eggiweggs). I can firmly call this film a true masterpiece. On the surface, it's extremely violent, perverted, and bizarre, but when you get down to its core, you find out that it's really a social satire with even parts of black comedy and humanistic allegory. And I am not the only one who thinks that Malcolm McDowell's performance was totally overlooked at the time. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b><u>The Godfather</u> </b>(1972)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Ab09VGuWNRpGeTCsxIvKQjeA3gIV9AzDiCqtHpbqj8YHI4vSA0qNamUnaPApjwkVfGwDuxGH7ZRtSvFHfB3lb-fUTGmdhzSDHO09MvyIzxn2R3xRSYdsosRRCtnn62ip1w-uQncig15/s1600/vlcsnap-2012-12-29-22h20m20s157.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Ab09VGuWNRpGeTCsxIvKQjeA3gIV9AzDiCqtHpbqj8YHI4vSA0qNamUnaPApjwkVfGwDuxGH7ZRtSvFHfB3lb-fUTGmdhzSDHO09MvyIzxn2R3xRSYdsosRRCtnn62ip1w-uQncig15/s640/vlcsnap-2012-12-29-22h20m20s157.png" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told myself that I wouldn't be typical and choose this film for the number one spot, but there was no denying that it will forever be the greatest film of the 70s! I believe <i>The Godfather</i> to be a perfect film (though the concept of perfection itself is flawed). And I hate to be lame, but I think I'll leave it at that. People who have seen it don't need an explanation as to why it's so great. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apocalypse Now</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taxi Driver</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Days of Heaven</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kramer vs. Kramer</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Wars</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dog Day Afternoon</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barry Lyndon</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Manhattan</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monty Python and the Holy Grail</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life of Brian</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Godfather: Part II</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jaws</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sting</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Exorcist</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Midnight Express</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the President's Men</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>"Yeah, I'll get to it"</b></span></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harold and Maude</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Deer Hunter</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Badlands</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mean Streets</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Halloween</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Woman Under the Influence</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Conversation</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alien</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being There</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sleuth</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nashville</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patton</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Conformist</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Last Picture Show</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dawn of the Dead</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stalker</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Solaris</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young Frankenstein</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deliverance</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">American Graffiti</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rocky</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Check out <i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/05/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-films-part_15.html">Part 6: The 80s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-49452681823198629302011-05-01T09:09:00.003-04:002016-07-15T11:02:45.028-04:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 4<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once again, picking my five favorites among so many wonderful films was a very painful, heartbreaking challenge! Especially this time, because the 60s just so happen to be my favorite decade when it comes to movies. It was a time of flourishing for the overabundance of revolutionary motion pictures that were trying to surpass the predominant Hollywood conventions. And all my choices seem to reinforce this statement.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As always, make sure to check out the <b>honorable mention</b> section below, which consists of films which I will never forgive myself for having left out; and please</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <b>rate</b> this post and leave a <b>comment</b>. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 4: The 60s</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. <b><u>Midnight Cowboy</u> </b>(1969)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImcl1F6GX0-tBohotjfVgcFRc_rsgZJN8axo1JvwPUtAMHu6IBlfLW6xIG_0QJJGgnxd6fvgNUhlgHfKZp6RMaIkQHB9CQh-H7qqmS84CXp0YMq6lbfcbQB9kpunQN5Wi3n8oRr0B_1Vg/s1600/midnight_cowboy_2_hoffman_voight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImcl1F6GX0-tBohotjfVgcFRc_rsgZJN8axo1JvwPUtAMHu6IBlfLW6xIG_0QJJGgnxd6fvgNUhlgHfKZp6RMaIkQHB9CQh-H7qqmS84CXp0YMq6lbfcbQB9kpunQN5Wi3n8oRr0B_1Vg/s640/midnight_cowboy_2_hoffman_voight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Read my review <a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/02/timeless-classics-midnight-cowboy-1969.html">here</a>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A tale of true friendship, Midnight Cowboy is about finding solace in someone else through times of hardship and loneliness. This warm, heartbreaking film will stick with me for as long as I live. Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman deliver outstanding performances, together ranking as one of the greatest screen duos of all time. And John Barry's beautiful harmonica score will always be there to remind me of this film's raw emotional power.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. <b><u>Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?</u> </b>(1966)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Taylor,%20Elizabeth/Annex/NRFPT/Annex%20-%20Taylor,%20Elizabeth%20(Who's%20Afraid%20of%20Virginia%20Woolf)_NRFPT_03.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's a film that really grew on me. It took me two viewings to assess what was actually going on behind all the nonstop quarreling and drinking. The path that takes you to the shocking conclusion is a very wild one, perfectly complete with some of the best acting the big screen has ever known (arguably Elizabeth Taylor's best performance) and one of the most darkly hilarious and quotable screenplays of all time.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Good, the Bad and the Ugly</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(1966)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img src="http://geofflivingston.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/eastwood_good_ugly.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spaghetti westerns don't get much better than this. As the third film in Sergio Leone's quintessential "The Man with No Name" trilogy, Clint Eastwood stars as the most iconic bad-ass character. This movie is around three hours in length, yet it's so damn amazing that it feels like time flies by while watching it. And let's not forget about Ennio Morricone's genre-defining score, because without it, this film would be missing a bit of its overwhelmingly epic flare. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Graduate</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(1967)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlFdxtPhsyust2BikZYgVwxVS0owTUwGvHYoINGAcTeJgGmp0uQ68aipeL4MAtYd9vPMS787QFm02C5jbgRw9ZZNOBGApTvQI1F2WHNQudtrYVi6m5AEo4gcT_63GCVISmrZ8b-wfrDtx/s640/laureat-1967-09-g.jpg" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't think I'll ever relate to a film more than this one. It captured what yesterday's youth was thinking and feeling, but somehow it still applies to today's generation, which consists of people who are just as preoccupied with their future as Dustin Hoffman's alienated character, Ben Braddock. Similarly to the precedent film, there's a sort of marriage between this incredible piece of cinema and the very appropriate, inseparable soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. <b><u>2001: A Space Odyssey</u> </b>(1968)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbpqNAxhJLisBGWMQeJnxS6x6uHDVG_g-Q-u15XkXIOmCgb61ipck_XCXSZXBggri2-4w9oJapVUYmOA8EMdK6TPOoexy4b2C-yhNeOh5RuhixiCzu1ROmpSvj8o2Jt4YO58nB3jRZmrO/s1600/2001-A-Space-Odyssey-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbpqNAxhJLisBGWMQeJnxS6x6uHDVG_g-Q-u15XkXIOmCgb61ipck_XCXSZXBggri2-4w9oJapVUYmOA8EMdK6TPOoexy4b2C-yhNeOh5RuhixiCzu1ROmpSvj8o2Jt4YO58nB3jRZmrO/s640/2001-A-Space-Odyssey-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love Kubrick. So why should I not be in love with the film that introduced me to his genius craft and unparalleled talents as a film director? This groundbreaking achievement is not only a feast for the eyes, but also-- and even more so-- a feast for the mind. Never in my young life have I experienced anything more thought-provoking than this very film. There's no way of describing how amazing it is. It's just one of those things you must see for yourself.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psycho</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once Upon a Time in the West</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dr. Strangelove</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To Kill a Mockingbird</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Apartment</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For a Few Dollars More</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cool Hand Luke</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8 1/2</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rosemary's Baby</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Sound of Music</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lolita</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Leopard</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bonnie and Clyde</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My Fair Lady</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Fistful of Dollars</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">West Side Story</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doctor Zhivago</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Hard Day's Night</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Birds</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Heat of the Night</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goldfinger</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hello, Dolly!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Check out <i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/05/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-films-part_08.html">Part 5: The 70s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-29411046787767196072011-04-23T22:40:00.002-04:002016-07-15T11:09:27.588-04:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 3<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before reading, I'll have you know that I had an especially hard time picking my five favorite films from this particular decade. So please take in note each and every great film I listed in the <b>honorable mention</b> section below (the list goes on and on!).</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As always, don't forget to <b>rate</b> this post and leave a <b>comment</b> below, whether you agree or disagree with my selections!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 3: The 50s</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><u>Witness for the Prosecution</u></b></span> </b>(1957)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Lanchester,%20Elsa/Annex/Annex%20-%20Lanchester,%20Elsa%20(Witness%20for%20the%20Prosecution)_01.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Billy Wilder practically dominated the 50s in terms of cinematic masterpieces. And out of all his wonderful films-- though I hate to break it to you early-- I would have to say that this one is my favorite. It's a very suspenseful piece of courtroom drama with excellent acting and more twists and turns than you could ever imagine! This can be explained by the fact that it's based on a short story written by my favorite author and the "Queen of Mystery" herself, Agatha Christie!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. <b><u>The Night of the Hunter</u> </b>(1955)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img src="http://monstergirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/annex-mitchum2crobert28nightofthehunter2cthe29_nrfpt_01.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strangely enough, Charles Laughton, one of the stars in the precedent film, is the man who made this one his directorial debut. And it's an awful shame that this remains the only film he ever directed. It's absolutely perfect in my eyes, blending film noir qualities with beautiful cinematography, an eerie atmosphere, and top-notch performances-- all served with a side of religious fanaticism. It's a masterpiece of a thriller! </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Roman Holiday</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(1953)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVY4cB0PFYfph2OW_K5Bx7TxTaeRDpg6KT8CFkQclO4Lien5xySGBKe5xJSSrZykKlH1Gq8pTXyB0fBaz1dnxCON_UtRofc1-p6H0OsaNElEwp-dDrH0TPB6RM5gE-JzvEv-Gp9Kaj9Bm/s1600/romanholiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVY4cB0PFYfph2OW_K5Bx7TxTaeRDpg6KT8CFkQclO4Lien5xySGBKe5xJSSrZykKlH1Gq8pTXyB0fBaz1dnxCON_UtRofc1-p6H0OsaNElEwp-dDrH0TPB6RM5gE-JzvEv-Gp9Kaj9Bm/s640/romanholiday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the get-go, I had no idea that this would soon become one of my favorite films. I ask myself why I love this movie so much, and I often feel there's no way of explaining it. Watching <i>Roman Holiday</i>, I feel as though I'm joining these two strangers on their little escapade. Audrey Hepburn is irresistible in this wonderful picture.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The 400 Blows</u> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(1959)</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><img height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rdeclsR3Hr-WCR6oFySG9BMNG_etZp-9Iw0ggxfoVa5Hp7hxK2rlnhRIvLva5UbTKDEfPGsoZclm2_-NDYUQrMrUM6tgHJkpM7xevFMpfuhyphenhyphen-DCgZB76yT-EluSZY0lAvB0f0z-EmV8u/s640/400Blows1959.jpg" width="640" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As one of the definitive films of the French New Wave movement, <i>The 400 Blows</i> (Les Quatre Cents Coups) is an unconventional coming-of-age story that packs a big emotional punch. I'm sure I'm not alone in seeing a bit of myself in the main character, nor in attaching a very high personal value to his experiences as a youth. Along with the realistic performances, I'm in love with this film's outdoor cinematography and beautiful music.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. <b><u>Vertigo</u> </b>(1958)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb7JG6Vx7ep87-sS4VhOtuQBKHyAYswIlER_S9z0penJ16vooXqq-nuy99SSA5aMn8LtgG9xLMACdki3WAIw3dxAlPtFKHM2_NqiEaBNcx9n5cHihc_Inpxin9wPZ4Q6gIsA_z0Fa135p/s640/vertigo-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my opinion, this is Alfred Hitckcock's finest achievement as a director, and I would have to say that it's also my favorite film of his. I see it as his most mysterious, suspenseful, thrilling, romantic, superstitious, ingenious, and beautiful masterpiece. In this Hitchcock thriller, James Stewart delivers another masterful performance, while Bernard Herrmann gives us another exquisitely haunting score. Once <i>Vertigo</i> gets into your head, there's no way of getting it out. It stays with you forever. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Singin' in the Rain</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunset Blvd.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">East of Eden</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Killing</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some Like It Hot</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sweet Smell of Success</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Seventh Seal</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All About Eve</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rebel Without a Cause</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paths of Glory</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">North by Northwest</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12 Angry Men</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seven Samurai</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bridge on the River Kwai</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strangers on a Train</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Touch of Evil</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cat on a Hot Tin Roof</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Streetcar Named Desire</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rear Window</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sabrina</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Check out <i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/05/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-films-part.html">Part 4: The 60s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-75344745650343195282011-04-16T09:40:00.004-04:002012-02-26T06:49:03.801-05:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 2<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm terribly sorry for letting so much time pass since I published the last part! I'll try to be quicker in posting the next seven parts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and by the way, I thought I would change the list of films to an ascending order, just to make things more exciting. I also added an "honorable mention" section at the end.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Enjoy! </b>And don't forget to leave a <b>comment</b>, whether you agree or disagree with my selections!</span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 2: The 40s</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b><u>It's a Wonderful Life</u> </b>(1946)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="480" src="http://americanthings.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/life-by-movieforumdotcom.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This film is one of my personal favorites, because I've been watching this perennial at Christmastime ever since I was little kid (I like to think I still am one). Though it's ultimately a feel-good story, it has always made me shed a small tear at parts. It's an incredibly warm, moving film that can be enjoyed again and again by the whole family! </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b><u>The Third Man</u> </b>(1949)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="460" src="http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Cotten,%20Joseph/Annex/Annex%20-%20Cotten,%20Joseph%20(Third%20Man,%20The)_01.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I think "film noir", this is probably the first thing that comes to my mind. This film combines and redefines so many elements of the genre that make it so unique. Some of the little things I'm crazy about: the mysterious lighting, Vienna, the zither music, the ferris wheel ride, etc...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b><u>The Red Shoes</u> </b>(1948)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="488" src="http://nobodyputsbabyinahorner.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/red-shoes-moira-shearer.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you think there's no such thing as "trippy" films from the 40s, think again. Don't be turned off by the fact that this film centers on a ballerina, because there is much more to it than that. It's comparable to last year's <i>Black Swan</i> in that sense, but mainly for obvious plot-related reasons.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <b><u>Rebecca</u> </b>(1940)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="480" src="http://drnorth.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/rebecca-alfred-hitchcock-35826_1024_768.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most Hitchcock fans seem to view this film as his only film to ever win Best Picture when many of his other films were more deserving of that title. But I'm inclined to disagree. I'm not saying that this one is his best, but it's definitely one of his most powerful expressions of his artistic talents as a director. There's something strangely haunting about <i>Rebecca</i> that sets it apart from every other Hitchcock mystery thriller.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And now for <i>number one</i></b>...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b><u>Brief Encounter</u> </b>(1945)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="488" src="http://wearyoldman.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/brief-encounter1.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgive me for choosing this over <i>Casablanca</i> and other classic love stories, but I'm significantly more attached to this very one. David Lean makes this film much more than a heartfelt tale of infidelity. He has crafted a sentimental peek into the human psyche, using both style and substance to draw us to the central characters. <i>Brief Encounter</i> may be the most obscure film on the list, but in my opinion, it's also the most memorable.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Honorable Mention</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Best Years of Our Lives</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Casablanca</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Notorious</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Treasure of the Sierra Madre</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Double Indemnity</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Citizen Kane</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Maltese Falcon</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laura</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty and the Beast</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Philadelphia Story</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Check out <i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/04/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-films-part_23.html">Part 3: The 50s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-60933447910701422502011-04-02T13:34:00.009-04:002012-02-26T06:49:43.903-05:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Films - Part 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since quite a bit of time has passed since my last real blog post, I thought I would do something monumental. So I thought about going through every past decade (starting with the 30s) and listing some of the films that, in my opinion, stick out as true masterpieces (five films per decade). You may or may not agree with my choices, but either way, I would love to hear what your thoughts are! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please stay tuned for the next seven parts of this feature!</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Part 1: The 30s</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b><u>Gone with the Wind</u> </b>(1939)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdNnyr9PhDxLzvTs2BJaY0FAwHs1fDCpk5ohJNcb8X6_AXO8kJrqpp0kPqvD74gug-a_5GBMDD6u-JetIei1Wuyb0RjajQcESp6jnhzoqxT0liQgWsCrDn_sitFq-A8YU4ktwxRGAA-D9/s640/Annex+-+Leigh,+Vivien+(Gone+With+the+Wind)_15.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gone With the Wind was a groundbreaking achievement in cinema that defined the classic American epic and established standards for films to come. I find this film impossible to resist. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable shine as Scarlett and Rhett, who undeniably make one of the greatest screen couples of all time.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <b><u>The Wizard of Oz</u> </b>(1939)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="480" src="http://www.marymo.net/pics/albums/wizardofoz/0330.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Wizard of Oz is a wonderful film, for children and adults alike. I remember being introduced to this classic at a very young age, and ever since, I've seen it countless times, and it hasn't ceased to amaze me! It's another masterpiece from director Victor Fleming.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b><u>M</u> </b>(1931)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cz0JCvITrTf7Ysgz4STQVQRVgXU2sLffAKEqjY8kNzLn5N6g7rrnlMptYwcR37hkhZWYVwjV3FAfyskdZf9xugA4n0o34ZAJoQR4QNx19GL51fGBSdqqc3gs__f_T3uSEYpjnjotYW_a/s640/Peter+Lorre+M.bmp" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the visionary German writer/director Fritz Lang (Metropolis), M is an absolutely gripping and shocking thriller about the manhunt for a psychotic child-murderer roaming the city streets. Peter Lorre's performance is chilling, especially when he is delivering his monologue at the end.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b><u>Modern Times</u> </b>(1936)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB_5HFZDiBIHeYSzaOUoeyB58UjR6PIROoI3Irot6-C84tYhs_rg9qa5ryd9Ui2ZthQVBKMhOXvsQHvRkIvNDQTEqXHmfHlO5mXdYEQ55yFJNAs5Mun3VpLoR7Vi396vrjmn_Zs0i57Y/s640/Chaplin,+Charlie+(Modern+Times)_02+JT.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest, this is the only Charlie Chaplin film I've seen to date (I'm embarrassed to say), and I'm already blown away by the amount of talent the man visibly has! For me, Modern Times is about facing and learning to adapt to change-- no matter how challenging it may be-- and never letting go of hope. This was the perfect film for those struggling to make it through the Great Depression!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b><u>It Happened One Night</u> </b>(1934)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofvhDTz04nBrJdlwAv0tT4Vtxox_kHXvwyyNNgo1_EWdcckoHWfvhzY-ufplpGTZm23r91oMvka17COBeeogVrSNT7zPOA5l1EucMgC39EM2z3Pc2eryTFvnS-W-Fq_D1EN9M_570WNgZ/s640/Annex%252520-%252520Colbert%252C%252520Claudette%252520%2528It%252520Happened%252520One%252520Night%2529_03.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It Happened One Night is the hilarious and heartfelt tale that made Frank Capra one of the best-known directors of his time. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are magnificent in this classic romantic comedy! I especially love how there are so many risqué jokes and wisecracks in the movie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Check out <i><a href="http://nickplusmovies.blogspot.com/2011/04/im-terribly-sorry-for-letting-so-much.html">Part 2: The 40s</a></i>!</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-89645932471423729202011-02-22T07:47:00.062-05:002016-07-15T11:10:18.358-04:00Cult Classics - Videodrome (1983)<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(or: Movie Review #8)</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Death to Videodrome! Long Live the New Flesh!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">"</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Ever since I watched Videodrome, it has been nearly impossible to keep thoughts of it out of my mind. It's without a doubt one of the most intriguing and thought-provoking films I have ever laid eyes on. And since I've been obsessing over it for the past day and a half, I thought: "What the hell! I should just write a review to get it out of my system!". So here I am, doing just that.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://verdoux.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/videodrome-19831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://verdoux.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/videodrome-19831.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">How did I come in contact with Videodrome? Well, when I was out in the city with my brother and our friend to go see the Toronto Auto Show, we spent some time beforehand shopping. When I was in HMV (THE place for CDs, DVDs, and BDs), I looked at Videodrome, and I finally decided that I should purchase it. I made a semi-impulsive purchase, since I had been wanting to see the film for some time before. It cost me an arm and a leg, but I was willing to spend that much money so I could get my first taste of David Cronenberg, at last. I find it funny how I'm Canadian and I haven't seen any of his films before Videodrome. What's even funnier is how most Canadians don't even know who in the world David Cronenberg is! This is the epitome of the dominance of Hollywood cinema throughout the world!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Anyway, I mainly bought the film because I wanted to devour something weird and surreal for a change. I believe I've grown a particular fondness for bizarre cinema ever since I've seen Black Swan. Did Videodrome satisfy my craving? Yes. Yes, it did. Very much so.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.internalbleeding.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/videodrome-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.internalbleeding.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/videodrome-8.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">So what is this film about, already?! I'll try my best to explain it, even though I asked myself "What the hell did I just come from watching?!" when the credits rolled.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Videodrome centers on Max Renn, this shabby, lowlife man who runs this TV channel in Toronto called "Civic TV Channel 83". He's always searching for the kind of programming that will make his viewers happy, and by this I mean cheap movies of an extremely violent or pornographic nature. So one day, he goes to see his employee Harlan, who manages to pick up a pirate video transmission showing rape, torture, and murder. This show is called "Videodrome". Max is unable to look away from the screen; from this point on all he thinks about is "Videodrome". He is convinced that "soft porn" is getting old and that this is exactly what the people want in this ever-changing society. After contacting his supplier Masha, he is told that "Videodrome" isn't staged, but rather "for real". While he continues his investigation, his messed-up girlfriend Nicki decides to go to Pittsburgh, where the show is based, so she can audition for the show she was "meant for". As the film progresses, strange events unfold and Max is becoming increasingly delirious. He learns that his frequent hallucinations are caused by the tumor that is growing in his head, a result of being a victim of the transmissions of "Videodrome". Ultimately, he is being turned into a weapon to fight in this gigantic conspiracy of oddity.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/n-z/videodrome-se/videodrome-se_shot4l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/n-z/videodrome-se/videodrome-se_shot4l.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">As you can probably tell, this movie sure is weird. It gets into your mind from the get-go, and for the next hour and a half, it tries to eat its way out. Cronenberg is able to craft something that's very grotesque and creepy, but at the same time, some parts are so wacky and ridiculous that the whole thing can come off as a black comedy. Cronenberg's script has many cult film qualities-- for instance, just look at the memorable line "Long Live the New Flesh!". It seems as though it was his intention to make something that would go down as a cult classic, years from its release. Luckily, it has that status today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">You can count out what I said about the film being funny, because-- come to think of it-- as a whole, it's rather terrifying. Along with Cronenberg, I would like to applaud those who were in charge with the makeup and special effects. Because, let me tell you, they really did a fantastic job. The astonishing makeup contributed so much to the spookiness of the film. I would put it on the same level as the makeup in John Carpenter's "The Thing", to be honest. From the hand armed with a gun that protrudes out of a TV screen, to the giant vertical video slot that stretches across Max's chest and devours whatever is inserted in it, this film is truly amazing on the technical level. Moreover, I was quite surprised to see the name "Howard Shore" appear in the opening credits. If you're completely oblivious, I'll have you know that Howard Shore is the genius behind the film score of Lord of the Rings, as well as many other beautiful works. He did a great job with Videodrome, creating very surreal and haunting music. Interestingly enough, he began his career composing for many of Cronenberg's films, and he has stuck with the man ever since. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Woah, wait a second. I haven't even talked about the actors yet. But in my opinion, the film isn't as much about the acting as it is about the strange events. Having said that, the film stars James Woods as Max Renn, who I believe is the perfect choice, since he and his character seem to have the same personality. Other than Deborah Harry, the rest of the cast is filled with a bunch of relatively unknown actors. When I was watching the film, the name "Deborah Harry" said something to me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. "Where have I heard this name before?", I asked myself. Of course, I had to "IMDb" it, and to my pleasant surprise, I discovered that she's the singer/songwriter of Blondie, one of the best bands of the late 70s! She was surprisingly decent in the movie; her eccentric character gave me the shivers.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/n-z/videodrome/videodrome_shot1l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/n-z/videodrome/videodrome_shot1l.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">There's one trivial thing about Videodrome that I felt like pointing out. Being from the whereabouts of Toronto, it was great to see so many shots of the streets and the cityscape in the film. Cronenberg sure showed a lot more of Toronto than Edgar Wright did with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World! But that's beside the point. I just thought it was hilarious how the tramway shown in one of the exterior shots in the film looked almost exactly the same as the actual tramway! As a matter of fact, even the buildings looked the same. Has Toronto stayed the same for the past 30 years?! Haha!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Getting back to the substance of Videodrome, I have to ask myself what message David Cronenberg was trying to convey through the gruesome scenes he directed, the beautifully horrifying shots he composed, and the peculiar screenplay he wrote. The way I interpreted it, Videodrome is a study of the effects of television on society, but more of a mockery on what people feared it had the power of doing back when it was first introduced. This makes sense, because Cronenberg would've been growing up when TV was becoming a part of-- or taking over-- the American family and lifestyle. I guess the film was also a sort of social critique, showing how society was becoming more and more immoral or unethical over the years, losing all traditional values, and taking pleasure in watching violence, pornography, etc.. I wish I could ask Cronenberg himself what his intentions were in the making of Videodrome. But I guess I could find the answers in the interviews or special features that came with the copy of the movie.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">And of course, no twisted film is complete without sado-masochistic sex scenes! I just thought I'd put a <b>warning</b> out there in case you were thinking of watching this with someone who would be appalled by such things-- like maybe your parents?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">In sum, Videodrome is a very bizarre, nightmarish Cronenberg masterpiece. It completely immerses the viewer and provokes much thought about the transformation of values in a society, which is partly due to the groundbreaking technological advancements accomplished.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b>8.5/10</b></span> </span> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"WTF"</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now it's time for me to see more of David Cronenberg's work. Next in line are "The Fly", "Eastern Promises", and "A History of Violence".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-81641837907434385972011-02-19T18:08:00.006-05:002016-07-15T11:13:55.163-04:00Timeless Classics - Midnight Cowboy (1969)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(or: Movie Review #7)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Side note: it has</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> been a while since I've written a movie review, and since many of you have suggested that I write about an older film instead of always writing about recent ones, I thought I would review a timeless classic. And thus begins a new series of movie reviews.)</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><em style="font-style: normal;">"I ain't</em> a f'<em style="font-style: normal;">real cowboy</em>. But I am one helluva stud!"</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://bangbangbandit.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/midnight_cowboy2.jpg?w=248&h=378" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bangbangbandit.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/midnight_cowboy2.jpg?w=248&h=378" height="400" width="263" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
Midnight Cowboy. If you haven't seen it, you probably know of it as the only X-rated movie to ever win Best Picture at the Oscars. But there's much more to it than its record-breaking film rating...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The film's plot is pretty simple, but it's delivered in a very compelling and powerful way. Joe Buck (Jon Voight) is a small town man from Texas who decides to leave his job as a dishwasher and hop on a bus heading to New York City. How does he plan on making a living there? By being a male prostitute, of course! He seems pretty confident that rich women are into that sort of thing and that he can make any one of them fall head over heels for his cowboy act. Typically, his dreams of living the easy life are crushed as he repeatedly fails at hustling or finding clients willing to pay for his services. In this downward spiral, he meets the sickly Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman)-- another outcast-- and together they build up their friendship and dreams as they struggle to survive in the Big Apple. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimja9Ch_YK27PLoZwAS1__R7IigCLpteF5Tk7ooc2vTB-qR5eCFlBP4C1b3Z4_yLeUmPmpcMxMx9gpYxFESxoRHBmNBO6Ueor33AZBHTv5I1uqc9D2RUVeZLD8AM172xOhq0zprmErzSm/s1600/Midnight+1+Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimja9Ch_YK27PLoZwAS1__R7IigCLpteF5Tk7ooc2vTB-qR5eCFlBP4C1b3Z4_yLeUmPmpcMxMx9gpYxFESxoRHBmNBO6Ueor33AZBHTv5I1uqc9D2RUVeZLD8AM172xOhq0zprmErzSm/s640/Midnight+1+Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The movie starts off on a rather upbeat tone, with Harry Nilsson's outstanding original song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzEY6ZqkuE">Everybody's Talkin'</a>" playing as the opening credits appear. But soon after, it becomes apparent that we-- the audience-- are not about to sit through a feel-good story. As Joe sits on the bus, looking out the window and contemplating, his past comes back to haunt him. We see flashbacks of his childhood, mainly consisting of the time spent with his overly affectionate grandmother (sexual abuse?), as well as unforgettable moments of his adolescence or young adulthood, such as the rape of his beloved girlfriend by a group of guys. The latter really sticks with him, and throughout the film this vision is triggered multiple times. One of the things I love the most about Midnight Cowboy is that instead of using narrative voice-overs to get into Joe's mind, it prefers to visually lay out his thoughts and offer hints here and there to who he is. This gives the film a more authentic, natural feel. Ironically, the film says a lot more by saying less. Joe wants to bury his memories that have troubled him so much and never have to face them again. He wants to start off new, somewhere else, and as someone else.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thebestpictureproject.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/midnight-cowboy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thebestpictureproject.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/midnight-cowboy2.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A certain popular expression can be associated with Joe: "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". He firmly believes in it until he does enough walking on the streets of New York City to realize that it isn't at all true. There's this one scene near the beginning of the movie that I distinctly remember, because it really hit me. An unconscious man is laying on the sidewalk just outside Tiffany & Co., and all the pedestrians passing by gawk at him and continue with their day normally, as if nothing had happened. Joe is appalled by the indifference of the city folk; he seems to wonder why he's the only one who shows any kind of concern for the poor man. For me, this scene perfectly captures Joe's feeling of alienation and confusion. In a city populated by millions of people, he feels completely alone. Luckily, he regains hope when he and Ratso instantly bond. Probably the only true friend Joe has had in a long time, Ratso is always there, by his side, trying to make it through life just as he is. Each one of them means so much to the other.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgQfzpWRvFOdynTMnOhDM2R5bPNSRXjdO6w9ZZhr-nPV6YAhnmeQAHngERAShoLFkgxur4t_lVg-PZTWxc3GCr9ByySDEtZH6LFFomwT9HuTOXc1OqjdsvFFmeTJTU3Uxj7npYWOYTiQcceLWEkwR3J88gV76NX6yuuJLVCcdMnOOEIScDO0Rmv0UKSk_s=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thebestpictureproject.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/midnight-cowboy1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman deliver such strong performances that it seems like nothing separates them from the buddy characters they portray. Back in 1970, they were both deservedly nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor, but they both lost to John Wayne in True Grit (speaking of cowboys...). It's hard to think of a better male duo in the movies; their brotherly chemistry is unmatchable.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Midnight Cowboy is way ahead of its time. Or so I think. At the peak of the Hollywood New Wave, it's a bold film that handles highly controversial topics without much restraint. It's open about everything that would be deemed unethical in a conservative America. For instance, homosexuality is brought up countless times, mostly with derogatory terms like "faggot", "fruit", "queer", etc.. I had no idea that those words were around back then. I found the similarities between our actual culture and the culture shown in the film simply astonishing. It's a piece of cinema that is still relevant to today's society.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe Midnight Cowboy is especially overlooked on the technical levels. Who would've thought that a movie from the 60s could be so visually absorbing, disturbing, and bizarre?! So many scenes have trippy or hallucinogenic characteristics that mirror the works of David Lynch or David Cronenberg. No kidding. If you want to see some of the best film editing of all time, just watch Midnight Cowboy's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQSdi-UfGrU">party scene</a>. I was in awe. The cinematography and direction are equally impressive. Along with winning Best Picture, this work of art also got John Schlesinger the Oscar for Best Director and Waldo Salt the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Come to think of it, I haven't even mentioned how wonderfully written the film is. It has some of the most memorable lines in the history of cinema (e.g. "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c412hqucHKw">I'm walkin' here!</a>"), as well as some of the greatest character development I can recall.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/95/77095-050-BAAFF876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/95/77095-050-BAAFF876.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This film has beautiful music. I absolutely loved the original score by John Barry, on top of the original song by Harry Nilsson. Just listening to the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGORPUzLxtU">Theme from Midnight Cowboy</a>" makes me tear up a little bit, because not only do I remember the emotional power of the movie, but I also remember that John Barry passed away not too long ago. He has made so many wonderful contributions to music and cinema that it breaks my heart. May he rest in peace.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For me, this movie is about hope. It's about looking ahead to brighter days when life is at its darkest. Sometimes, you just have to keep on walking. And it helps when you have a good friend by your side. Someone who understands you, and who makes you feel a lot less lonely. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ultimately, Joe has to leave behind his old cowboy clothes and start fresh with some new clothes. Instead of dwelling on the past, his struggles have led him to a newfound taste for life.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In sum, Midnight Cowboy is a tough, bleak, and lonely film. But it's also a compelling, engrossing, and inspirational story about life, true friendship, overcoming our past, and searching for belonging. Though some may say the ending is tragic, I like to see it as an endless ocean of hope.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b>9.6/10</b></span> </span> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A</b> <b>MASTERPIECE</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthebestpictureproject.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fmidnight-cowboy1.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgQfzpWRvFOdynTMnOhDM2R5bPNSRXjdO6w9ZZhr-nPV6YAhnmeQAHngERAShoLFkgxur4t_lVg-PZTWxc3GCr9ByySDEtZH6LFFomwT9HuTOXc1OqjdsvFFmeTJTU3Uxj7npYWOYTiQcceLWEkwR3J88gV76NX6yuuJLVCcdMnOOEIScDO0Rmv0UKSk_s=" -->Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-20098995561536385882011-01-10T20:46:00.000-05:002013-12-24T09:46:41.965-05:00Movie Review #6 - Blue Valentine (2010)<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm-nsuKKsR0sNqCYh6bEBBRo5iH2ViH-4RfoCpG2vXYFnIHh5OGXYl0_AeC_m1Re9ByukdEAKRCgRVcPlvlI8guM_xYu8l8A0l0-n6Gct1TtfropeTeHigmSqIs8BbPT-ao80-y9FmOtP/s1600/a89278qjnyr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm-nsuKKsR0sNqCYh6bEBBRo5iH2ViH-4RfoCpG2vXYFnIHh5OGXYl0_AeC_m1Re9ByukdEAKRCgRVcPlvlI8guM_xYu8l8A0l0-n6Gct1TtfropeTeHigmSqIs8BbPT-ao80-y9FmOtP/s400/a89278qjnyr.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"You said for better or worse. </b>(...)<b> Now this is my worst"</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>---</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two nights ago, I managed to get my brother and some of our friends to come along to go see the critically-acclaimed indie "love story" <i>Blue Valentine</i>. I had been looking forward to seeing it ever since its trailer was released. With the controversy surrounding this movie's initial NC-17 rating in the US (and the headlines it made after winning the appeal for an R rating), I was even more excited to see this movie. The day it got its limited release in the US, I thought for sure that it would be playing in some Toronto theater. But in reality, I had to wait over a week until I could see it in the ONLY Toronto theater screening it. Of course, when we rushed to the 7:30PM showing and arrived more than 15 minutes early, the enormous theater was already packed. It just comes to show how many cinephiles reside in the Toronto area. We were worried about getting in, since the movie had an 18A rating and none of us were 18. To our great surprise, they let us in without any hesitation. And I am so glad they did!</span></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Blue Valentine</i> is a tough, honest story about the bumpy relationship of a young married couple. Unconventional and nonlinear, the movie mainly jumps between two different time periods; At first, we are introduced to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) as they raise their young daughter Frankie (Faith Wladyka). They both look very weary, and we can sense a great distance between them. However, they haven't yet lost hope. They are both somewhat willing to restore the love they once had. The other time period consists of their love connection from the first instance they lay eyes on one another to the moment they say "I do" at their wedding. Though there is a heavy amount of love and romance in this film, it chooses to focus more on the pain and suffering Dean and Cindy experience as individuals, as well as the struggles they meet along the way as a married couple. Debut director Derek Cianfrance sure did put the "blue" in <i>Blue Valentine</i>!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This movie has real guts; it goes where nearly no movie has gone before. Its bold depiction of the contemporary American couple/family is so realistic that it's shocking. It is indeed a reality that nearly half of all the marriages in the US end in divorce, and that many married couples go through painful and shattering situations similar to those presented in the film. Because of its social relevance, I find that this achievement is of great importance, and that everyone (adolescents and adults) should see it. However, this is not for everyone. You might not want to bring your grandmother along, for instance. There are countless sex scenes where a great deal of nudity is shown (which explains the strict ratings). Some people may find the sexual content over-the-top and even pornographic, but in my opinion, it plays a vital role in the character development of Dean and Cindy.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Derek Cianfrance does a great job at co-writing (with Joey Curtis and Cami Delavigne) and directing this little gem. The screenplay is outstanding. It's mostly low-key, reflective, and sad, but there is still-- like every drama-- a tiny hint of comedy. With its minimal, naturally flowing dialogue, the movie is comparable to sleepers like Sofia Coppola's <i>Lost in Translation</i>. Like the latter, what makes <i>Blue Valentine</i> so special is that ephemeral intimacy between the main characters. The movie also has a very nice "indie appeal"-- it's visually artistic and immersive, while it conserves the low-budget "mumblecore" look.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISxJX5MToHt3zSD_MyfT6lCd_6GpMnfW3jo-mhNJCXCpFIZzv4mau1InQ2yHDSXQvcpwaFAssa2zOqZOo_HwSWGUghXzVzADLzBp9N-EIzgQrwNYABiYzggVFww3lW0kungyzcJLrVWDM/s1600/Blue-Valentine-Michelle-Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISxJX5MToHt3zSD_MyfT6lCd_6GpMnfW3jo-mhNJCXCpFIZzv4mau1InQ2yHDSXQvcpwaFAssa2zOqZOo_HwSWGUghXzVzADLzBp9N-EIzgQrwNYABiYzggVFww3lW0kungyzcJLrVWDM/s640/Blue-Valentine-Michelle-Williams.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams offer OUTSTANDING, emotionally-charged performances! In all honesty, I don't know which one I liked more. Ryan Gosling is a very talented young actor, and while watching <i>Blue Valentine</i>, I was blown away and I kept on thinking "Wow, the man can act!". Not only is he believable as a husband, but he also fits the role as a father. He can be passionate and romantic with Cindy, just as he can be loving and sweet with his little Frankie. He believes that by being somebody's husband and somebody's father, his life is fulfilled. In contrast, Cindy believes in having a great amount of ambition and many goals in life. She thinks that he has so much potential and so many talents that he could put to other use (instead of being a simple blue-collar man). Michelle Williams captures her character so well, struggling to understand the meaning of love, her identity, and her dreams. Originally, I saw her as a beautiful mystery. But after getting more in depth with her character, it's clear that she's insecure about many things and truly vulnerable to heartbreak (just like Dean and many of us). For instance, in one particular scene, she has a conversation with her grandmother on the search for true love. It broke my heart.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sassisamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Blue_Valentine_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://www.sassisamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Blue_Valentine_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Blue Valentine</i> is likely to get nominated for many Oscars. However, I made a prediction after seeing it, saying that it would only receive acting nominations for Gosling and Williams, and nothing else. Perhaps the movie itself is just too painfully realistic for the Academy. Who knows. We won't know for sure until January 25th, when the nominations are announced!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're looking to be cheered up, please don't go and see this movie. It will only make matters worse for you. This is one of the most depressing and emotionally-draining films I have seen in a long time. I had trouble sleeping after seeing it that night, because I was so involved in my personal reflection. It changed my thoughts on relationships, love, marriage, and even abortion, for better and for worse. It's an odd thing. While this movie left me semi-hopeless, it also opened up many doors of possibility for me. I saw in Dean and in Cindy what they failed to see in one another. From what I interpreted, this movie shows that love is a struggle; just as love has its binding forces, it can also tear two individuals apart. But the problem with today's society is that too many couples give up on it all too quickly. The youthful flames of love soon die down, but it's up to both partners to keep the fire going, and to learn to love and appreciate one another with time. Love and perseverance go hand in hand.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLX8tpFcBh0skuY0ekOBKkKUE_Q5PnX1VBAYLDZvgp_-Jg5puKv-ZXCIFmMCMQkhPSNsjbkm1u5Kw49bHHnjpSD-opuMNQNwfBFxkNG9iGPK3mqXSdTrDUHo8Z4RkAi4_weuDk-i7pj67/s1600/Blue-Valentine-DVD-Review-The-Film-Pilgrim-Williams-and-Gosling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLX8tpFcBh0skuY0ekOBKkKUE_Q5PnX1VBAYLDZvgp_-Jg5puKv-ZXCIFmMCMQkhPSNsjbkm1u5Kw49bHHnjpSD-opuMNQNwfBFxkNG9iGPK3mqXSdTrDUHo8Z4RkAi4_weuDk-i7pj67/s640/Blue-Valentine-DVD-Review-The-Film-Pilgrim-Williams-and-Gosling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Blue Valentine</i> is a poignant, intelligent, heartbreaking, complex, profound, fascinating, and perceptive insight on a crazy little thing called love. Make time for this work of art, but only if you're in for an emotional storm. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b>8.0</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b>/10</b></span> </span> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-51305111349863215692010-12-31T10:45:00.000-05:002016-07-15T11:18:02.809-04:00Movie Review # 5 - Little Miss Sunshine (2006)<a href="http://moviestudio.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/little_miss_sunshine_ver5.jpg?w=535&h=733" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://moviestudio.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/little_miss_sunshine_ver5.jpg?w=535&h=733" height="320" width="233" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><b>"Losers are people who are so afraid of not winning, they don't even try."</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><i>Little Miss Sunshine </i>is about nothing and everything. The story is catapulted by the determination of the bankrupt Hoover family to get their daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) to the finals of a beauty pageant in California. This embarks the whole family on a series of events as they journey across the country in a yellow VW bus. The dad, Richard Hoover (Greg Kinnear), is a failed motivational speaker who is desperately trying to pitch his "9 steps to success" concept, which basically divides people into two categories: winners and losers. His wife, Sheryl (Toni Collette), is a stay-at-home mom who agrees to look after her gay brother Frank (Steve Carell), a Proust scholar who recently had a failed suicide attempt when he was rejected by his boyfriend and lost his #1 spot in his domain to a competitor. Grandpa Edwin (Alan Arkin) is an extremely vulgar old man and a heroin addict who was kicked out of the retirement residence Sunset Manor for his scandalous behavior. Olive's older brother Dwayne (Paul Dano) is a fifteen-year-old who has taken a vow of silence as a follower of the great philosopher Nietzsche, and whose ambition is to become a jet pilot. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">Throughout the film, these misunderstood characters are deeply explored and we begin to find out who they truly are.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">The opening of the film is sensational. Olive is watching a beauty pageant on TV, and inspiration fills her eyes as she uses the remote to play back the winner's reaction. I'm not sure if this was this was the movie's intention, but these few seconds really hit me hard. It made me realize just how superficial the world is today, and how little girls have so much pressure to look "beautiful", with underweight models appearing on all kinds of billboards and magazines their eyes must absorb everyday. This scene is intercut with a ton of other scenes introducing all the characters. Dad is presenting his theory to a small, miserable audience while Dwayne is going through his daily workout routine in his bedroom. Grandpa is snorting a bit of the old cocaine while Mom goes to pick up Uncle Frank at the hospital. The movie's sense of humor is revealed with the strong sense of irony displayed by the showing of the title. The words "Little Miss Sunshine" appear on the screen as Uncle Frank miserably and sorrowfully looks at us. This whole opening is also backed up by an uplifting, inspirational score by Mychael Danna and DeVotchKa-- it has an "indie" quality that goes very well with the movie</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i>Little Miss Sunshine</i> has some of the best character development I've ever seen. It's on the same level as <i>American Beauty</i> in that sense, and in many other senses. Both movies are also hilarious, because they have a very serious and even tragic sense of humor. Without giving anything away, I would like to say that <i>Little Miss Sunshine </i>could even be categorized as a "tragicomedy". It's smart, witty, and satirical, but it never crosses to the "stupid" side. So if you love that kind of humor, you'll be laughing through many scenes of the movie.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">But the best thing about </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">Little Miss Sunshine</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"> is that it doesn't only succeed in making you laugh. It's also a very touching story that might put some in tears several times, and a reflective study of life. There's so much for people to relate to in this poignant movie. I personally saw a bit of my own father in Richard Hoover, and a bit of myself in Dwayne. The dysfunctional state of the Hoover family reminded me of how my family often fails to get along.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">I'd like to thank Michael Arndt for crafting one of the funniest and most moving screenplays of the decade. If he wouldn't have received the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay that year, I would've had to send hate mail to the Academy. The married couple that directed this movie (Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris) also did a good job. It surprisingly appears to be the only feature film they've directed in a career full of music video documentaries. I found the film's cinematography quite beautiful at times (for example, there were some rich countryside shots that took my breath away). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r1eQl-PlvVa1zI2bR60gbZRz2LS1PwYOdKPh9WfkH41PTe-2q3SAOkWb3cw-KF79gOezmvABHBnQ-5SX3ijSf7ahAWEgSWz7ibnD9oGybVX3QQpD51Aa_d0znHatwS1qkllno8lIhhQ/s1600/LITTLE_MISS_SUNSHINE_PS-1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r1eQl-PlvVa1zI2bR60gbZRz2LS1PwYOdKPh9WfkH41PTe-2q3SAOkWb3cw-KF79gOezmvABHBnQ-5SX3ijSf7ahAWEgSWz7ibnD9oGybVX3QQpD51Aa_d0znHatwS1qkllno8lIhhQ/s640/LITTLE_MISS_SUNSHINE_PS-1083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Alan Arkin delivers an outstanding performance-- many would say the best of the whole cast-- as the foul-mouthed Grandpa. Whether he's complaining about always having chicken for dinner or giving Dwayne advice to have sex with a lot of women, he cracks you up throughout much of the movie. However, his words were even more memorable and resonant when he would be talking to his beloved Olive. Behind his crude shell, we find out that he has an enormous heart and that he really cares about his granddaughter. He gives her the hopeful advice and comforting words that fuel her confidence and determination to win the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty pageant.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><b>Olive</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"> Grandpa, am I pretty?</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><b>Grandpa</b>: You are the most beautiful girl in the world. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"> </span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">This movie is a vehicle for Abigail Breslin; it showcases her talent with one of the greatest child performances of all time. Olive Hoover is also one of the greatest child characters of all time, because in the midst of this dysfunctional family, she is the ray of sunshine that holds everyone altogether and reminds them to stick to the goal of their journey.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">There are many other great performances (Steve Carell, for instance), but I will take the time to highlight Paul Dano as the misunderstood adolescent Dwayne. Alan Arkin won the Academy Award he deserved and Abigail Breslin received a sensible nomination, but Paul Dano was completely overlooked at the Oscars. Dwayne goes through a tremendous transformation, and Paul Dano perfectly captures what he's feeling all along. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://spillspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/_movies_images_2006_littlemisssunshine_moviefs_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://spillspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/_movies_images_2006_littlemisssunshine_moviefs_09.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Though at first it would seem that their long journey would only be worth it if Olive won the beauty pageant in the end, ultimately this doesn't matter at all. It's about the journey, not the destination. The days the family spent together traveling across the country in their iconic yellow VW bus were probably some of the most important days of their lives. They all learnt a little something about life, about each other, and about themselves.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">In my opinion, <i>Little Miss Sunshine</i>'s underlying message isn't about the superficiality of beauty. The message rests in the character of Richard Hoover (Dad): in his eyes, people are either winners or losers; there's no ground in between these two categories. He constantly </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">brings his theory into everyday life, pestering everyone he knows with pointless words of advice, only to realize later that losing is simply part of life. Nobody is merely a "winner" or a "loser" in this world; everyone wins and loses at different points in their life. It's only human. Like Uncle Frank further develops, it's HOW you deal with your moments of loss and suffering that makes you who you are. This movie is telling us that when we fall, we shouldn't just give up and stay on the ground; we must get up and never stop hoping and trying. Because, after all, life just goes on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thecia.com.au/reviews/l/images/little-miss-sunshine-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thecia.com.au/reviews/l/images/little-miss-sunshine-6.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><i>Little Miss Sunshine </i>is a rare cinematic gem that is both hilarious and heartwarming. It's impossible to forget. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">★</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b>9.5/10</b></span> </span> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">♥ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(an instant favorite!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-44641408856105487192010-11-07T11:40:00.000-05:002016-07-15T11:19:45.979-04:00Movie Review #4 - Donnie Darko (2001)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"28 days... 6 hours... 42 minutes... 12 seconds. That... is when the world... will end."</span></span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vc7Oou1LyK0jLcJVk5RNI1FGJqylG4aLeWbwGhBD39a6kKTfouwKWnWqVON9nYTv_9mwrtjItEyVlbIIVGIQQMYtw7SHviOJmepdg2ZOv3UmkxoLFILX09Z98Q-TPLhTaA2GDWuNuZo1/s1600/darko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vc7Oou1LyK0jLcJVk5RNI1FGJqylG4aLeWbwGhBD39a6kKTfouwKWnWqVON9nYTv_9mwrtjItEyVlbIIVGIQQMYtw7SHviOJmepdg2ZOv3UmkxoLFILX09Z98Q-TPLhTaA2GDWuNuZo1/s1600/darko.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span>Two years ago, I watched the cult classic "Donnie Darko" for the first time. Though I didn't think it was bad, I wasn't exactly blown over by it. I didn't understand it, truth be told. Two years later, having heard enough praise for this little movie to drive me to my grave, I decided to give it another chance. I impulsively purchased an inexpensive Blu-ray copy of this film at Best Buy the other day, and watched the original theatrical version last night. I had a feeling that it would soon become one of my favorites, and my senses didn't let me down. I'm not sure whether my inability to comprehend it the first time was due to my age or if it's just one of those movies that requires a second viewing, but I LOVED it either way. It's a funny thing, rediscovering and falling in love with a movie that didn't impress you the first time around. But with "Donnie Darko", it's understandable. What isn't there to love?</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://titirangistoryteller.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/donnie-darko-axe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="http://titirangistoryteller.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/donnie-darko-axe.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Donnie Darko" is a bizarre psychological thriller named after its protagonist, Donnie Darko, a paranoid schizophrenic teenager whose life is saved by his imaginary friend-- a large bunny rabbit named Frank-- when an airplane engine falls from the sky and destroys his bedroom. After this strange event, Donnie's visions only become more and more recurring, and he begins to commit a series of crimes in response to Frank's requests, renewing his violent past. He also develops an obsession with time travel and seeks answers regarding what lies ahead, after being told by Frank how many days remain before the end of the world. Angst-ridden, the only person who Donnie is truly able to connect with is Gretchen Ross, a girl in his class who claims to have been born with tragedy in her blood. As the story progresses, so do the weird, supernatural, freaky, and thrilling elements.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Written and directed by 25-year-old Richard Kelly, "Donnie Darko" stands next to "American Beauty" as one of the greatest debut feature films of all time. It's hard to believe that Kelly only received $9,000 to write and direct the film, when it had a budget of 4.5 million dollars. This frustrates me. With a very limited release, "Donnie Darko" only grossed roughly 4.1 million dollars, meaning that it only profited from its DVD sales. This is precisely why it's considered a "cult classic" (on top of not getting nominated for a single Academy Award). Luckily, many people know about the movie today, and it seems that it's on its way to becoming a classic. All it needs is a little bit of time to ferment.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Donnie Darko" is so well written that it was nearly a crime to deny this movie of a nomination in the Best Original Screenplay category. The smallest bits of dialogue spoken and the most meticulous details presented are perfectly incorporated to the film's fascinating storyline. Every puzzle piece fits together so well, but there are still some pieces missing in the end. After watching this film again, I was speechless. The second it was over, I felt like watching it once more (maybe the director's cut this time), but it was getting late, so I was off to bed. I don't believe anyone will ever fully comprehend this film. So many questions are left unanswered in the end, and so much is left to self-interpretation and analysis. In this sense, I like to compare it to "2001: A Space Odyssey".</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The direction and cinematography are both outstanding. Richard Kelly uses interesting camera angles and movements to make it more of a jaw-dropping experience, visually. It's beautifully shot and very stylistic.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0712b4TSeNUw7O04xuuq07LKMYeTTZCU1DVQqG3OTsg-2VAO8jHvgLRHm733V6f1khEnBf7lIDcxDrgv44GQcGEocuGlDU7D60dsUS7IejrzmnJZbAr54I0XAPMczFwl1bfkWm83mJae/s1600/film-28-donnie-darko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0712b4TSeNUw7O04xuuq07LKMYeTTZCU1DVQqG3OTsg-2VAO8jHvgLRHm733V6f1khEnBf7lIDcxDrgv44GQcGEocuGlDU7D60dsUS7IejrzmnJZbAr54I0XAPMczFwl1bfkWm83mJae/s640/film-28-donnie-darko.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The one thing that sets this film apart from any other is the mood it creates. Never before have I felt the same way while watching a movie. It evokes sadness, confusion, reflexion, laughter, and joy-- all at the same time. It's quite difficult to explain what the result is; it's something you must experience for yourself. The film's music definitely came into play with the mood and atmosphere. On top of Michael Andrews' delicate (and sometimes frightening) score</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, the</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> film has a soundtrack that consists of dreamy 80s music (e.g. Tears for Fears). The song choices are perfect, and the lyrics complement the story appropriately (I love the use of the song "Mad World" towards the end of the movie).</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know what you're thinking: "All of this blah-blah, and he <i>still</i> hasn't said a word about the acting!". Well, give me a second! I thought I would save that for last!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.premiere.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/list/10-schoolhouse-flicks-that-rock/10.-donnie-darko-2001/44160-1-eng-US/10.-Donnie-Darko-2001_imagelarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Donnie Darko is played by the one and only Jake Gyllenhaal, following his breakout performance in the critically-acclaimed film "October Sky". At 20 years old, I believe he was the perfect choice! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I particularly liked him in the scenes were he argued with his authorities, because I could see a bit of myself in him.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Seeing his performance in this film is like looking through a crystal ball. Judging by his talent, you just know that the kid is going to have a successful career later on. Now I'm going to have trouble seeing him in anything else, because I'll always associate him with Donnie Darko. In my head, they are the same person. Playing Donnie Darko's older sister is... Jake Gyllenhaal's older sister. What a relief. Maggie Gyllenhaal also has a praiseworthy performance. Other honorable mentions out of the wonderful cast: Patrick Swayze (R.I.P.), Mary McDonnell, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Katharine Ross, Beth Grant, and Noah Wyle. Seth Rogen also appears in this film as one of Donnie Darko's classmates, a minor character. This was his first performance in a feature film.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In conclusion, though "Donnie Darko" may be a very strange, surrealistic film, it manages to play with the viewer's emotions in a unprecedented way. Its underlying themes of human existence, complexity, fear, and hope are deep and resonant, and its important motifs remind us of the film's message. Interpretation differs from person to person, and this film gives room for it. Personally, I believe that the following quote has a great amount of meaning, both to the story and to real life: "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I promise, that one day, everything's going to be better for you." (Donnie says this to his classmate Cherita Chen). If you haven't seen this film, it's high time that you did. And if you have only seen it once, watch it again! "Donnie Darko" is a mesmerizing film that deserves at least two viewings! It's another addition to my list of favorites...</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwkqXM_LLYJVWthLTrVQ9lXi_d2bOj6jEy90LjYutKh1m-zf0RLXvkX32oE1G9GWBgAXEzwvUA18mjH1W87JHONSYIuK-hZ7mBN9sds7wrya_VdT3AbA04o8o5RafLakMJIjt463bQdTY/s1600/donnie-darko-movie-image-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwkqXM_LLYJVWthLTrVQ9lXi_d2bOj6jEy90LjYutKh1m-zf0RLXvkX32oE1G9GWBgAXEzwvUA18mjH1W87JHONSYIuK-hZ7mBN9sds7wrya_VdT3AbA04o8o5RafLakMJIjt463bQdTY/s640/donnie-darko-movie-image-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lastly, I feel it necessary to say that I admire Richard Kelly for making such a passionate and unique masterpiece. I don't think it matters whether or not he will make a film that even comes close to this one (his recent efforts disappointed many). Even though he received a very menial salary and very few awards for "Donnie Darko", he should feel accomplished, knowing that he crafted what will go down as a classic, decades from now. My life would be complete if, in the future, I could make a single film just half as good as his. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Overall rating:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9.6/10</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-13037539150432326762010-11-06T18:49:00.000-04:002013-12-24T09:58:11.488-05:00Movie Review #3 - 127 Hours (2010)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="901276919_771028554 byline_row" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="item_content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In theaters this weekend is Danny Boyle's highly-acclaimed "127 Hours", written by Simon Beufoy, and starring James Franco. Allow me to bring an older review back to the surface in order to share my thoughts on this wonderful movie (I updated the review, however).</span></span></div>
<div class="item_content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="item_content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNqxDdDgu6Q/TK4xnXXrHLI/AAAAAAAABPY/OHGGgoaQYSs/s1600/127-hours-poster-xlarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNqxDdDgu6Q/TK4xnXXrHLI/AAAAAAAABPY/OHGGgoaQYSs/s320/127-hours-poster-xlarge.jpg" width="216" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On Sunday, September 12, 2010, I was lucky to be among the first 500 people to see the world premiere of "127 Hours", at the Toronto International Film Festival. This film marked my first film festival experience, and-- due to its great impact-- it will be impossible to forget. It's definitely one of the most intense and inspiring films I have ever seen. But on top of being a real nail-biter, it's also very emotional and deeply humane.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting much from this film. I only purchased tickets for its screening because it was one of the few “premium screenings” that wasn’t sold out (I was originally excited for Black Swan and Hereafter, both of which were sold out after the first day of ticket sales). I was only looking forward to the festival experience.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">I had already heard about the heroic story of Aron Ralston-- the true life-or-death experience that the film was based on-- and after hearing about the upcoming film, I must admit that I laughed quite a bit. I thought it would be a pathetic plot for a film, and that it would get nowhere at all. Was I ever wrong with my predictions! </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">While viewing “127 Hours”, my low expectations were gradually surpassed. My final thoughts on the film soared way above my original ones. I’ve never been so surprised in my life.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="item_content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTcsY9jOv508pCuhzhDqwqcI8wrJ3U4W6FBiLa-kkxR0uJh5Q8pGdEkuicjt9lODHk11CkskbmwAk-Zew44H_M-rRP64h2Yn2qpxtjyEN5sS0v-av4Ro_3qOadrBpy6_TgzYi6q-7pO4/s1600/127+Hours+Movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img alt="127 Hours Movie" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTcsY9jOv508pCuhzhDqwqcI8wrJ3U4W6FBiLa-kkxR0uJh5Q8pGdEkuicjt9lODHk11CkskbmwAk-Zew44H_M-rRP64h2Yn2qpxtjyEN5sS0v-av4Ro_3qOadrBpy6_TgzYi6q-7pO4/s320/127+Hours+Movie.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">For those of you who are oblivious, “127 Hours” is about the true story of a mountain climber named Aron Ralston, whose arm was trapped under a boulder during a solitary canyon expedition in Utah. Although some people may consider this a </span><b style="font-style: inherit;">SPOILER</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">, I must tell you that the film focuses on his deepest thoughts, leading up to the moment where he resorts to severing his own arm in order to survive. Nevertheless, the whole audience was thrilled by this film, even though everyone was aware of the man’s fate beforehand (Aron Ralston was presented on stage before the film was shown). </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">Right from the start, I was captivated and intrigued. And I wasn't alone; the entire audience was as immersed as I was. Every so often, the film would have the whole audience gasping, cringing, or laughing-- all in unison. And then there was the moment where James Franco’s character finally cut off his entire arm. The whole audience clapped, instantly. Everyone was blown away, mesmerized. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">Danny Boyle excels in directing, as usual. I loved “Slumdog Millionaire”, so it was nice to see that he teamed up with the same screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy, on this project. I was particularly amazed by their ability to craft a film (“127 Hours”) that stars one man (James Franco) and that is mainly shot in one restrained location (a gap in the canyon), while managing to captivate the audience. Wow. This marks a ground-breaking achievement in filmmaking. The viewer’s interest is maintained throughout the whole film, thanks to the emotional glimpses of his deepest thoughts during all the suspense over his survival. It manages to be one of the most poignant, heartfelt stories of this year’s cinema, while also being one of most thrilling and intense. It really puts you on the edge of your seat! </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zDOENv-kbBdQTrSDUrdTDoSKLj12vb4K_Co8eJ2gf70K00W4pPGbFviDTIB4MNQ5qdjWvhbb5IjtHnE_iz-UVpPw1BRtnjmvfhCrQ7uWlry7XyzinZPvQz1_5Osp1da0hRleyCbEdEXW/s1600/127_hours-still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zDOENv-kbBdQTrSDUrdTDoSKLj12vb4K_Co8eJ2gf70K00W4pPGbFviDTIB4MNQ5qdjWvhbb5IjtHnE_iz-UVpPw1BRtnjmvfhCrQ7uWlry7XyzinZPvQz1_5Osp1da0hRleyCbEdEXW/s640/127_hours-still.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">James Franco delivers an </span><b style="font-style: inherit;">OUTSTANDING</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"> performance as Aron Ralston. He is so convincing that you can’t help but slip into his shoes and feel the pain and suffering he is experiencing. He also manages to get numerous laughs out of the audience with little bits of humour here and there. I wouldn't be surprised if he snags an acting nomination at next year’s Academy Awards, among all the other categories that this film is likely to contend in.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="item_content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.collider.com/wp-content/uploads/127_hours_movie_image_small_james_franco_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">In the theatre, as the credits began to roll, the whole audience participated in a standing ovation that was sustained for five minutes. It was the greatest film reaction I have ever witnessed. Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy, James Franco, Aron Ralston, and a few others took the stage afterwards to answer questions from the audience. They were very grateful of the wonderful reception this film got that night. Leaving the theatre, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on the movie with the distributor, Fox Searchlight. They recorded my friend Shakyl (also a cinephile) and I, and asked us some questions on the movie. The footage will possibly be used in a promotional commercial! We’ll have to wait and find out! </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;">Overall, Danny Boyle’s “127 Hours” is a masterful film that will be raved about by audiences all over, this weekend. You really can’t afford to miss this deep, intense, powerful, and emotional piece of cinema! It will always remain vividly in my mind as one of the most memorable theater experiences of my lifetime. It's so good that I'm even considering to go see it once more! So, if you've missed it on its opening weekend, make it your priority for the following weekend! Or else, you won't be able to join in on "the buzz"!</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh814r0cGEAFkbvZWn_9o6wopuH-F-cSO3f75UGTkpKZEx8xomHfNytToccg6NNBh0Q_pCmyqYjPHAjQa2fLtleWn8EqYkfc3a9b-1ZwanufNRmDFUupfAjyMMdy1zj9HxBn7fZcnYaPpqm/s1600/127-hours-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh814r0cGEAFkbvZWn_9o6wopuH-F-cSO3f75UGTkpKZEx8xomHfNytToccg6NNBh0Q_pCmyqYjPHAjQa2fLtleWn8EqYkfc3a9b-1ZwanufNRmDFUupfAjyMMdy1zj9HxBn7fZcnYaPpqm/s640/127-hours-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall rating:</span></div>
<div class="item_content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <b>8.3/10</b></span></span></div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-46044607773326294102010-11-06T12:32:00.000-04:002014-05-30T07:34:45.703-04:00Movie Review #2 - Hereafter (2010)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGSMrQSPPyqtab0rdsGyKtaPi3Dd8bYg55T5tkC3neLyeb694AiWG0QJM3p_khOe28iMJjmgr80hKbZfnjha-dhN1HG22HA013iNWGZ54jO7Vf5xCJB5KBTOJgxR6aaLE459Gx8phbvRV/s1600/Hereafter-movie-stream%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGSMrQSPPyqtab0rdsGyKtaPi3Dd8bYg55T5tkC3neLyeb694AiWG0QJM3p_khOe28iMJjmgr80hKbZfnjha-dhN1HG22HA013iNWGZ54jO7Vf5xCJB5KBTOJgxR6aaLE459Gx8phbvRV/s1600/Hereafter-movie-stream%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a><a href="http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/hereafter_poster_01-535x792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably the most under-appreciated movie of the year, Clint Eastwood's "Hereafter" is a very thoughtful film that demands our personal reflection. It asks many questions on the mysteries surrounding life and death, and life after death. But these topics aren't presented in an "in-your-face" sort of way (in fact, religion never comes into play with them); instead, they are left to self-interpretation. "Hereafter" ultimately asks you to reevaluate your faith and beliefs. Being an agnostic born into a Christian family, this was the perfect film for me. Not only did it make me wonder, but it also made me widen my scope of the world around me.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;">Hereafter is a drama that focuses on three people in different corners of the world, who all "confront" death in different ways. George Lonegan (Matt Damon) is a construction worker who reluctantly uses his psychic ability to help people talk to their deceased loved-ones; Marie LeLay (Cécile De France) is a French journalist who sees everything in a new light after having a near-death experience; and Marcus (Frankie/George McLaren) is a young boy in London who loses the person closest to him and seeks answers regarding death and spirituality. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;">The acting in the film is generally quite impressive. Matt Damon, as always, is good as the top billed actor (though the film uses an ensemble cast where the characters have an even amount of screen time). Even better is Cécile De France, a foreign actress known for French films such as the thriller "High Tension". I was also surprised by Bryce Dallas Howard, who wasn't bad at all. However, the one performance that shines brighter than any other is actually from a minor character. Lyndsey Marshal, the British actress who plays the alcoholic mother of the two little boys, is phenomenal. For the 5-10 minutes of screen time she has in this film, she is incredibly convincing. Everything she says is deep and heartfelt. I'm hoping that she snags an acting nomination at next year's Academy Awards, the same way that Viola Davis did for "Doubt". The only performance that didn't impress me too much was that of the little boy Marcus. At times, it felt like he was reading what he was saying off a piece of paper. But he wasn't bad. His performance was still above-average for a kid.</span></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHewhIzzeoWytT18U_2eKnZHw6hXZIatc_3jQ5HER32M8KqeQ9O0bpWQ0zWAoPPvwfjjqxB0fL3LyOlgcURpyi4LG53EmYsdADkvgeK-pMJ6F2X4_4QYCJasBRld68sAaAxoSFm1HcC86q/s1600/ha-fp-00024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHewhIzzeoWytT18U_2eKnZHw6hXZIatc_3jQ5HER32M8KqeQ9O0bpWQ0zWAoPPvwfjjqxB0fL3LyOlgcURpyi4LG53EmYsdADkvgeK-pMJ6F2X4_4QYCJasBRld68sAaAxoSFm1HcC86q/s640/ha-fp-00024.jpg" height="272" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;">Enough about acting. Time to talk about Clint. At 80 years old, Clint Eastwood never ceases to amaze me. He offers some of the most beautiful direction of the year in "Hereafter". With the story taking place in different corners of the world, he incorporates some beautiful shots of the different landscapes and cityscapes. I liked how he recycled many camera movements used in his film "Mystic River". They still created a great emotional effect. Speaking of Clint, I'm really looking forward to his next film, "Hoover". I would love to see what could be done in a film where Clint Eastwood directs, Leonardo DiCaprio acts, and Dustin Lance Black writes. I can't wait!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/20179/20179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/20179/20179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/20179/20179.jpg" /></span></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, it would be a crime to leave out Peter Morgan of the whole picture. The writer of critical hits such as "The Queen", "Frost/Nixon", and "The Last King of Scotland", Peter Morgan is the man behind the smart, reflective screenplay of "Hereafter". Though a little flawed, his most recent screenplay is extremely compelling and humane. There were so many bits of dialogue that I was able to retain from the film.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, "Hereafter" is a very intriguing work of art that focuses on an intelligent and engaging subject for once. With so many mindless movies out in theaters now (*ahem* "JACKASS 3-D"), this movie comes across as a breath of fresh air. So, WHY ISN'T "HEREAFTER" A CRITICAL HIT? WHY IS THERE SUCH A DIVISION IN ITS CRITICAL AND PUBLIC RECEPTIONS? I'll never know the answer to these questions. The only thing I'm certain of is that this is a must-see for anybody, especially for any fan of Clint's incredible body of work. DON'T listen to the reviews; buy a ticket to this with an open mind.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall rating:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7.7/10</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span>Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912487805499042627.post-17770146398621409452010-11-04T20:34:00.000-04:002013-12-24T10:05:41.119-05:00Movie Review #1 - Almost Famous (2000)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey everyone!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my first entry on my newly created blog "Nick Plus Movies".</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I'd post my most recent review that I posted on RottenTomatoes.com, so please read and let me know what you think of it!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <b>Nick L.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">_______________</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.moviepro.net/images/movies/41268_cover_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span><i><b>"It's all happening!"</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtXNiQoFgivFTNfVxv8pOCXMP-uMvvb_YFZBgsF8W_uKCxhot-4uNTpGmong_ETZiCu6DTCAdlhzxz_bScziWCNi1-hdvEiM1ZgnJ5ObT0P75a4yAXeWQggHTaHBn82b_FCyG6_CWUeUO/s1600/almost_famous_penny_lane_william_miller_kate_hudson_patrick_fugit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtXNiQoFgivFTNfVxv8pOCXMP-uMvvb_YFZBgsF8W_uKCxhot-4uNTpGmong_ETZiCu6DTCAdlhzxz_bScziWCNi1-hdvEiM1ZgnJ5ObT0P75a4yAXeWQggHTaHBn82b_FCyG6_CWUeUO/s640/almost_famous_penny_lane_william_miller_kate_hudson_patrick_fugit.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"> A couple days ago, I finally decided to watch "Almost Famous". And I couldn't have chosen a better time to see it. Just like the film's protagonist, I'm growing up and struggling to discover my true identity. I'm in need of a life-changing experience similar to his in order to find myself.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"> Out of all the films I've seen in the past while, this is the one that really stands out, soaring above every other. Why is that? It's because, for once, I can personally relate to the story. "Almost Famous" has rightfully earned its spot in my book as "one of my personal favorites".</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"> A semi-autobiographical take on director Cameron Crowe's adolescence, the story centers on William Miller (Patrick Fugit), an intelligent and ambitious 15-year-old growing up in the early 70s with a great passion for music (particularly classic rock). Living with none other than his loving but imposing mother (Frances McDormand), he feels tied down to the boundaries and limits she sets, and always feels that he must remain loyal to her. However, things change when he gets hired by Rolling Stone Magazine to tour with and write about an up-and-coming rock band named "Stillwater" (a fictitious band). He embarks on a coming-of-age journey where he is finally able to come face to face with life and love while finding his place in the world.</span></span></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
I can relate to William Miller in so many ways that I was seeing myself in him as I was watching the film. I, too, feel that my parents expect way too much from what I will become, and that their presence is often confining and overbearing. I feel that I need to escape for a while, and get a taste of life. Also, William and I both have trouble connecting to our peers. We both belong somewhere else, with different people, but the only difference is that I have yet to find out where that might be. Like him, I have a reputation for being the "studious" or "academic" type (though I'm actually quite lazy when it comes to school work), and I also desire true love, being the sensitive and passionate creature that I am. While William is in love with music, I'm rather in love with film. This film reminded me that I must follow my dreams and hold onto my passion if I want to become a truly fulfilled human being.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpfgtiqdSmcYUgnwHrohHprPGh8ylG1M3aems6ABpt0HkbQBpMvo2RdXQT0qaUobcEyiqJzEbXGtF-mKiWoacrDGj-9PPQ4LA7lmVycy-RW3LxouYKnTBY2PQqLRzBoAKR-8tbaAYNW1f/s1600/Almost-Famous-almost-famous-2536263-1600-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpfgtiqdSmcYUgnwHrohHprPGh8ylG1M3aems6ABpt0HkbQBpMvo2RdXQT0qaUobcEyiqJzEbXGtF-mKiWoacrDGj-9PPQ4LA7lmVycy-RW3LxouYKnTBY2PQqLRzBoAKR-8tbaAYNW1f/s640/Almost-Famous-almost-famous-2536263-1600-900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://redriverautographs.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/noah_taylor_patrick_fugit_kate_hudson_billy_crudup_fairuza_balk_jason_lee_anna_paquin_mark_kozelek_olivia_rosewood_john_fedevich_almost_famous_001.jpg?w=366&h=400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I love this film for its nostalgic value. Even though I haven't lived through the era explored in the film, it felt as though I have. It felt like my memories of long ago were being unearthed and I was falling in love with that time period again. This was no doubt due to the film's genuine reconstruction of the 70s. With one of the best soundtracks of all time (this film got me back into classic rock, especially Elton John and Led Zeppelin), time-appropriate sets, stylish costumes, and interesting characters, I could've sworn that I had traveled in time back to the "rockin' 70s". What a nostalgic breath of fresh air! It just makes me wish I would've lived back then even more...</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Next to American Beauty, this film has the greatest ensemble cast ever. There were so many great performances in this film by so many familiar and unfamiliar faces, but I'm only going to name the ones that shone the brightest for me. Patrick Fugit has a phenomenal breakout performance in the lead role of William Miller. It's a shame that he hasn't been in much in the past decade. If I would've seen this film the year it was released, I would've thought "this kid has a successful career ahead of him". I'm hoping that he gets a good role in a good film sometime soon. Next in line is the actress that plays Penny Lane, the iconic character on the film's poster and DVD cover. Kate Hudson is incredible as the mildly-eccentric, lovable girl with a big personality. I am quite glad that she snagged an Academy Award nomination for her wonderful performance. The only </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">other actor who did the same is the magnificent Frances McDormand. I loved her in Fargo, and I loved her just as much in this. She plays William's mother very convincingly, and at times you can't help but feel empathy for what she has to go through. She's very lonely without the presence of her son, and she has trouble giving him up and letting him live his life. There are many other praiseworthy performance, such as that of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Billy Crudup, and Zooey Deschanel.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mN_syTRblLdZhrRt8IdKGJfLxjRp7t_BU-CHvWGqoYUAOqM4qBTwlCgzgPqjLkbuae69bDLRIHi9rddjt0aOZDrOtIZ6uRDR_JxDRltv37Ld8uvFhayionLEZE9unaSK2jJfxkmt537X/s1600/Almost-Famous-almost-famous-2536830-1600-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mN_syTRblLdZhrRt8IdKGJfLxjRp7t_BU-CHvWGqoYUAOqM4qBTwlCgzgPqjLkbuae69bDLRIHi9rddjt0aOZDrOtIZ6uRDR_JxDRltv37Ld8uvFhayionLEZE9unaSK2jJfxkmt537X/s640/Almost-Famous-almost-famous-2536830-1600-900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Almost Famous" has one of the most memorable scripts out of all the films I've ever seen (I'm glad that it won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay). At times, the film will be very humorous and make you laugh (like when a phone call from William's mother is answered by somebody who mistakes her as "Maryann with the pot"). And at other times, it will be very poignant and will move you so much that you might shed a few tears (like when William tells Penny "I have to go home" and she replies "You are home.", as they are all singing along to "Tiny Dancer" on the bus). I admire Cameron Crowe for his very personal script and I plan on seeing more of his films.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"> In conclusion, "Almost Famous" has become an instant and personal favorite, and I'm sure that I will only like it more with time. It has allowed me to be more introspective and to see the world in a different light, giving me the desire to live my life at its fullest. Honestly, this is the first time I could associate myself with the main character of any film, so it really is a landmark for me. I believe that everyone should have at least one film that has this great of a personal importance or significance to them. Years from now, I will remember how great of an effect this film had on me. I'm sure that I will never forget it, until the day I die. I highly recommend this film for anybody, especially for angst-ridden teenagers like me. "Almost Famous" is, hands down, one of the greatest films of the decade. Without a Best Picture nomination, it's clear that the Academy Awards are almost utterly pathetic.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMhyphenhyphenCbKnt50qoinGUZvphF-ZRrlmuNC8LDGT_codD_VtzyZsZXEby61w5UfPqwBBvCVvqG6wdv9N6dmO1ADCWDacHa4gSK8icSa80fDQY5oDYfpisDNizQhCpmRdq4ZsOsi40CfD9JaA2/s1600/Almost-Famous-almost-famous-2536816-1600-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMhyphenhyphenCbKnt50qoinGUZvphF-ZRrlmuNC8LDGT_codD_VtzyZsZXEby61w5UfPqwBBvCVvqG6wdv9N6dmO1ADCWDacHa4gSK8icSa80fDQY5oDYfpisDNizQhCpmRdq4ZsOsi40CfD9JaA2/s640/Almost-Famous-almost-famous-2536816-1600-900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall rating:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">★</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9.5/10</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana; line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana; line-height: 13px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Nick Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237009465292673213noreply@blogger.com