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Originally posted by Noam
Been watching a lot of pretty good films recently, here's a summary.
Minority Report *** Some flaws but the best futuristic thriller I've seen since Matrix. Spielberg definitely isn't washed up yet.
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This is released here in the next week or so. It's booked aleady. I used to HATE Tom Cruise as an actor, but he's getting better as he gets older.
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Bowling For Columbine *** The usual Michael Moore documentary- love it or hate it. This is a timely release with the current war fever. I've never seen an American filmmaker pay so much attention to Canada, he actually knows we exist here. Go Mike.
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I want to see this one so bad, but it doesn't look like being released here. Might have to wait for it on DVD and import.
I'm not much into the typical "blockbuster" type film, so I'll mention,
<b>Beneath Clouds</b>
Story of a girl in search of herself, as she leaves home and tries to leave here Aboriginality behind too. Sparse, beautifully shot, and with little pointless background music. The silences in this film say an enormous amount, and many of the incidents that happen (esp with the Police) are true to my own experience. The areas it was shot in are only a couple of hours from here. I see the racism it portrays (very honestly) every day.
<b>Monsoon Wedding</b>
The lead up to, and the actual wedding of an Indian girl (in Delhi). Intricate personality plays and characterisations, very funny, detailed and intimate. The scenes with the maid and the wedding planner are outstanding, especially his proposal.
<b>Bend It Like Beckham</b>
UK film about an Indian girl who loves football (soccer) above all else, and her fight with her family to play, in contrast to her traditional sister who is getting married at the same time. Funny, with lots of misunderstandings coming from the deceptions she uses to play when she's not allowed to.
<b>Mr In Between</b>
Existential crime thriller that explores the void between humanity and cruelty, and between appearance and reality. NO punches pulled, very harsh and nasty. I can't say I *enjoyed* it, but it made me think. It was kind of like watching a multi-car/truck accident in slow motion and seeing everything that happens to everyone involved in great detail. The Tattooed Man is a great characterisation.
<b>My Life As A House</b>
I saw this a few nights ago, and it really got under my skin. It's about a man who rebuilds a house in the last few months of his life, and the dramatic effect that has on everyone around him, especially his son. Very good.
<b>The Sweetest Thing</b>
Light fairy-floss (cotton candy) film. Typical US fare, but a couple of very funny moments. I'd wait till it came out as a weekly.
<b>Kill Me Later</b>
Girl who is so fed up with her life, she climbs on to the roof a the bank where she works, and is about to jump, when there's a holdup that goes wrong and she's used as a hostage. In the getaway, she starts to change and come alive again. A bit predictable, but enjoyable.
<b>Rabbit Proof Fence</b>
True story about 3 half-caste girls (Aboriginal/white) who were taken from their parents to a camp hundreds of miles away, where they were to be retrained and educated as domestic servants, and brought into white society. To make them "civilised". The girls escape and follow the rabbit proof fence across the WA desert to try to get home. Though this was set early in the last century, such behaviour was government policy until quite recently (late 60's).
These were stories I had no idea about at all until a long visit with a Koori friend's family about 5 years ago, where I was told all the stories of what had happened to members of their family.
<b>Kandahar</b>
Story of a woman who escaped from Afghanistan as a child and emigrated to Canada, who returns illegally to try to save her sister from comitting suicide at the last eclipse of the century. Her travels show the desperation of a people who's country has been devastated by years of war.
<b>The Royal Tennenbaums</b>
Greatest POS I've seen in years. I got my money back on that one. American's can't seem to do droll like the Poms.
I can't get very good TV reception where I live, so I watch a lot of movies. After working in the industry for a long time, most of what's on TV is dreck anyway (except the Simpsons), as are most movies, and not worth watching. Recently I've been watching older movies that I avoided like the plague when they were new, because of the hype; flicks like Dances with Wolves, Titanic, Interview with the Vampire etc and am enjoying them for what they are, but then again they're cheap.
Cheers
Good films seen lately
, especially when alight!
