Film recommendations and mini-reviews:

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

prepared this for a friend and thought I'd share it here, too:
"Here's a list of more than ten, chosen for excellence and variety.
In no particular order:
Brasilian film about what life is/was like in the very dry NE part of that huge country. A world-wide classic of the New Cinema: Vidas Secas.
Incredibly talented Iranian director Abbas Kiarastomi's "A Taste of Cherry." What's life like for a middle-aged guy, obviously well-educated and successful, in post-war Iran shortly after the war with Iraq)?
Cure: a terrifically eerie Japanese thriller classic.
The Return: perhaps the best Russian film of the past twenty-five years, and that's saying a lot. The title refers to a long gone Dad's return and his attempt to fit in with his sons, again.
Turtles Can Fly: what's life like for kids in a war zone? A beautifully told, non-sentimental, and non-compromising look at childhood and innocence... lost. No, it's not a kiddie flick!
Rainy Dog: a crime film for adults, not the crappy sentimental stuff which Scorcese has been putting out.
Nobody Knows: a mother leaves her three kids and they must fend for themselves in today's Japan.
Travellers and Magicians: filmed in Bhutan, one of the world's most mysterious places where very, very few vistors' visas are granted (less than twenty, some years). A beautifully realized film of a man's struggle to be true to his sacred beliefs. NOT touchy-feely.
Funny Games: you want to be scared without a chainsaw or gimmicks like in Saw? See this film of what happens when a very-well educated and well-off German family trust a couple of charming young men for a weekend at the lake.
Memories of Murder: from Korea comes this "greatest" of all serial killer mystery films. In 50's Korea, a series of brutal killings take place but, since serial killers and how to catch them are unknown to the authorities, once they realize what's happening they are far behind the killer. The lead detective gives one of the screen's best low-key and powerful performances.
Bus 174: from Brasil comes as powerful a documentary as ever I've seen, filmed as it happened. A bus is hijacked by an armed man whom the police quickly realize is very emotionally unstable. He alternately points the pistol at passengers, himself, and police over a long period before a shocking finale occurs. I don't know why this isn't on everyone's best doc list. It should be near the top.
Oldboy: a ground-breaking film on many levels. It's part of a trilogy and the other two installments don't disappoint, either. The lead actor is astounding. The scene in the corridor is ONE take. Incredible. The three films show different aspects of vengeance.
Noi: from Iceland comes a very beautiful, deeply moving film yet with a wonderful sense of humor, too. I've seen it twice and can't wait to see it again.
Red Beard: Kurosawa's finest film. The heart of this film is about the biggest you'll ever see. A humane classic.
Audition: the scariest film, save The Shining, I've ever seen. I dare you to see this at night, alone, for the first time. Next time, see it with your kids and laugh as they squirm.
Spirit of the Beehive: many consider this the finest Spanish film of all time which would make it one of the best, period. I wouldn't argue. A flawless gem of what life in post-Franco Spain was like for a family with two small daughters in a small town."

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Topic - Film recommendations and mini-reviews: - tinear 05:49:44 01/15/07 (3)

Re: Film recommendations and mini-reviews: - afilado 09:49:41 01/15/07 (1)

Agreement on "Wings" and "Devils." Both very, very good, though I - tinear 11:19:34 01/15/07 (0)

Re: Film recommendations and mini-reviews: - rico 08:00:35 01/15/07 (0)

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