Films/DVD Asylum

"The Great Beauty:" easily the most beautiful film of the year, showing Rome as no other film,

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including all those of Fellini, ever has.
There really is no plot: Fellini/Antonioni-style, the story concerns a few days in the life of Jep, a 65-year old who has spent his days since early manhood cashing in on the fame of his only novel, a small work that made him instantly known. For decades, his life has been an endless series of parties, soirees, and events among the rich and beautiful.
I can't think of a more fascinating character, a fellow who, for all his faults, has such a penetrating vision of life itself. Jep, you see, represents the soul of Italy, though the director Sorrentino is far to skilled to make him a two-dimensional social and political commentator.
He also doesn't judge or, thank God!, have Jep realize the shallowness of his existence; if anything, in true Roman style, he may even be arguing that appearances (specifically, style) and pleasure are all that matter.
After two hours of Jep's company, you just might agree.
I'm changing my Best Film right now: it's a tie (with "All is Lost").
The Oscar?
I'd split it for Best Actor between Toni Servillo and Bobby Redford.

Edits: 01/26/14

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