Pips, Chips & Videoclips - Drvece i Rijeke (honestly, I’d go as far as to say it’s the most American album ever made... and the worst part is how the critics just trashed it and looked the other way... I don't know a single soul who actually likes this record... but to me, it’s practically a masterpiece) White Stripes - De Stijl (flawless) Damned - Black Album (surprisingly good, diverse, and mature...) Beatles - Help (it's usually dismissed as their weakest effort. Personally, I think it blows all their early stuff out of the water, especially Hard Day's Night. It’s even more consistent than Rubber Soul if you ask me) Air - Virgin Suicides Soundtrack Pogues - Peace & Love (absolutely beautiful... Misty Morning, Albert Bridge... man) Clash - Sandanista (count me in for the fan club... it's wild, gutsy, over the top, and totally misunderstood)
I'm Wide Awake is easily one of the best—if not *the* absolute best—albums I've heard in the last five years. It’s gorgeous... stunning... perfect. Lifted or The Story is in The Soil (forget those ridiculous titles) is also incredible. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn feels kind of mediocre to me, but since he dropped it at the exact same time as the phenomenal I'm Wide Awake... it wouldn't be fair to expect more from it. The guy is seriously phenomenal. I'm not saying he's reinventing the wheel or doing anything revolutionary, but I could listen to those two albums on loop forever. Plus, I've always had a massive soft spot for that indie-post-folk-country vibe. He’s definitely at the top tier of what's out there right now, right up there with The Strokes, Interpol, The Streets, and Arcade Fire... he just has that spark. I truly believe that ten years from now, people will look back at this as a cult classic—total essential listening. I noticed some people on this forum aren't even listening to it. Honestly, people, you clearly have no idea what you're missing.😳
I caught this movie about two weeks ago. Man, just once I’d love for American distributors to actually surprise me for a change—this thing hit our theaters practically a week or two after the UK premiere. And get this: the theater was actually packed. I was genuinely shocked... The film is great, though it felt pretty different from the other Mike Leigh movies I've seen. It's incredibly bleak, gray, and heavy, but he nailed that 1950s atmosphere perfectly. The acting is absolutely phenomenal!! Personally, I still think All or Nothing, Naked, Secrets & Lies are better, but hey, at least this is the first solid film of 2005!
Alright, here’s a list of about 20 of my absolute favorites....
Mulholland Drive - hands down my number one movie. Monty Python`s Life of Brian Donnie Darko - this has basically become a modern cult classic. You seriously have to see it. It hits everything a movie needs: it's funny, bizarre, sad, beautiful, incomprehensible, and totally original. Honestly, it's the only film that actually managed to make me cry, though I doubt that was what the director intended. Habl Con Ell memento Amores Perros Magdalena Sisters Memento Amores Perros Magdalene Sisters - easily the best film released in American theaters this year (though I should probably mention 21 Grams, Head On, Big Fish, Secretary, Spirited Away, and Elephant too) A Clockwork Orange About a Boy Boy Trainspotting All or Nothing Adaptation Being John Malkovich Human Nature (Kaufman rulez !! ) Dead Man Walking Requiem for a dream Dogville 21 Grams Before Sunrise - most romantic and beautiful film ever created. American History X Road to Perdition City of God Pulp Fiction Lost Highway 2001 Odyssey Pulp Fiction Lost Highway 2001 Odyssey in Space (you've probably seen this one) Irreversible - just watched it. It's incredible, sick, stunning, and phenomenal. I'm still a little bit in shock.
I was watching this movie at AMC Theatres about two months ago, and get this—I had the entire theater to myself. Unbelievable.😲 😲 It was the first time I’ve ever watched an anime, and honestly? It blew everything else out of the water. It’s miles ahead of those loud, obnoxious Pixar movies from Hollywood; I don't even need to waste my breath explaining why. Watching it was a total shock to the system. A completely new experience... the animation was gorgeous, the characters were incredibly imaginative, and the story was packed with these weird, surreal details. Just perfect. I'm obsessed.🙂 Does anyone know if there are any Miyazaki films available on streaming or Blu-ray? This guy is a straight-up genius.
I love Kaufman. This early glimpse of his genius isn't even a step behind Adaptation or Malkovich (okay, maybe a tiny bit...). The humor is dark as hell in spots, and the whole thing is just incredibly bizarre. To me, it’s probably his funniest movie, mostly thanks to Rhys Ifans being absolutely wild. It’s awesome.👍 You might actually be pleasantly surprised because it isn't hyped up much and people usually label it one of Kaufman's weaker films—which I totally disagree with...
Took my old lady to the movies yesterday. She’s a religious fanatic, normally, but even she had to admit this one was incredible—even if it made her pretty uncomfortable to watch. I won't beat around the bush: the movie is phenomenal. Hands down the best thing I've seen all year. I knew it would be good, but this? This was next level. It proves you don't need flashy director gimmicks, messy editing, sweeping landscapes, or a massive orchestral score to make an impact. Everything is shot raw and stripped down. The acting is unbelievable. Because of that simplicity, it feels like everything is happening right there in front of your eyes. It’s incredibly real. Mullan’s raw direction perfectly captures all the pain, the suffering, the emotions, and the sheer frustration. The woman playing that mentally challenged character deserves a mountain of awards, not to mention the film itself. Kudos to Mullan for having the guts to take such a sharp aim at the Church. As an institution, I've always hated them, but after this film, I hate them even more. It honestly surprises me that despite the controversial subject matter, the awards, and all the press coverage, so few people on this forum have seen Magdalena Sisters.... Seriously, go see this brilliant film before the wave of stupid Hollywood historical epics hits. This is probably the best thing you'll get to see in theaters all year.
I’ve been reading nothing but glowing reviews. I'm heading to see it in the next few days, so I'll report back on how it goes. I have an incredibly good feeling about this one—expecting huge things.
I just watched it, right after finishing the book. The book is obviously way better, but the movie isn't half bad either. Honestly, those terrible reviews caught me off guard—I think it’s sitting at maybe 40% on Rotten Tomatoes? Personally, I thought it was solid; it actually surprised me in a good way. The weakest link is definitely the acting. J. van der Beek is way too stiff, and the guy playing Paul is just off. In the book, they dive much deeper into the whole Sean-Lauren-Paul love triangle, whereas the movie keeps everything pretty superficial. That said, I loved the cinematography. The split screens, the reverse shots, the handheld footage from the trip through Europe—that stuff was fantastic. Some scenes are genuinely magical, like when Lauren and Sean meet, or that shot of Sean standing in the snow with a snowflake landing on his face and looking like a tear. Even the soundtrack hits the mark. Bottom line: it's an above-average film. But seriously, you have to read the book. As for me, I’m gearing up to start reading American Psycho today.😛
Kaufman is a genius. A wild movie, incredibly inventive and original. I can't believe the labels you guys are throwing at him—"solid," "okay"?? Me? I was blown away. He might not be as eccentric as John Malkovich, but his work is higher quality. The end of the movie is a total (maybe intentional) cliché. All in all, one of the best and smartest American movies from the last 10 years. I can't wait for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which is probably going to be even crazier than this.
Charming, full of spirit and imagination. Visually stunning. My only gripe was McGregor’s accent (Scott trying to play a Southerner?? Terrible idea) but it’s worth a shot. Otherwise, I’m a huge fan of Ewan, and he’s just as likable here as always. Charming, fun, and easy to watch. We need more movies like this!
Peter Watson says: I found Monster to be a real slog, but what actually ticked me off was how they kept trying to justify her behavior. Look, I get it—she had a horrific childhood—but that’s zero excuse for murdering people.
B]
Monster wasn't a slog for me at all. It wasn't hard to watch. Sure, the constant emphasis on her upbringing was irritating, and you definitely get the vibe that the filmmakers were trying to excuse her actions, even if just a little. It feels like they wanted the audience to sympathize with a killer despite the heinous crimes... honestly, I don't feel bad for her one bit. Her past doesn't justify what she did, and that whole "I can't forgive myself" bit felt totally forced to me. She didn't have a conscience. But enough complaining—these minor gripes don't ruin the movie. It’s an excellent, unconventional film. We can all agree Charlize deserved an Oscar, and Christina Ricci was great too. Everything is shot powerfully and feels incredibly real. Overall, I liked it. rating: 7.5 / 10
Look, it's a decent movie. Cusack is cute—maybe a little over the top—but honestly, I had a much better time reading the book. For me, About a Boy is a far more successful, superior, and charming adaptation of Hornby's work. I really don't dig the fact that they moved the setting to the USA, especially since Hornby's writing and sense of humor are so distinctly British... but whatever, the movie is refreshing and likable. The soundtrack is 👍 👍
Yeah, exactly: belle & sebastian THE STREETS !!!!!!!!!! (I can't believe I actually managed to forget them, but let's be real, they aren't even a real band)