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Tue 18 Dec, 2007 05:13 pm
Just ONE, OK?
I know this makes it hard (if you've seen quite a few good ones) but it'll make you really think before you decide! :wink:
If you had to recommend a film you saw this year, which film would that be and why?
This is my sneaky & clever way of catching up with all the good films I've missed this year! :wink:
I will be compiling a list! (to catch your recommendations on DVD, most likely.)
OK, over to you!
Well, I still like Battle of Algiers, which I saw a few weeks ago for the first time in years.. but
I'll have to go back to some of those italian films I was revisiting - I didn't report them all here, and have more lined up. Thread link in a bit....
For now, I'll stick with Christ Stops at Eboli by Francesco Rosi. Not a film that everyone would tolerate, but engrossing for me, who once read a fair amount about southern italy, but haven't done the walk.
Thank you, osso!
I agree. Wonderful film. Certainly worth revisiting!
(btw folks, your movie highlight of 2007 doesn't have to be a film released this year, OK?)
Agreed, the "Lifes of Others" was splendid.
Along the same lines, is another German movie (although not new) I saw this year is "Good bye Lenin"
he film is set in the East Berlin of 1989 . Alexander Kerner lives with his mother and sister in a small apartment, his Father (a Doctor) having fled to the West, apparently abandoning the family. Alex's mother, Christiane, has become an ardent supporter of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany in her husband's absence. She suffers a near-fatal heart attack when she sees Alex being arrested in an anti-government demonstration and falls into a coma shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. After eight months she awakes, but is severely weakened both physically and mentally. Her doctor says that any shock may cause another, possibly fatal, attack. Alex realises that her discovery of recent events would be too much for her to bear, and so sets out to maintain the illusion that things are as normal in the German Democratic Republic. To this end, he and his family revert the flat to its previous drab decor, dress in their old clothes, and feed the bed-ridden Christiane new, Western produce from old labeled jars. For a time the deception works, but gradually becomes increasingly complicated and elaborate. Despite everything, Christiane occasionally witnesses strange occurrences, such as a gigantic Coca-Cola advertisement banner unfurling on a building outside the apartment. Alexander and a friend with film-making ambitions edit old tapes of East German news broadcasts and create their own fake special reports on occasion to explain odd events away. Since the old news shows were fairly predictable, and his Mother's memory is a bit hazy, she is completely fooled.
I
loved Goodbye to Lenin, Calamity Jane!
For the insight into another place entirely, the atmosphere, the sly humour, the pragmatism & cynicism of politics .... Yes, wonderful!
we just watched Lives of Others this past weekend, I almost walked out several times in the first 30 minutes but kept watching as the film became more and more interesting. glad I stayed with it. the acting in general was pretty unremarkable other than the primary character who was outstanding.
dyslexia wrote:we just watched Lives of Others this past weekend, I almost walked out several times in the first 30 minutes but kept watching as the film became more and more interesting. glad I stayed with it. the acting in general was pretty unremarkable other than the primary character who was outstanding.
I disagree that most of the acting was pretty unremarkable, dyslexia. I was thoroughly convinced by all the main characters & their political & personal dilemmas. But anyway, we can disagree ....
That last scene, when No .... (? I've forgotten. Long time since I saw the film) picked up that copy of the book & read the inscription. What a moment.
msolga wrote:dyslexia wrote:we just watched Lives of Others this past weekend, I almost walked out several times in the first 30 minutes but kept watching as the film became more and more interesting. glad I stayed with it. the acting in general was pretty unremarkable other than the primary character who was outstanding.
I disagree that most of the acting was pretty unremarkable, dyslexia. I was thoroughly convinced by all the main characters & their political & personal dilemmas. But anyway, we can disagree ....
That last scene, when No .... (? I've forgotten. Long time since I saw the film) picked up that copy of the book & read the inscription. What a moment.
HGW XX/7
gewidmet
in Dankbarkeit
Pass the tissues :wink:
Easily one of the BEST films I've seen this year.
Is it only me,or does our "hero" look like Kevin Spacey?
Oops,hope I haven't given any ideas to the hollywood re-make team.
barrythemod wrote:HGW XX/7
gewidmet
in Dankbarkeit
Pass the tissues :wink:
I know, I
know, Barry! <sniff, honk!> :wink:
& thanks for the ID. You have a remarkable memory!
So .... no one else here has seen a great movie this year? :wink:
pssst ... It's allowed to be any sort of film!
... it doesn't have to be "foreign", either! :wink:
So I'm more of a regular movie shleb than you folks...
Bourne Ultimatum -- loved the whole damn rapid action, hyperhuman, overdone tension, revival of the big ragged car chase trilogy
Was happy to see 3:10 to Yuma.
And loved the grimness of No Country for Old Men.
Big year for cartoon violence in my moviegoing, I guess. Most of what was out just looked horrible or dull or both.
I still have Lives of Others on my desk. Some bookkeeping chores I have to do first, that'll be my reward.
I've read very good reviews of No Country For Old Men, patiodog & have been considering seeing it. But tell me, is it super violent? (Not good with really overt film violence here.)
It's very overtly violent, with very still-frame, noneditorial cinematography. Not glorifying, not moralistic, just bluntly portrayed. Way beyond Fargo.
ossobuco wrote:I still have Lives of Others on my desk. Some bookkeeping chores I have to do first, that'll be my reward.
Do let us know your response to it, osso!
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