1. Crossing the Line (07): DOC about four American GIs who defected to North Korea . Interesting, WWW
2. Love in the Time of Cholera (07): Based on the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez which I loved. I was wary of the film, but happily surprised. WBTIE.
3. Flannel Pajamas (06): Romantic indie drama about the evolution and dissolution of a relationship. CFE.
4. All About My Mother (1999): Spanish director Pedro Almodovar knocks it out of the park. Remember 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' (1988)? And again in (o4) with 'Talk to Her'? Always a treat.......
5. The Nines (07): Unusual film done in three acts. BMM. I think WWW but my guess is NECOT.
6. On and Off the Rails (07): British DOC. , compilation of British short docs about the railway system since its inception. Good if you are fascinated by trains.
7. Bombay (1995):Indian, NMCOT, I just can't get past the Bollywood dubbed singing and dancing to wait for the plot....
8. The Pact of Silence (03): French, Gerard Depardieu plays Jesuit priest who loses his career by getting involved with mysterious twins....I love him so I LEM. Good thriller that kept me guessing. EOS.
9. Onibaba (1965): Japanese director Kaneto Shindu's blk&wht tale set in wartorn medieval Japan. LEM, LLI, WWW.
10. Monsieur Ibrahim (03): French, set in 60's working class nieghborhood in Paris. Teenager bonds with local shopkeeper. LEM, LLI, WWW.
11. Mahangar (1963): Indian, 1960's explores the impact of feminism on one working class family. I loved all the characters and found this delightful. WWW.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Lee Just Watched (Mar 29 - Apr 11)
1. Atlantic Records: House That Ahmet Built (07): DOC, the story of how Ahmet built the R&B record label starting in 1947 thru today. Brilliant man, fascinating subject. WWW.
2. Come and See (1985): Russian, war story, NMCOT
3. Green Chair (05): Korean, married housewife and 19 year old minor have affair. CFE, OKBNG
4. Hana & Alice (04): Japanese, teenagers and their loves and friendships. OKBNG, CFE
5. Mongolian Ping Pong (05): Mongolian, well photographed, pretty, didn't capture me but other's might like it....
6. Attenborough in Paradise (96): compilation of his different travels when younger. Fascinating as always!!!WWW.
7. Kiss-Kiss Dahlings (92): plays by Wendy Wasserstein. I've seen enough of her plays now to say without hesitation that I dislike her work intensely.
8. Deep Water (06): Gripping DOC about the 1969 London Times sponsored around the world yacht race, focusing mainly on a man named Donald Crowhurst. WWW. EOS, LLI, LEM, WBTIE.
9. Even Money (06): Modern attempt at film noir, very dissapointing, stopped watching.
10. Clean (04): French, OKBNG story of a drug addict and her efforts to get clean and have her child back. The main characters were interesting so I enjoyed it.
11. The Real Dirt on Farmer John (06): Great DOC about farmer John Peterson of Illinois. His story from childhood, into the wild 60's, thru current day organic farming. WWW, LEM, NWIE, WBTIE, FAH,LLI.
12. The End of Suburbia (04): Well executed DOC about the creation of suburbia in America, it's questionable future, can it continue to exist without cheap energy? WWW.
13. Things We Lost in the Fire (07): Suzanne Bier of 'Brother's' and 'After the Wedding' directed but did not write this somewhat self indulgent script about ...hmmm, relationships, addiction, change, ...I love her Danish fims but this annoyed me a little. Rich folks angst for me is always a tricky subject. Part of me simply does not care....unless the material is handled really well.
14. Cocaine Angel (06): I just love this tiny little movie! A simple film following a period of days in the life of a cocaine addict who lives in Jacksonville, Fla. The main character also wrote the script. WBTIE, WWW, LLI. Something about his character was so totally endearing and unexpected.
I liked him so much that I lost my usual sense of judgement about his lifestyle. Dark and humorous at the same time. Probably NECOT.
2. Come and See (1985): Russian, war story, NMCOT
3. Green Chair (05): Korean, married housewife and 19 year old minor have affair. CFE, OKBNG
4. Hana & Alice (04): Japanese, teenagers and their loves and friendships. OKBNG, CFE
5. Mongolian Ping Pong (05): Mongolian, well photographed, pretty, didn't capture me but other's might like it....
6. Attenborough in Paradise (96): compilation of his different travels when younger. Fascinating as always!!!WWW.
7. Kiss-Kiss Dahlings (92): plays by Wendy Wasserstein. I've seen enough of her plays now to say without hesitation that I dislike her work intensely.
8. Deep Water (06): Gripping DOC about the 1969 London Times sponsored around the world yacht race, focusing mainly on a man named Donald Crowhurst. WWW. EOS, LLI, LEM, WBTIE.
9. Even Money (06): Modern attempt at film noir, very dissapointing, stopped watching.
10. Clean (04): French, OKBNG story of a drug addict and her efforts to get clean and have her child back. The main characters were interesting so I enjoyed it.
11. The Real Dirt on Farmer John (06): Great DOC about farmer John Peterson of Illinois. His story from childhood, into the wild 60's, thru current day organic farming. WWW, LEM, NWIE, WBTIE, FAH,LLI.
12. The End of Suburbia (04): Well executed DOC about the creation of suburbia in America, it's questionable future, can it continue to exist without cheap energy? WWW.
13. Things We Lost in the Fire (07): Suzanne Bier of 'Brother's' and 'After the Wedding' directed but did not write this somewhat self indulgent script about ...hmmm, relationships, addiction, change, ...I love her Danish fims but this annoyed me a little. Rich folks angst for me is always a tricky subject. Part of me simply does not care....unless the material is handled really well.
14. Cocaine Angel (06): I just love this tiny little movie! A simple film following a period of days in the life of a cocaine addict who lives in Jacksonville, Fla. The main character also wrote the script. WBTIE, WWW, LLI. Something about his character was so totally endearing and unexpected.
I liked him so much that I lost my usual sense of judgement about his lifestyle. Dark and humorous at the same time. Probably NECOT.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Lee Just Watched (March 14-28)
1. Joy (05): Lovely film set in Tel Aviv about a heavy young woman , her family and some of the issues they come to terms with . Uplifting and lots of fun. WWW (see Key)
2. Pack of Lies (1978): Loved this British thriller starring Ellen Burstyn, Alan Bates and Teri Garr. NWIE,EOS,WWW
3. Tickets (05): 3 stories by 3 directors that take place on a train ride in Europe. OKBNG, CFE
4. Tattoed Flower Vase (1976): Strange, erotic, 'pink' film from Japan. NMCOT
5. The Man From Earth (07): Dissapointing sci fi scripted by Jerome Bixby of Star Trek and Twilight Zone fame. Maybe a better director would have done the script justice.
6. Angel-A (07): French director Luc Bresson of 'La Femme Nikita' fame. Slick and uniquely filmed in blk & wht. Loved the 2 main characters but the story itself is not so good. Still worth watching in spite as the shots of Paris are truly stunning! (I think it would be better with the sound off.)
7. Demonlover (02): Another slick (but not as good) French film . A thriller, about website horrors. I got hooked into it. ( But remember, I liked 'Feed' ..) Ultimately disturbing. Unfortunately I can't get the final scene out of my head. NECOT
8. Adam's apple (05): Very odd but ultimately endearing black comedy about a Utopian clergyman starring a whole lot of my favorite Danish actors. Worth it just to see them!
9. Punish Me (05): German. We were totally into this movie. However, my guess is it's NECOT. About a middle aged parole officer and her 16 yr old charge. Wow wow and wow. WWW, EOS, LLI, WBTIE.
10. F**K (06):DOC that S**ked.
11. Inside North Korea (06): National Geographic DOC. About the JSA, the people etc. The truth is more horrible than I would have ever known. BMM, LLI. Must see.
12. The Boss of it All (06): Danish. Sardonic comedy about a corporation headed by a ficticious CEO. Light and not at all bad.
13. Curb Your Enthusiasm (06): I loved the first 5 years of this HBO series, but this season has a few clunkers. Still, Larry David is just a kick to watch.
14. Blind Beast (1969): Now here is a cult classic! Yasuzo Masumura ('Giants and Toys') has created an erotic , chilling masterpiece in this blck & wht wonder. WWW, LLI, NECOT
2. Pack of Lies (1978): Loved this British thriller starring Ellen Burstyn, Alan Bates and Teri Garr. NWIE,EOS,WWW
3. Tickets (05): 3 stories by 3 directors that take place on a train ride in Europe. OKBNG, CFE
4. Tattoed Flower Vase (1976): Strange, erotic, 'pink' film from Japan. NMCOT
5. The Man From Earth (07): Dissapointing sci fi scripted by Jerome Bixby of Star Trek and Twilight Zone fame. Maybe a better director would have done the script justice.
6. Angel-A (07): French director Luc Bresson of 'La Femme Nikita' fame. Slick and uniquely filmed in blk & wht. Loved the 2 main characters but the story itself is not so good. Still worth watching in spite as the shots of Paris are truly stunning! (I think it would be better with the sound off.)
7. Demonlover (02): Another slick (but not as good) French film . A thriller, about website horrors. I got hooked into it. ( But remember, I liked 'Feed' ..) Ultimately disturbing. Unfortunately I can't get the final scene out of my head. NECOT
8. Adam's apple (05): Very odd but ultimately endearing black comedy about a Utopian clergyman starring a whole lot of my favorite Danish actors. Worth it just to see them!
9. Punish Me (05): German. We were totally into this movie. However, my guess is it's NECOT. About a middle aged parole officer and her 16 yr old charge. Wow wow and wow. WWW, EOS, LLI, WBTIE.
10. F**K (06):DOC that S**ked.
11. Inside North Korea (06): National Geographic DOC. About the JSA, the people etc. The truth is more horrible than I would have ever known. BMM, LLI. Must see.
12. The Boss of it All (06): Danish. Sardonic comedy about a corporation headed by a ficticious CEO. Light and not at all bad.
13. Curb Your Enthusiasm (06): I loved the first 5 years of this HBO series, but this season has a few clunkers. Still, Larry David is just a kick to watch.
14. Blind Beast (1969): Now here is a cult classic! Yasuzo Masumura ('Giants and Toys') has created an erotic , chilling masterpiece in this blck & wht wonder. WWW, LLI, NECOT
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Lee Just Watched (Feb. 29th - March 14th)
1. MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION (05): IMAX about the moon landings.
2. WAITRESS (07): Waitresses in a small town, their lives and changes. ok, not great.
3. WHEN NIETZCHE WEPT(07): The fake European accents were so horrible I could not watch it.
4. GIANTS AND TOYS (58): 2nd film directed by Yasuko Masumura , satirical critique of corporate culture in postwar Japan, set amongst rival caramel candy corporations. Liked it very much, going to watch more by him.
5. VENGEANCE IS MINE (79): by director of 'EEL'. NMCOT
6. KOLYA (96): Wonderful film set in Czech around time of the 89 'Velvet Revolution'. Highly recommend.
7. CRAZY LOVE (07): NWIE, BTIE, totally immersing DOC about a couple obsessed with each other in 1950s New York. True story that got lots of headlines and coverage. EOS!
8. PEOPLE'S PALACE (06): DOC about the history of the New York Public Library, from its inception thru today. Informative and enjoyable.
9. LOOKING FOR RICHARD (96): Must see, it's on our discussions to come list!!!!!
10. COCAINE COWBOY (06): DOC, 1980's cocaine trafficking boom in Miami and how it changed the city forever. LEM.
11. SINK OR SWIM (90): shorts of Su Friedrich's childhood. Didn't engage me personally.
12. A TASTE OF TEA (04): lovely little film , quiet, about a unique family and their day to day lives in a Japanese town.
2. WAITRESS (07): Waitresses in a small town, their lives and changes. ok, not great.
3. WHEN NIETZCHE WEPT(07): The fake European accents were so horrible I could not watch it.
4. GIANTS AND TOYS (58): 2nd film directed by Yasuko Masumura , satirical critique of corporate culture in postwar Japan, set amongst rival caramel candy corporations. Liked it very much, going to watch more by him.
5. VENGEANCE IS MINE (79): by director of 'EEL'. NMCOT
6. KOLYA (96): Wonderful film set in Czech around time of the 89 'Velvet Revolution'. Highly recommend.
7. CRAZY LOVE (07): NWIE, BTIE, totally immersing DOC about a couple obsessed with each other in 1950s New York. True story that got lots of headlines and coverage. EOS!
8. PEOPLE'S PALACE (06): DOC about the history of the New York Public Library, from its inception thru today. Informative and enjoyable.
9. LOOKING FOR RICHARD (96): Must see, it's on our discussions to come list!!!!!
10. COCAINE COWBOY (06): DOC, 1980's cocaine trafficking boom in Miami and how it changed the city forever. LEM.
11. SINK OR SWIM (90): shorts of Su Friedrich's childhood. Didn't engage me personally.
12. A TASTE OF TEA (04): lovely little film , quiet, about a unique family and their day to day lives in a Japanese town.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Lee Just Watched (Feb 15th thru Feb 29th)
1. Zerophilia (05): Unamusing indep. about teen with gender issues. GMAB.
2. Once (06): Endearing story of young street musicians trying to make it and getting to know themselves, ( I thought I'd hate it...) set in contemporary Dublin, Ireland. Playing all their original music and its not bad! WBTIE.(way better than I expected)
3. The Invisible (07): Supernatural thriller, American, Not good at all.
4.13 Tzametti (07) thriller, Not good at all.
5. After Innocence (05): Powerhouse DOC exploring the lives of inocent people who were jailed for years and released after new dna evidence. Disturbing as hell. Highly recommend.
6. Shelf Life (06): FAH , tiny, odd, black humor, about a library, two young women and a guy who work there. If it sounds like YCOT (your cup of tea)! see it and find out what happens!
7. The Call of Cthulhu(05): Lord knows, couldn't pay attention long enuf to find out.
8. Intacto (01): Highly imperfect but intriguing supernatural thriller with Max Von Sydow playing a concentr. camp surv. who lives in a casino basement on a resort spanish Isle and trades, buys, and sells LUCK. I liked a lot of it and could not get myself to stop watching (no matterhow much i tried!) as I found the concept interesting.
9. The Typists (released in 02) 1 hour play, shot in one room with 2 characters. Played with enviable talent by real life married couple Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. Very very good, LLI. About the passing of time in the lives of 2 coworkers in a mundane office job. (part of the Broadway Theatre Archives...)
10. Take My Eyes (05): French, unsatisfying film about a woman who leaves but is still in love with her abusive husband. Perhaps someone else might like it but NMCOT.
11. Cowboy Del Amor (05): FAH DOC about a Texan man who has made a living as a matchmaker, connecting American men and Mexican women. Well done in every way, and this guy is a kick!! NWIE, and WBTIE .
Check it out for sure.
12. Czech Dream (03): Thought provoking and highly entertaining DOC about the power of advertising. Two filmakers set up a huge fake ad campaign in the Czech Republic with amazing results!
13 . Broken English (07) Indep. Parker Posey vehicle, NMCOT, but not totally unpleasant.
2. Once (06): Endearing story of young street musicians trying to make it and getting to know themselves, ( I thought I'd hate it...) set in contemporary Dublin, Ireland. Playing all their original music and its not bad! WBTIE.(way better than I expected)
3. The Invisible (07): Supernatural thriller, American, Not good at all.
4.13 Tzametti (07) thriller, Not good at all.
5. After Innocence (05): Powerhouse DOC exploring the lives of inocent people who were jailed for years and released after new dna evidence. Disturbing as hell. Highly recommend.
6. Shelf Life (06): FAH , tiny, odd, black humor, about a library, two young women and a guy who work there. If it sounds like YCOT (your cup of tea)! see it and find out what happens!
7. The Call of Cthulhu(05): Lord knows, couldn't pay attention long enuf to find out.
8. Intacto (01): Highly imperfect but intriguing supernatural thriller with Max Von Sydow playing a concentr. camp surv. who lives in a casino basement on a resort spanish Isle and trades, buys, and sells LUCK. I liked a lot of it and could not get myself to stop watching (no matterhow much i tried!) as I found the concept interesting.
9. The Typists (released in 02) 1 hour play, shot in one room with 2 characters. Played with enviable talent by real life married couple Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. Very very good, LLI. About the passing of time in the lives of 2 coworkers in a mundane office job. (part of the Broadway Theatre Archives...)
10. Take My Eyes (05): French, unsatisfying film about a woman who leaves but is still in love with her abusive husband. Perhaps someone else might like it but NMCOT.
11. Cowboy Del Amor (05): FAH DOC about a Texan man who has made a living as a matchmaker, connecting American men and Mexican women. Well done in every way, and this guy is a kick!! NWIE, and WBTIE .
Check it out for sure.
12. Czech Dream (03): Thought provoking and highly entertaining DOC about the power of advertising. Two filmakers set up a huge fake ad campaign in the Czech Republic with amazing results!
13 . Broken English (07) Indep. Parker Posey vehicle, NMCOT, but not totally unpleasant.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
I Just Watched (Jan 19 - Feb 14)
1. Manufacturing Dissent (2007) Interesting doc dissecting the work and backround of director Michael Moore.
2. Red Road (2006) Not very interesting thriller made in Scotland.
3. The Treatment (2006) American romantic comedy. NMCOT (see KEY )
4. White Rainbow (2005) Another film about the Indian "City of Widows', Vrindavan, where many Hindu widows of all ages go to live.
5. Girl 27 (2007) Great doc about a Hollywood scandal in 1937 when an underage dancer was raped at an MGM stag party.
6. Earth (1998) Dissapointing movie by Deepa Mehta, the director of 'Water', showing some of the events of the civil war between Pakistan & India in 1947 thru the eyes of a young girl. I stopped watching halfway thru.
7. The Method (2005) FAH ! (see KEY) A group of candidates are competing for the same executive position in a large firm in Madrid, Spain. Set pretty much in one room. Check it out.
8. Slings & Arrows (season 2) Canadian tv series , LOVE it!!!!
9. Hunger ((1966) I recommend this unusual Danish drama, set in 1890's Norway. Looks into the life of a starving writer who won't accept charity. NWIE (see KEY)
10. Pierrepoint (2005) He was one of Britain's most notorious executioners. This film is based on the real events and life of a man who was working as an executioner for the gov't while living a public life as a grocery deliverman. Highly recommend.
11. Read My Lips (2001) French thriller. Good character study with lots of cool plot surprises.
12.Interview (2006) I usually like anything with Steve Buscemi but this....GMAB (see KEY).
13. Big Love (season 2) Fun HBO series about Mormon polygamists.
2. Red Road (2006) Not very interesting thriller made in Scotland.
3. The Treatment (2006) American romantic comedy. NMCOT (see KEY )
4. White Rainbow (2005) Another film about the Indian "City of Widows', Vrindavan, where many Hindu widows of all ages go to live.
5. Girl 27 (2007) Great doc about a Hollywood scandal in 1937 when an underage dancer was raped at an MGM stag party.
6. Earth (1998) Dissapointing movie by Deepa Mehta, the director of 'Water', showing some of the events of the civil war between Pakistan & India in 1947 thru the eyes of a young girl. I stopped watching halfway thru.
7. The Method (2005) FAH ! (see KEY) A group of candidates are competing for the same executive position in a large firm in Madrid, Spain. Set pretty much in one room. Check it out.
8. Slings & Arrows (season 2) Canadian tv series , LOVE it!!!!
9. Hunger ((1966) I recommend this unusual Danish drama, set in 1890's Norway. Looks into the life of a starving writer who won't accept charity. NWIE (see KEY)
10. Pierrepoint (2005) He was one of Britain's most notorious executioners. This film is based on the real events and life of a man who was working as an executioner for the gov't while living a public life as a grocery deliverman. Highly recommend.
11. Read My Lips (2001) French thriller. Good character study with lots of cool plot surprises.
12.Interview (2006) I usually like anything with Steve Buscemi but this....GMAB (see KEY).
13. Big Love (season 2) Fun HBO series about Mormon polygamists.
Friday, January 18, 2008
I Just Watched (Jan 1 - Jan 18)
1. READ MY LIPS (2001) Good basic French thriller (CFE)
2. BURNT BY THE SUN (1994) Russian drama, couldn't sink my teeth into it at all.
3. RATCATCHER (1998) The effects of child poverty set inScotland during the 1970's garbage strike. OK but not great.
4. GOD GREW TIRED OF US (2006) Doc about theSudanese 'LostBoys' as they move from their refugee camp in Kenya to anew life is the USA. (LLI) Highly recommend!
5. UNKNOWN WHITE MALE (2005) Doc about a 30ish man from England who wakes up on NY subway with complete amnesia. Is it bullshit? Check it out, I found it interesting.
6. OCEAN'S ELEVEN (2001) not my thang.......
7. 300 (2007) Unbearable. But I have friends who's opinion I respect who liked it, so maybe I'm off on this one.
8. ROME (HBO series, season 2) Loved every second of it. (though historically inaccurate on many details..) As for Marc Antony, WOW. The characters are so well developed that for me they will have (LLI). Overall, just (FAH)!
9. HELVETICA (2007) Doc about "'the most popular FONT in the world"'. Flawed as a film but cool people interviewed and very interesting information. I'll never look at typeface in the same way again....
10. INLAND EMPIRE (2006) David Lynch's newest. 3 hours of not my thang......
11. STEEL TOES (2006) Neo-nazi skin head murderer goes head to head with his Jewish lawyer. Very flawed and preachy, but the kid was good.
12. THE KING (2005) William Hurt is a pastor who's past, in the form of a sociopathic son, comes to ruin him and his family. Pretty chilling actually!
13. THE NAMESAKE (2006) Story of a young guy from India, living in NY/NJ. Identity issues. Mediocre, some fun moments.
14. PLAQUES AND PLEASURES ON THE SALTON SEA ((2004) Doc narrated by John Waters about massive S. Cal. lake created in the desert by mistake a century ago. For a while it became a resort for the rich, now a neglected location, WAY off the beaten path. Unique community and quite a story!!!! Recommend watching.
2. BURNT BY THE SUN (1994) Russian drama, couldn't sink my teeth into it at all.
3. RATCATCHER (1998) The effects of child poverty set inScotland during the 1970's garbage strike. OK but not great.
4. GOD GREW TIRED OF US (2006) Doc about theSudanese 'LostBoys' as they move from their refugee camp in Kenya to anew life is the USA. (LLI) Highly recommend!
5. UNKNOWN WHITE MALE (2005) Doc about a 30ish man from England who wakes up on NY subway with complete amnesia. Is it bullshit? Check it out, I found it interesting.
6. OCEAN'S ELEVEN (2001) not my thang.......
7. 300 (2007) Unbearable. But I have friends who's opinion I respect who liked it, so maybe I'm off on this one.
8. ROME (HBO series, season 2) Loved every second of it. (though historically inaccurate on many details..) As for Marc Antony, WOW. The characters are so well developed that for me they will have (LLI). Overall, just (FAH)!
9. HELVETICA (2007) Doc about "'the most popular FONT in the world"'. Flawed as a film but cool people interviewed and very interesting information. I'll never look at typeface in the same way again....
10. INLAND EMPIRE (2006) David Lynch's newest. 3 hours of not my thang......
11. STEEL TOES (2006) Neo-nazi skin head murderer goes head to head with his Jewish lawyer. Very flawed and preachy, but the kid was good.
12. THE KING (2005) William Hurt is a pastor who's past, in the form of a sociopathic son, comes to ruin him and his family. Pretty chilling actually!
13. THE NAMESAKE (2006) Story of a young guy from India, living in NY/NJ. Identity issues. Mediocre, some fun moments.
14. PLAQUES AND PLEASURES ON THE SALTON SEA ((2004) Doc narrated by John Waters about massive S. Cal. lake created in the desert by mistake a century ago. For a while it became a resort for the rich, now a neglected location, WAY off the beaten path. Unique community and quite a story!!!! Recommend watching.
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