Film and Worldview

Rob's Top ten of 2010

2011-06-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

1. "BLACK SWAN" Aronofsky wins my top prizes in his last two films. High praise.

2. "INCENDIES" An international superfilm shouldve gotten even higher praise.

3. "BLUE VALENTINE" Great and modivational filmmaking and ACTING.

4. "LES AMOURS IMAGINAIRES" Dolan's second film is as strong as his first.

5. "127 HOURS" Modivation, inspiration and Boyle and Franco.

6. " INCEPTION" Nolan knows how to make blockbuster films into great films.

7. "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" A perfect film about this generation. No flaws.

8. "ANOTHER YEAR" Mike Leigh is a god of filmmaking. What an original film.

9. "THE FIGHTER" Great work by everyone involved. Solid and strong performances.

10. "TRUE GRIT" When will the Coen's make something below great? Never!

Rob's Nominees 2010 films

2011-05-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

Best Picture

127 Hours
Black Swan
Blue Valentine
Incendies
Inception
Les Amours Imaginaires
Winner: BLACK SWAN

Best Director

Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"
Danny Boyle, "127 Hours"
Xavier Dolan, "Les Amours Imaginaires"
David Fincher, "The Social Network"
Christopher Nolan, "Inception"
Denis Villeneuve, "Inendies"
Winner: DARREN ARONOFSKY

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"
Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"
Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
James Franco, "127 Hours"
Ryan Gosling, "Blue Valentine"
Winner: JESSE EISENBERG

Best Actress

Lubna Azabal, "Incendies"
Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
Monia Chokri, "Les Amours Imaginaires"
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"
Winner: NATALIE PORTMAN

Best Suuporting Actor

Christian Bale. "The Fighter"
Vincent Cassell, "Black Swan"
John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"
Andrew Garfield, "The Social Network"
Jeremy Renner. "The Town"
Winner: CHRISTIAN BALE

Best Supporting Actress

Mila Kunis, "Black Swan"
Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"
Lesley Manville, "Another Year"
Ruth Sheen, "Another Year"
Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"
Winner: LESLEY MANVILLE

Best Screenplay

Black Swan
Blue Valentine
Incendies
Les Amours Imaginaires
The Social Network
Winner: BLACK SWAN

Blue Valentine

2011-05-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is a great film here by Derek Cianfrance, done with an intense purity and honesty few films explore. The film is about a regular couple, living their lives with imperfections, love and eventually: heartbreak. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are flawless in this film and they show their unique love of the craft of acting. This is one of those rare films that transcend film and documentary and just tells a real and tragic story in a beautiful way. Great filmmaking and it only took 12 years to make. Even though Gosling performs at an elite level, Michelle Williams is perfect and she sends the audiences some great cinematic moments once again. Perfectly original film here.

Grade: A-

Black Swan

2011-04-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best films i have ever seen and sits atop of my list for the best of 2010. Darren Aronosky once again proves to be a revolutional and awe-inspiring filmmaker. I believe this is his best work yet and i have extreme high praise for The Wrestler. He really knows how to mirror a culture and all of its ins and outs(in this film: ballerina dance). The film mirrors the plot of a classic ballet "Swan Lake" in which its plot has a man, who is in love with a white swan, then gets mesmerized by a black swan and that black swan overpowers the white swan to suicide. The same juxtaposition is seen in Natalie Portman's perfect and mesmerizing role as Nina. Nina is a workhouse, moral, daughter to proud mother, who wants nothing but success(White Swan) but finds out that the only way for her to get that success is to turn into this immoral, jealous, fame-hungry competitive diva(Black Swan) and her inner battles between good and evil is the same battle as the popular ballet. She is coerced into a black swan mentality by her understudy and her ballet producer, both played wonderfully by Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel.

This is truly a masterpiece in intelligent filmmaking and i have a feeling that their wont be any better that Aronofsky, who painfully structures the audience to see what he wants and makes them completely uncomfortable with what they are seeing(this swan's demise). Although the film has great supporting roles, Natalie Portman shines and haunts us as Nina. She is perfect and this may be one of the best leading actress performances of all time. She easily plays the white and black swan perfectly in this role, just as her director(Cassel and Aronosky) would dream of.

Perfect, intense and magical film here. One of the best in a while. I was mesmerized.

Grade: A+/A

The Fighter

2011-04-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Great film here by David O. Russell who gets the most out of actors Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo. All perform at very high levels. The film is about a family and its boxing lifestyle and its Boston lifestyle. It is about community and who one decides to involve in that community. The film has little to do with boxing and all to do with relationships in one's life. Great acting, especially by Bale, Adams and Leo highlights a film dedicated to character and the limitless abilities of their personalities. A truly inspiring film but has some resonances to classic boxing films.

Grade: A-

127 Hours

2011-04-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Revolutionary filmmaking by Danny Boyle here. He makes a simple struggle into a story about life and death and the tragedy in-between. The film is about a man who gets stuck in the middle of nowhere. The film is about much more than this...its about a struggle to survive with only yourself and your own means. Its a story of triumph and the will of a person. Great work by James Franco who makes this "regular" guy into someone spectacular, and believable and understandable. One of the top ten of the year, i believe.

Grade: A/A-

Incendies

2011-04-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Terrific film here by brilliant french-canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. Quebec film is alive with such great talents like Villeneuve, Denys Arcard, Xavier Dolan and Jean-Marc Vallee. This film here is about a family's discovery of a past, which has created them. The past makes us all, and a newly discovered past, can change who we are in an instant. Villeneuve shines through by exploring two children's exploration into their mothers life in Palestine and they find out that who they are is dependent on the life of their mother and the brutality and hardships of her early life. The audience is extremely intrigued by this family life. Great performances by everyone involved.

Grade: A

The Town

2010-12-20T20:09:00.000-08:00

This is another strong film here by Ben Affleck who seems to know how to make films. The film is about a couple of Charlestown, Mass robbers who are extremely efficient and intelligent. Jeremy Renner plays a no-nonsense robber who is very workman-like and eliminates personal from business. Affleck plays an ethical robber, who shows more of his human characteristics and falls in love with an underrated Rebecca Hall. Jon Hamm plays an FBI agent and shows solid work and Blake Lively is also solid as a street woman. The film is true to its characters, as some robbers are ethical and some less. Good work....nothing stands out too much here, even if Renner is very solid.

Grade: B/B+

Inception

2010-12-20T20:04:00.000-08:00

Great, mesmerizing, revolutionary, and effortless work here by Christopher Nolan, who is a huge star in filmmaking. This film is about an imaginary world, where our subcontious could be manipulated and influenced, for either personal, or monetary gain. What would you do if you were able to control someone's mind by gaining entry into their dreams? This might be the best script of the year and Nolan should get consideration for a best director prize. A really great film here. The cast consists of Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, etc....No one really stands out but its a great ensemble work. Nolan must and better get nominations for screenplay and direction.

Grade: A/A-

Les Amours Imaginaires(Heartbeats)

2010-12-20T19:57:00.000-08:00

Another intensely brilliant film here by Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan. He is taking over Quebec cinema and this film proves his power. The film is(like its title) about "imaginary love" that people cling to as its almighty non-reality. Two characters(Dolan and a GREAT performance by Monia Chokri) are both in love, passion, dissoluttion with the young Niels Schneider and their "imaginary love" is only witnessed by them. This is a great film and it takes a topic and makes it real, yet situational.......epic and timeless about the perception and feeling of love and how it never really gets their. If more people would watch Dolan's work, he would get more recognition. Powerful work again.

Grade: A/A-

The Kids are All Right

2010-12-20T19:53:00.000-08:00

Really strong film here about family and family relations(whether straight or gay). This film is about a lesbian couple and their family. They live a normal, somewhat-ordinary life as they live a post-modern family life....until the sperm doaner comes back into the picture and tests these people's post-modern family life, without ultimate succession. Great work here by Bening, Moore and Ruffalo, who are all solid.

Grade: B

Awards for Decade (2000-2009)

2010-11-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

Best Picture: MILLION DOLLAR BABY RU:Mystic River

Best Director: Clint Eastwood, "Million Dollar Baby" RU Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River"

Best Actor: PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, "Capote". RU: Sean Penn, "Mystic River"

Best Actress: HILARY SWANK, "Million Dollar Baby". RU: Halle Berry, "Monster's Ball"

Best Supp. Actor: MORGAN FREEMAN, "Million Dollar Baby". RU: Christoph Waltz, "Inglorious Basterds"

Best Supp. Actress: CATE BLANCHETT, "The Aviator" RU: Marisa Tomei, "In The Bedroom"

Best Screenplay: PAUL HAGGIS, "Million Dollar Baby". RU: Brian Helgeland, "Mystic River"

Top Ten Films of the Decade (2000-2009)

2010-11-26T14:13:00.001-08:00

1. MILLION DOLLAR BABY

2. MYSTIC RIVER

3. SIDEWAYS

4. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

5. THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES

6. ELEPHANT

7. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

8. CAPOTE

9. THE WRESTLER

10. LOST IN TRANSLATION

Close to making the cut: Pan's Labyrinth, Before Sunset, Atonement, Rachel Getting Married, Mulholland Drive, The Visitor, Inglorious Basterds, Garden State, Doubt, Far From Heaven, The Hours, Traffic, In The Bedroom, The Barbarian Invasions

Official Top Ten of 2009

2010-10-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

1. "Inglorious Basterds": Tarranatino has a new masterpiece.

2. "The Hurt Locker": This film is flawless and effective. Great filmmaking.

3. "I Killed My Mother". Great film here by 18yr old Montreal filmmaker.

4. "Avatar". This fantasy film is pure gold even if its not my fav. genre.

5. "(500) Days of Summer": One of thos great innovations

6. "Precious" Great little movie here that the performances stand out.

7. "The Maid": Wow, what a great little movie here. Very underrated.

8. "Brothers": Really strong film here and Maguire is brilliant here.

9. "The Messenger": Very underrated movie here. Morton is astounding.

10. "Julie and Julia": Not a great film but it did make top ten in weak year.

Winners of 2009

2010-09-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Best Picture: Inglorious Basterds RU: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Quentin Tarrantino, "Inglorious Basterds" RU: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Best Actor: Tobey Maguire, "Brothers" RU: Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, "Julie and Julia" RU: Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious"
Best Supp Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglorious Basterds" RU: Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Best Supp. Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious" RU: Diane Kruger, "Inglorious Basterds"
Best Writer: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker", RU: Quentin Tarrantino, "Inglorious Basterds"

The Hurt Locker

2010-01-13T20:25:00.000-08:00

Blessed by some near-perfect direction by Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker is a marvel of filmmaking. Its weird, as i was watching this film i found it somewhat average but when the film ended, i felt like i had witnessed art. The story is of a man(played greatly by Jeremy Renner) who is addicted to war and addicted to the power and adrenaline rush of battle. War is his true love, however dangerous and cruel as it could be. Why do we care: because it's real. It's a real statement about this war culture and Bigelow and writer Mark Boal dont fear away from this truth. The film isn't really about bombs and explosions but about truly finding out who one is.

A well-acted film, Bigelow never exaggerates or forces the audience in any way. Renner is a marvel and Anthony Mackie continues to do great work.

This film is tied with Inglorious Basterds for the lead in this year's film war. Bigelow vs. Tarrantino so far

Grade: A/A-

Official Top Ten of 2008

2010-01-11T21:19:00.000-08:00

1. "The Wrestler": Aronosky and Rourke dominate the year, in my book.
2. "Rachel Getting Married": Demme and Hathaway are not that far off.
3. "Doubt": Perhaps the best acted film in years and years.
4. "The Visitor": A real pure masterpiece and underrated film.
5. "Slumdog Millionaire": A great and rare modern love story that is unique.
6. "The Class": A French film that makes the top ten and it was deserved.
7. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona": Woody Allen's european career is starting well.
8. "Paranoid Park": Three Words: Gus Van Sant. Always a standout.
9. "Milk": Five words: Gus Van Sant Sean Penn. A great film for civil rights.
10. "The Dark Knight": Finally, a comic book film in my top ten.

Inglorious Basterds

2010-01-11T21:07:00.000-08:00

This is another great Tarrantino film here. Tarrantino seems to know exactly how to create meaninigful and creative writing and he really knows how to create characters that are unique, interesting and inspirational for his actors. This is a modern look at World War II and Tarrantino takes different genres to tell the story of a group of people kicking some nazi ass. He kiils Hitler in this film and it doesnt seem cheezy or whimsical. It's just cool. Tarrantino just makes cool movies and i think the word cool in film should be copyrighted by him

Let me tell you something else; the acting is great. Great roles here by the supporting cast, highlighted by a awe-inspiring clinic done by Christoph Waltz. This could end up being one of my favorite characters and performances of my life. He is just too smart for everyone else. I just might like Tarrantino's character more than Waltz's performace, not to take anything away fro waltz.

Overall, this is a tremendous film here, adding to Tarrantino's collection and mine. A definite top ten and one of my favs this year. So far, it is the winner, and it will be tough to top.

Grade: A/A-

Rob's awards

2009-06-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Best Picture: THE WRESTLER runner up: Rachel Getting Married
Best Director: DARREN ARONOFSKY, "The Wrestler" RU: Jonathan Demme, "Rachel Getting Married"
Best Actor: MICKEY ROURKE, "The Wrestler" RU: Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Best Actress: ANNE HATHAWAY, "Rachel Getting Married" RU: Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Best Supp. Actor: HEATH LEDGER, "The Dark Knight" RU PS Hoffman, "Doubt"
Best Supp. Actress: MARISA TOMEI, "The Wrestler", Rosemarie DeWitt, "Rachel Getting Married
Best Ori. Screenplay: Darren Aronofsky & Robert Siegel, "The Wrestler"
Best Ada. Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"
Congrats!!!!!

Best Picture

-"Doubt"
-"Rachel Getting Married"
-"Slumdog Millionaire"
-"The Visitor"
-"The Wrestler"

Best Director

-Darren Aronofsky, "The Wrestler"
-Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"
-Jonathan Demme, "Rachel Getting Married"
-Tom McCarthy, "The Visitor"
-Gus Van Sant, "Paranoid Park and Milk"

Best Actor

-François Bégaudeau "The Class"
-Richard Jenkins,"The Visitor"
-Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
-Sean Penn, "Milk"
-Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"

Best Actress

-Kate Beckiingsale, " Snow Angels"
-Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
-Anne Hathway, "Rachel Getting Married"
-Sally Hawkins, "Happy Go Lucky"
-Meryl Streep, "Doubt"

Best Supp. Actor

-Josh Brolin, "Milk"
-James Franco, "Milk"
-Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
-Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
-Haaz Sleiman, "The Visitor"

Best Supp Actress

-Amy Adams, "Doubt"
-Viola Davis, "Doubt"
-Rosemarie DeWitt, "Rachel Getting Married"
-Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"
-Debra Winger, "Rachel Getting Married"

Best Screenplay

-Darren Aronofsky, Robert Siegel, "The Wrestler"
-Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"
-Jenny Lumet, "Rachel Getting Married"
-Thomas McCarthy, "The Visitor"
-John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"

Rachel Getting Married

2009-03-10T15:54:00.001-07:00

This is really one of the brightest spots of this season. This is a terrific film and Jonathan Demme really smacks one out of the park. I really believe that this film can compete for best film of the year. This film is about family, its relationships and the "flaws" that challenge those bonds, while making them more real. I have so much to say about this film that i cant find the words. Anne Hathaway is a revelation and should have won more best actress this season. She is astounding. This is the type of film that i love and admire because it doesnt push us any way and it doesnt conform to anything. I believe this family and the actors that portray them. I really believe this film and in my eyes, that is an outstanding and very important complement. Rosemarie DeWitt and Debra Winger are great and the script by Jenny Lumet may be the best of the year. This film joins The Wrestler and Doubt as my top 3 of this season, so far.

Grade: A

Milk

2009-03-10T15:45:00.001-07:00

This is another great film of 2008. Gus Van Sant really knows how to handle his subject matter. I did feel that it felt like a biopic. The most intriguing character of this film is Dan White played by Josh Brolin. It is quite a condrary and it was interesting how the audience is so perplexed and so unaware of himself. I think that it will have to take me a while to really understand this character and Brolin's interpretation. Sean Penn is miraculous, powerful and everything else Penn usually is. I definately think that this film needs a second viewing. This film is really about fighting the small battles because the big battles can sometimes bury you away. It is hard to really analyze this film because it seems like a prototypical biopic, which i didnt really expect and in some points, underappreciate. Great work by everyone involved.

Grade: A-

Doubt

2009-03-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is a great, great film which deals with many themes of values and morality and love and obiously;Doubt. JP Shanley really seems to connect with his subject matter and knows how to balance what to tell the audience and what not to tell. It is about the safety of knowing and the safety of doubting. Amy Adams is wonderful as the nun who doesnt seem to know what is going on(someone who is easily maniplated and very naive about people's intentions). Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the role perfectly, as a priest who seemingly confuses love with control. Meryl Streep's character is the most doubtful person in the film and she seems to have her head attached to her shoulders. Viola Davis is doubtless and afraid to doubt or to "care" as she has no power whatsoever. I want to emphasize that this is one of the best films that i've seen this year, joining The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire and The Visitor as my top's so far. I am angry that this film didnt get a best picture nomination because it deserved it. Officially, this film is number two behind The Wrestler and ahead of Slumdog Millionaire so far this season. Great, amazing, complete. Thanks to John Patrick Shanley. This is the best acted film in a while.

Grade: A

Revolutionary Road

2009-03-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

This was a dissapointment. I do not feel that this was succesful at all. This was too much of a melodrama without a point. It's scene after scene of a broken marriage, an angered, bored coupled screaming and tearing the walls of their home. The point is that the audience should not care. This is a story that could have been told in a spanish soap opera. The acting is good at points and they seem to make the best out of it. Is it crazy to think of a different life, or is it just as crazy to care? This is a bust, in my opinion.

Grade: C-

The Wrestler

2009-02-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

This is one of this year's true great films. Darren Aronofsky really seems to understand his charcters and his surrondings and understands wrestler culture. This is great work here. The movie stems from the ideal that the "fans" are the true family and one's occupation and way of being dictate his life. The power of the entertainer and "good guy" creates a persona in the wrestling world, but it also dictates a person's life, character and decisons. This is a marvel of filmmaking. Mickey Rourke is outstanding and deserving of a best actor award. He is mesmerizing, real, humane and superhuman all in once. This is a performance of a lifetime and Rourke steals it. Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood provide great support. Tomei is brilliant in everything she does. This film equals Slumdog Millionaire as my top two films so far this season. An almost perfect film here. Thanks everyone involved.

Grade: A

Changeling

2009-02-22T14:57:00.001-08:00

This is another strong film by Clint Eastwood. He just continues to amaze me. Angelina Jolie is strong here but not incredulous. I thought that this film ha some errors(i thought the film would have ended in a different point) but the characters are strong and the work by everyone is succesful. I thought that the script had some problems. Overall, however, this is a very good film here about women's rights and corruption, two very obvious themes. This would be a top 25 film of the year but would not crack my top ten.

Grade: B+

The Lucky Ones

2009-01-28T15:37:00.000-08:00

This is a pretty solid movie here by Neil Burger, acted by Tim Robbins, Michael Pena and Rachel McAdams. I liked the performances and some of the dialogue but it's messy at times and too coincidental at others. I was happy at some parts of the film, but it was never complete.

Grade: C+

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

2009-01-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

This is a very good film here, surrounded by an all-star cast. Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina and Penelope Cruz all do a terrific job in their quite different roles. This is one of my favorite casts of the year. The film is about love, life, art and sex, and the maturity and immaturity that stems from it. It tells the tale of a few people and their ideologies on love and relationships in a very counter-cultural fashion. The script by Woody Allen is true art and he seems to be gaining a lot of strenght with his new type of film. Penelope Cruz would be my favorite supporting role so far this year, she is exceptional.

This film is now 3rd on my list behind Slumdog Millionaire and The Visitor and ahead of The Dark Knight. Good work all around.

Grade: A-

A few underrated films.....

2009-01-18T13:51:00.001-08:00

These are some great reccomendations by (*who else) me!

"A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" written and directed by Dito Montiel
"Full Frontal" and "Bubble" both by Steven Soderbergh
"Sorry, Haters" written and directed by Jeff Stanzler
"The Big Lebowski" by The Coen Brothers.
"C.R.A.Z.Y" directed by Jean-Marc Vallee(Canada)
"Zero Day" by Ben Coccio
"Best In Show" Directed by Christopher Guest
"L.I.E" by Michael Cuesta
"Shortbus" by John Cameron Mitchell
"The Station Agent" by Tom McCarthy
"Chasing Amy" by Kevin Smith
"Swimming With Sharks" by George Huang
"Big Night" by Stanley Tucci
"The Opposite of Sex" by Don Roos
"Wonder Boys" by Curtis Hanson
"Hurlyburly" by Anthony Drazan
"Election" by Alexander Payne
"Go" by Doug Liman
"Boiler Room" by Ben Younger
"Ghost World" by Terry Zwigoff
"The Believer" by Henry Bean
"The Anniversary Party" by Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh
"Igby Goes Down" by Burr Steers
"The Good Girl" by Mike White
"Y Tu Mama Tambien" by Alfonso Cuaron
"Shattered Glass" by Billy Ray
"Raising Victor Vargas" by Peter Sollett
"Thirteen" by Catherine Hardwicke
"In America" by Jim Sheridan
"Quinceanera" by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland
"Tarnation" by Jonathan Caouette
"Before Sunset" and "Before Sunrise" by Richard Linklater
"Garden State" by Zach Braff
"Brick" by Rian Johnson
"The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" by Guillermo Arriaga
"Thumbsucker" by Mike Mills
Half Nelson by "Ryan Fleck"
Nine Lives by Rodrigo Garcia
American Gun by Aric Avellino
"Interview" by Steve Buscemi
"Paper Clips" by Joe Fab

Slumdog Millionaire

2008-12-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

This is a really powerful film here. Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy have made an excellent film here about destiny and experience. Dev Patel plays Jamal, a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? He is not a genius, he's not the most intelligent guy. He's an average slumdog. So why does he win 20 Million Dollars? Because his life experiences have given him the answers. Why did he have the neccesary experiences? Because of faith(because it is destiny, because it is written). This film shows us that our life experiences and our destiny dictate who and what we are, whether it is a slumdog or a millionaire, OR BOTH!!!!!

So far this year, this is the best film that i've seen. The acting is good, but not great but i really liked Boyle's direction and i do believe that this may be the best script of the year, by Simon Beaufoy. Great job to everyone involved. I still think that it can be beaten this season, but i guess i'll see.

Slumdog jumps to number 1, while The Visitor at 2, Dark Knight and Paranoid Park behind them and Burn After Reading and Snow Angels just behind them.

Grade: A/A-

Burn After Reading

2008-12-28T18:18:00.001-08:00

This is a pretty witty, quirky film about a meaningless disk. I feel that teh Coen's are kind of mocking their own type of films here. The Coen's have done so many of these kidnapping/jewel theif movies and this time, nothing is to gain. It is a very clever film and a great comedy to contrast their more serious films. The acting is solid, but no one excels.

Grade: B

The Dark Knight

2008-12-15T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is an extraordinary film here. Perhaps the best superhero movie ever. It is not about good guys and bad guys, its about a society that transforms "them". Christopher Nolan has revived this genre in a most unexpected manner. Both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are instant classics and can compete with more "intellectual, critical acclaimed" films. Usually, the thought is that these movies are entertainment only but Nolan doesn't believe in that. I dont think the film should get best picture nods but Nolan deserves the credit for integrating entertainment with substance, which is very, very, very rare. It is a little difficult for me to give this film outstanding reviews because too much is going on and it is too much of "grandiose filmmaking" for my taste but it still deserves more credit than i will be giving it.

The performances are good, but only one is exceptional: HEATH LEDGER. It is so obvious that Heath entrenched himself in this role. I've never seen a comic book character portrayed this way before: again, this is a big rarety. Congratulations to him and R.IP. We lost a good one here and it sucks.

I would admit that i wouldnt give it a legitimate best pic nod but it may sneak into my top 10. Heath Ledger should be unbeatable in the best supp. actor awards. Christopher Nolan should get a best director nom and maybe win for this work.

Grade: A-

Oscar Predictions Dec. 8

2008-12-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Best Picture

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director

Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"
David Fincher, "The Curious Case"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Christopher Nolan, "The Dark Knight"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"

Best Actor

Clint Eastwood, "Gran Torino"
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"

Best Actress

Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Sally Hawkins, "Happy Go Lucky"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Kristin Scott Thomas, "I've Loved You So Long"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"

Best Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
John Malkovich, "Changeling"

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Rosemary DeWitt, "Rachel Getting Married"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"

Best Adapted Screenplay

Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"
Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"
Chris Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, "The Dark Knight"
Eric Roth, "The Curious Case"
John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"

Best Original Screenplay

Woody Allen, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"
Charlie Kaufman, "Synecdoche, New York"
Jenny Lumet, "Rachel Getting Married"
Andrew Stanton, "Wall-E"

Official Top 10 of 2007

2008-10-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

1. "Atonement": Joe Wright really cements his power as a film artist.
2. "The Assassination of Jesse James": Beautifully acted and filmed.
3. "Into the Wild": The most powerful and inspiring film this year.
4. "Once": This small indie grasps one's heart. Very crafty.
5. "Before the Devil Knows...": Brilliant in its brutality and direction.
6. "Lars and the Real Girl": Gosling continues to outperform almost everyone.
7. "There Will Be Blood": P.T Anderson and Day-Lewis prove to be elite.
8. "Juno": A real story told with genuine comedy and angst.
9. "3:10 to Yuma": I was surprised that i loved a Western.
10. "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly": A great story told with a great heart.

Close to top 10: American Gangster, Zodiac, No Country For Old Men, A Mighty Heart, Away From Her. (Not too many great small, unknown films this season

Paranoid Park

2008-10-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

Here is another brilliant film by the greatest director around, Gus Van Sant. The film is about a teen and his skater-life mentality and his "murdering" of a security guard, NOT. It isnt about that at all, it's about everything. It is about youth culture and skater-subculture. We, as an audience are not sure just how paranoid the skater is, or how paranoid the park is, or how paranoid the characters are, or how paranoid we are, as an audience. Van Sant puts our preconceived notions on reality and fiction and tests our paranoia of films, in a way. This is another great piece by Van Sant. This wasnt his best work but he constantly amazes me with his brilliance and authenticity of filmmaking and directing unknown actors. He is as gifted of an artist as their is. The cast does a good job, but no one really excels.

Grade: B+

The Visitor

2008-10-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful, astoundingly moving indie film. It is the best that i've seen so far this season. Richard Jenkins is oscar bait, and director Tom McCarthy does an astounding job. This is McCarthy's second hit in my eyes, accompanied by "The Station Agent". The film is about a man named Walter who suddenly finds himself a visitor in his own home(and life) and he transforms into a new man. This film is clearly demonstrating the cultural flaws and prowess in contemporary(Post-9/11) society. It is a beautiful story about a middle-aged dissapointed white man finding himself in a new, perhaps-muslim world. The power of culture transforms this man's heart and mind. Walter, the new man, has found new friends who were living in his apartment and starts a journey into acceptance and un-conformity. He learns about himself. Jenkins truly provides depth and perfection and heart to this role and i wish he can get an oscar nomination for best actor this season. The supporting cast really works well as well. McCarthy is truly a marvel of indie filmmaking. I truly enjoyed and felt for this movie. Outstanding. Grade: A-

Snow Angels

2008-09-24T10:18:00.001-07:00

This is a very strong, powerful and mind-bending film here. I was truly surprised at how well this script was carried by everyone involved. It tackles many things without drowning the audience in pretentious, fake preservatives. Director David Gordon Green does a very good job here. The cast is very good with Kate Beckingsale, Sam Rockwell, Michael Angarano and company. This is quite a pleasant surprise and this is the first film that i have mentioned so far this year, so good work. Grade: B-

I'm Not There

2008-05-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

A very good film here by Todd Haynes, it tells us the story of Bob Dylan's legend of originality, contemplation and sometimes-pretentious being. All actors(Bale, Blanchett, Ledger, etc) do a very good job of showing the many sides of Dylan's personality, career and ideology. It had a very unique styles but wasn't as good as Far From Heaven, Haynes' last masterpiece. Grade: A-

Remembering.....

2008-05-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Garden State(2004): Great film by Zach Braff. The film is about going back home to find yourself. Braff, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard shine in this very underated film. Grade: A

Winter Solstice(2005): A greatly acted film, this should have gotten better acclaim. Alison Janney is always so great & Anthony Lapaglia is very solid. A very solid cast and a very underrated film. Grade: A-

If i had an oscar ballot..........

2008-04-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

Best Picture: ATONEMENT RU: The Assasination of Jesse James
Best Director: JOE WRIGHT, "Atonement" RU: Andrew Dominik "The Assassination"
Best Actor: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, "There Will Be Blood" RU: Ryan Gosling, "Lars and the Real Girl." and Brad Pitt, "The Assasination"
Best Actress: MARION COTILLARD, "La Vie en Rose" RU: Ellen Page, "Juno"
Best Supp. Actor: CASEY AFFLECK, "The Assasination" RU: James McAvoy, "Atonement"
Best Supp. Actress: MARISA TOMEI, "Before the Devil.." RU: Saiorse Ronan, "Atonement"
Best Ori. Screenplay: DIABLO CODY, "Juno" RU: Kelly Masterson, "Before the Devil..."
Best Adapted Screenplay: CHRIS HAMPTON, "Atonement" RU: Andrew Dominik, "Assassinat"

Best Picture:
*The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
*Atonement
*Before the Devil Know's You're Dead
*Into the Wild
*Once

Best Director:
*Joel and Ethan Coen, "No Country For Old Men"
*Andrew Dominik, "The Assassination"
*Sidney Lumet, "Before the Devil...."
*Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell.."
*Joe Wright, "Atonement"

Best Actor:
*Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
*Ryan Gosling, "Lars and the Real Girl"
*Emile Hirsch, "Into the Wild"
*Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises"
*Brad Pitt, "The Assassination"

Best Actress:
*Julie Christie, "Away From Her"
*Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"
*Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart"
*Laura Linney, "The Savages"
*Ellen Page, "Juno"

Best Supp. Actor:
*Casey Affleck, "The Assasination"
*Javier Bardem, "No Country"
*Russell Crowe, "American Gangster"
*Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild"
*James McAvoy, "Atonement"

Best Supp. Actress:
*Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"
*Catherine Keener, "Into the Wild"
*Saiorse Ronan, "Atonement"
*Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"
*Marisa Tomei, "Before the Devil....."

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

2008-04-29T20:00:00.001-07:00

This a wonderful fim here by Julian Schnabel. I would say that it is one of the most flawless films of this season. Schnabel definately deserves his nomination. The cast was extremely good here. It is a film about life and death, pain and misery, religion and atheism, remembering and not, speaking and communicating and art and passion. It completely transcends film and story. Great work by everyone involved. It strikes a chord that sparks contemplation about our own life.

Grade: A/A-

The Savages

2008-04-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is a very good film here by Tamara Jenkins. It shows thes tory of two children dealing with the elderness of their father's world. The two siblings, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney are really great once again. Do they ever do anything bad or average? No. the answer is no. They are great, outstanding actors and the supporting cast is very good as well, especially Philip Bosco as the father. Jenkins shows very good promise here! Hoffman was great in all three of his performances this year.

Grade: A-

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

2008-04-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is a brilliant, just brilliant film here. One of the top five films of the year, and joins Atonement and Assassination as my fav's this year. Sidney Lumet does a great job, showing that he is still capable to make films today. This is a great script by Kelly Masterson and is one of the most original "crime drama's" ever. Is it a crime drama or a dysfunctional family melodrama. It doesn't matter, as it works in both ways. Let me say something again. Philip Seymour Hoffman is the greatest actor in the world today. I cannot understate that enough. He gets the best scripts. Ethan Hawke is, once again, very good. He is also a very underrated actor. Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney also have mesmerizing performances. I love it when i get surprised by a film and this one did that for me. Great screenplay, great director and great performances are all in this film. This film year has about 15-20 very efficient films but it will be difficult to separate the great from the perfect this year. This film was great, and almost perfect.

Grade: A

Lars and the Real Girl

2008-04-16T15:26:00.001-07:00

This is a great small film here. Ryan Gosling has another great performance. He is one of the best young actors around and only he could've made this film work. Nancy Oliver delivers a great script, full of "manufactured" love. The film is about a man who starts to lose his societal mind and decides to "fall in love" with a mannequin. His brother and sister-in-law are concerned for him but they decide to go along with this "stage" for his better good. This is a great supporting cast by Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider, which all three are always good. Director Craig Gillespie does very good work in making this film work. It is very difficult to make this plot believable and everyone involved made it work. I love when a film, like this, takes great risks.

Grade: A-

There Will Be Blood

2008-04-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

This is a very strong film here, but i expected something greater. The film is about the evil nature in human beings, both religious and not. It tackles business, money, the roots of greed and being a false prophet. Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day-Lewis is an oil-man, a buisiness-man who wont stop at anything to gain oil and money. He creates himself a family(with orphan son) and he plays all the moves that a game needs to play to win. He makes his communities believe that he wants a family-oriented, religious oil company but all he really wants is power and and his competitions' blood. It is an original story, which hasn't been explored too often. It is magically shot by Robert Elswitt and efficiently directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who is a very succesful filmmaker. Even though i wasnt necessarily overwhelmed by the film in general, it is a very powerful, efficient film. Their is no question that Daniel Day-Lewis makes this film work like no other. Without him, the film would've been an average film. He did deserve the best actor wins. This film does add itself to a film season with a lot of depth. Paul Dano plays Eli Sunday very well, but i dont know if he perfected his role. The film has little mistakes but it didnt jump to me like Atonement, Assassination of Jesse James, Juno or Into the Wild.

Grade: A-

Remembering a few good films...........

2008-03-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

Clerks(1994): Written and Directed by Kevin Smith. One of the examples of a small, indie film becoming a great cult film and launching Kevin Smith's career. This film has witty, insightful, real dialogue and it explores a new type of filmmaking. Grade: A

The Truman Show(1998): Directed by Peter Weir, Written by Andrew Niccol. This film was revolutionary in how we see television, reality and epistomology. This is one of those rare films that dares to be different and shocking. Grade: A

Dead Poet's Society(1989): Directed by Peter Weir, Written by Tom Schulman. Weir again directs a great story of a man teaching young people to live. It is one of the most moving films of all time. Grade: A

The Kite Runner

2008-03-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is another excellent film for the year 2007. Marc Forster proves once again that he is one of the elite directors in film today. This story is about a man's journey from culture, brotherhood and community from Kabul to California back to Kabul. It is a very strong script by David Benioff and the acting is very solid, led by Khalid Abdullah, who works the screen well.

The only scene that didnt work for me was when Amir goes to find Sohrab in Assef's place and Sohrab hits Assef with the slingshot. I found it an awkward scene. However, this film does show great form for the majority of the film and it creates a debate on contemporary cultural morality. I really enjoyed this film.

Grade: A-/B+

Atonement

2008-03-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best films of the year, if not the decade. Joe Wrights nails this material and makes everything work perfectly with this adaptation of a brilliant script by Christopher Hampton. Lies, jealousy, invention and atonement are the clear themes of the film and Wright executes this film as no one else could have. I was very impressed by the story and the diting, cinematography and sound. Everything blends very well. The acting is 1st rate, headed by the multi-talented James McAvoy, who would've been nominated in most years. He is a revelation in this film. He is on the verge to greatness. Keira Knightley delivers as well, in a supporting role. The roles of Briney, played by Vanessa Redgrave, Romola Garai and Saiorse Ronan all succeed and needed to. I was surprisngly pleased at how flawless of a film this is. I feel that Atonement and The Assassination of Jesse James are at the top of this year's class, so far. What a great year for the movies. Behind those two films are Juno and Into the Wild. I was surprised that this film didnt get more awards this season, as it is an instant classic. What a competitive year for the best picture. Wow!

Grade: A

Things We Lost in the Fire

2008-03-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty solid film here by Susanne Bier. Actors Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro work extremely well here and both saved the film at points. This is a solid film, which was a little overshadowed by the strenght of this year's films.

Grade: B

Dan in Real Life

2008-03-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful movie. For this type of film, i found that it worked pretty well. Steve Carell works very well, as does Juliette Binoche and the rest of the cast. It is, in many ways, a prototypical romantic comedy, but it does have a good heart and it is very passable.

Grade: B

No Country For Old Men

2008-03-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am a bit perplexed by this film. I see it as a beautifully crafted and flawless film, but i dont seem to understand the greatness of its storytelling. Dont get me wrong, i do find it a masterpiece, but i dont see the perfect narrative here. The film is about a chase between three guys for the 2 million dollars. The film is about modrenity and the brutality of a more violent society. The film is about a killer and his immoral wrath. The film is about an older man, who cannot catch the "bad guy". The film is about "not knowing when something is gonna happen". The film is a satire on modern violence. This is done with great affect but why should i care that much. I guess that i'm a little annoyed in not grasping all of the elements so clearly but i dont see this film as great. I believe that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was much better. I cannot say anything negative about this film, but i wont glorify it as much as others will. Great performances and great filmmaking, however. I liked Fargo much better.

Grade: A-

Margot at the Wedding

2008-02-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

This is another good piece of filmmaking by Noah Baumbach. He is extremely good at telling "family" stories, in the most simple and pure of ways. He gets good work again from the young actors and he gets good work out of the adult actors as well. The story is of a woman(played by Nicole Kidman) who has trouble communicating with her son, sister, husband and everyone else. She is a multilayered character and Kidman does a good job with it. I love how all of Baumbach's character's are flawed and need improvement, and i love that the actors take the risk of doing this type of film. Kidman was great, as was Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black and the rest of the cast. More films should take this humanist and realist manner of filmmaking. The film really puts into question the honest nature of relationships and the common misfortunes, insecurity, jealousy and denial that makes our little lives. True work here by Baumbach and the crew. He is a revelation as a contemporary film purist.

Grade: A-/B+

Gone Baby Gone

2008-02-12T12:53:00.000-08:00

It was a bit forced and it had too much going on. I found that it was a good piece of filmmaking by Ben Affleck but they tried too much with the script. I found that it took some wrong decisions at times and it went too far at times. However, i did feel that the effort deserves a good grade, and it was definately a difficult movie to make. It's difficult enough to make a simple story work well and it is rare for that to happen, but a difficult movie like this deserves credit for the risk. I found that the acting was pretty good. Casey Affleck was real solid and the supporting cast was very good as well, but i don't see any major praise for anyone in this film. It is, however, a solid work by 1st time director, Ben Affleck. Overall, i see this as a story that should've been told in a series, and not a film.

Grade: C+

The Nines

2008-02-10T21:22:00.001-08:00

This is a surprisngly good movie here. It puts under question "creation", "reality", "media" and "god" in three stories that intertwine. Actors Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy and Hope Davis are in this film as reality actors, entertainment actors and real life actors. This was a difficult movie to make and i feel that writer-director John August does a very good job here.

Grade: B-

Charlie Wilson's War

2008-02-10T18:53:00.000-08:00

This is a sharp, witty and intellectual look inside politics. It is very well made and efficiently. I didnt love it but it was well-shaped and shouldn't get a bad grade. The acting was good, especially Philip Seymour Hoffman, who never fails. It was a fresh look at a political story not often told. Good work, Mike Nichols.

Grade: C+

The Jane Austen Book Club

2008-02-10T18:50:00.001-08:00

This is a pretty decent film here. Some good acting work here(especially Maria Bello). This is a better-than-average "chick flick". It was not awkward or pretentious. I kind of liked it.

Grade: C

Across The Universe

2008-02-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful film and gives great hommage to the Beatles and the 60's revolution era. Director Julie Taymor does a great job incorporating Beatles' mania and a great cinematographical essence with these few group of people. This was an enjoyable film, and a very solid contemporary musical.

Grade: B

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

2008-02-05T17:58:00.001-08:00

This is the best film that i've seen so far this year. Andrew Dominik does a masterful job of balancing plot intensity, acting and cinematography with ease. The performance of Brad Pitt was very underrated this year and i want to give it some power. CASEY AFFLECK HAS A PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME. He is truly mesmerizing as the young coward Robert Ford. He plays the role with a great sensibility, which resonates on the screen. Affleck is one of the future hits as an actor. The supporting cast do a very good job as well, including the underrated Sam Rockwell.

The film really identifies what courage and cowardness is all about. The ethical question of Ford killing James is the biggest theme in the film. It puts under question justice, morality and "power" in the late 19th century in the most refined manner. The cinematography of the film is truly exhilirating and the voiceover is very important. The audience was able to see the story of a time and its subsequent "in"justice and Dominik makes it work astoundingly.

I really feel that this film was overlooked this year and it is another great film in a somewhat-powerful year. Great job to everyone.

Grade: A

Rocket Science

2008-01-29T17:40:00.000-08:00

This film did not work that well. It doesn't tell us a story with meaning nor cohesion. I expected better from this content and i was truly dissapointed. I think director Jeffrey Blitz tried a project that was too difficult to succeed in. I didnt believe in the cast, even though main actor Reese Thompson had some good moments.

Grade: D+

3:10 to Yuma

2008-01-09T13:14:00.001-08:00

This is an instant classic by filmmaker James Mangold. This is one of the overlooked films of the year and should get more award consideration than it has. Brilliantly acted by Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster and others, the film modernizes the western in a way that isnt forced or pulled. It is a very successful film made by genre-playing. The film puts under question "morality", "courage" and "heroism" in a way that only a "Western" can tell. It does have some minor flaws, but it doesnt ruin anything. I'm very happy that a film can change my perception of a genre and make me interested. This is a very underrated script and the acting is superb. This is another very good film this year. I love films that take these kinds of risks. This film year has a lot of depth. 3:10 to Yuma, Juno, Into the Wild, American Gangster, Eastern Promises, Once, La Vie en Rose has created a very good season so far and all these films are very different.

Grade: A-

Death Sentence

2008-01-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

This is one of the WORST films that i've ever seen. It doesnt work at all and it is brutally acted by Kevin Bacon, who i usually like. It just has way too many flaws. Its crap

Grade: F-

Juno

2008-01-02T19:03:00.001-08:00

Juno is one of my favorite films of the year thus far. It is one of the funniest movies that i've seen in as long while. Every comedic note is met with strenght and precision, without being perverse or pretentious. It engages the audience to see the lighter side of reality; the lighter side of pain. Ellen Page stars in a role of a lifetime. Who knew she had such comedic timing? She is wonderfully efficient in this film, and she plays the role, as no one else should try. Her "nature" is very positive when cruel, charming when troubled and hilarious when caught. She is one of the most underrated talents around. She deserves a nomination, alongside Marion Cotillard and Angelina Jolie this year. Their has been many great female performances this year. The supporting cast is very strong, with Jason Bateman, Alison Janney, Jennifer Garner and all but Page really holds everything together like a seasoned actress. Diablo Cody has a wonderful and exhilarating (and unique, powerful, energetic, bright and revolutionary) script here, which may be one of the best in a while, and Jason Reitman has supplanted his name as an upper-echelon director and deserves more credit, with his latest work. Overall, this film will be my number one today, very close to Into the Wild and i'm very happy to see a great comedy film, because they are few and far apart. Outstanding Work. I find it almost as good as last year's "Little Miss Sunshine", which it reminded me of.

Grade: A/A-

The Lives of Others

2008-01-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

The Lives of Others is a very powerful film, which embarks in the journey of morality, immorality and the subsequent brutality of observation and fascism. It is a great structural film, with great heart but i didn"t love it. It was a great work of art and was execeuted without flaw.

Grade: B+

Libero

2008-01-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

Libero is a very good italian film by Kim Rossi Stuart. It really shows the family structure and the results of it. The cast works well and this is very good work by italian filmmaker Rossi-Stuart, both as a director and performer. Great job.
Grade: B+

Who Loves the Sun

2007-12-31T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is a good enough film here by Matt Bissonnette. A good cast led by Molly Parker, Lukas Haas and an underrated Adam Scott give this film some life. I thought that the plot shift at the end(with the revlation of a past love affair turned into pregnancy) was not executed well, but i thought that the cast saved it at times. It's nothing to write home about, but it did have some good moments.

Grade: C+

Eastern Promises

2007-12-23T20:51:00.000-08:00

Eastern Promises is a well-crafted exhibit of the Russian mob world. Director David Cronenberg shows once again, his great talent in this "genre" of film. The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts in a very bizarre tale of events set in Russian-Community London. The film battles communal pride, motherly instinct and the "information-gathering" similar to last year's The Departed and my grade for both films are similar. I do feel that this film has some weakness: Why would the two co-stars kiss at the end. That boggled me. It didnt work for me. The film however creates a great pace and is edited very, very well. Viggo Mortensen shines as an informant-undertaker-chauffeur with a very mysterious tone. His performance is the best part of the film. A very good work here by returning duo, Mortensen and Cronenberg, which has created its own style of film. Other than a few odd choices, i thought the filmmakers did a magnificent job. I wanted a different ending. I never felt forced during the film, which is a great credit to the film. I would rate this movie with a similar grade to "A Mighty Heart" and "Zodiac" and a little bit behind "Into the Wild", "American Gangster", "Once" and "La Vie en Rose" as my best so far this year.

Grade: A-/B+

Once

2007-12-21T19:58:00.002-08:00

Once is a marvel and a truly great modern piece of work by writer-director John Carney. The film is a story of a street performer(singer and guitarist), played by Glen Hansard and his newfound friend and piano player, played by Marketa Irglova. This is a very simple story of two people meeting and forming a relationship, but the heart of this story is the beautiful passion of the music. One of the best scenes this year is when the band is recording a song and the passion of these performers is as intense as can be filmed. The film makes the audience feel like these two people will fall in love and romance will ensue but instead they help each other find their way with different people. This is a truly great relationship because its not exaggerated or pampered. It is an organic relationship which an audience can clearly understand. The performances by Hansard and Irglova are simply spectacular and John Carney has really made his mark in this originally crafted modern day musical. This is one of my favorite films so far this year.

Grade: A-

Oscar Nominations 12/21

2007-12-21T19:58:00.001-08:00

Best Picture
*The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
*Into the Wild
*Juno
*No Country For Old Men
*There Will Be Blood

Best Director
*Paul Thomas Anderson, “There Will Be Blood”
*Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, “No Country For Old Men”
*Sean Penn, “Into the Wild”
*Jason Reitman, “Juno”
*Julian Schnabel, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”

Best Actor
*George Clooney, “Michael Clayton”
*Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”
*Johnny Depp, “Sweeney Todd”
*Emile Hirsch, “Into the Wild”
*Denzel Washington, “American Gangster”

Best Actress
*Julie Christie, “Away From Her”
*Marion Cotillard, “La Vie en Rose”
*Angelina Jolie, “A Mighty Heart”
*Laura Linney, “The Savages”
*Ellen Page, “Juno”

Best Supporting Actor
*Casey Affleck, “Assassination of Jesse James”
*Javier Bardem, “No Country For Old Men”
*Hal Holbrook, “Into the Wild”
*Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Charlie Wilson’s War”
*Tom Wilkinson, “Michael Clayton”

Best Supporting Actress
*Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”
*Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”
*Catherine Keener, “Into the Wild”
*Saiorse Ronan, “Atonement”
*Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”

Interview

2007-12-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

Interview is a very interesting film by Steve Buscemi. Buscemi and Sienna Miller really work well in this story of a slightly unfortunate journalist and his interviewee, a "snobbish", yet clever and sly, "actress". Buscemi's character goes into a worlwind of personal chaos to get a story from this beautiful actress, but he gets taken and fascinated and worried about this poor "actress" who treats this interviewer as a character in one of her terrible movies. This film, directed by Steve Buscemi is anything but terrible. It is a very good piece of narrative and acting, which clearly shows the merit of both Miller and Buscemi. I enjoyed it. Interview and Lonesome Jim have been good indie works by Buscemi.

Grade: B+

Death Proof

2007-12-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

Girls Kick Ass! And so does Quentin Tarrantino, who is one of the greatest filmmakers of our current generation. He rewrites film history once again here, in true Tarrantino-esque style. This film really satirizes, yet embraces genre, in the best way possible. This is one of the most original pieces of this year. Tarrantino knows his audience, but he will now get even more female lovers, as he might have changed femininity in film forever. What a talent.

Grade: B+

Evening

2007-12-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

Evening does a lot of good things but i wasn't too impressed with this film. Claire Danes looked in unfamiliar territories and i kept of felt forced to feel in too many occasions. It felt like they were trying to get us sad and weepy but i didn't feel anything. The best part of the film for me was Hugh Dancy's effort as a man wanting love. It was a character very different than everyone else, as he was flawed and humane. A huge cast with Danes, Streep, Collette, Redgrave and company didn't connect as well as i though. Dancy and Collette were the best in this film.

Grade: C+

The Namesake

2007-12-03T21:20:00.000-08:00

This is a mediocre film with some bright spots but the film fails in many aspects. Their are some very awkward moments, which could have made it a real bust but some scenes really capture Indian American culture very well and Irfan Khan does good work here. The result is a decent attempt, which ultimately fails. It is trying to do too much here. Kal Penn shows some real weakness here.

Grade: C+

A Mighty Heart

2007-11-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

A Mighty Heart is one of the great films that i've seen so far this year. The film truly shows the culture of terrorism and the victims of terrorism. Angelina Jolie stars as the wife of a kidnapped Jewish "wallstreet" journalist and she struggles with the Pakistan police and other international help to find him. Great work here by Jolie who might deserve a best actress nomination. Her and Cotillard are my favorite performances this, year regardless of gender. The supporting cast is also very good, especially Irfan Khan who is becoming a really good worker. I really hope this film makes some appearances and some wins come oscar time. A great script by John Orloff and great direction by Michael Winterbottom. It joins Into the Wild and La Vie en Rose as my best films so far.

Grade: A-

Oscar Nominations Predictions 11/28

2007-11-28T21:16:00.000-08:00

Best Picture

*Atonement
*The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
*Juno
*No Country For Old Men
*Sweeney Todd

Best Director

*Tim Burton, “Sweeney Todd”
*Joel Coen, “No Country For Old Men”
*Jason Reitman, “Juno”
*Julian Schnabel, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
*Joe Wright, “Atonement”

Best Actor

*Mathieu Amalric, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
*Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”
*Johnny Depp, “Sweeney Todd”
*Tommy Lee Jones, “In the Valley of Elah”
*Denzel Washington, “American Gangster”

Best Actress

*Amy Adams, “Enchanted”
*Julie Christie, “Away From Her”
*Marion Cotillard, “La Vie en Rose”
*Keira Knightley, “Atonement”
*Ellen Page, “Juno”

Best Supporting Actor

*Casey Affleck, “The Assassination of Jesse James”
*Javier Bardem, “No Country For Old Men”
*Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Charlie Wilson’s War”
*Hal Holbrook, “Into the Wild”
*Max Von Sydow, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”

Best Supporting Actress

*Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”
*Saiorse Ronan, “Atonement”
*Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”
*Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton”
*Marisa Tomei, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”

Best Adapted Screenplay

*Atonement
*The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
*Into the Wild
*No Country For Old Men
*Sweeney Todd

Best Original Screenplay

*I’m Not There
*Juno
*Once
*Ratatouille
*The Savages

Talk to Me

2007-11-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

Talk to Me is a very underrated piece of work made by Kasi Lemmons, starring Don Cheadle and Chjwetel Ejiofor. The film is about Cheadle's move from jail to a position as radio talk show host. It goes through the dangerous preoccupations of an African-American radio host trying to talk to his people and be a leader to a greater activist movement. The film shines by the performances of Cheadle and Ejiofor and it works masterfully the growth of civil rights and civil relations. A very good work that should get unnoticed.

Grade: B+

Waitress

2007-11-28T21:02:00.000-08:00

Waitress is a film that follows the life of a young waitress(played by Keri Russell) trying to get into a piemaking tournament. Her only struggles is her husband, her pregnancy and the restraint she has to others. She falls in love with her doctor but rejects him for a life with her new daughter. Keri Russell shines in this film but the overall film is average at best. The first forty minutes works, as the lightness of the characters creates good satire but it fails to continue my interest and works below my expectations. I do not give it as good of a review as some others. Much respect to Russell. Not a terrible film, however.

Grade: B-

La Vie en Rose

2007-11-13T21:15:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderfully told story of great singer/performer Edith Piaf. The film would be nothing without the great Marion Cotillard as Piaf. She gives one of the best acting performances in recent history. She is powerful in this powerful role. Cotillard may win the oscar for best actress and i would love to see it. Non, rien de rien.... Director Oliver Dahan has really created a very good biopic and he should be given a lot of due. Do not overlook this french film, please.

Grade: A-

American Gangster

2007-11-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is an extremely efficient and effective crime drama which should give Ridley Scott a chance at a best director nom this year. The film is about a Harlem drug gangster(Denzel Washington) trying to succeed for his community and his finance. The truth in this film is that the police are as much the gangsters as the drug smugglers. Scott humanises the villain and puts substance in a "career" without glorifying it. That demonstrates great work by Scott and Washington. Russell Crowe plays a detective trying to rid the world of drug trafficking. The most effective part of the film is how it deals with its two main characters. They are flawed but good; dangerous, yet angelic; powerful, yet vulnerable. This is an outstanding piece of film which works well and is never overdone, which is a great strenght for me. The film is a contender for the best picture race but may be a bit behind. I see Scott, Washington and Crowe as contenders but ultimately falling short. I find that it was a better film than The Departed. As for this year, it stands near Into the Wild as the best so far, which is very early. I liked Into the Wild better but i found that "gangster" worked better. The film has a near perfect balance throughout.

Grade: A-

Reign Over Me

2007-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Director Mike Binder tells a story of a man who lost his family in 9/11 and it deals with his mostly-unsuccessful recovery by his former pal, a few years after that plane crash. Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler give convincing roles in this film. Sandler plays the role of a post-traumatic victim of his family's death and shows some good work here. Cheadle shows us again how he is a consistent force in film performance. The film is done pretty well and should get a bit more acclaim. It does however show some limitations but a success nonetheless.

Grade: B

2:37

2007-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

This film has many flaws(acting included) and the flow is often awkward. It does however take many interesting chances and it does hit you hard. Its power is sometimes unforgivable. It does however fail in its execution. Director Murali K. Thalluri tries to tell us a very personal story, but iut feels like more of a summary of past "high school problem" films. It does hit the nerve at times.

Grade: C

Official Top 10 of 2006

2007-11-11T19:19:00.000-08:00

1. Little Miss Sunshine
2. Pan's Labyrinth
3. Babel
4. United 93
5. Stranger Than Fiction
6. Notes on a Scandal
7. Shortbus
8. Half Nelson
9. Little Children
10. The Prestige/Quinceanera

Looking Back

2007-10-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

Last Days, Welcome to the Dollhouse and Plesantville are great works of magic. Directors Gus Van Sant, Todd Solondz and Gary Ross are three of my favorite filmakers. Last Days has had mixed reviews but i feel that it served Kurt Cobain and his life greatly. It shows his unique, naive, ambitious/unambitious creativity and the film is about anything but his last days. Van Sant is truly a genius and pioneer of american film. He gets the "culture" without cheating. Dollhouse has a truth that is rarely seen nowadays. It is one of the most underappreciated titles of 90's cinema. This is Solondz's greatest work and it truly shows what pre-adolescence is about.

Pleasantville is surreal and in that way very different than the two other films. I think that it truly mirrors the social ills of society, without punching us in the face. All three films really challenge popularity and conformity with creativity, art, love and music. Difference should be what we strive for. All three films deserve a A, but very close to A+. Dont forget the Last Days, The Dollhouse and the Pleasantville.

Into The Wild

2007-10-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

This film delivers something quite special, which tests one's heart, life and nature. Writer/Director Sean Penn does a really good job in letting his audience understand and appreciate the life of McCandless(or Supertramp) and lets Emile Hirsch execute the role with loads of passion and potential. The film centers this young man's trip into the wild, combating nature and society both at once. He ends up losing to nature but opening up our society to a different way of being. This film packs an outstanding group of supporting actors, highlighted by very powerful performances by Hal Holbrook and Catherine Keener. This is the first film of the year that i felt was oscar-worthy. It isn't perfect however, as Penn unneccesarily takes big risks with the style of the film and the mood is sometimes inconsistent. However, the film is very powerful, thought-provoking and heart-felt, which makes Penn a great success here. Eddie Vedder's powerful sound also grasps the heart of the wild. A very succesful film and the start of the awards season. The film will challenges one's heart and one's world. This might be the most moving film in years

Grade: A/A-

Away From Her

2007-09-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Director Sarah Polley has great vision and actors Julie Christie and company excel in this beautiful piece of filmwork. It really touches the world of a lover and the pain that accompanies it throughout life. A very good and sincere film here. Polley is a future star, whatever she decides to do. Grade: B-

Knocked Up

2007-09-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

This is a very efficient film, that doesnt force-feed us and doesnt baby us. It is surprisingly well-acted. Writer-Director Judd Apatow is one of the best contemporary comedic talents, in a world without many. He strives in telling the truthful story of the underdog without losing its quirkiness and joy. He finds a way to satirie some cultures, while embracing it. His work is not pretentious and tells a real story. The film, like The 40 Year Old Virgin is much more than just a comedy. Good work in a good comedy. Lead actors Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen deliver, as does a solid group of actors supporting. Grade: B-

Year of the Dog

2007-08-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

This film is well made by the talented Mike White and it gives Molly Shannon a great oppurtinity to display her skills. It does however do too much preaching, which is regrettable. White does however have a great filmmaking style and voice, which should be rewarded once his masterpiece comes in, probably within a few years. The story is of Peggy, an animal-lover, who fights the "animal-hunting" in society. Yet, Peggy also fights people's opinions and she fights it without awareness of other's judgment in perspective. It puts into debate the contemporary animal action and relative inaction. I like this filmmaker, but i felt too manipulated with its interest. The cast works well too. Grade: B-

Black Snake Moan

2007-08-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

This was a very well made film, dealing with the support that everyone needs and the conflict that creates it. This film is brilliant acted by Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson, the film works more than it doesnt, while still feeling flawed. Justin Timberlake disnt seem real to me and i felt like he ruined the cast a bit. Director Craig Brewer has some really good moments and i found that it was a success for the most part because of the strenght of their main actors. He really has the talent of building a culture with his cinematic energy, but this film didnt have the final touch in storyline that the better "Hustle & Flow" did. After the four films that ive seen this year, this would be 2nd to Zodiac. 3rd would be The Lookout or Standing Still. Hopefully, this year will give us better films later on. Grade B-

Standing Still

2007-08-20T12:45:00.001-07:00

This film is about a group of friends that join together for the celebration of two of its' members' marriage. Every person has a debate in their worlds that they are combatting. It is a pretty obvious and common story but i actually saw some good things in this. I saw some great scenes of truth here and the cast worked well together. It did lose some steam in some lesser moments but the good moments were well made. Again, this was a hard film to make, so in that respect, it was solid. I liked the cast. Nothing was resolved, and i kind of liked that, whether or not it was their intent. Grade: C

The Lookout

2007-08-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the biggest names in the small Independent scene. He has defined his career in small, risky films and this one doesnt differ. I saw this film as an interesting tale of criminality, morality, persuasion and illness. It didnt connect with me that much with any of those four, yet it did challenge my viewing. It was solid, but un-spectacular. It doesnt work as well as Memento, which i felt it was a parody of. The supporting cast was solid. Grade C+

Zodiac

2007-07-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

Zodiac is a well executed real-life thriller set in a 20 year span, searching for the identity of the Zodiac killer. Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo star in a really succinct investigation of a serial killer. This killer is not the story one bit; the story is of the drama and torture to find a serial killer. It puts into question the sanity of the investigators, who are looking for the sanity of the killer. The supporting cast work very well. This film is a level under Oscar contention but it is still an extremely solid pic and may make some oscar waves. This film really keeps the audience going, and it doesnt forcefeed us anything and it doesn't feel pretentious either. It felt like an unpretentious contemporary detective drama.Director David Fincher really nails this one good and his cast make very efficient work of the screenplay. Good job to everyone. Grade: A-/B+

Letters From Iwo Jima

2007-05-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

Clint Eastwood strikes gold once again. Eastwood has shown that his talents as a filmmaker trounces his talents as an actor. I do feel that this is a top 15 film of this year, and a great companion piece to Flags of our Fathers. I feel that Eastwood creates a beautiful atmosphere, as evidenced in his use of color tones and mixes of color and black and white. He makes the audience feel at the perfect moments, and with the perfect senses. He does this, in all of his films, without ever being pretentious, while another director may accidentally do so. The cast works so well, and so effortless that it empowers the film tenfold. His film is basically showing how people dont want war, and dont want to be the results of their countries. Congrats on another great year for the best director around right now, Mr. Clint Eastwood.

Looking Back at Four Greats

2007-05-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

Requiem For a Dream(2000) : This is one of those films that puts under question the actual concept of filmmaking. Director Darren Aronofsky creates a drug culture, which liberalizes the child from adulthood. This is pure brilliance in film art. An exploration in drug exploration.

Sideways(2004) : This is a very simple film but its form is perfect....and i mean perfect. Terrifically acted by Giamatti, Haden Church and Madsen, the film puts under detail the story of friendship, love and life....in the most basic and heartfelt manner. Alexander Payne directs this great.

Before Sunset(2004) : Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater join up to make a true, pure sequel to Before Sunrise. This is just one of those films that i can watch over and over again, and keep learning things about myself.

The Hours(2002) : This film truly understands the power of acting. This film has perfect acting, especially by Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Jeff Daniels and Ed Harris. Director Stephen Daldry has a great collection of actors and it is one of the most beautiful films i've seen.

Notes on a Scandal

2007-04-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

This is one the top 10 films of this year. Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench show that they are two of the top actors in the world right now. I believe that Dench deserved this year's best actress award, not Helen Mirren. Directorn Richard Eyre really knows how to carry these wonderfulk actors(inclusive is the wonderful Bill Nighy) and this film works in every way possible. dench's role is somewhat disturbing, loving and sometimes confusing and she nails all those sentiments with ease. The film is about a new tecaher(Blanchett), who has an affaird with a young boy and chaos ensues. An elder teacher(Dench) uses this knowledge to create a very intimate relationship with the young teacher. The elder teacher falls in love with the younger teacher and when she doesnt get what she wants, she creates a scandal to greaten the intimacy. A great script by Patrick Marber is near-flawless and the performances are undeniable. Congratulations to everyone.

The History Boys

2007-04-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

This is a bad film. It doesnt let anyone generate any interest in any of the characters. I feel that it was a play tried as a film, and they dont all work. The acting was sub-par, the direction was sub-par. I dont know what to say because their isnt anything good to say.

Bobby

2007-04-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Bobby is a film which is useful, important and crucial to watch. However, its execution is sometimes erratic. The middle of the film was very weak but it did have some good things. I found, however that the film was kind of a memoriam for Bobby Kennedy. I do not want to be pushed or influenced in a film about anybody, even if its someone i respect, like Bobby Kennedy. I still liked the film's heart and it was a good try but i find myself dissapointed at times. I do wish that more films were dedicated to the change of social conditions(race, gender, etc) from the 60's. So i liked what it gave me, but not necessarily how it was given. Towards the cast, i felt that everyone was good but no one stood out, which is fine.

Dreamgirls

2007-04-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Dreamgirls is a wonderful film, a wonderful musical. I do believe that this film has some flaws but the beautiful singing scenes limit its affect. I did not understand Jamie Foxx's role. I dont know whether i like him or dont as a character, and whether that helps the role or not is questionable. Beyonce Knowles shows some solid work here and her song "Listen" near the end is truly beautiful. The supporting cast was good, and sometimes very good. I found that Bill Condon did a great job but i felt that the script was sometimes awkward and unworkable and messed up. Overall, however, i found it a very pleasurable experience with many inspring moments. The best part of the film was JENNIFER HUDSON. She blew me away and away n this film, especially in the middle with her song "Im Not Going". That five minutes of her singing may be the best five minutes in film this year, maybe ever. So, BIG CREDIT GIVEN TO HUDSON. HER PERFORMANCE MAY BE THE BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR!!!!!

Death of a President

2007-04-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

This film creates a thin line between fiction and non-fiction. It is the story of a fictitious assasination of president George W. Bush. It follws the political and judicial story of this "event", and links it to fears that many have today. It tells us that manipluation of terrorism for politics will continue, indepenedent of Bush and current political elite. It tells us that conspiracy has no end and manipulation comes in all varieties. I like the idea of creating a fictitious documentary, which kind of feels like "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "The Corporation", and other more-obvious documentaries. This film predicts a possible political future and makes us(the audience) skeptical of a future conspiracy like this one. I didn't exactly like this film, but it was thought-provoking at least.

Volver

2007-04-03T17:19:00.000-07:00

Volver is a beautiful 'pelicula', about the relationship between mother and daughter and the abusive husbands/fathers. We do not ever know whether the mother is alive or not, but her purpose of forgiveness is achieved. The film makes us all question, how we would react if a loved one "came back"(Volver)?Pedro Almodovar shows, once again, that he is one of the most brilliant filmmakers around. He has a true sensitivity, which is hard to sustain in a film. He is an outstanding auteur of art. Penelope Cruz gives a performance of a lifetime, and the supporting cast hits a ball out of the park. It was not, however, as good as Pan's Labyrinth, which i loved, loved, loved. I would argue that the greatest filmmakers around are latino, like Almodovar, del Toro, Cuaron, Innaritu, and company.

Normal

2007-04-02T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is a surprisingly important film and must be viewed by everyone with an open mind. Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange prove again to be two of the most complete actors around. This film shows the sensitivity of living a life, that well, isn't "normal". Writer/Director Jane Anderson shows very good work here. This is one of those small, indie films which tells a true story, in a true fashion. It tells us that love is between two people, regarless of gender and sex.

Shortbus

2007-03-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

Wow. What an interesting film this was. Very risky, very controversial, very sexy, very innovative. Shortbus distinguises between freedom of love and freedom of sex, in a very John Cameron Mitchell kind of way. Mitchell shows us that innovation must have his name engrained in the word. I was a bit perplexed by this film, but i felt that i should have been. Sarah is a "couples-counselor" who needs to find an orgasm. Jamie needs to be fucked by someone other than his lover. For these characters, like is not at all about sex, yet it is. It isnt exactly a top 10 film for me, but it was definately an eye-opening hour and a half. In a positive note, this film is not for everyone, and that's its greatest appeal.

I love films that take these risks. You decide what sex should be about.

Top Films of the Year

2007-03-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

Top 2006 Films (No particular order)

Little Miss Sunshine
Pan's Labyrinth
Babel
United 93
The Prestige
Stranger Than Fiction
Blood Diamond
The Queen
Notes on a Scandal

Best Small Films

Quinceanera
The Last Kiss
12 and Holding
American Gun
Sorry, Haters
Half Nelson

Most Interesting, Innovative Films

The Science of Sleep
Shortbus