Seth Paxton

Yeah, Yi Yi was one I was glad people mentioned as it ended up very high on my list.

I just love that kid especially, although the father and daughter were both excellent as well.

Just as the ending neared I could see

Spoiler:

that kid's speech coming, it just felt so natural for it to end that way.

A very well constructed film.

I am going to try and catch Panic at the Keystone Cinema before it ends it's run. I awesome we all agree on that being a 2000 film based on it's crazy release problems. Did it really play on cable in 2000? I don't have Cinemax and I don't remember if actually got played on cable, but if so then it would certainly have to go as a 2000 film, but totally non-Oscar eligible.

Seth Paxton

Okay, we are back.

Panic 2.5/4
At times it's very good, especially every single moment that Neve and Macy are on screen together. But at other times it feels awkward and sophmoric. It trips on it's own feet.

It's a great story, sometimes good script, direction is off a bit, and it's hard to be sure if it's due to the direction or not, but the acting seems rather stiff and goofy at times.

It does have a few very nice moments though. Certainly worth renting at least, and I would bet some of you would just love this film simply for the story that it is.

The House of Mirth 3.5/4
Period pieces often bore people and I can understand that. However, this is a good one and if you can enjoy this sort of turn-of-the-century aristocratic love story then you should see this film.

It's wonderfully acted and well-directed. The story moves along well with only a few slight gaps that might leave some viewers a little confused over character motivation. But trust me, it all makes sense.

Gillian Anderson will surprise you for sure. She is strong in this role. I also thought Anthony LaPaglia was great in his part. Not a top 10 film, but darn good. If I was a Sense and Sensibility type of viewer then I would buy this DVD. As it stands it was a good rental and a film that I wouldn't mind watching a bit of again some day.

Rob Willey

quote:

---

If I was a Sense and Sensibility type of viewer

---

That's a weird coincidence, I just bought this one to fill out my Ang Lee collection.

I've updated my list with several films (hey, we've been gone a while), the best of which is Shadow of the Vampire which sneaks in at #10.

Rob

------------------
"That suits me down to the ground."

Seth Paxton

Well, once Cast Away comes out for rent next week I will probably do another totaling. Then I will wait out Pollock I suppose into mid-July at which point I will probably do my final total and consider that a stopping point for our "recent" thoughts on 2000 films.

After that I would think we would be getting into an area of reflection upon 2000 films instead.

And that sort of stuff would still be welcomed here, or perhaps I could start a new thread and archive stuff from this one. Maybe a webpage with all the top films and our thoughts on each listed there. I don't know yet, I need to work that all out.

Brook K

I've watched 3 more:

Men Of Honor: I liked it on a historical level, this is an inspirational story that people should know about, but as filmmaking it's pretty poor. By-the-numbers with every move telegraphed in advance and the cliche-o-meter getting a full workout.

Jesus' Son: Took me awhile to catch the film's vibe, by the time I did, I realized I didn't really care about any character in the film. Of course Crudup is the only one that gets more than cursory treatment, which can be ok, but this story just didn't offer enough interest for me, except for some Jack Black moments. I didn't feel like the character ever came to any sort of epiphany or soul-searching, it just sort of happened *poof*

Bring It On: A fairly funny comedy, a bit unevenly paced, but oh what eye candy! Started better than it finished, but I didn't feel like I'd wasted my evening by watching it. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but there you go.

------------------
"It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen"

S&S Challenge: 72 ...27
DVD BEAVER

My DVD Collection

Michael Shannon

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: A wonderful movie on all levels that I have not seen since Star Wars. Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi were a pleasure to watch and this film is going on my top ten list of greatest movies of all time.

I dont listen to classical music but I bought the score to this film this morning. AMAZING!!

Dungeons and Dragons: Pure garbage in my opinion, Marlon Wayans is beyond annoying. It's hard to believe it is the same actor I saw in RFAD. He is such a talented guy but it is wasted in films like D&D and Scary Movie.

------------------
View MShannon's DVD Collection
If You Want "The Five Heartbeats" Go Here:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/...ML/001946.html

Petition for Eddie Murphy Films GO HERE:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/...ML/002420.html

Seth Paxton

Cast Away
I remember people complaining about the end of this film as being the problem, but I guess I didn't see that. The package got picked up when they locate the island, or at least that's what I figured. That is if that is what people thought was dumb. Otherwise it made perfect sense.

It played beautifully as Hanks journey through life and strife and I thought he stayed reserved enough, especially at the end when it could have gone too far. Not quite top 10 material for me but only because the other 10 are so strong. I felt extremely satisified with what it had to offer and I see why Hanks got his Oscar nomination.

Also, I have watched Almost Famous, CTHD, Traffic, Erin B, Requiem, and Before Night Falls all within a month now, all 2nd times or more except for BNF, and those viewings really reinforced my feelings regarding my top 10. I feel even better about my list now than I did before.

I'm watching O Brother right now and it's as strong as I thought on first viewing. Such a beautiful picture and a great bit of storytelling blended with a wonderful soundtrack.

I only have Pollock left to catch now basically.

Rob Willey

Five days early if my math is right Seth. There are some things a decent man just doesn't rub in.

I have House of Mirth in my hot little hands right now but I'm going to hold off watching it for a few days until I replace my player. More next week...

Rob

------------------
"That suits me down to the ground."

Rob Willey

Updated my list with The House of Mirth, one of the most visually sumptuous films I've ever seen, but I don't go to the movies just to look at them. I have to be engaged on some emotional, intellectual, or even visceral level and I just wasn't drawn into this story at all.

I can't put my finger on whether a different group of main actors would have brought this script home for me or whether it was the script that was the problem.

This may not be a fair comparison since I'm such a big Scorsese fan, but for my money The Age of Innocence is a vastly superior adaptation of an Edith Wharton novel.

Rob

------------------
"That suits me down to the ground."