Movies, Phantasy
A son struggles to find his father behind that endless stories and myths that junior heard from the day he was born. As an adult the son feels he does not know who his father really is because the stories are often so unbelievable to the adult mind. When the father comes down with cancer, the son starts to investigate whether the life of his father is all built on lies. The film is driven by incredible imagination and exquisite storytelling.Big Fish
Movies, Comedy
Deeply built into our notion of romantic love is the idea that there is one other person out there who is tailor-made to be your mate. The only real question in this particular notion of love is whether you are able to find this person among the 6 billion people who could be the one. The film is firmly built on these premises. But it cleverly explores the complications of keeping even the most promising romance going. What if you have short-term memory loss and wake up every morning with no recollection whatsoever that you fell in love yesterday. Is romantic love possible under these trying circumstances? Can you form a meaningful relationship? If you are looking for an interesting little romance movie, this is a film for you.50 First Dates
Movies, Drama
Unlike Gladiator, Russel Crowe’s earlier historical action movie, the drama in Master and Commander” is quite dull. I was so bored after the first hour that I needed to rest a day before I could watch the second hour. Why did I continue at all? Well, Britain became the world’s greatest power in the 18th century by virtue of its navy. As a piece of historical sociology, the film has some splendid moments depicting the social organization of an British warship. Because of the enthusiam of the ship’s doctor for collecting species on the Galapagos Islands, we also get a sense of how important natural history was to British science from the 15th to the 19th century. Unfortunately, the film’s educational ambitions are frequently thrown over board.Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Movies, Drama
This movie directed by Elia Kazan holds up even 50 years after its making. Labor unions in America no longer enjoy the power they did after World War II when their struggles with management made the front page of newspapers almost every day. If the movie were made today the corrupt union boss would be replaced by the corrupt Enron manager. But what would remain is the dramatic struggle between the many decent people who are exploited by the few, but don’t seem to be able to overthrow their exploiters until a few muster enough courage to do so. Marlon Brando delivers one of the most moving acting performances I have ever seen.On the Waterfront
Movies, Drama
A young Irish family emigrates to Manhattan to start a new life. But first the old life has to be left behind, and this proves to be harder than anticipated. Although death seemingly looms behind every corner, life struggles mightily to get back on its feet. This is a wonderfully perceptive film. Jim Sheridan (the director) has the touch of a poet. The two young actresses playing 10 and 8 year old sisters are pure gold.In America
Movies, Drama
How do you feel when your heart is failing you, but you don’t know if a donor heart is found in time to save your life? How do you feel when your husband and two little children are killed by an inattentive driver only a few blocks away from home? How do you feel when you find out that your new lover has the heart of your late husband? In this meditative film, the director explores these deeply emotional questions with determination and with an interesting narrative strategy that breaks the linear flow of time. Sean Penn shows that he can also play mild characters with great dramatic force. The expressiveness of his character lies precisely in using the body and not words to articulate the meaning of the situation. For the most part our hearts beat regularly and Penn is able to remind us of this fundamental rythm. And one day it will stop.21 Grams
Movies, Drama
This Civil War movie works because it is has historical depth and employs a love story very effectively. Instead of going overboard with passion, the lovers take cautious steps toward each other and just as they allow themselves a kiss and the dream of a life together, Inman (Jude Law) is forced to join the army and fight in the war. Ada (Nicole Kidman) is left behind in the Cold Mountain region, waiting day after day, year after year, for Inman’s return. Despite all the hardship they individiually encounter, their hearts do not want to turn cold. Inman deserts from the army and tries to find his way back to Ada and the beauty of Cold Mountain. Love in this film is put in modest clothing and that’s what renders it interesting to watch.Cold Mountain
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