My Favorite Movies

WONDROUS, wondrous movie.... It single-handedly restored my faith in American cinema. A masterpiece of movie-making on all accounts: Story, script, acting, photography, lightning, music, sound, staging, location, casting, wardrobe, makeup... Nothing left to inertia or careless overlook. It is utterly beyond anything I have seen in, lets say, the past two decades. I am serious people. I am even considering reducing all my ratings (several hundred) by one star so this one deservingly stands-out.

You see, there was a time, lets say the seventies, when American film making had something new to say, something that even European cinema was desperately trying to mimic... Yes, even the French looked up to us.

Then came Steven Spielberg and Hollywood has never been the same again.

Since then, the studios brought us colorful effects, cheap thrills and laughs... But nothing as sensibly well-rounded as, lets say, what Robert Altman was capable of with "3 Women" or "McCabe & Mrs. Miller", Sidney Lumet with "Dog Day Afternoon", Terrence Malick with "Days of Heaven" or the best first half of Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate". That way of visual storytelling paid attention to the charged loudness of a extended pause, to the mastery behind long, single takes, to the worship for a steady camera and focus on subtle acting, to the faithful reenactment (not trendy interpretations) of historical artifacts. On those times a wink of an eye was so loaded with meaning, a single note so fully embodied with tension, a prop utensil so lovingly reproduced... There was complexity and thick, layered stories. I loved that period of narrative introspection.

This is what "There Will be Blood" brings back: True purpose on its enactment: Archetypal plots with humble stories of epic proportions. Evil and good intertwined. God through the symbiosis of human ambition and frailty. Open endings, interpretative meaning... Love for storytelling, not the pursuit of lowly bucks behind mass-produced "blockbustering" science.

I am so happy today... This movie is truly a gem to my eyes. Please visit it with open ones, and yes, an open mind perhaps already narrowed and pre-conditioned to the "expected". But please do visit. Only the symbolic end scene can be judged as overplayed somehow... The rest is beyond reproach. This movie is a demonstration of what cinema should be all about. A textbook classic to be taught to future generations of filmmakers. I hope.

This amazing movie is all in the invisible details. It is also for those who hate Sandler and/or romantic movies.

Deep. Intelligent. Emotional. Well acted. Well crafted...Simply beautiful. What else can you ask for? This is THE movie.

The epitome of cute.

This is a wow movie with the most real surrealism I have seen portrayed on the silver screen. Innovative use of imagery.

Utterly FRESH plot like no other. You do have to see it, period. Sets a precedent on sensical-crazy for others to follow.

Amazing movie about REAL culture shock. Contrast of opposite civilizations on the edge of the world. Harsh. Mesmerizing.

One sensitive and sensible movie. Beautiful photography... It transports you to a world utterly exotic but strangely familiar.

Irreversible is a masterpiece. Period. But has to be enjoyed with the curtains drawn, earphones on, kids and wife put to sleep.... and never, ever tell anyone about the deed.

It is so disturbing I feel queasy thinking about it... But it is also a fine, fine piece of film making. Superb control of storytelling, an extremely controversial plot and a very gutsy approach to camera work, time line and character-building. It is truly a must-see for any film buff (if you have a tough stomach for sadistic violence). Watch the "Extras" in the DVD to learn how they built subtle but important effects (like the feeling of a continuous single take).

I feel guilty liking this movie so much, but its over-the-top violence... actually resonates with the world around.

Not quite as good as "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"... But fairly close. (I would have skiped the very end, when main actor goes tootally out of character),

Beautiful photography. Beautiful story... Beautiful movie

Great. Although the fact that Magnolia did the criss-crossing lives thingy first (cop included) takes off some the shine.

Great example of how to make a relevant movie with non-actors. Beautiful photography & score. You will learn new things!

After seeing the movie, the attached documentary (Disc 2 of the DVD) will bring its plot into context. Quite dramatic times, foreboding of the current situation in Iraq.

Fresh perspective in human's complexity and the relativity of morals. Cruz not always believable though. Nice soundtrack.

I was moved by Castellitto's performance. This movie is loaded with subtleness and intelligent beauty. Search for both!

I love this movie's nuanced, intelligent and gentle humor (It may appear slow to some)... Among other things, Its lessons could explain how certain people can become presidents independently of their.