My Favorite Movies

This movie was a treat!!
It has everything: humor, drama, great characters and a beautiful story.

It's situated in a peasant village, where everybody has to struggle to keep the mouths of their families fed. The people are submitted to strict rules to make sure that everything doesn't spin out of control. One of the rules is that when a person turns 70, they have to be carried off to the mountain of Narayama by the eldest son where they are left to die.

The story revolves around Orin, the 69 year old mother and her family, a colorful collection of characters that find their way into your heart effortlessly.

What can I possibly say that will give this movie the credit it deserves?

Wealth and happiness mean nothing if it can't be shared with the ones you love. And in the end you might end up sacrificing more than you wish to.
It's one of the oldest lessons in the world I guess, and Ugetsu Monogatari tells it in a tragic and enchanting way. The soundtrack gives the movie an intensity that sucks you in.
If you liked Kobayashi's Kwaidan, you're gonna love this one as well.

I couldn't imagine how one of Murakami's stories could be captured on film. But I must say, that Jun Ichikawa did a great job! I loved how the characters seemed to belong in the clean and simple surroundings they were in. It was consistent with the way Murakami describes his characters and their surroundings. I don't know man, I'm not a critic, I'm a fan, and Ichikawa can count on my support :)

Great movie, great actors. This is one of those movies that stays in your head for a long time. I can't get enough of that scene (The horror.. the horror.. haha). Great acting on Sheen's part. The music is perfect. Not necessary to comment on Brando's part (wauw).

I was looking forward to a good cry, but I was a nervous wreck after finishing it. This movie is f***ing intense!
Gena Rowlands won several awards for her performance as Mabel Longhetti for best actress, but I'm really curious who got the Oscar that year, because she should have gotten it!

I guess this movie is about madness. And I was confronted with my own perceptions and uncomfort with people who 'suffer' from 'psychiatric illness'. The scene that illustrated that the most is the one where she's waiting at the busstop for the school-bus to arrive, to pick up her kids. She's trying to get some people to tell her what time it is, but she scares them and you see her become increasingly agitated because they don't want to stop and tell her the time. I think this is one one of my favorite scenes because her body language, and the way she walks synchronize with the character she's playing. She totally convinced me there.

After adding the trailer to Flixter and watching it a couple of times, I also have to comment on the outstanding performance of Peter Falk who plays Mabel Longhetti's husband Nick. The movie portrays the fascinating, beautiful and sometimes destructive relationship between the two. There are moments that you can't help but wonder which one of them is 'mad'.

For me, Gena Rowlands' performance is definitely one of the most memorable in my movie-watching-history.

A perfect score!!
Hard to describe, it's a fairytale but not in an Disney kind of way. I can watch this movie over and over again.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is a rapture on the lonely shore;
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar;
I love not man the less, but Nature more...
- Lord Byron -

One of the best Kurosawa movies. Mifune is his brilliant grumpy self :) haha

Kwaidan are Japanese Ghost Stories. It's like looking at a beautifull painting and reading poetry at the same time.

This film by Masaki Kobayashi is a masterpiece!! You'll get to see the worst and best of people during times of war in a Manchurian Prison Camp. Kaji, played by Nakadai, is trying to prove that if you treat prisoners well and take good care of them, they will work for you. The constant dilemma's he's faced with, and the painful paradox of a human approach when you're faced with people who are imprisoned against their will and have to work and live behind a wired fence is very tangible.
He not only has to win the prisoners trust, he also has to prove himself to his superiors and 'colleagues', and the latter are committed to giving him a hard time.

I can't wait to see the other two parts!

Kuji is confronted with the difference in rank, there is no room for the weak in the army. The veterans who used to be recruits themselves treat the new recruits badly. Even when Kaji moves up in the ranks, he refuses to adopt this kind of behavior (although the veterans keep on trying to provoke him). This is of course the Kuji we know and love :)

I liked the first half of the movie because of the psychological aspect; the fear of going to the front, not knowing if you're going to see your loved ones ever again is almost more powerful than the actual fighting. When the fighting starts, it's very painful to watch how they are already on the losing side because of the shortage in weapons and ammunition. Individuals are reduced to bodies in the wink of an eye.

I loved the part with Michiko, his wife, the scene was very delicate and small. There's chemistry between the two, not only as characters, but as actors. Even when they're not together, you can still feel it, you feel her absence.

Shintaro is funny, the movies are a bit slow sometimes, but if you pay attention it's fun to watch.

One of the weirdest movies I've ever seen! A surprising combination of humor, horror and drama.

Saw it for the second time, and although it's long (and a little slow at times), boy oh boy: it's a joy to watch!!!

The first Kurosawa movie I ever saw, the first Samurai movie I ever saw. This is when I met Toshiro Mifune and fell in love..

One of the strangest movies I've ever seen, a bit slow sometimes. I liked the dialogue -pretty weird- it requires a special taste haha. It's pretty sick too.

Saw it in the theatre three times, and I still love it. It is fast, it has great characters (Marla you're the best), great actors, and a great story.
It has that "what the f***?" element in it. No other movie has fooled me that good!!
Still haven't read the book by Palahniuk yet, but I'm definitely going to!!

Doesn't need a recommendation, it speaks for itself.

Marlon Brando.. The Don.. This is one of those movies where the character is almost bigger than the movie. It's a classic!

Great Atmosphere. You have to watch it a couple of times before you get it, and then you still don't get it :)

It's a classic, sort of grew up with this one. Not to mention the great acting skills of Depp. You just can't help feeling sorry for the guy.

Billy Bob haha.

Hard to comment on, it's just a great movie, go see it! Go Steve!

Mifune and Shintaro in one movie!! Hahaa!

I'm not really a fan of musicals, but Bjorks acting blows me away. Especially in the last part of the movie. Apart from that, she has an amazing and unique voice.

It's a cult classic!!

Saw this one again! Visually stunning! In combination with the chilling music and interesting storyline an absolute joy to watch!

An Oscar winning short animation. Very sensitive and delicate. It's hard to describe really, you should just see it!

I couldn't shake this movie off, it really got to me. My interpretation of the movie is that it's about people and the choices that they make, and how they have to live with it.
Philip Seymour Hoffman is as great as ever!!

It's been a while ago since I've last seen it, but hey it's a Miyazaki!!

I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be a really nice movie. It sort of reminded me of another movie, Juno has the same nonchalance that Enid has in Ghost World. Juno is not the regular insecure teen, she's strong, focused and a little cynical. Kind of wish I was more like that when I was 16 :) (without the pregnancy thing ofcourse).
The soundtrack is perfect, and so is the final scene!!

It's easier to write a review on a movie you don't like than on a movie you do, but I'll give it a try anyway.
Cashback really surprised me, it's actually a love story, but Sean Ellis (the writer and director) found a way around it (through the soundtrack and his way of filming) without making you puke.
After seeing Superbad this one was kind of a relief (don't get me wrong, that movie was very entertaining:)
If you've seen both, you know what I mean (let's say Superbad targeted a more masculine audience :p)
Did I mention that it was very funny as well? For fans of Eternal Sunshine, American Beauty and Ghost World, you're gonna love this!!

Saw this movie again, and it's hilarious! I love how the characters of the Princess, the General (Toshiro Mifune :) and the two 'farmers' are magnified by their bodylanguage and facial expressions. This is definitely still one of my favorites.

Sick, disturbing and brilliant.

Very entertaining, but kind of hard to comment on. I liked the style of filming, and how the characters are portrayed. Pretty difficult to get close to if you have 9 main characters, but it worked somehow.
I guess it's about taking control of your own life and consequently your own death, about seeking what you deserve and bearing the consequences. Only then are you really free.

Ow man! I loved this movie!
At first I thought ' here we go again', bored teens smokin weed, talking about how they want to get laid.
But without trying to sound to lame; it's about life and how it can suck.
And guess what, if you think it gets better when you get older; it doesn't.
Enjoy the dopeness!!

Ben Kingsley carries this movie and Josh Peck finishes it!
Purty fine soundtrack as well if I may say so.

What's the deal with this Vivien Leigh? She plays Blanche Dubois, this dramatic, anxious, mentally unstable woman. And she is either a very good actress or a very bad one, I couldn't decide. I just couldn't help but wanting to slap her in the face! Somehow her dramatic style of acting, and the natural intensity of Brando amplify the irritation I felt towards her. I guess that's a good thing right?
(So if you have decided on this, let me know, if there are any suggestions on which movies I should watch to find out, by all means, let me know!)

Anyways, I loved that claustrophobic atmosphere and the bad, bestial sex that Stanley Kowalsky (Brando) oozed.

Beautifully made, great characters and funny too.

I enjoyed this movie immensely! Although I liked Deans goofy character, Taylor and Hudson made the biggest impression on me.
I don't want to bother you with what the movie is about, but what I can say that it's more than a story about the life of a family, it also covers some very interesting social themes.

This movie had everything that I missed in the Maltese Falcon (which I saw a couple of days ago).
Although it's running time is very generous, it didn't take any effort to watch it all the way through.

Wow, I didn't even recognize Liz Taylor!
I'm glad I saw it, because her role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (which I saw a couple of days before) doesn't do her justice!
She was phenomenal!
Martha (Taylor) and George (Richard Burton) have a venomous chemistry between them, it was a feast!

George Segal (as Nick) didn't really leave an impression on me, but his goody-goody role left more room for Sandy Dennis to excel, I loved her.

I love it how a movie can surprise you if you don't read to much about it beforehand. It was the same with this one, I can't wait to watch it again.
(And the dialogue throughout the movie is ffing brilliant..)

Great chemistry between Eddie (Newman) and Sarah (Laurie), very convincing. Sarah slurred her way into my heart without any effort, I'd really like to see more of her.

Fast Eddie, you can charm your way into my game anytime ;)

WAUW THIS MOVIE IS WAY AHEAD OF IT'S TIME!!!
What I particularly like is how Lang (the direcor) shows us how the crime affects every layer of the community, without forcing his moral standards on the viewer.

Every scene is useful and complements the story, not one is wasted on useless background information.

It, or rather I, started out a little rusty, but then it went full speed!! Once I got acquainted with the characters and the style it sucked me in. I'm not really sure why, but somehow it made me think of Tim Burton, I think it was the slightly dreamy, nightmarishly atmosphere it emanated. Some frames you just want to freeze, frame and hang on the wall. Excellent piece! :)

You just can't help but love Norma Desmond! The way she moves her hands; the way she tilts her head; the way she dresses; the way she talks in this wonderful melodramatic way, accompanied with even more melodramatic facial expressions.
Should I go on? (don't worry, I won't)

Norma Desmond (played by Gloria Swanson) is playing the star and leading lady of her (sad) life. And her new 'houseboy' get's a lot more than he bargained for!

9 animations in different styles, inspired by The Matrix. If you're a Matrix fan this is a must!

I saw this one again, it's a classic! If you can stand the awful slow pace of the making of, you should watch it; it's funny how they talk about modern techniques and the use of that many colours. You should see Otomo's Steamboy immediately after it, just to see the difference!!

Saw this movie again and I decided that it deserves a higher rating! The story is a little unconventional for an anime, but that's why I like it so much. It's a perfect combination of humor and drama, and boy is it funny! Hana is definitely my favorite character, it's how he/she talks, walks and looks. And I guarantee you, even if you're not a fan of anime, you're gonna enjoy this and have a good laugh n_n

It's beautifully animated, the details, the facial expressions, the colors, the lighting, everything. Love it love it love it!!!!

I knew that this one was different from 'regular' anime. It's very realistic and is set in wartime Japan. The voice acting of the little girl really stands out, and I almost forgot I was watching an animated film. Beautifull and moving film.

The things that people are capable of through the process of dehumanization caused by fear and the basic human 'need' to explain and control the world around them (trough myth and religion) are exemplified in this movie focusing on the persecution of witches (mostly women) in the middle ages.

That's my take on it anyway, I'm not sure if the director intended to put it down like that.
What surprised me is that he drew a parallel between the symptoms of hysteria in 'modern society' and the symptoms that indicated women as witches in the middle ages. "Poor little hysterical witch! In the middle ages you were in conflict with the church. Now it is with the law" Somehow that proves to me that he is missing the point. Any way, I'm glad psychology is more advanced today, although in some cases it's just a matter of putting a different label on it.
I'm looking forward to seeing more movies like this, so if you read this and come up with one: fill me in!!

I rewatched this movie again, I just can't believe how good it is. Not only is it visually stunning, it is fast, dynamic and has depth.
The connection between the two brothers (who are strays, and orphans) is touching and powerful.
I already said too much, just see it.

One of the weirdest animations I'ver ever seen. Bizarre! It's like a dream or a giant LSD trip! And the story is great!

I really loved this animation, it has this Ghibli vibe, and even better: Cats!! My favorite ingredient n_n
It's a great story, it reminded me of the BFG by Roald Dahl (The Big Friendly Giant).
The original language is Spanish, sadly the DVD I have only came with English audio, but that's ok...

I really enjoyed the series, great chemistry between the characters. Great humor.
This movie gives you a good idea on what to expect of the series n_n

Edo is probably my favorite character: She's crazy!!

I was struck by the violence in this movie, I had never seen anaything like this before. Never knew violence could be that much fun to look at.

The graphics are amazing! The story is fast, but it helps if you played the videogame :)

Didn't think it was possible to compete with Spirited Away, but it does..

A masterpiece by Sofia Coppola. This is what it must be like to meet your soulmate.

The third viewing of this one was a little disappointing, but maybe that's because it seems as if they wanted to say more than they could fit into the movie. It doesn't have the philosophical and contemplative quality the first part has. And although it mixes 2D and 3D in a satisfying manner, it's also not as visually satisfying as the first one.

A unique mix between hiphop-
and Samurai culture, it works brilliant. Very funny, nice chemistry between the characters.

The english subtitles are way to fast sometimes, but I can manage ;)

Awesome flick, can't think of anything like it..

Natalie is as cute as ever,and I only know Zack from the comedy Scrubs, so his acting and the movie itself really surprised me. I loved the short and fast surreal flashes, the calm and somewhat detached atmosphere the movie breathes is supported by the soundtrack.
It's the second time I've seen it, but it really left an impression this time.

This is how I like my movies, a perfect blend of humour and drama.
And enough room for your own reflections while watching it.
Beautiful, a definite must see!!!
Personally the best movie of 2009!

Beautiful movie about the thin line between fantasy and reality. It's so endearing to see how open and innocent the girls are, there world isn't limited by grownup's rules yet.

It's almost as if the two girls 'play' themselves, that's how natural and effortless they seem to play their role.

Although the description might sound boring, this is actually a very nice and fresh (for lack of a better word) movie.
Not only the young Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges and Tymothy Bottoms are a joy to watch, the 'older' women (Ellen Burstyn and Cloris Leachman) complete it.

Wow, this movie is soo underrated! I saw it for the third time yesterday, and it's not only absurdly funny, but also a beautiful and unusual lovestory.
I love movies that mix comedy with drama, and this one is beautifully executed.
Sarandon is an amazing a versatile actress, (I'm going to add her to my favorite actors list immediately), Walken is hilarious, and Gandolfini proves that he's more than just (the amazing) Tony Soprano. Winslet? You can't believe the words that come out of her mouth in this movie n_n Hilarious!
And if that's not enough, Buscemi has a small part in it too, a star cast if you ask me!

One of the most depressing movies I've seen in a long time! I remember seeing the movie Magnolia for the first time and it sort of had the same effect on me.
Crash is one hell of a ride!

If you can get past the lame title, and you liked the movie Walk the Line, than you should see this movie!
Bridges stole the Oscar for best leading man from A Single Man's Colin Firth, but he's forgiven because he's awesome! I'm serious, he does his own singing in the movie, and The Dude can sing!
Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance is impossible to overlook, she's fantastic in this movie, which also earned her an Oscar for best supporting actress.

I loved it. Definitely one of the better Ghibli movies. You have to watch it in the original Japanese version of course!!

It's the second time I've seen it, and it definitely deserves a spot in my Favorite Movie List! Penelope delivers an intense performance that reminded me very strongly of Geena Rowland's performance in A Woman Under the Influence by Cassavetes.
Beautiful drama.

If you're gonna watch ONE movie this year, it's got to be THIS one!

Not one scene is overly dramatic, although the story and the things that happen are. The power is in what they aren't showing, and that's what makes this a good movie in my opinion.

The movie is based on a play by the Lebanese writer Wajdi Mouawad. And if you're finished watching it, please sit through the closing credits, the music under it is heart heartrendingly beautiful.

Lovely movie. Without knowing it from each other, C.C. and Fran are both jerked around by selfish and arrogant men.
What I liked about it is that it doesn't turn into a sugary romantic movie, the characters stay true to themselves.

I have to agree with all the critics, Gosling shines in this one. You just can't help but fall for his direct, nonchalant, sexy and sensitive character. Michelle Williams was great as well, I loved her reserved and shy character, great chemistry between the two of them.

In many movies the sex scenes are a little forced (they throw it in for good measure), but in this one it really added to the intensity of their relationship. Not dripping with fake romance, but direct and indispensable.
To sum it up, the movie is about falling in love, and falling out of love.
.
It's not a feel good movie, a felt like crap afterward..

Gosling just made it to my favorite actors list. There's something about him that captivates me. He's got that mischievous boyish charm about him, just like Sean Penn.
His character reminded me a little about the guy he plays in Blue Valentine, which I absolutely loved. But I know he can do more, because in Lars and the Real Girl he does something totally different.

Anyway. I recommend this movie and if you haven't seen the other two movies, you should!