Movies 2006
Movies seen so far this year:
"Priest" - UK - 7/10
The gay priest theme with sub-plots. Interesting in a philosophical kind of way. What's right and what's wrong? And who's to say anyway? Celibacy in the catholic church = idiotic man-made idea, in my opinion. This may have made sense in the Middle Ages but it certainly doesn't now, in 2005 in the Western World. No wonder there are all these scandals. Out of 100, maybe 1/4 or 1/3 is strong AND devoted enough to stick to the rules. The rest is doing things behind closed doors - I'm convinced of it. As a side effect, the catholic church attracts the true freaks such as pedophiles and other sexually repressed or somehow "twisted" individuals. "Gay" doesn't fall into that category in MY mind, obviously. But the idea is that, other than that, these rules just HAVE to lead to attracting all kinds of strange characters into priesthood and it's simply ridiculous. The film was worth seeing. http://imdb.com/title/tt0110889/
"L'homme Que J'aime [The Man I Love]" - The South Of France - 6/10
French movie and entertaining in a more shallow, funky but bitter-sweet kind of way. http://imdb.com/title/tt0173906/
"The Comfort Of Strangers - Venice/Italy - 10/10
This has always been one of my favorites and every so often, I like to watch it again. Love the scenery and how it's such a different film, so unusual. Makes me want to stuff Slaveboy in my suitcase and travel to Venice again too.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0099292/
"Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" - Cuba - 6/10
Really more like 4/10 or 5/10 as it is really just for entertainment value but I do like the music and scenery in Cuba in the 50's and they made a cute couple. I like Javier Suarez for his boyish charm.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0338096/
"Big Fish" - Southern USA - 4/10
I found this so average that I snoozed and couldn't even stay awake. I'm not sure what it was, probably too formulatic and simple-minded, or maybe it was the fantasy/carnival/circus-type elements that turned me off. The idea was good regarding family ties and how it is quite possible to know very little about the people closest to you - or really have no idea about parts of their lives that didn't involve you. Still couldn't save it for me. http://imdb.com/title/tt0319061/
"Lost In Translation" - Japan - 8/10
I liked it and didn't like it. It's one of those strange movies where I keep going back and forth between the two - but after I finished watching, I decided it was worth it. Disconnectedness, loneliness, the comfort of strangers, being some kind of robot in one's own life - interesting themes and I think most thinking people today can identify with that in one way or another. I can see how a majority would not get the point of this movie at all or recognize these themes. It still was slow and barren in many ways and there'd be a lot to criticize but I'll leave it at that because ultimately, I liked it. Will watch it again sometime soon, I think. http://imdb.com/title/tt0335266/
"The Holy Land" - Israel/Palestine - 9/10
Unsettling ending and I wish they had not done this. Nonetheless, very well worth it and interesting to watch. Involves all "sides" in modern Israel/Palestine, including Jews, Arabs, Americans, Russians and features today's reality in "The Holy Land" including some interesting comments on American involvement and conspiracy. The love story was nice even though these Russian women's accents really scare me, LoL. http://imdb.com/title/tt0283387/
"Priest" - UK - 7/10
The gay priest theme with sub-plots. Interesting in a philosophical kind of way. What's right and what's wrong? And who's to say anyway? Celibacy in the catholic church = idiotic man-made idea, in my opinion. This may have made sense in the Middle Ages but it certainly doesn't now, in 2005 in the Western World. No wonder there are all these scandals. Out of 100, maybe 1/4 or 1/3 is strong AND devoted enough to stick to the rules. The rest is doing things behind closed doors - I'm convinced of it. As a side effect, the catholic church attracts the true freaks such as pedophiles and other sexually repressed or somehow "twisted" individuals. "Gay" doesn't fall into that category in MY mind, obviously. But the idea is that, other than that, these rules just HAVE to lead to attracting all kinds of strange characters into priesthood and it's simply ridiculous. The film was worth seeing. http://imdb.com/title/tt0110889/
"L'homme Que J'aime [The Man I Love]" - The South Of France - 6/10
French movie and entertaining in a more shallow, funky but bitter-sweet kind of way. http://imdb.com/title/tt0173906/
"The Comfort Of Strangers - Venice/Italy - 10/10
This has always been one of my favorites and every so often, I like to watch it again. Love the scenery and how it's such a different film, so unusual. Makes me want to stuff Slaveboy in my suitcase and travel to Venice again too.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0099292/
"Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" - Cuba - 6/10
Really more like 4/10 or 5/10 as it is really just for entertainment value but I do like the music and scenery in Cuba in the 50's and they made a cute couple. I like Javier Suarez for his boyish charm.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0338096/
"Big Fish" - Southern USA - 4/10
I found this so average that I snoozed and couldn't even stay awake. I'm not sure what it was, probably too formulatic and simple-minded, or maybe it was the fantasy/carnival/circus-type elements that turned me off. The idea was good regarding family ties and how it is quite possible to know very little about the people closest to you - or really have no idea about parts of their lives that didn't involve you. Still couldn't save it for me. http://imdb.com/title/tt0319061/
"Lost In Translation" - Japan - 8/10
I liked it and didn't like it. It's one of those strange movies where I keep going back and forth between the two - but after I finished watching, I decided it was worth it. Disconnectedness, loneliness, the comfort of strangers, being some kind of robot in one's own life - interesting themes and I think most thinking people today can identify with that in one way or another. I can see how a majority would not get the point of this movie at all or recognize these themes. It still was slow and barren in many ways and there'd be a lot to criticize but I'll leave it at that because ultimately, I liked it. Will watch it again sometime soon, I think. http://imdb.com/title/tt0335266/
"The Holy Land" - Israel/Palestine - 9/10
Unsettling ending and I wish they had not done this. Nonetheless, very well worth it and interesting to watch. Involves all "sides" in modern Israel/Palestine, including Jews, Arabs, Americans, Russians and features today's reality in "The Holy Land" including some interesting comments on American involvement and conspiracy. The love story was nice even though these Russian women's accents really scare me, LoL. http://imdb.com/title/tt0283387/