Of the following films....

[Nightscape]

Have you seen any of these?  What were your reactions to them?

[Teddybear]

I've seen the first half of Memento. I thought it was intriguing. I have Titus somewhere... I don't know why I haven't watched it yet. The beginning seemed pretty intense.

T

[raffyplayspiano]

memento was weird, but good.. its the only one ive seen

raffy

[pianistimo]

i don't think i've seen any of the above, but i just saw a foreign film (with translation) entitled 'the cranes are flying.'  it's an old russian film, but quite enchanting.

[Bouter Boogie]

None of them

[gorbee natcase]

they are a mystery to me they must be crap

[bernhard]

I have seen Paris, Texas, which I found very boring and could not quite see the point.

I have also seen My Own Private Idaho (great title!) which I liked better, but still was not over bowled by it.

Finally I saw Memento, which I would easily classify as one of the ten best movies I have ever seen on account of its absolutely brilliant script . It goes without saying that you have to see it again once you saw it. I have also seen Christopher Nolan’s following movie (Insomnia with Al Pacino and Robin Williams,) but I must say that although good it was a bit of a disappointment (after Memento I had high expectiations).

I have not seen the other ones.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[donjuan]

Yeah, the only one I have actually gone out to see was memento.  I thought it was pretty funny at times, like when carrie anne moss spat in his beer and he began taking a shower in the guy's place when he forgot what he was doing there.  However, the ending was a little strange...-interesting though  If you get the chance, check out the dvd - it  is most infuriating because you have to solve little riddles to get anywhere in the menus.   

[Nightscape]

These are seven of my favorite films.  Each one is quite unique and captivating.  I put these up because they are ones I have seen recently.

Gerry is a Gus Van Sant film that is set in the desert/steppe area of the US.  It is the story of two friends who go on a hike to see the "thing" (which is never defined) but get lost along the way.  It shows how thier characters slowly become taxed both mentally and physically.  It happens to contain the most beautiful cinemetography of any film I have ever seen.  Shot on a low budget with no computer graphics, it is far more beautiful visually than any computer animated film.  Who knew the desert could be so breathtaking!  It also has an appropriate score using the music of Arvo Part. 
 
Paris, Texas is the story of a separated family that slowly comes together.  And by slowly, I truly mean it!  It is a very slow paced film, but it takes the time to show the true emotions of the extremely well defined characters.  The dialogue is touching and very real, esp. the little boys character, who loves to ramble on about space to his father.  I can't say I cared for the score, which consisted of a banjo-ey country western feel.

Elephant is another Gus Van Sant Film set in a suburban high school.  This is interesting, because the cast of the movie are the actual high school students that go there - not actors!  But they must have had a little coaching, because they do a good job.  Anyways, this is a creepy film, with long shots of students walking down corridors, which echoes of sounds and music coming from various parts of the school.  It is supposed to give you a feeling of what a day in high school is really like.  More realistic than most teen movies (but this isn't a teen movie).  Anyways, the story focuses on two male characters who seem to be polar opposites - a preppy, well-behaved male looking out for the interests of others, and a frustrated loner who bitter nature eventually leads to a horrifying conclusion.  The ending is surely the creepiest and blackest of any movie I've ever seen!  Piano fans might be interested too - at one point the main character (loner guy) is seen practicing piano, and struggling over Beethoven.

My Own Private Idaho is yet another Gus Van Sant film, but one of his earlier efforts from 1991.  It stars the late River Phoenix.  It's about the lives of two street hustlers - one from a rich upper class background who loathes his "background"(Keanu Reeves), and the other an abandoned child who desperately is searching for his parent's love (River).  Anyways the story is complicated and the dialogue is a little odd, but interesting, employing a mix of Shakespeare and hustler lingo.  It's actually based on a Shakespeare play.  Anyways, River and Keanu go on an adventure to find River's mother, all the while River's character is also in love with Keanu's.  Be warned however, this is a very wierd movie, and also very sad.

Titus is an absolutely brilliant film, possibly the best Shakespeare adaptation ever made.  Titus Andronicus is probably the least well-received of Shakespeare's plays, but you would never guess it from this film.  I had to watch it with the subtitles on, as I have a hard time with the dialogue of course.  This is also another strange movie, as you're not sure exactly what time period it is in - in fact it really isn't in one.  It seems to be set in ancient Rome, but they have swing bands, motorcycles, cars, and shiny leather pants.  Anyways hands down best costumes in a movie, and some of the best acting I've ever seen too.  There is some dialogue that actually sends shivers down my spine, which talking seems to never do.  It's a terribly gory film, so beware, it's the story of revenge, revenge, and more revenge.  Anthony Hopkins plays a character quite a bit different from Hannibal Lechter.  The score is great too, in fact I even know a marching band which turned it into a show.

Vera Drake is the story of a woman in 1950s London who is a housecleaning lady, mother, wife, and daughter.  She is one of the kindest characters of all, but she does something that she won't tell her family - she also helps women who are pregnant illegally terminate thier pregnancy.  This isn't a pro or anti abortion film though, as it portrays both sides of the complex issue.  It's an extremely sad movie though.

And finally Memento has got to be one of the most inventive films to date.  This is also a creepy film, told from end to beginning.  The whole atmosphere of the movie is tense, gritty, and black.  It really holds your attention from beginning to end.  Highly recommended!

[Waldszenen]

MEMENTO IS FARKING AWESOME

[bernhard]

Nice reviews, Nightscape! 

Yes, now that you mention it, I have seen the trailer of Gerrie, and Part’s score immediately called my attention. I made a note to watch it, but the movie was never shown in the cinemas (where I live). I guess Gus Van Sant is not considered commercial enough. Anyway, I will look for it on DVD.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.