54 - Female Prisoner 701

Knowing that this film was part of Quentin's list of inspirations for Kill Bill, I was on the lookout for familiar elements (other than revenge, of course). The use of the glass floor and the color changes in the faces of the victims (once the revenge started) were clear reminders.

Meiko Kaji has really piercing eyes...a true lady snowblood :)

The film was probably done during a softcore-porn era as there were lots of gratuitous sexuality. Lotsa tits, panties, and even a lesbian sexual encounter. Hey.....I ain't complainin' :) One thing that was funny though, during the prison riot when a number of guards were kept hostage, they were terrified when confronted by a gang of naked women who were prepared to rape them.....kinda hard to believe....if you were a man....this wouldn't necessarily terrify you, right? :)

53 - Casino Royale

Daniel Craig has successfully brought to the franchise what Pierce Brosnan did when he first took over with Goldeneye: a spark. The selection of Eva Green was a good one. The dialogue between Bond and Lynd in the plane...now that's a conversation!

52 - Babel

Like Amores Perros, this movie has nicely interwoven stories. It's a great lesson on what is true and honest in what's both good and bad altogether.

It doesn't matter if you're a victim of a tragedy, compelled to fulfill a promise, or be limited physically, emotionally, or otherwise. We are all responsible for our actions. We are accountable. We are all left to deal with loss, gain, understanding, compassion, love, prejudice, or hate.

51 - Shortbus

All the sex in this film can really distract you, but if you can just be patient enough to finish the film it reveals the metaphors that represent the different levels of survival in human interaction and identity.

One name that really stood out in my opinion was Severin...a name (according to the web ;) ) based on a story of a man infatuated with a woman he requests to be treated as her slave. How do you see this character's symbolism?

50 - Havoc

This movie really had a history with all the different production people and actors switching but when it finally came out it was casted with a number of young ones that at first you just get a little annoyed at the overacting and attempts at character, when suddenly you begin to rationalize that the characters are supposed to be teenagers right smack in the middle of adolesence, trying to find their identity, making impressions on everyone around them...and then you wonder if this was intentionally brought forth by the creators...if so, smart move.

And like so many lessons in teenage life, it really takes an incident to shake you up.

Ain't that the truth?

49 - The Science of Sleep

It took me a couple of days to finish watching this movie. I don't know if I was just so busy and exhausted or just plain lost in Michel Gondry's twisted story. There were moments when the dialogue felt boring, and you try to rationalize the meaning behind the alternate universe, but still get confused in distinguishing dream, reality, or character. But maybe that's how it was supposed to be.

48 - Blood Simple

I picked this one not only because of the Coen brothers, but because of Dan Hedaya. He, along with M. Emett Walsh shine in this movie.

It's the perfect story of miscommunication and false assumptions. But when you're in a world of betrayal, confrontation, frame-ups, and an incinerator...well, what do you expect? :) :)

Also, I've never seen Frances McDormand so young ;).