77 - Inland Empire

This is disappointing, but I have to honestly say that I did not get much of Inland Empire. While I was amazed at Laura Dern's performance, I just couldn't follow the film enough.

My only consolation prize is one of the opening scenes that gave me Seinfeld nostalgia with Grace Zabriskie (Mrs. Ross) and Ian Abercrombie (Mr. Pitt) :)

76 - Funny Ha Ha

I saw Andrew Bujalski's "Mutual Appreciation" on IFC and was curious about this movie as quite a number of references to it is made in discussions on the web. Like MA, Funny Ha Ha uses the same formula and follows the main character and captures a lot of what is really part of real life....awkward conversations, pauses, and senseless dribble....stuff that can easily get cut out in other movies.

75 - Sansho the Bailiff

It's been really rewarding to see all these movies that revolve around the time of the Samurai or feudal Japan. It gives that period depth and that human element that reminds us that there is so much behind all the fighting.

It was really heartbreaking to watch Anju's sacrifice, but that was probably my favorite scene. That long march through the forest, towards the end of the lake, and eventual sacrifice was the saddest point of the movie...but also the most peaceful.

74 - Renaissance

This movie was born out of the media for which it was conceived. In the documentary, the creators shared a lot of enthusiasm for mixing motion capture with traditional and animation-based development. The story came somewhere in the middle. It's easy to see that there was inspiration from Blade Runner (and is mentioned in the featurette).....the plot.....about the quest for immortality....does share a similar desire by the replicants of Blade Runner.

The high contrast does take a bit getting used to....but your eyes eventually adjust.

73 - Pan's Labyrinth

It was really refreshing to see a production of this level of quality done outside of the United States.

Brilliantly set in the backdrop of war and a distressed family, the fantasy of Ofelia's world blended really well.

Tapping into old ruins and myths gave the fantasy credibility and Ivana Baquero, the center of it all, came through and had a really outstanding expression of curiosity, wisdom, and courage.

72 - The Eyes of Laura Mars

I remember seeing this movie on afternoon TV a long time ago and was just amused at all the cameras Ms. Mars used......she used a Nikon, Hasselblad, Leica, and even a Polaroid Land Camera. Sadly, the movie really had the feel of an afternoon TV program and the story was weak.

71 - Kicking and Screaming

I really liked The Squid and the Whale and so I was curious to watch Noah Baumbach's other movies. Kicking and Screaming certainly had the same attention to dialogue. I honestly didn't realize the flashbacks until midway through the movie.

Can't miss an independent movie without Parker Posey (she must be in like one in every five!)

70 - The Stars of Star Wars

I have no idea why this landed on my queue :) ...."Honestly, its not mine!".....hahahahha I guess Star Wars still has such a grip on me.

That or I was a victim of a jedi mind trick!

;)

69 - Dr. Strangelove

Stanley Kubrick's insights come through really clear in his work...especially in Dr. Strangelove. It may have been done so many years ago, but the fears can easily be applied today. There appears to be no hope, we are doomed to destroy ourselves. All it takes is one mistake.

All the military procedures give me some memories of The Day After and War Games. How complex everything has become....mechanisms, politics, strategy.

With help somehow from above, I hope we are able to survive.

68 - Black Snake Moan

Let's face it. Christina Ricci was smoking hot in this movie! I had to light up a cigarette after watching it (lol). Seriously though, I liked the way this movie unfolded. There clearly was a connection between Laz and Rae, but the beauty of it was that in the end you realize that it was, in its true form, fatherly love.

67 - Breach

There are lots of stories (and movies) on espionage, but Breach takes a "Donnie Brasco" approach in telling it from the counterintelligence angle. Chris Cooper absolutely delivers on this film, as well as a strong supporting cast that includes Laura Linney, Denis Haysbert, and Kathleen Quinlan.

66 - Smokin Aces

This movie has potential....but I just couldn't appreciate it enough. It had a lot of interesing characters, but maybe too much for the creators...too many storylines...I think a director who is used to his type of treatment could have done it differently....like perhaps Steven Soderbergh or Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu....

65 - The Osterman Weekend

This is one of those "residual movies" in my mind......movies I remember watching several times a long time ago....but never the whole thing. I never did understand what it was about....all that staying in my memory were Rutger Hauer and John Hurt in that last scene (which happened to be the only scene I always saw when I landed on a channel that was showing this movie). So when it finally came up in one my searches, I just had to get to finally put to rest my lingering curiosity.

It seemed like Peckinpah was too fond of slow motion...sometimes it worked...and sometimes it just looked odd, but amusing altogether. Meg Foster's eyes are really scary :)

64 - Champion

This documentary is not as bad as some have described it to be, though a lot of the feedback is mainly for the production...and rightfully so....Danny Trejo is a subject that can really stand by itself. In fact, even without the fancy production, just following Danny, ala reality show, and letting him speak would probably have worked as well.

Danny has always been fun to watch on film. And hearing more about the person behind the actor is very interesting and admirable.

Steve Buscemi, Val Kilmer, and Robert Rodriguez offer funny stories and remarks.

63 - The Good German

I enjoyed watching this movie in its black and white format, but honestly, the only person who really blended in or was clearly fit for the medium was Cate Blanchett. I know I'm biased, but her scenes were the only ones that transported me to that era.

62 - The Good Shepherd

It's the stillness that makes Matt Damon's character so cold. You just can't tell what he's feeling or what's on his mind...pretty much like a great poker player. His performance reminds me of Gene Hackman in The Conversation.

As expected, great supporting roles by John Turturro and Alec Baldwin.

61 - Children of Men

This is a scary proposition on what the decay of human society can bring upon all of us. And this really goes beyond the story. The dvd inlcudes a documentary with several statements by historians, sociologists, and other experts on how close to reality we are to the dangers pointed out in the movie. This is a really crucial time for the human race.

One has to note Michael Caine's terrific performance as a hippie......pull my finger :)

60 - A Scanner Darkly

Paranoia.
It takes all shapes and forms.
The mind is a powerful thing.
Use it well, and it serves you well.
Abuse it, and it abuses you.
Reality?
Be careful.

59 - The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

Jodie Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio took some rather odd turns as members of the clergy in this coming-of-age movie. Kieran Culkin has really done a better job with his career (compared to Macaulay). He is able to channel emotions really well, showing a range that will no doubt be developed in time.

The fascination with comics and superheroes is a dominant part of adolescent life and cleverly used in this film to present all the mixed emotions and experiences that come with the age. It was explained convincingly in the dvd documentaries, where the animation was intended to not give life to drawings but the thoughts left unexpressed in real life.

58 - Notes on a Scandal

Judi Dench was terrifyingly effective. Her performance reminds me of Ellen Burstyn's performance in Requiem for a Dream. I confess that I was as infatuated as her character as she narrated through the early parts of the story, admiring Sheba. Cate Blanchett is intoxicating and Bill Nighy's supporting character was impressive.