Mr. Arkadin once said: "I think the best critics are those who invest time in the films they review, know the film's subject, and can personally connect it to the world around them." My interest here lies in his third point (though I will address the first two later,I stand by my statement...

I will certainly write more later when I am not so hungry and tired (we saw two flicks tonight - Gran Torino second), but the moment the film ended I knew I at least had to say this: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button might very well be the best film ever crafted. Visually it is the most stunning w...

My head hurts.

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I am taking up donations for The Human Fund. Don't be cheap, fellas - this charity's doing important things!

I always said my two trepidations regarding the move to Chicago/Illinois was the way in which the populace vote and those who hold office. Those are separate because they have absolutely nothing to do with one another, if you get my drift. This state is just as bad as Texas. (At least we voted in An...

Blues for this frigid Saturday night. (Mostly NSFW.) All are soul inspirations for my wife and I. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion "High Gear" & "Talk about the Blues" [youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kA_dSBLp1A8[/youtube] Sullen "Hungry" [youtube]http://www.youtub...

John Wayne.

Leave it to Mr. Arkadin to properly, politely articulate my less than socially acceptable responses to the views in this thread. That doesn't mean I'm not going to articulate them, and at length, to boot. So let's do this, by the numbers: I had the luxury of growing up in an era when film criticism ...

Hey guys. I just got done watching All the Presidents Men. Now, I know, I know, it's only slightly topical, this being a politics forum and all, but I thought a few of you might wanna talk about a movie for a change.

With all due respect, the book isn't any damn thing like the movie. Characterizations were completely altered, as was the tone. Complete plot points were dropped or significantly altered. In addition, most of the film's most iconic scenes are unique to the film itself. Furthermore, casting was compl...

I would also like to add that Mr. Arkadin's list is hardly an introduction to Japanese cinema. As if his list needed any praise or backing - it doesn't - it is an intense crash-course in Japanese cinema. I'm afraid I'll be the sole detractor of Dawtrina's list (of which I actually have seen nearly e...

It deserves mentioning that Yimou directed the recent Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. From my understanding, it was distinctly his vision (you can tell) and I couldn't think of a better director to undertake a work of such grand scope and flawless execution. There are many parts I am sure he hims...

Oh crap. There was an election Tuesday?!

Today my wife and I move out of a horrible situation. Monday we move into our dream rental in our dream neighborhood with a pretty cool couple as roommates. That's some pretty good copy if I do write so myself (and I do!). The best news has been that this has cemented my belief that I have the most ...

Did someone say horns? Rocket from the Crypt "I Know" [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA3pL8ctjg4[/youtube] "Young Livers" [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXyty7QAbfg[/youtube] "Born in '69" [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpm_g14Jcds[/youtube] &...