Solaris
Tarkovsky's reaction to Kubrick's 2001 space odyssey, imagines a complex, psychologically intrusive contact with other intelligent nonhuman beings. His success lies in that he was able to drop, as much as one can drop, the antropomorphization of the unknown, and that he does so by using persons to depict the being's existence. Except for the fact that the main scientist is a psychologist, this is a wonderful piece.
Harakiri
The best samurai film ever. A honorable facade hides a rotten system within the samurai world. Nakadai in his most astounding performance. Kobayashi outdid himself, even Kurosawa. (in fact one of manuynana's favorite movies and Kobayashi's best film).
Fists in the Pockets (I Pugni in tasca)
I Pugni in tasca is a masterpiece that mingles madness family and Italy. MAGIC!
The Bycicle thief
Ladri di biciclette is an Italian jewel with some of the best performances ever, that is what you get when you use born actors and not learned actors. The struggle of a poor honest man to feed his family. ENJOY! (De Sica 1948)
Cet obscur objet du désir
A tale of an old diplomatic with a taste for young ladies, but with little luck in his choice. The physically bipolar beauty constitutes one complex and consistent character. Shifting from one actress to the other brings magic within Buñuel's sexual view of the world. Terrorism is also a constant, although a constant that does not interfere with the plot (at least not too much). (1977)
Nanook of the North
This is among the best documentaries ever filmed. The goodness of Nanook highlights the humanness of a nomadic subsistence existence. This is a clear example that even in the worst conditions life can be good if you have the correct people around you. This is a wonderful journey into Nanook's world. (1922, Robert J. Flaherty)
Leolo
The movie is a magical trance through a boy's life from conception until his adolescence when, against all his dreams, he finally fits in with his family. Full of darkness, it depicts the kid's platonic love, his murderous instinct, his fraternal love, his compassion, his despair, and his sadness. Great movie! (Lauzon 1992)
Nausicaa
Incredible landscapes, toxic nature and ecological message appear in Miyazaki's best anime film so far, Kaze no tani no Naushika, which in contrast to most futuristic films that (naively) situate their story in a near future, takes place one thousand years after the collapse of the industrial revolution. Wonderful and extremly creative! (Miyazaki 1985).
Divorzio all'italiana
About honor and ingenious ways to get rid of your wife at the lowest cost... dark and hilarious (Germi 1961).
Pandora's box
Betrayal, prostitution and murder are hidden inside Die Buchse der Pandora. Lulu is a free spirit ripped apart by the lust of men and women, ... literally (Pabst, 1929).
Cria Cuervos
A dark perturbed girl: a deeply sad soul reflected in a sublime innocent face. Behind her huge eyes lies a cold blooded mind. One of the best constructions of a character I have ever seen. Her total disregard for human life is just wonderful. Aura (1977).
Magic!!!
Ana Torrent is among the best kid actors ever (at the level of De Sica's Luciano de Ambrosis at "the children are watching us (1943)")...
Magic!!!
Ana Torrent is among the best kid actors ever (at the level of De Sica's Luciano de Ambrosis at "the children are watching us (1943)")...
Samurai Rebellion
Performing both Mifune, as an old-almost-retired samurai defending his family's honor, and Nakadai, as Mifune's loyal friend who is also loyal to the clan lord, Jōi-uchi: Hairyō tsuma shimatsu shows the nature of those who have power and of those who one day decide to break rules that they previously blindly followed. (Kobayashi, 1967)
Exterminating Angel
Buñuel's magic engulfs space-time at dinner party, somehow he does it without its typical perversion... A must see (El Angel Exterminador, 1967).
El Topo
Jodorowski's view of the western...society. The mythological evolution of a man from a rotten cowboy to a sen master, all in a Jodorowskian world, with a surprisingly tractable plot (for his standards) (1970).
Le Corbeau
The raven is in town... but it always has been and always will be. A marvelous depiction of the dark nature of people opened by anonymity. Hypocrisy, envy and hatred all around... (Clouzot 1943)
Strozek
Herzog's insights on rural American society... The last scene is MAGICALLY BRUTAL! (Herzog 1977)
Cabeza de Vaca
The conquered conqueror.
A different perspective on one of the most dramatic clashes of civilizations yet. A real life story, an outstanding recount of an Spanish conqueror and his acculturation to a new, completely different world. An account of the possibilities of coexistence once the initial barriers fall. The movie shows how those with power have a tendency to abuse it, specially with those who are different.
A different perspective on one of the most dramatic clashes of civilizations yet. A real life story, an outstanding recount of an Spanish conqueror and his acculturation to a new, completely different world. An account of the possibilities of coexistence once the initial barriers fall. The movie shows how those with power have a tendency to abuse it, specially with those who are different.
The Human Condition
Kobayashi and Nakadai in another of their extraordinary collaborations. This trilogy portrays, through the eyes of an idealized good man, how infamous can most be under certain situations (war). The human condition, as opposed to many naive conceptions of human beings, points towards the lowness of our humanness. The point of Kobayashi in this movie is that of Hobbes: "man is wolf to man". This is a marvelous and complex treaty of human beings under strain. Kobayashi (1958-1961).
Notti di Cabiria
A masterpiece that depicts the needs of women through a heartrending portrait of its exploitation. A close look at the life of a prostitute in the search for a better life and love. At the end, this is an illustration of the resilience of the human soul. A marvelous example of the prevalence of the self over adversity. Happiness is within one. (Fellini 1957).
Ran
Thou shalt honor thy father... A lord should not trust anyone, not even his own sons. Greed and women will soon replace love for hatred, and respect for humiliation. A journey from being the Lord to being an outcast in his own reign. Not all of those that disagree with you mean you harm, while most of those that intend harm will agree with you when they depend on you. Ran, with Nakadai in the main role, revives the strength of Shakespeare's King Lear. A masterpiece about family, honor, greed and betrayal (Kurosawa, 1985).
Animas Trujano
A real life phenomenon of southern Mexico in which pauper indigenous people seek recognition of their peers through public expenditure. Masterfully accomplished by one of the best actors ever,... Toshiro Mifune, Yes! He performs as a Mexican, you have to see it!!!! (Ismael Rodriguez, 1962)
Decalogue 1
Thou shalt have no other gods before me is the best of Kieslowski's 10 commandments. Blind trust in imperfect(ly applied) science is not without consequence, and opens the door for its users to believe. Kieslowski's thorough reflection of god and science will make you think a little in both directions (1988).
A nightmare before christmas
This film is the essence of Tim Burton. It is creative and beautiful. It is the best sample of his sinister happiness and his outstanding perception of the apparently different.
One reading of the movie left me with a reflection, we can only see others and ourselves through our eyes, and mimicking what we see might not result in our idealization of the other. Let each one be to his own.
You will enjoy every bit of this incredible masterpiece. Enjoy and watch out for Sandy Claws.
One reading of the movie left me with a reflection, we can only see others and ourselves through our eyes, and mimicking what we see might not result in our idealization of the other. Let each one be to his own.
You will enjoy every bit of this incredible masterpiece. Enjoy and watch out for Sandy Claws.
Underground
Ideology, friendship and basic humanness collapse one by one when the time is right and oportunity knocks on the door. First a woman, then power, and finally money... A rotten friendship between two war leaders, a man who has never seen the sun, a gold digger, a war tank, lots of alcohol and gypsy music compose Kusturica's surreal masterpiece: Undeground. (1995)
Profundo Carmesi
Ripstein's (1996) improved version of "Honeymoon killers" (Kastle, 1970) tells the story of two lonely souls profoundly joined by love, murder, and madness. She could do everything for him... from abandoning her own children to murdering every other women in his life.
Great performances not overshadowed by the poor style in which some dialogues were written. Possibly, Ripstein's best movie.
Great performances not overshadowed by the poor style in which some dialogues were written. Possibly, Ripstein's best movie.
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