Man with the Golden Arm (1955) $$$

Just watched this movie and the amazing performance Frank Sinatra. Preminger is brilliant as usual. Kim Novak is so incredibly beautiful and vulnerable that I was in awe everytime she was on the screen. You should watch this when you're in the right mood. MM$

Cidade dos Homens aka City of Men (2007) $$$$

WOW! If you loved "City of God" the precursor to this film or have seen the TV series that sets this film up then you're going to love this film! I walked out with a feeling of great tragedy, but of even greater hope. The two leads are extremely charming and the girlfriend who gets her head shaved is amazingly vulnerable. The father is totally convincing and the gangsters do what they're supposed to do (kill or be killed). Please go see this film! MM$

Naissance des Pieuvres aka Water Lilies (2007) $$$

An erotic journey into female adolescence (to say the least). It was an interesting film and the acting was pretty amazing considering the age of the actors. Not the greatest cinematography, but the story was the focus anyway. With hints of "Lolita" and "Swimming Pool" some parts may be hard to watch for those not comfortable with young sex, but therein lies the honesty of the film. MM$

Frantic by Roman Polanski Rating $$$

I'm not always a Polanski fan, but he has on occasion made great films. Don't think this is one of them, but I'm grateful that he introduced us to his future wife Emmanuelle Seigner. She's unbelievably beautiful and embodies the Parisian woman's complete sense of self confidence and nonchalance. Harrison is good as always with the his physical sense of the character and acting. The scenes on the roof are especially exhilarating. Take a couple of hours and enjoy the pre-Hotel Costes introduction to French dance classics. MM$