Tzameti aka 13 Thirteen (2005) $$$$

Watch this movie! Period. Especially if you hate subtitles because it will change that forever. It's not in Spanish, I just love the art direction of this poster. 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$

Sunshine - Movie Trailer

Here's the trailer. MM$

Danny Boyle on "Sunshine"

Listen to one of my favorite directors talking about his new film "Sunshine" while taking a visual journey through stills. I've really liked everything Danny has done, especially "28 Days Later" which introduced us to Cillian Murphy. Cillian has become one of my favorite actors since that point. He was amazing in "Breakfast on Pluto"! MM$

Last of the Mohicans by Michael Mann Rating MM$

I've watched this movie probably 6 times in 6 months and I'd watch it again tonite. Almost flawless, it embodies all that is American like only Michael Mann can. The hope, the conflict, the arrogance, the passion, the independence and conformity. Daniel Day Lewis is unbelievable! Madeleine Stowe is watchable. Russell Means and Wes Studi show why they're two of my favorite actors in film. Eric Schweig is silently deadly and charming. Jodhi May's doe eyed look is spell bindingly innocent. This film races from one battle to the next with romance filling the gaps propelling you forward. There's few scenes on celluloid that move fathers/sons to tears like the last scene on the side of the mountain. Besides, who wouldn't want the woman they love, but have never spoken of their feelings, to fall to her death in his honor. Buy it, rent it, watch it, love it! This gets a MM$ rating as it is one of my favorites of all time. MM$

Not much "More than meets the Eye" Rating $$$

"Transformers" is classic Michael Bay, but with a much cooler subject matter than he usually explores. I watched "the Island" today just after watching this and he definitely has his own style. Rose colored glasses always seem to be present, but really cool CG makes it exciting. The Transformers themselves are definitely the best part of the film. They did a good job of giving it a solid foundation and Shia Lebouf and Megan Fox do their jobs. There's definitely not-so-subtle political statements, but overall they're tolerable. Optimus Kicks a$$! It's definitely worth seeing at the theater as it necessitates the big screen to express the scale of the Transformers. MM$

I think I'm in love! Audrey I do. Rating $$$$

If only she'd spoken those words to me. I'd have never let her go. What do you gotta know? Audrey Hepburn as a princess and Gregory Peck as the young American expat. You gotta love it! She's so charming, it's scary. Especially the final scene at the press interview. Enjoy! MM$

Mare Nero a.k.a. Dark Sea by Roberta Torre Rating $$

I recently saw this Italian thriller as part of the "Open Roads: New Italian Cinema" series at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. I missed the first 15 minutes or so, but I'm not sure that I'd understand the film any more if I'd seen them. The film takes place in Rome and concerns a detective who gets sucked into the underground world of the "red light" district while investigating a college students murder. The music is haunting, the cinematography dark and moody, and the acting well served. I'd encourage one to see it for the score alone, combined with the cinegatography and editing it makes for an interesting film despite not leaving without a complete understanding or resolution. 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$