I enjoyed Batman Returns more this time around more so than I have in the past. I think being older now I can understand and appreciate it more but I never was a huge Danny DeVito/Penguin fan. But I'm glad that I enjoyed the movie tonight

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!! I just wrote a long reply and then something happened.....and it was deleted!!!!!
OK, I'll try and write it again....DV, actually I'm not a huge Fellini's fan....he got this typically fellinianan visionary style in his filmaking that really doesn't appeal me so much. Of course the movies you mentioned are universally acclaimed but they did not strike me the way I expected. Anyway, "La strada" is a real masterpiece. And like other cinema masterpieces, it is not just cinema. It's poetry, pure poetry. With the unforgettable Giuletta Masina's performance as the naive, simple-minded, abused little Gelsomina and Anthony Quinn's brutal Zampanò. Great movie, yes. At the same level I'd rank Nights of Cabiria, once again an astonishingly magical performance of Masina as a poor prostitute in search of true love. I never understood why two absolute masterpieces like those have been almost forgotten...it's a shame! "Amarcord" is one of the most visionary Fellini's films....it won an Oscar if I'm not wrong....I don't know....not my kind of cinema.... "La notte" (aka The night) is a largely acclaimed movie of Michelangelo Antonioni (along with other early 60's movies of his, especially The Adventure, Eclipse, The red desert, on the wake of the so called "incommunicability cinema") -- definitely not my kind of cinema....

If you are interested in Italian classical movies, I'd suggest you to watch DeSica's (Shoe-Shine, The Bicycle Thief, Miracle in Milan, and most of all Umberdo D) Rossellini's (Rome Open City, Paisan, Germany Year Zero) and Visconti's (Ossessione, Bellissima, Senso aka Livia, Rocco and His Brothers, The Leopard) films. These are cult movies. So you probably already watched them. Let me know if you want some more suggestions.

Ciao!

The Leopard interests me a lot. Many have said it's one of the best films ever. I haven't heard anything negative on it. La Strada was excellent but I felt it was inferior to La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2. However that last scene with Quinn is one of the most memorable for me.

Oh, I definitely agree. The 45 minutes ball sequence is memorable and an inspiration for many films to come, including Scorsese in The Age of Innocence and the wedding scene in The Godfather.
Set in Sicily at the time of the unification with the Italian Kingdom (1860), if you are interested in the mafia as a historical/social phenomenon you'll find in this film some explanations for it. But what this film is really about is the defeat of one world (the old, noble one Prince of Salina represents) to another, a new one, vulgar and cynical. It is important that "everything changes without anything really changes".....Plus you got magnificent settings, most elegant costumes, furniture, even in the smallest details, as in every Visconti's movies. He had a special sense of beauty and elegance like no other director, before or after him.

Go get the DVD, Don Vercetti, you'll love it!

I've just rewatched HEAT. What a great film!
And of course my favorite "Don't watch my fucking TV" scene . Al is excellent.

I would've last week, but the DVD is $50 so I ended up buying Le Cercle Rouge.

Justme, glad to see another fan on the board. I hate it when people dismiss it as being nothing aside DeNiro with Pacino. Michael Mann's a great director with a great visual style.

Birth with Nicole Kidman.

I loved it. I'm still trying to make up my mind about the ending, but I guess that's what makes the movie so good. Anyone else?

I wanted to see it but kinda forgot to pick it up from work when we got it. I plan on seeing it soon, but just have to find the time. I plan on watching all 4 Superman's this weekend, plus National Treasury and Phantom of the Opera

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs **** (2nd Time)
1937, Hand, US
A princess takes refuge with seven dwarfs while her wicked stepmother, the evil Queen, hatches a plan to kill her.
Disney's first feature: if its flat animation is by today's standards dull, then its story, characters and songs are more than worthy compensation; a fantastic milestone upon its release, a timeless film now.

Mick

Yeah, I'm definitely becoming a fan of this movie. And there are no bad actors! The scene with chris's wife on balcony - how is it acted! And details - what I appreciate the most in movies!

Yes, and the thing most overlooked by average viewers is Mann's direction. The music, cinematography, dialogue, everything. The balcony scene with Eady and Neil is beautiful. The final music is also great and goes with the perfect final images.

I think the implication is enough, but just to warn, the above URL is a spoiler to people who have not seen it.

Batman Forever had the best cast IMO. I enjoyed it but not as much as I have in the past. I was younger obviously when this movie came out and dug some of the humor from Jim Carrey as 'The Riddler' and Tommy Lee Jones as 'Two Face,' but upon watching it today, I felt it was a little childish or that it had run its course. Still a good movie and I just can't say enough good things about Nicole Kidman! I plan on finishing up the Batman's tonight

I just saw Sideways and it was pretty darn funny, if anything different than comedies today.

Well I got to finish watching all of the Batman's in 2 days with the viewing of Batman & Robin. I enjoyed the movie somewhat, but I think it's easily the worst compared to the previous 3. Not to say the movie is horrible (because I've seen worse) but it's not better than the original 3. I thought when the movie came out I heard that Julia Roberts was supposed to play Poison Ivy and I still wish she did. I like Uma, but I'd rather have seen Julia. I thought Arnold was a good choice for Freeze though

A Bronx Tale - (DeNiro;1993;USA) - ***1/2
A kid grows up with two conflicting role models, his hard working father and a street-wise gangster.
DeNiro's direction seems to be a little above average, influenced possibly by Scorsese, but the story is the gem here. The acting supports the film very well. It's more of Chazz Palminteri's great writing with a director who can handle it well, and it more then succeeds. The music, dialogue, and acting is up there. It could've been a lot better, but it still succeeds.

Last Sunday I went to see "Fever Pitch". It was a cute little romance comedy, although most of the time, I try to avoid romance comedies. From George Carlin: "Where ever there's a romance comedy, you can usually find me next door playing pinball."

I hadn't watched Snatch in over a year and I brought it back for my roomate to watch it this week. I had the free time tonight so I decided to watch it again. Definintely in my top 20 list

I'm going to try and watch all 4 Superman's this weekend and I was able to watch Superman I today. I have never seen it all the way through, so imagine by surprise to see Marlon Brando up there on the screen. It wasn't bad, but I'd say II or IV is my favorite if memory serves me correctly

This is just a copy of my last proview, I didn't feel like adding anything.

Memento - (Nolan;2000;USA) - ****
A man with the inability to keep short term memory tries to avenge his wife using tattoos, photos, and notes.
One of the most creative thrillers of the last 20 years. Nolan's direction using the reverse narrative with the linear one is excellent and elevates the plot. The acting is good as well. One of my favorite aspects his David Julyan's depressing score. One of the best films of the new millennium.
#4 Down two spots

I wanted to see National Treasure in the theaters but after watching it just now I'm glad that I didn't. I didn't really like it too much. Diane Kruger was hot in it and Justin Bartha was kinda funny but overall the movie was decent at best.

I watched Casino last night. I thought Robert DeNiro was great in it but I don't think I liked it as much as Goodfellas. I'll have to watch it a few more times though.

Anchorman

My favorite quote was Ben Stiller's "Como estan bitches?" That is now how my friends and I greet each other.

Superman II is probably my favorite of the series. "Kneel before Zod!"

Superman III was the worst. It started out ok but it just went down hill towards the end. Plus add in the fact that there was barely any Lois Lane and NO Lex Luthor I forgot to mention that I was surprised to see Mario Puzo work on Superman II as well.

Superman IV was probably my favorite Superman movie. Not the best but I thought it was better than I & III

Saw Ocean's 12 last night. It was okay. Not nearly as entertaining as the first, although the Bruce Willis cameo was cute.

That's what I thought. It was great to see Bruce Willis, but the movie overall wasn't as good as the first I thought

Gladiator - (Scott;2000;UK/USA) - ****
A Roman general is betrayed by a Prince who kills the emperor to gain power and stop Rome from becoming a republic. The general is reduced to a slave and soon a gladiator who fights in Rome and seeks revenge.
What an epic should be. A simplistic plot is escalated with beautiful visuals, direction, acting, and music. Great fight scenes and strong performances. Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and Oliver Reed are great. Richard Harris, while only in a small part of the film gives a wonderful performance.
#62

Meet the Fockers - (Roach;2004;USA) - **
Greg and his in-laws meet his quirky family.
A very entertaining film, but lets face it; if DeNiro and Hoffman weren't doing the jokes this would've been nothing. It's been done before many times and in the end, the bloopers on the special features were superior to much of the film.

Has anyone seen Constantine yet? I didn't see it in theaters but as of late I've really wanted to watch it.