The Movie Review and Discussion Thread - Page 1300 - Blu-ray Forum

Diesel · 01-10-2012, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

The Tree of Life - 2011

Huh?

PQ - 5/5 (gorgeous!)
AQ - 4.5/5

2/5

volcomsocal · 01-10-2012, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel

Seriously though. I mean, I appreciated and enjoyed the art aspect of it. But if it doesn't follow a traditional movie formula, how can it be enjoyed by the masses as a traditional movie? I already knew going into it that it was going to be different. But there was no real storyline. There was no real script. It was as if I was watching a movie that was made up of millions of pieces of art hanging on a wall. I might as well have gone to a museum. I dunno. It was downright gorgeous, but it just wasn't a movie.

Diesel · 01-10-2012, 03:27 AM

I've read polar opposite views from people on this site for that movie. Love and hate.

I personally had absolutely no interest in ever seeing it.

jvince · 01-10-2012, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

The Tree of Life - 2011

Huh?

PQ - 5/5 (gorgeous!)
AQ - 4.5/5

2/5

I couldn't get into Malick's films, but The Tree of Life is the only movie of his that I watched from beginning to end and thought was good. It had a story and a great theme and some pretty good ideas here and there, but it was a little pretentious, and it wasn't as great as it could have been. Not to mention Sean Penn was a complete waste in this.

dag · 01-10-2012, 03:28 AM

Oooh, you're opening up a whole kettle of worms there!

Undoubtedly, Tree of Life is a highly unconventional film. There's no questioning its remarkable beauty or, if I may say, Malick's dedication to the art of film-making as a means of expressing not only ideas but also emotions.

I myself must say that I don't believe the film totally succeeds. But I do firmly believe that it is an important film. I can think of no other movie that so beautifully and artfully captures the experience of childhood - how is was experienced, and how it was remembered. The cinematography and the ever present sunlight enhance the feelings of childhood wonder and learning. The mother is an idealised character, looked up to (literally) as an infinite fount of love and forgiveness.

To any board member who hasn't yet seen this movie, at the very least, irrespective of how you may react to this film, you owe it to yourself, as a serious film viewer, to see Tree of Life. It is worth your time and thoughts.

volcomsocal · 01-10-2012, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel

I've read polar opposite views from people on this site for that movie. Love and hate.

I personally had absolutely no interest in ever seeing it.

I didn't hate the movie. I actually enjoyed some things in it. But I just didn't care for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvince

I couldn't get into Malick's films, but The Tree of Life is the only movie of his that I watched from beginning to end and thought was good. It had a story and a great theme and some pretty good ideas here and there, but it was a little pretentious, and it wasn't as great as it could have been. Not to mention Sean Penn was a complete waste in this.

Sean Penn WAS a total waste in this movie. Totally agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dag

Oooh, you're opening up a whole kettle of worms there!

Undoubtedly, Tree of Life is a highly unconventional film. There's no questioning its remarkable beauty or, if I may say, Malick's dedication to the art of film-making as a means of expressing not only ideas but also emotions.

I myself must say that I don't believe the film totally succeeds. But I do firmly believe that it is an important film. I can think of no other movie that so beautifully and artfully captures the experience of childhood - how is was experienced, and how it was remembered. The cinematography and the ever present sunlight enhance the feelings of childhood wonder and learning. The mother is an idealised character, looked up to (literally) as an infinite fount of love and forgiveness.

To any board member who hasn't yet seen this movie, at the very least, irrespective of how you may react to this film, you owe it to yourself, as a serious film viewer, to see Tree of Life. It is worth your time and thoughts.

I also really liked how it captured the essence of childhood. The cinematography was always excellent. But the movie as a whole was not enjoyable.

Steve46 · 01-10-2012, 01:28 PM

Here are the next five in my Top 100 to see before you die:

11. Bambi (1942)
Family, Animation, Drama, 70 minutes
Directed by James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield and Norman Wright
Starring the voices of Hardie Albright, Peter Behn, Stan Alexander and Bobette Audrey

Bambi is a prime example of classic Disney. The main theme of the film is innocence, and it details the early years in the life of a young deer. I saw the film as a child and again recently when it was released on Blu-ray, and found that I had forgotten just how beautiful the story is.

Bambi is raised by his mother and befriends various other forest animals such as Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk. We see Bambi learn how to walk and talk, always with the help of his friends. Like any youngster, he’s curious about his surroundings. The film is full of scenes in which he discovers new things and learns how to interact with his environment.

The one scar on the film’s beauty is the death of Bambi’s mother. It happens offscreen, but it’s obviously something which could disturb small children. In fact, I know a few adults who won’t watch it because of that event. The remainder of the story is full of charm and we see how Bambi and his friends discover love and choose their mates.

The Blu-ray presentation is outstanding and the film looks great considering it’s almost 70 years old. Bambi gets my vote for the most beautiful story Disney has ever told.

If you like Bambi:

The most obvious suggestion is Bambi II, which shows how Bambi learns from his father. I can't vouch for the movie because I haven't seen it, but it wasn't well reviewed.

One film that I do think you will like if Bambi is your type of film is Dumbo. It's another classic Disney title dealing with the life of a young elephant. Like Bambi, there are some disturbing scenes. It's definitely a story that tugs at your heart.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I mention Hayao Miyazaki given even the slightest opportunity. My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo contain some of the elements that make Bambi great. These are stories with a lot of heart and should appeal to adults as well as children.

12. Baraka (1992)
Documentary, 96 minutes
Directed by Ron Fricke

There are few films that I think everyone should watch at least once, but Baraka may be one of them. Perhaps it should be shown in schools too? It's arguably the strangest choice on my list.

Baraka is a word in the ancient Sufi language meaning "the thread that weaves life together" and the film contains no dialogue and no explanation. It's a series of images taken from 24 different countries. Some of the images show scenes of animal life or extreme beauty; others show human rituals and the effects of war or poverty. The result provokes a lot of thought if you are open to such things.

Shot on 70mm film, the Blu-ray presentation is among the best live action films the format has to offer. Some of the images are located in places that are not normally accessible to people. An image of an underground cavern springs to mind.

If you follow the film closely, you are likely to be moved. The beauty is breathtaking, but some of the sadder scenes could take your breath away for a different reason. The contrast between good and evil is one of the themes running throughout the documentary. You might also question the path you have chosen in your life when you realize that most humans are continually racing toward something and few stop to appreciate the beauty in their lives.

The special features are informative and almost as interesting as the film itself. If you are curious about where the images came from, the special features answer most of your questions.

If you like Baraka:

Ron Fricke is also responsible for Samsara, shown at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. It appears to be similar in content, but I'm waiting for the Blu-ray release before I see it.

If you enjoyed the scenes of natural beauty and animal life in Baraka, the BBC documentaries narrated by David Attenborough are worth your time. The best of those on Blu-ray are Planet Earth and Life.

13. Being There (1979)
Drama, Comedy, 130 minutes
Directed by Hal Ashby
Starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas

Being There is an unusual movie which is told in an understated way. The events unfold slowly and the viewer is left to reflect on any meaning. Peter Sellers stars as Chance. He tends the garden of an old man and is left homeless when the man dies. The relationship is never explained. Is he the man's son?

The story takes off when Chance leaves the comfort of the only surroundings he has ever known and enters the real world. He is a simple man and apparently doesn't understand the concept of lying. When someone tells him anything, he takes it literally. He suffers a minor injury when a car hits him and the owner, Eve (MacLaine), offers to have him checked out by her doctor.

Although Chance knows nothing of the real world and just talks about his former job as a gardener, others take his words to heart and think that he's using metaphors. It's funny to see how much of an impact his innocent remarks have on the people around him.

Sellers was nominated for his performance and Melvyn Douglas won an Oscar for his portrayal of Eve's dying husband.

If you like Being There:

I think Being There is a unique movie, so it's hard to recommend similar movies. It's always fun watching Sellers, so consider Dr. Strangelove, The Party, or the Pink Panther series if you enjoyed his performance in Being There.

14. Black Swan (2010)
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel

Have you avoided seeing Black Swan because you think it's a film about ballet? That would be a shame because it's so much more than that. The film is the story of Nina (Portman), who aspires to dance the lead role in a ballet. She has to deal with the expectations of her controlling mother and also needs to explore her sexuality to enable her emotions to fully embrace the role she is seeking.

The result is part fantasy, part reality. The two become increasingly blurred as the story progresses and it's left to the viewer to decide what is real and what is imagined. The result is an intense story which can actually be a little frightening at times. Portman won an Oscar for her role and was at her best.

Aronofsky did a great job of placing the viewer in the middle of the action by using unusual camera angles.

If you like Black Swan:

The film is essentially about a woman who is struggling to achieve perfection. The pressure she is under causes her to lose her grip on reality. This idea reminds me of other films in which the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. The ultimate example is David Lynch's Mulholland Dr., which looks at the life of an aspiring actress. Fight Club and even Psycho include similar themes. If you enjoy trying to figure out a story, all three might be of interest.

My full review of Black Swan is in this thread or on my blog.

15. Blow Out (1981)
Crime, Drama, Mystery, 107 minutes
Directed by Brian De Palma
Starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow and Dennis Franz

Jack Terry (Travolta), a sound engineer, is outside gathering sounds to add to his library when he records a car accident. On closer inspection, he believes that there was a gunshot immediately before the accident. A presidential candidate is the victim and Terry becomes obsessed with reconstructing the crash in his mind.

The film succeeds because of mystery and suspense and it feels like a Hitchcock movie at times. Travolta is very convincing in the role. It's an interesting twist on movies based on events that have been witnessed visually. The pacing is just about perfect.

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation is as good as you might expect and the special features include another complete De Palma movie.

If you like Blow Out:

The most obvious suggestion is Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up in which a photograph reveals a potential murder in the background. David Hemmings stars and, like Travolta in Blow Out, becomes obsessed with learning the truth about the event he witnessed.

My full review of Blow Out is in this thread or on my blog.

Steve46 · 01-10-2012, 02:42 PM

Here's No. 16 in my ongoing Top 100 list:

16. The Bourne Trilogy (2002, 2004, 2007)
Action, Mystery, 342 minutes
Directed by Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass
Starring Matt Damon

There are times when I don't want to analyze what I am watching. Although Bourne has a mystery at the heart of the story, it's essentially fun to watch and doesn't require much thought. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne and we experience events from his point of view. That makes us sympathetic to his situation.

Imagine not knowing who you are and wondering why you have certain abilities and a group of people trying to kill you. Damon is not a typical action hero and has more range than most actors cast in such roles. The resulting blend is more than pure thrills. Damon makes you care about whether Bourne lives or dies. I found myself wanting him to uncover the conspiracy and forge some kind of new life for himself.

The supporting cast throughout the three movies is also worthy of mention. You'll see Clive Owen, Chris Cooper, Julia Stiles, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn.

I made the mistake of watching the third part of the trilogy first because it was on cable and I was curious. The story makes a lot more sense when you see it from the beginning. After experiencing the story in the correct order a couple of times, my rating increased.

If you are a fan of action, The Bourne Trilogy won't disappoint. If you need decent acting and an intelligent plot, it's also up to the task. It's hard to be bored at any time and the conclusion is satisfying.

If you like the Bourne Trilogy:

The Bourne Legacy is due to be released in 2012 with Jeremy Renner in the starring role. He's set to play another assassin, so it's not strictly a Bourne story, but it's set in that world.

The last two James Bond movies are closer in feel to Bourne than classic Bond. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, with Daniel Craig as Bond, contain many of the elements that make Bourne work.

Action fans who value good acting should probably take a look at Liam Neeson in Taken and Unknown. Taken is pure action/revenge and hardly has a dull moment. Unknown has a similar feel to early Bourne as Neeson's character suffers from amnesia and wonders why he has certain skills.

If you want a female version of the story, Angelina Jolie manages a passable Bourne impersonation in Salt.

surfdude12 · 01-10-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

But there was no real storyline. There was no real script. .

there was definitely a storyline. in fact, it told the storyline of life:

(1) bad stuff happens to man
(2) man blames god (or whatever you call "it" - the universal spirit, etc)
(3) man realizes the "bad stuff" wasn't "bad stuff" but just life, and accepts it.
(4) the end

there is not a single human being who won't go through at least (1)-(2) in their lifetime. some will get stuck at (2) and won't move on to (3), and that will suck for them, but everyone will at least experience (1)-(2).

hence, it is "the" storyline of life. Tree of Life was all about it. The character arc of the

[Show spoiler]

is (1)-(3). The priests sermon halfway through the film about Book of Job was all about (1)-(3). The meteorite hitting earth and wiping out life was to reinforce (3) to man (i.e., that death/bad stuff happens to everyone and everything, not just him). Its not the things that happen to us that make us sad, but our interpretation of the things that happen to us that make us sad. If rain washes away our picnic, who is sad? The rain or us? The rain is still happy being the rain. We, on the other hand, have decided that we can't have a wet picnic, so get upset. Same thing when sickness, death, etc comes. As humans, we've got it in our head, that they can't EVER come. So when they do, we get upset. Maybe if we accept that they will come (as part of life, like the film suggests), we won't get upset when they do.

SquidPuppet · 01-10-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel

I personally had absolutely no interest in ever seeing it.

Just like a show.... about an island....

[Show spoiler]

SquidPuppet · 01-10-2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfdude12

there was definitely a storyline. in fact, it told the storyline of life:

(1) bad stuff happens to man
(2) man blames god (or whatever you call "it" - the universal spirit, etc)
(3) man realizes the "bad stuff" wasn't "bad stuff" but just life, and accepts it.
(4) the end

I wont waste my time then. I prefer more complex films.

P@t_Mtl · 01-10-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I wont waste my time then. I prefer more complex films.

that was funny

surfdude12 · 01-10-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I wont waste my time then. I prefer more complex films.

nice.

oh I think I'm signing up for netflix today and that means...

[Show spoiler]

SquidPuppet · 01-10-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

that was funny

It sounds like a Roland Emmerich film.

P@t_Mtl · 01-10-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

It sounds like a Roland Emmerich film.

Oh yes! I can clearly see how one could confuse the two of them

SquidPuppet · 01-10-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfdude12

nice.

oh I think I'm signing up for netflix today and that means...

[Show spoiler]

I know Breaking Bad aint HBO, but just something to consider...

I was trying to figure out why Netflix didnt have Boarwalk Empire available, which streets today. I couldnt get an answer from Netflix so I started snooping around and found out that HBO did not, and will not renew their deal with Netflix. HBO refuses to sell discs to Netflix, period, at any price, nor will thay provide or allow Netflix to stream their products.

A Netflix spokesman says they will buy HBO shows "retail" in order to be able to provide them to their subscribers. No word on when that will happen.

Also, Warner Brothers movies will increase from a 28 day delay (from street date) to a 56 day delay.

surfdude12 · 01-10-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I know Breaking Bad aint HBO, but just something to consider...

OMG, great. Another huge X added to the list:

1. No HBO
2. 56 day delay
3. Practically NO classics on blu-ray (<1970)

surfdude12 · 01-10-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Just like a show.... about an island....

[Show spoiler]

seriously: I had to do a TON more "mental gymnastics" to get my head around Lost, than Tree of Life. Perhaps people were more willing to do the "mental" work, because Lost had hot chicks in bikinis, wet-T's and covered in jungle dirt.

SquidPuppet · 01-10-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Perhaps people were more willing to do the "mental" work, because Lost had hot chicks in bikinis, wet-T's and covered in jungle dirt.

Always a bonus.

surfdude12 · 01-10-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Always a bonus.

I always found it ironic how dirty-jungle Kate (roughed up hair, dirt on her cheeks, B.O., etc) was MUCH hotter than make-up/dress/done-up Kate.

[Show spoiler]

01-10-2012, 02:42 PM	#25988
Steve46 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Oshawa, ON 4K collection:156 Blu-ray collection:1040 Blu-ray reviews: 79 Trading Score:16	Top 100 continued Here's No. 16 in my ongoing Top 100 list: 16. The Bourne Trilogy (2002, 2004, 2007) Action, Mystery, 342 minutes Directed by Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass Starring Matt Damon There are times when I don't want to analyze what I am watching. Although Bourne has a mystery at the heart of the story, it's essentially fun to watch and doesn't require much thought. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne and we experience events from his point of view. That makes us sympathetic to his situation. Imagine not knowing who you are and wondering why you have certain abilities and a group of people trying to kill you. Damon is not a typical action hero and has more range than most actors cast in such roles. The resulting blend is more than pure thrills. Damon makes you care about whether Bourne lives or dies. I found myself wanting him to uncover the conspiracy and forge some kind of new life for himself. The supporting cast throughout the three movies is also worthy of mention. You'll see Clive Owen, Chris Cooper, Julia Stiles, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn. I made the mistake of watching the third part of the trilogy first because it was on cable and I was curious. The story makes a lot more sense when you see it from the beginning. After experiencing the story in the correct order a couple of times, my rating increased. If you are a fan of action, The Bourne Trilogy won't disappoint. If you need decent acting and an intelligent plot, it's also up to the task. It's hard to be bored at any time and the conclusion is satisfying. If you like the Bourne Trilogy: The Bourne Legacy is due to be released in 2012 with Jeremy Renner in the starring role. He's set to play another assassin, so it's not strictly a Bourne story, but it's set in that world. The last two James Bond movies are closer in feel to Bourne than classic Bond. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, with Daniel Craig as Bond, contain many of the elements that make Bourne work. Action fans who value good acting should probably take a look at Liam Neeson in Taken and Unknown. Taken is pure action/revenge and hardly has a dull moment. Unknown has a similar feel to early Bourne as Neeson's character suffers from amnesia and wonders why he has certain skills. If you want a female version of the story, Angelina Jolie manages a passable Bourne impersonation in Salt. Last edited by Steve46; 01-11-2012 at 01:15 PM.

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01-10-2012, 03:27 AM	#25983
Diesel Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 31 Trading Score:10	I've read polar opposite views from people on this site for that movie. Love and hate. I personally had absolutely no interest in ever seeing it.

01-10-2012, 03:28 AM	#25985
dag Expert Member Member since:Jul 2010 Location:Toronto	Oooh, you're opening up a whole kettle of worms there! Undoubtedly, Tree of Life is a highly unconventional film. There's no questioning its remarkable beauty or, if I may say, Malick's dedication to the art of film-making as a means of expressing not only ideas but also emotions. I myself must say that I don't believe the film totally succeeds. But I do firmly believe that it is an important film. I can think of no other movie that so beautifully and artfully captures the experience of childhood - how is was experienced, and how it was remembered. The cinematography and the ever present sunlight enhance the feelings of childhood wonder and learning. The mother is an idealised character, looked up to (literally) as an infinite fount of love and forgiveness. To any board member who hasn't yet seen this movie, at the very least, irrespective of how you may react to this film, you owe it to yourself, as a serious film viewer, to see Tree of Life. It is worth your time and thoughts.

01-10-2012, 01:28 PM	#25987
Steve46 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Oshawa, ON 4K collection:156 Blu-ray collection:1040 Blu-ray reviews: 79 Trading Score:16	Here are the next five in my Top 100 to see before you die: 11. Bambi (1942) Family, Animation, Drama, 70 minutes Directed by James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield and Norman Wright Starring the voices of Hardie Albright, Peter Behn, Stan Alexander and Bobette Audrey Bambi is a prime example of classic Disney. The main theme of the film is innocence, and it details the early years in the life of a young deer. I saw the film as a child and again recently when it was released on Blu-ray, and found that I had forgotten just how beautiful the story is. Bambi is raised by his mother and befriends various other forest animals such as Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk. We see Bambi learn how to walk and talk, always with the help of his friends. Like any youngster, he’s curious about his surroundings. The film is full of scenes in which he discovers new things and learns how to interact with his environment. The one scar on the film’s beauty is the death of Bambi’s mother. It happens offscreen, but it’s obviously something which could disturb small children. In fact, I know a few adults who won’t watch it because of that event. The remainder of the story is full of charm and we see how Bambi and his friends discover love and choose their mates. The Blu-ray presentation is outstanding and the film looks great considering it’s almost 70 years old. Bambi gets my vote for the most beautiful story Disney has ever told. If you like Bambi: The most obvious suggestion is Bambi II, which shows how Bambi learns from his father. I can't vouch for the movie because I haven't seen it, but it wasn't well reviewed. One film that I do think you will like if Bambi is your type of film is Dumbo. It's another classic Disney title dealing with the life of a young elephant. Like Bambi, there are some disturbing scenes. It's definitely a story that tugs at your heart. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I mention Hayao Miyazaki given even the slightest opportunity. My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo contain some of the elements that make Bambi great. These are stories with a lot of heart and should appeal to adults as well as children. 12. Baraka (1992) Documentary, 96 minutes Directed by Ron Fricke There are few films that I think everyone should watch at least once, but Baraka may be one of them. Perhaps it should be shown in schools too? It's arguably the strangest choice on my list. Baraka is a word in the ancient Sufi language meaning "the thread that weaves life together" and the film contains no dialogue and no explanation. It's a series of images taken from 24 different countries. Some of the images show scenes of animal life or extreme beauty; others show human rituals and the effects of war or poverty. The result provokes a lot of thought if you are open to such things. Shot on 70mm film, the Blu-ray presentation is among the best live action films the format has to offer. Some of the images are located in places that are not normally accessible to people. An image of an underground cavern springs to mind. If you follow the film closely, you are likely to be moved. The beauty is breathtaking, but some of the sadder scenes could take your breath away for a different reason. The contrast between good and evil is one of the themes running throughout the documentary. You might also question the path you have chosen in your life when you realize that most humans are continually racing toward something and few stop to appreciate the beauty in their lives. The special features are informative and almost as interesting as the film itself. If you are curious about where the images came from, the special features answer most of your questions. If you like Baraka: Ron Fricke is also responsible for Samsara, shown at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. It appears to be similar in content, but I'm waiting for the Blu-ray release before I see it. If you enjoyed the scenes of natural beauty and animal life in Baraka, the BBC documentaries narrated by David Attenborough are worth your time. The best of those on Blu-ray are Planet Earth and Life. 13. Being There (1979) Drama, Comedy, 130 minutes Directed by Hal Ashby Starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas Being There is an unusual movie which is told in an understated way. The events unfold slowly and the viewer is left to reflect on any meaning. Peter Sellers stars as Chance. He tends the garden of an old man and is left homeless when the man dies. The relationship is never explained. Is he the man's son? The story takes off when Chance leaves the comfort of the only surroundings he has ever known and enters the real world. He is a simple man and apparently doesn't understand the concept of lying. When someone tells him anything, he takes it literally. He suffers a minor injury when a car hits him and the owner, Eve (MacLaine), offers to have him checked out by her doctor. Although Chance knows nothing of the real world and just talks about his former job as a gardener, others take his words to heart and think that he's using metaphors. It's funny to see how much of an impact his innocent remarks have on the people around him. Sellers was nominated for his performance and Melvyn Douglas won an Oscar for his portrayal of Eve's dying husband. If you like Being There: I think Being There is a unique movie, so it's hard to recommend similar movies. It's always fun watching Sellers, so consider Dr. Strangelove, The Party, or the Pink Panther series if you enjoyed his performance in Being There. 14. Black Swan (2010) Drama, Mystery, Thriller Directed by Darren Aronofsky Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel Have you avoided seeing Black Swan because you think it's a film about ballet? That would be a shame because it's so much more than that. The film is the story of Nina (Portman), who aspires to dance the lead role in a ballet. She has to deal with the expectations of her controlling mother and also needs to explore her sexuality to enable her emotions to fully embrace the role she is seeking. The result is part fantasy, part reality. The two become increasingly blurred as the story progresses and it's left to the viewer to decide what is real and what is imagined. The result is an intense story which can actually be a little frightening at times. Portman won an Oscar for her role and was at her best. Aronofsky did a great job of placing the viewer in the middle of the action by using unusual camera angles. If you like Black Swan: The film is essentially about a woman who is struggling to achieve perfection. The pressure she is under causes her to lose her grip on reality. This idea reminds me of other films in which the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. The ultimate example is David Lynch's Mulholland Dr., which looks at the life of an aspiring actress. Fight Club and even Psycho include similar themes. If you enjoy trying to figure out a story, all three might be of interest. My full review of Black Swan is in this thread or on my blog. 15. Blow Out (1981) Crime, Drama, Mystery, 107 minutes Directed by Brian De Palma Starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow and Dennis Franz Jack Terry (Travolta), a sound engineer, is outside gathering sounds to add to his library when he records a car accident. On closer inspection, he believes that there was a gunshot immediately before the accident. A presidential candidate is the victim and Terry becomes obsessed with reconstructing the crash in his mind. The film succeeds because of mystery and suspense and it feels like a Hitchcock movie at times. Travolta is very convincing in the role. It's an interesting twist on movies based on events that have been witnessed visually. The pacing is just about perfect. Criterion's Blu-ray presentation is as good as you might expect and the special features include another complete De Palma movie. If you like Blow Out: The most obvious suggestion is Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up in which a photograph reveals a potential murder in the background. David Hemmings stars and, like Travolta in Blow Out, becomes obsessed with learning the truth about the event he witnessed. My full review of Blow Out is in this thread or on my blog.

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