FILMS
A list of 10 films not to be missed.
1. " The English Patient". Written and directed by Anthony Minghella. Produced by Saul Zaentz. This is a near perfect film about the power of love; and does it pack a wallop. The English Patient also highlights the random brutalness of war; and makes one reflect on how incredible overpowering love can be, and yet its fragility in the face of each person's fate. It is one of those films where every single frame is an astonishing artistic creation of beauty and cinematic power. Go see it.
2. " Un Coeur en Hiver (A Heart in Winter)". A film by Claude Sautet with Daniel Auteuil, Emmanuelle Beart and Andre Dussollier. A subtle and well wrought story with superb character development and unforgettable dramatic scenes.
3. " I skugga Hrafnsins (In the Shadow of the Raven)". Directed by Hrafn Gunnlaugsson. A great mythic Norse film with extraordinarily gripping scenes and images about a young man, Trausti, who struggles with his fate, including betrayal, forgiveness and revenge. Most footage was taken in the stark and breathtaking landscapes of Iceland.
4. " Iphigenia". Directed and written by Michael Cacoyannis. Helen of Troy had the face that launched a thousand ships, but history rarely mentions her sister Iphigenia, whom just before the thousand ships were launched, was told by her father Agamemnon that she was to be married, but Agamemnon instead betrayed Iphigenia and murdered her in a ritual sacrifice so his Greek fleet would have good weather on its way to Troy. You will never forget this film; the characters, script, and heart wrenching scenes are of unbelievable intensity.
5. " Fresh". A film by Boaz Yakin. A story about a young black boy who pushes drugs in a world of poverty, crime and grafitti. This is a stark and violent film but with a riveting story underneath. The final scene in Fresh is memorable.
6. " Ruby in Paradise" . Directed by Victor Nunez. A simple yet insightful film of the personal growth of a young woman played by Ashley Judd. This was Ashley Judd's first major film, and she performs with a natural and personal style that is moving.
7. " Ben Hur ". Directed by William Wyler. Written by Karl Tunberg. This is a story about a man whose entire life is changed when a piece of roof tile from his house accidentally falls into a parade of Roman soldiers causing pandemonium and his immediate arrest. Judah Ben-Hur who is wealthy suddenly becomes a slave in the Roman galleys for many long and terrible years. Judah's entire life is about returning to the wealth and status he once had, and his indomitable ambition leads to his success in one of the greatest film sequences ever produced, a superbly choreographed roman chariot race. Yet, immediately after this magnificent scene of physical conquest, Judah Ben-Hur realizes his victory is a delusion when his arch-enemy Messalla tells him his mother and sister are lepers in a local leper colony. A sweeping epic tale, beautifully filmed and with a great story.
8. " The Sound of Music". Directed by Robert Wise. Written by Richards Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This is the greatest musical ever filmed; the images, songs, and film editing are masterful. There are many remarkable moments in this film, a Mother Superior singing to a young Maria that she should "Climb every Mountain", the rigid Captain von Tropp falling in love with this woman "who will never become a nun", the von Tropp children hanging from trees in new clothes that are just drapes from the country mansion. The Nazis. There is no other musical like it.
9. " Searching for Bobby Fischer". A Film by Scott Rodin. This film is fun to watch, and I mention it because I love to play chess myself. Searching for Bobby Fischer does a good job depicting the mood and feel of playing chess, and also the competitive sharpness and challenge of the game. Has some reminiscent sequences in regards to the great Bobby Fischer. The mother's role in this film I felt was especially well done.
10. " Phenomenon". A Barbara Boyle and Michael Taylor production. John Travolta and Kyra Sedgwick. I cannot forget the image of the wind passing through the top of trees in this idyllic film, or all the wicker chairs George bought from Lace. A simple film but with heart.