The Year of Living Dangerously

So I totally LOVE Billy. He's kind of creepy but has that super knowledgeable and wise thing going for him. I loved the when he was explaining his puppets and mentioned the quote, " All is clouded by desire". The cinematography was pretty cool too. It was very shadowy and dark but it added to the darkness the movie the story was based on. It made it seem like paintings. Overall the acting was really great but in my opinion, Billy stole the thunder. He was so passionate about people and what was going on. I also really enjoyed the ties to Tolstoy

I was also super surprised when I found out Billy was played by a WOMAN! Linda Hunt did a great job. At first I thought his voice sounded very womanly but yeah, she did a GREAT job! Even won an academy award!

War Photographer

Such a moving man and with such a heart breaking vision! I absolutely LOVE James Nachtwey and his work breaks me but moves me.
The movie was good. I think what I liked most about it was the fact that this movie introduced me to James and his legacy. I was on his website so fast exploring more pictures.

Whale Rider

The scenery of this film was absolutely beautiful. I adored the accents and the acting was pretty good too. The story was compelling and easy to follow. I loved Pi's determination. Her ability to know the truth and hold firm for it even though she was not supported by her grandfather. The grandfather's stubbornness and regulations for his beliefs were pretty annoying. I know he was just abiding by tradition but everyone seemed to know about Pi except him. Enjoyed the ending. 

Manufactured Landscapes

A film about Edward Burtynsky's photography of the man-made landscape. His camera's view of what nature has been sculpted or simply turned into. I thought his work was pretty interesting and very compelling. The colors and shapes and the "natural" order of things was just remarkable. I liked the mix of still photos and pans of the camera. Overall I thought he was a very interesting artist but it was a semi-difficult movie to watch. I think it might be more enjoyable if it wasn't so drawn out and more condensed.

Shall We Dance (Japanese)

I have that it was better than the American version at least! I am pretty interested in cultural differences so it was neat to see and learn what is considered correct in Japanese culture that would be totally odd in ours (example: not touching your partner). I also thought this one was easier to watch than the American version because the plot makes a lot more sense for Japanese culture. I suggest just requiring one of the two, preferably this one...hedging your bets that people have more than likely seen the American version.

Shall We Dance

Definitely rated this at 1 star out of 5. To me, the plot was thin as were the characters. I think and fin ballroom dancing very beautiful but don't think it makes the best fit with Hollywood. If I had to pick a favorite character it would be a toss up between Link and Bobbi. They both seemed to have a little bit more substance than the remaining gaggle of characters. However, I did find Vern's idea of proposal very sweet. He wanted to propose while dancing which is a very cute idea. FIN.

Billy Elliot

This movie was so very touching. I was brought to tears many times by the story and the great job the actors did portraying their respectful rolls. The family dynamic of the Elliot's in this highly stressful time of mourning, stress, anger, and the burden of taking care of the elderly was just so astounding. The similarities between Tony and his father in terms of deep frustration and anger with the contrast of Billy's personality (which I imagine mirrored similarities of his late mother) and interests in non gender role specific things was a very nice touch...especially when he finally decided to stand up for his passion. Loved his "poof" friend and the determination of "miss". Aside from the great acting and storyline, I loved the setting. The rustic views of England were lovely.

Maya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision

Maya Lin is so very dynamic. Yes, her artwork is absolutely stunning but I could not get enough of her commentary on the "why", the concept, her feelings and grasp of the history she would aid in memorializing. Her pieces are so organic to me. Her reasons for using a circle in the civil rights memorial and the water. So amazing and thoughtful. Loved her honesty as being the "right" architect as she openly admits that she is very sensitive to the site...ie: "If you told me you wanted a Jeffersonian style house I would gladly refer you to the right architect." I also really really loved her work as an artist-in-residence in Columbus, Ohio where she mimicked topography with tons of glass (literally). Overall, great documentary that gives you in-sight to a woman who has created so much more than just an awesome war memorial. A truly diverse and exquisite artist.

Buena Vista Social Club

A documentary on the Cuban jazz-like music scene and what it used to be. The film was made by a father and son who wanted to record these great Cuban musicians. There were multiple musicians featured in the film and they talked about how they first got into music and how it progressed as they grew older. I would have to say my favorite scenes were when it was just the music. When the people all played together or sang the song they were talking about in a recollection. Have to say that the film really did not hold my interest. I found it dated and leaning towards the dull side. I did enjoy the Cuban landscape...the buildings the coast...the cars...but other than that, it was a very difficult movie to sit through.

Stomp Live

Playful, energetic, humorous, and full of some of the most amazing rhythms...Stomp Live is an explosive and dynamic piece of art that completely holds your concentration. The music the team creates is beautiful and their charm interacting with one another is terrifically priceless. A couple of pieces I really enjoyed was the rubber tube piece and the piece performed with the sinks. I got a complete kick out of the man who was constantly the one being picked on by the others. His whole persona while on stage was just classic. Shoulders that eat his neck and a smile that is more like a frown. I loved that his specialties consisted of doing one things as opposed to the others who would slap-clap-& dance away when they took center stage. The fact that they didn't talk to one another or the audience was really cool too. 

Songcatcher

Songcatcher caught me--surprisingly--off guard. After reading the summary of the movie I did not hold high hopes for the movie but was completely engrossed the entire time. Firstly, I loved the music. The voices, the banjos, even the rhythm's of the feet while they danced. I loved the casting. Every actor did a fine job with their part. Totally adored Del. What an angel she was throughout the entire movie. The cinematography was also really enjoyable. The part that caught me the most, cinematicly, was the scene where Elna and Lily are sitting at the creek after the fire and Lily goes to condole Elna. After a weak condolence--in my opinion--Lily walks a tad up stream and begins to cry which I interpreted as crying over her charred collection. With Lily with the focus of the camera lens you have this beautiful, blurry Elna looking at her older sister for a pregnant moment before looking away.
I'll totally admit my girly side and state that I absolutely loved ALL the romance going on (not so much Fate and Del...I could tell he had issues from the first scene) between Elna and Harriet and then Tom and Lily. Everything about this movie just seemed so absolutely sensual in the best possible way.
A movie I will recommend to others!

My Family, Mi Familia

First off, I thought this movie was really interesting and I enjoyed watching it but I have to admit I found Chucho and Jimmy very compelling characters in this fine movie. Chucho, who had gone through so much as a baby, was rebelling against the stereotype of what every person not from Mexico(the whites) in LA thought Mexicans did...crossing the bridge for back breaking work. What was interesting was there seemed to be no way for him to rebel because his gang involvement deemed him a typical Mexican too, especially by the police. His death was tragic and what broke my heart even more was Jimmy witnessing it. I thought the owl that appeared when he crossed the river was good initially, but then I realized/assumed it was the river spirit coming to collect his life later.
Jimmy was a character I latched onto.
I kept wanting to scream at him, "Cry! Write! Play music! Talk to someone! Get that sorrow and anger out!!" Then my angel came (his angel came), his future wife, who had experienced a life and was experiencing a life that was very similar to his. The way the marriage came about was kind of humorous because he seriously thought it wasn't a big deal but then she wouldn't leave.
The tragedy of her dying in child birth really tore at my heart strings too.
Then Carlitos wanting nothing to do with his father until he was going to leave to attain his son's idealized view of his father...it just, wow. Jimmy was so willing...his son was helping him.
I also found the mother and father very interesting. The mother was so faithful to her beliefs as was the father and yet they were dealing with children who didn't necessarily show they cared that much for their parents way of life. They gave everything to their family and showed acceptance even when it meant their worldview subducted under their child's worldview
Simply, amazing.

Also, I feel it absoulutely--positively--necessary to state that I LOVED all the colors in the movie, specifically the house.

Rabbit-Proof Fence

White Europeans that think it is right to strip a culture of its culture and assimilate them as much as possible into mainstream "white"...
it's horrible and as much as I would love to say that this "process" has ceased it is still happening today, even though it has been decades and decades after this film was made.
Rabbit-Proof Fence was moving and graphic. It depicted the pain and heartbreak of the mother's losing their daughters, the twisted emotions of the father who helped the white man in order to see his daughter physically, the overwhelming determination of Molly, Daisy, and Gracie as they walked their way home.
Molly was very inspiring and so very mature for her age. I loved how her sheer cleverness and her culture's ways of teaching had enabled her to incessantly elude capture from the country that assumed the "correct way" of living.