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strindbergandhelium
TV Shows: Arrested Development, Strangers with Candy, Reno 911!, Kids in the Hall, The Daily Show, Gilmore Girls, Home Movies, Sex and the City
Movies: Dog Day Afternoon, Saturday Night Fever, Harold and Maude, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being There, Gremlins, Dick, The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption.
Actors: I like quite a few, I hate a couple, namely Ashton Kutcher. Why God, why?
Actresses: Same answer as above, but take out the name Ashton Kutcher and replace it with HIlary Duff.
Reviews
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
The key word is unbearable
This is possibly one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I don't care what the critics say, it's bad. I think the problem is with Kundera's novel. It's not that it's unfilmable; it's just that like 99% of his work, it's pretentious and overdrawn. He seems to be enamored with himself,his characters come off as navel-gazing, and his novels as a whole are misogynistic. I have read many of his works (even his Socialist Realist poetry. That was truly awful) -- I just don't understand what the fuss is about. Characteristics (like the self-absorption) in his novels make for infuriating reading. In a movie, all the things that I dislike about Kundera were magnified. Maybe I just missed something, but I don't think so. On a side note, I cannot believe that this is a Criterion Collection DVD. No way is this movie THAT essential.
Harold and Maude (1971)
I loved this!
I want to BE Maude when I am older. Ironically, I have never seen a movie that was so full of life and joy. There are many little things in this movie, little details and gags, that increase the movie's replayability. The acting is amazing. Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort have wonderful chemistry,which is a tribute to the their acting ability, as well as the tight writing and solid direction. I was sad that this movie did not garner more recognition than it did when it was released. I am also disappointed that Bud Cort has not starred in more things since this movie. Oh well. This is a good Hal Ashby movie to start with, but if you get a chance you should watch as many as possible. They are quirky, thoughtful and wonderful. "Harold and Maude" is a paean to life and love, even if it's in the weirdest places.
Gosford Park (2001)
Possibly The Worst Movie Going Experience Ever
This movie moves at a glacial pace, and I think the critics that gave this movie four stars just did so because they didn't want to look stupid. The funniest part of the film was not what was on screen, but the comments we made about it. This was like a Merchant Ivory MST3K movie going experience.
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
One of the most joyful movie experiences
This movie is exquisite. The acting, the direction, the cinematography, all flawless. "Amelie" is possibly the best foreign film I have seen since "La Vita e Bella". Both poignantly moving and brilliantly hilarious, it lives up the hype.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Great Film
I have been disappointed by some of the so-called "award-worthy" or attempts (that means you Moulin Rouge and The Majestic). This was not one of those films. Great film, great acting,and tight writing. I cannot see how people do not find this film funny. The group and audience I was with were howling with laughter. I highly recommend this, and Owen Wilson is a MUCH better writer than actor.