momorguci

Parker Posey truly shines in this highly enjoyable romantic comedy fantasia. It takes a lot for me to post a review and I'm dragging my feet but something has to be said. Nora is a 30 something single girl who just can't seem to find Mr. Right. What makes this a cut above the rest are the several very true to life characters and scenes. From her disaster dating: insincere actor, man still in love with his ex, to interactions with her best friend and mother, the film feels genuine. It even for a few seconds seems to ponder that perhaps clinging to ideas of a soul mate are unrealistic and destructive. But then Melvil Poupand swoops in as a potential French love interest. He is the most unrealistic character of the film as he is basically, well, perfect. Mild mannered, gorgeous, attentive, passionate, and insightful. This stock character, Mr. Right/prince charming usually makes me grind my teeth in annoyance but with Mr. Poupand... mmmm delicious.... I make an exception as he is a delight to watch and ogle. His only fault it seems is he has to go back to Paris after a few days of love and romance with Parker Posey/Nora who then must make a decision if she should go to visit him. I won't reveal much else except to say that its a thoroughly enjoyable romp filled with comedy and surprisingly dramatic weight. It doesn't pander or get too corny which is very rare these days. Kudos to Drea De Matteo and Gena Rowlands as the best friend and mother who lend some spice to this tasty dish.

I can't say much about the film except that I love it. I don't want to come across like a 12 year old fan club president, but oh well. The main problem I have with many contemporary documentaries these days is that they tend to go for maximum entertainment, and little else. Overly slick, often gimmicky in nature, with flash editing and a cynical tone, they are instantly forgotten (i.e. Super Size Me, Inside Deep Throat, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, among many many others)

To be and To have, beyond entertaining is an INSIGHTFUL look into us as human beings, I know I know, a movie about the human condition, sounds corny or worse dull but it is far from either of those adjectives. The film follows a class of kinder gardeners in the French rural countryside for a year. It is both profound and simple to watch these children learn the everyday lessons of life. Even more amazing is that it does so without becoming overly sentimental or sugary. The film's point of view inevitably takes on that of a five year old, finding magic and greatness in the everyday mundane aspects of life. Highlights: When the teacher explains the concept of infinity to the children. Marie and Jojo in general are a delight. The handwriting lesson as insight into personality. I could go on and on. Just see it

Antropophagus, or the more bland, less fun title The Grim Reaper is competent entry in the early 80's eurohorror cannon.

Eurohorror is not for everyone. You must be open minded to badly dubbed dialog, questionable character motives, acting, and giant lapses of logic. All this in exchange for great atmosphere, style, and creative violence. The emphasis is on the visual. A group of travelers (among them Mia Farrow's sister Tisa!) on a boating trip to some small Greek Island start to die. Pluses: The villain is creepy, a truly menacing presence. There is an effective blind character who knows when the killer is close because "he smells of blood!" There is a suitably disturbing sequence involving a pregnant woman. Now, the version I saw was edited, there was no baby munching, but that doesn't take away from the intensity/perverseness of the scene. Negatives: Standard shortcomings