Love the poster... thanks for the insert.

Cheers

DVD Smurf

I dismissed Innocence because I've seen it and hated it. But then I hated the original so I hardly expect my opinion to be representative.

You have an interesting taste when it comes to film and I, by no means am going to argue whether or not a particular film deserves a higher score than what you have indicated above HOWEVER I simply can not see how:

Punch-Drunk Love ****
Shrek ***...got these scores.....

YET....
these two got lower scores..

The Son's Room ***
La Repetition *1/2


I absolutely loved La Repetition and thought that Beart was spectacular. As to Nanni Moretti I find his work often more engaging than what initially it might look like...

***

Smurfy....you're welcome ...

Pro-B

Actually I am surprised that Grimfarrow's ratings for the most part come pretty close to what would've given to the films i have seen, i thinkPUNCH DRUNK LOVE deserves it's rating while LA REPETITION had not one but two good performances, but the film was less than engaging.

I am not disputing anyone's ratings about these films...I stated before that everyone is entitled to their own opinion...however I absolutely disagree with the extremely low rating given for La Repetition....

with this said I was one of the (very) few that thought that Punch Drunk Love was vastly over-rated. Similar is my opinion regarding Lost in Translation (in fact a good summary about how I feel about this film can be read at DVDBEAVER....Gary's review is a scarry representation of my thoughts)...but that's another issue. Let's stay on Cannes films....

Pro-B

Therein lies the difference - I'd rather see one masterpiece than 5 merely good films. Even though 2002 may be more consistent in quantity, it just does not compare quality-wise.

Try to seek out Jo's THE ADVENTURE OF IRON *****. It's totally different from his earlier films, but it is absolutely hilarious!

Frankly, I do think this year's lineup is a bit weak. I'm not that wowed by the inclusion of films like THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, SHREK 2, THE LADYKILLERS, and the new Tony Gatlif films (the films I've seen from him never inspire much passion in me, despite his love for the fiery flamenco). Still, NOBODY KNOWS, TROPICAL MALADY, CLEAN, 2046, LIFE IS A MIRACLE and LA NINA SATA all interest me greatly.

I think the reason why I ultimately felt KANDAHAR is so uneven is because I only have to compare the film to his earlier works, or even his wife's film, the brilliant THE DAY I BECAME A WOMAN. While I do like the film, his unfortunate use of people who speak English really drives home the amateurism of his actors, which possibly were not present in his other films due to the language barrier. Also, he relied a bit too much on the sumptuous beauty of the film without being that articulate or even allegorical about the situation in Agfhanistan. Later films like his daughter's AT FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON and Barmak's OSAMA both do a much better job, IMO.

I think PUNCHDRUNK LOVE is one of the most romantic films since IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. I completely relate to this quirky characters, though I do feel Emily Watson's role is a bit underwritten.

As for SHREK, yes, it's quite funny. But unlike MONSTERS INC. and FINDING NEMO, the film relies more on gags and less on heart, which is why I think it isn't that great.

THE SON'S ROOM is easily the most underserving Palm D'Or winner in the last 4 years. It is ultimately a rather shallow and self-serving vehicle for its director and actor, who always had a mountain-sized ego anyways. Actually, I'm already being generous with its *** stars, because I dislike the film more and more as time goes by. The depiction of loss has been done much better in so many other films, though I do have to say that I liked the way the film wrapped up. Still, the fact that it won above so many superior films really boggle my mind.

As for LA REPETITION, it is one of the most shallow depiction of lesbianism I've seen in films. Okay, the film really isn't about that, but the whole obsession and stalking thing just didn't really seem to provide much insight beyond the whole FATAL ATTRACTION routine. Well acted? Yes. Interesting? No.

Grimfarrow and french fan:

please don't forget - or even ignore - that mdm67 is quite in good company - I mean important and serious film critics - disliking Hou and thinking he is the most overrated director in the last 10 years.
Of course when you are into an internet forum - every internet forum regarding films - today it is not good to say what you really think of Hou.
come on french fan, tell what you think (is it thought at all, come on let's see)
and Grimfarrow, please with all that stars rating, what is it the dream of your life? being Leonard Maltin?
what a snobbery

I could care less what company you entertain. I like to rate films, but it doesn't mean I want to be a critic. I am just a lover of cinema who wants to discuss films with others. I don't have to tell you what I do or who I know either, because it doesn't mean jack when it comes to good personal taste, as you so readily set an example for.

Grimfarrow
you don't like to discuss, you like sentencing or alternatively mocking people having tastes different from yours.
you are masturbatory like the films of the directors you love
that's enough for me, I got things to do, think or write whatever you want.

People who make sweeping, generalized statements about a director with no explanations, then turn around and accuse someone else of "sentencing", are the only ones I mock.

mdm 67, you did exactly what i hope someone doesn't do on this forum, which is to try posting a link to some critic who support his/her opinion or try to say what you did which was

how do you think someone responds to that, i can only say by following what you did that when 'Film Comment' did their poll on the most important person of the 90' which included contributions from film personalities from all over the world (including italy), Hou was only second to Kiarostami.

I've read and liked your contributions primarily on italian cinema which are welcome but when when you mock and compare hou's films to an animated movie, you would be naive to not expect criticism on this forum and especially in this thread. But let's all move on and instead of criticizing one another, celebrate and talk about the Cannes

Sotto Falso Nome (Strange Crime) by Italian director Roberto Ando is part of the Critics' Week at Cannes this year. It stars Daniel Auteuil, Anna Mouglalis and Greta Scacchi.



Other selections are:

L' Apres-midi de Monsieur Andesmas by Michelle Porte

Atash by Tawfik Abu Wael

Brodeuses by Eleonore Faucher

Or by Keren Yedaya

A Casablanca Les Anges Ne Volent Pas by Mohamed Asli

Temporada de Patos by Fernando Eimbcke

Calvaire by Fabrice du Welz

CQ2 by Carole Laure

Ce qu'il reste de nous by Francois Prevost and Hugo Latulippe

Road to Koktebel by Boris Khlebnikov and Alexei Popogrebsky

I am very much looking forward to these titles....

On a side note...if anyone actually happens to attend this year's Cannes....please post your thoughts of the films you have seen. Chances are I wont make it to Europe this year so.....Summerwine....if you actually go to France....please share your thoughts.....

Cheers,
Pro-B

Roads to Koktebel is a pretty good movie. A road film that is very well-shot, and a believable relationship between father & son. Not as good as The Return, perhaps (since I stil haven't seen The Return yet).

I know quite a few people who are going to Cannes. I originally planned to go as well, but I nixed the idea to focus on my current project.

good to read your brief thoughts about Roads to Koktebel since I am seeing it this Friday night at DC FilmFest.

It's always insightful to read both of your exchanges of what films you praise and don't like and I can admit to liking a number of these films, but of the films you have listed

O Brother Where Art Though?
Mood for Love
What Time is It There?
Punch Drunk Love
Spider

were overcritical overpraised films I did not particularily care for... different strokes for different folks.

I did love Moulin Rouge! though.

I am very much looking forward to "Road.....," i have seen "The Return" and from your description they seem to have a similar concept, although the concept in "The Return" was spiritually supported as much as narratively and its ambiguity reminded one of tarkovsky and sukurov, not bad for a first film in my opinion.

here are the selection for Director's Fortnight:

Feature Films

"À vot' bon coeur," directed by Paul Vecchiali

"Ano Tonneru," directed by Manda Kunitoshi

"Babae sa Breakwater," directed by Mario O'Hara

"En attendant le déluge," directed by Damien Odoul

"Gavkhouni," directed by Behrouz Afkhami

"Je suis un assassin," directed by Thomas Vincent

"Khab é Talkh," directed by Mohsen Amiryoussefi

"L'Odore del sangue," directed by Mario Martone

"La Blessure," directed by Nicolas Klotz

"Los Muertos," directed by Lisandro Alonso

"Maarek Hob," directed by Danielle Arbid

"Machuca," directed by Andres Wood

"Mean Creek," directed by Jacob Aaron Estes

"Mur," directed by Simone Bitton

"Oh, Uomo," directed by Yervant Gianikian and Angela Ricci Lucchi

"Tarnation," directed by Jonathan Caouette

"The Heart is Deceitful... Above All Things," directed by Asia Argento

"The Taste of Tea," directed by Katsuhito Ishii

"The Woodsman," directed by Nicole Kassell

"Vénus et Fleur," directed by Emmanuel Mouret

In a late addition to its official selection, the Cannes festival is to show the latest picture by legendary Hong Kong action director Johnnie To, Breaking News .

Also, the now prestigious Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema recently finished and the one film that's generating a lot of buzz is Los Muertos by Lisandro Alonso (La Libertad) which is scheduled to open in the Director's Fortnight at Cannes.

One of my best friends did the subtitling for BREAKING NEWS They weren't sure if it would pass the Chinese censors, but it did, and now it's in Cannes.

Oh, a pic of 2046

Well, Cannes started yesterday with it's opening ceremonies, hopefully some saw it on IFC, but the best way to view Cannes is from your computer with daily videos/trailers/press conferences etc.,

here's the link for May 12:

http://www.festival-cannes.org/video...hp?langue=6002

I dont know what to say about the Tarantino acts.....he is not funny at all.

Pro-B

Why do I not live on the French Riviera???? Film, beaches, and wine... what else can a film maker dream off?