Seen any good films lately?

[Sybarite]

I watched La vie en rose last night.

Now I'd heard a lot of comments about the disjointed nature of the way in which the film tells the story of Edith Piaf, and I watched in expectation of finding it at least slightly annoying or distracting, but this really wasn't the case at all. I felt that it was entirely coherent.

Very moving towards the climax, you really get a sense of what created the intensity behind Piaf's singing.

Marion Cotillard is superb in the role of Piaf – it would be very surprising if, at the very least, she doesn't get Oscar nominated next spring.

And the music, of course, is just wonderful.

[Corno Dolce]

I totally agree with Sybarite in re to *La Vie En Rose* - it is a superb movie. I hope the lead actress wins not just one oscar but more - same for the film and producer/director.

[methodistgirl]

Keep an eye out for an upcoming movie made from my hometown. I think
it's a horror movie and I don't know what the title is yet. Some of the
folks here are in it from Madisonville, Kentucky. I will keep you posted!
judy tooley

[rojo]

I'm always way behind in movie watching. The last one I watched was on tv; Mars Attacks. Really enjoyed that.

[Sybarite]

I watched Titus, Julie Taymor's 1999 film reworking of Shakespeare's play, Titus Andronicus, last night.

Returning from war against the Goths, Titus offers up the eldest son of on of his hostages, Tamara, queen of the Goths, as a traditional appeasement to the Roman dead. He then refuses the emperor's throne and nominates the venal Saturninus for the role, thinking it will avoid more problems for Rome. The new emperor then demands the hand of Lavinia, Titus's daughter, in marriage, largely to spite his brother, Bassanius, who is in love with Lavinia (and she with him). Titus, torn though he is, agrees. When Bassanius and Lavinia run away, with help from Titus's sons, he stands against them and kills one of his own. Saturninus then marries Tamara, who starts to enact her bloody revenge.

The play is an early one and is classed as a revenge tragedy. But this film employs fascist iconography to give it a modern resonance.

For instance, a number of scenes are set against the backdrop of the Museum of Roman Civilisation in Rome, which, although it was designed along classical lines, was actually built between 1939 and '40, on Mussolini's orders for his abortive exhibition, while Saturninus's costumes clearly echo fascist leaders of that era.

What this emphasises is that Titus is an honourable man, who is following orders and tradition, and trying to do what is best for his state/nation. In this he differs from, say, Macbeth - Titus does nothing wrong. That is his tragedy. The film presents us, therefore, with the idea of decent people caught up in evil times/acts, but of themselves not necessarily bad. And Tamara's early speech to Titus, saying that the Goths have done nothing different to that which Titus and his troops have done, except to be on the defeated side at the end, points up the fine line between winners and losers - history is written by the former and they declare what is morally acceptable in war and what is not.

In this, Titus is reminiscent of the magnificent Oberst Redl (1985): quashing your individuality in service of the state - treating the state as though it is an entity that is deserving of that - is a short-cut to tragedy.

Anthony Hopkins is magnificent in the title role. Jessica Lange is a revelation as Tamara and Alan Cumming does a super job of making Saturninus deeply disturbing.

This really is a magnificent film - possibly the best celluloid adaptation of a Shakespeare play that I have seen.

[Corno Dolce]

Wow Sybarite - how coincidental - I also watched Julie Taymor's film version of Shakespeares "Titus". Yes, Anthony Hopkins does a smashing job. When the *Meat Pie* is served to the unsuspecting guests...Man, and then they find out about the *contents* of the pie...egads, it just sat in my craw. That was some Jazzy music in the club scene - Ooops, I shant say more about the film lest I *spoil it* for those who have yet to see it. I give the film five stars. Thanks for reviewing the film for MIMF - nicely written review critique by you.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

[Krummhorn]

I'm always way behind in movie watching. The last one I watched was on tv; Mars Attacks. Really enjoyed that.

You're not alone on that schedule, Rojo .. seems we watch more stuff at home on the tube or via rented DVD's that we do going out to movie houses.

Last one watched: Hunt for Red October ... impeccable actors and script.

[Corno Dolce]

Just finished watching "Much Ado About Nothing" with, amongst others, Kenneth Branagh and Keanu Reeves.

[Krummhorn]

Hi Corno Dolce,

Sweet movie ... and humorous, too. Keanu Reeves is one terrific actor - everything he does it seems is always first rate.

[Rachmaninoff]

Tropa de Elite
Awesome film.

[Corno Dolce]

Henry V directed by Kenneth Branagh.

[NEB]

I saw Remains of the Day last night. I always love that film.

[ses]

An old one: Down by law
Directed by Jim Jarmusch. With Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni

It always does something to me, mostly I get it better

[Muza]

One of the good ones that I have watched lately is Everything Illuminated.
Despite it being funny and trying to make everything seem like a joke, it is a very very strong movie which I really recommend.

[Sybarite]

Wow Sybarite - how coincidental - I also watched Julie Taymor's film version of Shakespeares "Titus". Yes, Anthony Hopkins does a smashing job. When the *Meat Pie* is served to the unsuspecting guests...Man, and then they find out about the *contents* of the pie...egads, it just sat in my craw. That was some Jazzy music in the club scene - Ooops, I shant say more about the film lest I *spoil it* for those who have yet to see it. I give the film five stars. Thanks for reviewing the film for MIMF - nicely written review critique by you.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

Many thanks, Corno Dolce.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the review.