La Haine, (Hate) a French film, that I first saw at 13 yrs old, after reading an article in the NY Times, that peaked my interest in how it was a masterpiece display of dialogue, but more interestingly, for the fact that it was increidbly difficult/close to impossible to translate the French street-slang of the film into an equivalent-street English. A day-in-the-life story of three teenage friends (one black, one Jewish, one Algerian) from the Paris slums; it is a masterpiece in its A-Z transformations of characters. Also co-written by one of the lead actors when he was 17 (Said), filmed in black and white (not easy to do), acting so lucid and natural, it transcends the feeling of where one feels they are not watching acting at all. This particular clips highlights the brilliant direction & cinematography, reminscent almost of Scorcese's "Raging Bull", and also shows the incredible incorpation of music in film. I try to spread the word about this puppy as much as I can, not only because it deserves it, but also just to pass along a little aritstic inspiration. These guys are the real deal. Not one person in my life who I have passed on this recommendation to watch, has ever come back, w/out that beautiful-sort "wowed" look, I've been-changed-for-the-rest-of my-life-kind-of-look in their eyes. Enough said.

Shane Meadows, (director of the brilliant Dead Man's Shoes) is an inspiration of a director out of England, & I've got to say, the boy has some Scorcese-like skills for his young, wee age. Meadows is going to explode or maybe implode here in the sates soon, or I'm sure he already is. THIS IS ENGLAND is set against an 1980's skinhead/sharpie background in Yorkshire, England, blending some of the best writing and improv I've seen to date. Toots makes up much of the soundtrack, the film defines the very definition of comedic tragedy. A funny anecdote I heard while on my last trip to London: apparently, the young 12 year old lead actor asked after he auditioned, (once the crew asked if he had any questions), something along the lines of, "So how much do I get paid?" They knew had their boy right then & there, they decided.

Another missed film that changed/rocked/heavily influenced my writing as a whole, if you can check it, I ASSURE you, it's worth it... ten-fold. Ulrich Thomsen (lead actor in another Danish masterpiece, The Celebration ) acts his crazy-talented ass off once again--reminds me of Vincent Kissel, an actor who knows how to be still on camera. BROTHERS examines not only post-tramautic stress sydrome and verbal/physical abuse & the breakdown of a seemingly-happy family, it primarily examines the jealousy between two brothers (Cain & Able-like), showing pitch-perfectly how jealousy can become pathological, obsessive, destructive, displayed in a completely understandable progression. Similair to Sam Shephard's True West, this is one of the best character reversals between two actors I've seen on film. Connie Neilson's character (Sara), could never be topped in performance, her breaking into laughter after horror is so true-to-life, one has no problem undertanding why/how both brothers completely fall in love with her. And some of the best acting I've seen from two young children in my life, and also directed by a woman. I've noticed between films like this, "Hurt Locker" & "Generation Kill", women directors use the power of suggestion and power of physcological violence far more brilliantly than their counterparts, and have directed some, if not the best, war and mini-series films.

A first-time director's near-masterpiece of a film...

A-ha! I finally saw the magnificent MOON, flying back from London the other night, and even on the tiny movie screen they had on British Airways, beyond captivating . . .

Alexander Skarsgard, son of the brilliant Stellan Skarsgard, also stars in the near-pitch-perfect HBO series, Generation Kill. To quote one of his characters, both shows are simply, straight-up magnanimous..."lofty & king-like."

Best. Moment. Ever. Made me bust up watching this as a kid, and still has me rolling...

A masterful display of ensemble acting John Cusack stuns like never before, Nick Nolte's most haunting voice over in film history I think, and the list goes on....

Remember how Natalie Portman took her 12-year-old acting chops to town and kicked ASS in this movie? And Jean Reno, do they even make him anymore? Que freaking HOMBRE...also the brilliant director La Femme Nikita.

So, if you've ever worked in an office, 9-5 like I have, take a look at this absolute CLASSIC we most know and love. Ron Livingston, the lead actor, actually was a client where I was trapped in my own cubicle at the time, and boy, it was AWESOME expressing my love for the film, man, y'all GOT this sheet, I said. His absolute favorite film experience thus far, he responded.

Pardon the subtitles, but CHECK it: BLACK SNAKE MOAN. Flawed, but the first half, a near-masterpiece. As far as examining addiction, they GOT it. SEE this SHEET...

One of my other all time favs, a scene from the Danish film,"The Celebration". Best family dysfunction movie I've ever scene that examines denial and grief, think if Sam Shepard's Buried Child & Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, had one big massive night of partying, except w/all extended family members invited along for the joy ride as well.

Remember this gem?