The Days Before Today Gave you Visions of Tomorrow+++
Our underlying theme remains one of looking at tomorrow with an intelligent viewpoint. And although it may seem like we seem to neglect the past, it couldn't be further from the truth. The lesson is one of subtle actions in response to what has happened, even though the future is independent of today and yesterday.

Being Ebert
July 18, 2004

Since I have been unable to write incredibly creative, intelligent and amusing anecdotes, fake or real, about my life and the lives of others, I will talk about movies. No doubt. Note: I went back and put in a rating on a scale of 10, just so one doesn't misinterpret how I feel toward a film.

01. What can I say: Michael Moore is an amazing filmmaker. And although Fahrenheit 9/11 may be the worst atrocity thrown at the American people since the O.J. Simpson trial, the film will win over the common person moreso than any trashy romance novel ever could. The content is absolute bullshit, but one has to admire how well Moore edits and narrates the film in order to make sure that everything works out for him. Note that I've lost considerable respect for everyone who judged at Cannes this year as this will go down as the worst Golden Palm winner Marty in 1955. (Why the hell do people like that movie, anyway?) + 5/10

02. The film that should have won the Golden Palm, of course, is Chan-Wook Park's Oldboy. Mr. Park is my daddy, if you must know, as his filmmaking owns ten times over. If you haven't, run out now and grab a copy of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and even Joint Security Area while you're at it. The man is bringing Korean filmmaking to the forefront like never before. Oldboy is good, good, fucking good. Just make sure you got a strong stomach and all will be well. + 9/10

03. The absolute best unintentional comedy of the year has to be The Day After Tomorrow. Is it the single worst disaster film I've ever seen? Probably not, but it's damn close. If it wasn't for the thrilling special effects, I would have wanted my money back. Key sentence that saved the film: In order to bribe Mexico into letting Americans into the warm country, "The President has forgiven all Latin American debt." Oh, dream on Argentina. + 3/10

04. My buddy desribed Mystic River in the best manner I can imagine: "It's a damn good episode of television." Besides wondering throughout the movie if Kevin Bacon was pissed at being the only white guy in the cast not to win an Oscar for the film, I found myself all into it and stuff. Nicely drawn out plot with one huge, albeit minor, whole: You knew everything that was probably going to happen. That being said, enjoyable. + 7/10

05. The most recent pleasant surprise of a film has been this year's Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film, The Barbarian Invasions. Typically, I've found most films in that category to be filled with drool and slow-moving bullshit that makes me fall asleep. And that fact is especially true if the film is French. That being said, these Canadiens sure pulled off a nice coup d'etat. Aside from the inventive dialogue featured in the film, the simple storyline kept me in tune, temporarily disabling my ADD issues and enjoying the two hours of virtual-heroine induced sedation. + 6/10

06. So far, the absolute biggest surprise film for 2004 has been 50 First Dates. I refused to watch it for so long, but I'm quite glad I did. It's a ridiculous plot that somehow gels together at the end and makes you smile, cry and other mushy stuff you'd never admit to your male (and possibly female) friends. Sandler is a bit annoying, but the character works. Barrymore is sweet and angelic, yet I still think of her as the girl who gave David Letterman a peepshow. Worth the watch as Rob Schneider's crude humor will keep you awake if you ever get annoyed. + 6/10

Ever since work started, all I do is play video games and watch movies. (This is after work, of course.) I also like to read sometimes, because learnings big words is cool and stuff. Anyway, feel free to give me some movie recommendations. Or start discussions that will stretch my brain cells. I'm sure I'll return soon with many more reviews.

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i guess "being roeper" didn't have the same ring to it...

you should try:
American Psycho
Rules of Attraction
Party Monster (my new fav)

"The content is absolute bullshit" <3 <3....make sure no one in the village hears you say that.

I suggest you watch Band of Brothers, the 6 part HBO series.

Since you're in New York, you can go see Garden State. I have to fucking wait another month to see it. boo.

Other choice films this year:

-Saved!
-Napolean Dynamite
-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
-Anchorman
-The Ladykillers
-Dawn of the Dead

Old Boy started off strong, but went off the rails by the end. Fun to watch, but ultimately not a great film. I disagree with every one of the recommendations you list here, except maybe 9/11, but even that film was better for its ends than its means.

Zatoichi was the best recent film I've seen, that's my word.