My Country My Country

This year has been full of great documentaries. This one wasn't one of them. That said, it was good, but not great. The people who really need to see this film won't.

We follow a doctor as he prepares to run for the 2005 Iraqi elections. The elections are only part of the story though. I was most moved by watching how the war there was affecting one family very personally.

The filmmaker gained access to some very amazing locations and situations. I felt like we were in Iraq watching things unfold.

The Science of Sleep

In the top ten of the year for me.

Michel Gondry is at it again. There are some hilariously funny moments and we felt that we were living in a dream for long after the movie ended.

Bizarre and quirky and wonderfully told.

This Film is Not Yet Rated

This documentary about the American Films Rating Board pissed us off. Violence is fine, hate and ignorance and damaging stereotypes about women and people of color, all OK, but one gay love scene and it's off to the NC-17 bin for you! This board really has the movie industry by the balls.

Interviews with actors and directors and a funny private investigator plot all keep this interesting and educational.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles

LHFF (Light Hearted Foreign Film) about a man who is seeking to grant his estranged son's dying wish. Based on a true story and carefully shot, we were certainly pulled into the story.

Factotum

Based on the book by Charles Bukowski, this dark comedy follows a writer, Hank, through his journey of being Bukowski's alter-ego.

The two most interesting thing about it:

1) A factotum is someone who performs a variety of jobs
and
2) The Norwegian director, Bent Hamer, also made one of my favorite films that we saw in 2004, Kitchen Stories.

Lili Taylor, whom I love, is in it but overall it misses the mark.

House of Sand

Brazilian epic about 3 generations of women. A staggering portrait of love and survival and longing. The director apparently worked the two lead roles specifically for his wife and mother-in-law and they each play themselves, their young daughters and older mothers. Sounds complicated and it is, but it is perfectly executed.

Set in the early 20th century in the deserts of Brazil, sweeping landscapes are symbolic metaphors for the women's situation.

A gorgeous film.

Quinceañera

I really liked this movie. It's so much more than a coming of age film. It's an amazing portrayal of a family and the happenings around one girl's 15th birthday.

There were a few plot items that were unexpected and interesting. The characters were 3-dimentional and fully realized.

The message of this film: All you really have in this world is your family.

Our Brand is Crisis

I hate James Carville. He and all the folks that work for him at his political marketing/consulting company are just slimy hucksters. This documentary shows the results of their treating the political process like something that should be packaged, bought and sold to the highest bidder. Oh sure, we've come to expect that in the USA, but they aren't in our country. This film takes place in Bolivia.

Brothers of the Head

Fantastic Film! One of my top 4 of the year so far.

Note to Sue - you'll love this one!

Conjoined twins from the country in England are turned into the punk/pop duo of the decade. This is so fantastically filmed (documentary style) and so believable! The music is great and the dialog and mood really take you back to 1974. Impeccable. The twins who play the twins are amazing.

Army of Shadows

Made in 1969 this was re-released and shown in the US for the first time. Set in 1942 France it shows a little peek into the French Resistance. I read that some people feel this is one of the greatest movies ever made. I wasn't that impressed.

Little Miss Sunshine

Our expectations were too high for this film. It has some great moments and Steve Carell has a hilarious role which he plays perfectly (watch the fingers spread running scenes!) but overall it's just a B-.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu

Real-time exploration of the night of a man's death. Just as bleak and sad as that. This movie was marketed and sold as a comedy. It was not. Not even close. I felt perhaps there was some cultural humor that went over our heads... I sure hope so. Otherwise this is just a sad film. I felt connected to the story and interested to see how it turned out, which, given the title, seems a little dense, but I did start to care about him and wanted him to pull through. (spoiler alert: He doesn't.)

A Prairie Home Companion

Garrison Keillor tells a whimsical and entertaining tale about a live radio show. The story of the movie is very much like the stories he tells on his show...lots of musical interludes and some great lines. Also, great performances by Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin. Robert Altman's films are woven so well.

Who Killed the Electric Car?

The government, in connection with the oil companies and the automakers of this country conspired to murder an automobile. A beloved automobile that many, many people wanted to buy. It's a sad story, but not an altogether surprising one. Most surprising is that Phyllis Diller and Mel Gibson make appearances.

A Scanner Darkly

Keanu is much less annoying when animated.

Linklater and PK Dick are a match made in heaven.