Weekend movie recommendation

I know you're probably thinking this place has become all Israel all the time, and honestly I'm as sick of it as you probably are.  And it's not over yet by a long shot.

So now for something completely different: if you're looking for a movie this weekend, I can recommend Four Minutes, a very intense German film with superb acting, direction that's always impressive and at times breathtaking (I stopped the film a few times to admire the framing), and at least one stunning musical performance.  Easily one of the best films I've seen in the past year.

If you have any film recommendations you'd like to share, please do.

Comments

[KDelphi]

Is it pay per view or a dvd?

I get INdependent Film Channel and Sundance, but, they keep playing the same movies over and over lately.

"Running the Sahara " is good on Sundance. "Spectacular" is good , on IFC---it is Elvis Costello with assorted musicians...

[Save the Oocytes]

I haven't seen anything recently that you wouldn't already know about, but a few years ago I saw a film called Drowned Out about the Narmada Dam project that was educational.

[John Caruso]

I saw it on DVD. It was on the festival circuit last year, and I didn't catch it then, but it was terrific—I haven't been this excited about a German director since Tom Tykwer.

One of my other favorites this year was In Bruges, which was funny as hell and had a surprising amount of depth.

StO, I don't believe you—just based on your Korean film listing over at Jon's site I know you're seeing some things I haven't, and I also get the impression our taste in movies runs in similar directions. So don't hold back on the good stuff. Plus, who knows who else here hasn't seen something you have?

[KDelphi]

In Bruges! I saw that...I liked it...it didnt have too "hollywood" an ending, they setting was gorgeous, and, the hero---I wont spoil the story.

Dumbass one not worth paying for "Darwin Stories"---Yeeaach!! Feinnes and Ryder and a few other god actors---no chemistry! I dont get to see box office movies...

[muzzy]

some films i recently saw and would recommend:

favorite political film 2008 : "Il Divo" http://european-films.net/content/view/1036/131/

1986 soviet sci-fi satire : "Kin-Dza-Dza" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kin_dza_dza

1989 soviet sci-fi apocalypse : "Visitor of a Museum" http://cineaenima.blogspot.com/2009/01/visitor-of-museum-konstantin.html

[SteveB]

Sorry, but I'm doing newspaper reviews this weekend, because the New York Times is doing that "paragraph 2 completely contradicts paragraph 1" trick again:

Here's one, in an article about the "new relationship" between the U.S. and Iraq:

The Iraqis need the Americans not just to dampen terrorist activities within the country but to protect them from predatory neighbors. Syria and Iran have interfered here since the invasion, and while the Iraqis are often uncomfortable with how the Americans have reined in these powers, they are reluctant to stop them because they fear their neighbors more.

When American forces pursued insurgents over the Iraqi border into Syria in late October, it was an international incident. Iraq was embarrassed in front of the Arab world. Such incidents are likely to recur and could become much more fraught.

Get that? 1) It's Iraq's neighbors who are "predatory" but 2) we're the ones invading the neighbors and causing "international incidents" and "embarrassment."

And "Such incidents are likely to recur" has me wondering. What does the New York Times know that they aren't telling us? I suppose it would be hopelessly naive to point out that using Iraq as a base for attacks on other countries is explicitly prohibited by the US-Iraq withdrawal agreement that Bush signed and Obama endorsed.

[SteveB]

Here's another one, that may or may not be an example of the same self-contradiction phenomenon, depending on how likely you think it is that Obama is sincere about reforming the health care "system."

If Mr. Daschle’s confirmation is derailed, it would undoubtedly hurt one of Mr. Obama’s major domestic priorities: revamping the health care system. Mr. Daschle has been asked by the president to serve in a dual role spearheading that effort as the White House “health czar.”

As a politician, Mr. Daschle often struck a populist note, but his financial disclosure report shows that in the last two years, he received $2.1 million from a law firm, Alston & Bird; $2 million in consulting fees from a private equity firm run by a major Democratic fundraiser, Leo Hindery Jr. (which provided him with the car and driver); and at least $220,000 for speeches to health care, pharmaceutical and insurance companies. He also received nearly $100,000 from health-related companies affected by federal regulation.

OK, so 1) Daschle is essential to Obama's plan to "revamp" health care, 2) Daschle is in the pocket of the people responsible for health care needing "revamping."

[KDelphi]

muzzy--Thanks! I love movies, esp. independent films...

SteveB--Yes! There are even some stories about Daschle's bought out status, and tax "problem" (I had them once,tax problems, when I had some money--I had to pay back IMMEDIATELY with interest---had to get a loan! (just 1000s), on Common Dreams!

Daschle's "plan" just enriches the
"insurance" industry! It is a sham , and, should be rejected by those seeking real reform, in favor of the House's Conyers/Kucinich/ Kaptur and Senate Sanders/Feingold, etc, ETC. HR 676--Medicare for All! It is not truly nationalized care, but, it is better than Daschle and Baucus' insurance industry ass-kissing plan! It will leave at least 5 million people out, and, will pool the poor. I guess I've said that. Here are some good links on it.

I, apparently, need a surgery on my hands to keep the crippling of RA at bay---of course, Medicaid will not cover it, nor would Daschle's plan! How is keeping a person with a Master's degree sitting home, to keep her Medicaid saving money? Its not!!

I tried driving to deliver phone books a year or so ago--I made $56--they took it out of my check, and, cancelled my Med. coverage for 3 mos!! I paid it back with INTEREST! Did Geithner? No!

I am also paying 10% every month for what little stock I had left from the accident...they took my state pension (I had about 15 yrs in )--it is absurd--it is costing you money and it keeps me a prisoner!

[KDelphi]

Those links I posted about health care, one of them hung up my browser---sorry. I had no idea. I'm glad you didnt post them. I had to reboot everything.

Trolls, hanging around Huey Long websites, I guess...

[KDelphi]

Sorry to bring this up, this link is ok. Truth Dog. Obama plans to continue extraorinary renditions.

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20090201_obama_keeps_renditions_in_the_toolbox/

[John Caruso]

Muzzy, you've won the previously-unannounced yet no-doubt coveted "most obscure movie references" award hands down. Thanks for the pointers—I'll keep my eyes open.