"La règle du jeu (The Rules of the Game)" (1939)

-one of the first instances of 'hyperlink cinema'

-extraordinarily written and devised; but also executed, which of course is most important

-if its Renoir, its got to be well shot- which it was

-acting was so very natural and human-based; nothing overboard or unrealistic- actors are humans too you know....

-Christine represented the prize everyone longed for but its interesting who she ends up with

-for 1939 it was rather raunchy with the many affairs going on and how the characters were SO bourgeoisie that some didnt even care

"Umberto D." (1952)

-Vittorio de Sica truly is a master of exploring the human condition; "Ladri di Biciclette" (1948) is done in a very similar way- instead of a dog there is a young boy

-moving performance from Carlo Battisti who plays Umberto- he carries and introduces himself as if he own Italy himself and he should; he must present an image of success at all times

-i think the dog Flike represents our possessions. even though we try to leave them, they don't want to leave us- it is a truly beautiful companionship although an inordinate one

-there are many heart wrenching and heartwarming scenes; many surprised me and moved me

-Maria, the servant of the flat, represents our friends who are trapped themselves but do everything in their power to help us

-the owner Antonia represents any higher power in any society that is corrupt and cruel

-there is a world within "Umberto D."

-last scene shows truths in our relationships; we really cant just leave each other, we have to keep holding on

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
1957	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Motion Picture Story Cesare Zavattini

"Ran" (1985)

-impeccably shot and pristine direction

-breathtaking art direction and costume design

-Tatsuya Nakadai playing Lord Hidetora delivers an incredibly powerful performance that really tied the movie up

-the locations for the palaces and ruins were eye candy making this one of the most visually dazzling films of all time

-for me, "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro" were still better, even "Rashomon" was. this was still visually his most impressive work

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
1986	Won	Oscar	Best Costume Design Emi Wada
	Nominated	Oscar	Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Yoshirô Muraki Shinobu Muraki
			Best Cinematography Takao Saitô Shôji Ueda Asakazu Nakai
			Best Director Akira Kurosawa

"Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot (M. Hulot's Holiday)" (1953)

-a funny and warm French comedy

-it works as a silent film; Jacques Tati's (writer, director and M. Hulot) comedic moments are as funny and work as Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd tricks. ironically there is very little necessary dialogue like "La Ballon Rouge" of 1956

-excellent character development. we get to know all the characters as Hulot gets to know them

-the music is wonderfully present providing a cozy and warm feeling a throughout the film

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
1956	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Jacques Tati Henri Marquet

"Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie (The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie)" (1972)

-revolutionary surrealist filmmaking from the master of surrealism himself Louis Buñuel

-i have never seen something, other than 'Obscure Object', so ingeniously constructed and conformed. so different and unique with an idea that could only be thought of by a true surrealist

-they never eat a single bite of food until one breaks

-like "Inception" but obviously better, there are dreams inside of dreams inside of dreams inside of dreams inside of dreams inside of dreams....

-the cinematography and color pallet were astonishingly beautiful; just in these two pictures you can feel the warmth that only Almodovar or Fellini can emit

-shocking and surprising masterpeice that resonates in our minds a long time after viewing

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
1973	Won	Oscar	Best Foreign Language Film France
	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced Luis Buñuel (screenplay/story) Jean-Claude Carrière (collaboration)

"Sideways" (2004)

-one of the best written films of the past 10 years

-organic performances; for some of thee actors its the best they will ever do (not Giamatti)

-it is shot and scored in this feel-good semblance but there are scenes that are quite disconcerting- it is reallyy about reaching a boring and lost time in our lives; but there is something, yes that costs money, but there is something that makes it all worth living and working through. for Giamatti's and Virginia Madsen's characters its wine

-so its not really a film about wine- you dont need to even know what wine is to understand the film

-there are scenes of great pain and of great passion; the ending is....

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2005	Won	Oscar	Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay Alexander Payne Jim Taylor
	Nominated	Oscar	Best Achievement in Directing Alexander Payne
			Best Motion Picture of the Year Michael London
			Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Thomas Haden Church
			Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Virginia Madsen

"Akmareul boatda (I Saw the Devil)" (2010)

-one of the best revenge films since the "Kill Bill" series; raw and gut-wrenching violent

-excellent character development; we could feel every emotion of even the smallest character who doesn't even speak; which obviously means the performances were pitch-perfect

-cinematography was visually stunning; it had this floating feeling and we got a real sense for the action- loved the long takes

-yes the violence was excessive but like a Tarantino film: it works!

-the title is expertly misleading- who is the devil: the serial killing psychopath or the ruthless-revenge seeking lover- and the ending is a perfect realization of who is who