D.Moore

Lawrence blows out a burning match... and there you have it. Brilliant editing to match that of Kubrick's 2001 is followed by easily the best thing I've ever seen. In fifty years, no film has surpassed Lawrence of Arabia. And none will. The direction, the cinematography, the music, the actors, the whole atmosphere that splashes from this gem to all sides of the world, the scenes with the crossing of the An Nafud desert, the rescue of Gasim, the destruction of the train, the ship "sailing" through the desert... This is how biographies are made, this is how epics are made, and this is how gems are made.__P.S. Today, on July 4, 2012, I finally got to see Lawrence on the big screen. Thank you, Carlsbad Festival.

Jurassic Park - two hours of SOMETHING that probably changed my life. A perfect film in every respect. No matter what anyone says, the special effects are still unrivalled today. I don't know how it's possible, but when I look at a giant Brachiosaurus, I feel like it's alive. The T-Rex or the raptors in the kitchen are equally creepy. Jurassic Park got me into movies - I've loved the silver screen ever since. It also taught me to appreciate film music and gave me a reason to adore John Williams. That Spielberg's direction is unparalleled probably does not need to be mentioned, as well as the performances of all the actors. Basically, this is a movie miracle. You know it by heart, but you always like to watch it again.___P.S. Crichton's book is better, but in this case I don't think the book-adaptation comparison is appropriate. It should be perceived as Crichton and Spielberg looking at the same thing, but through their own eyes.

Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach... Add Van Cleef's villain, a first-rate bastard, and you've almost got everything. Which scene from this western of all westerns to pick as the best? For me it is definitely Tuco's running between the graves accompanied by the song “The Ecstasy of Gold".... Something like this could not be made (and composed) by man, but rather by God. The best western of all time and perhaps the second best film of all time after Lawrence of Arabia.__P.S. "Comedy" is noticeably missing from the genres here.

The very first thing I ever saw from Monty Python back in prehistoric times.... And I've been sticking with them ever since, and I keep thanking them for making my life a living hell. Despite all this, I can't comment meaningfully on Life of Brian, let alone pick my favorite scenes - I'd have to rewrite the entire script here.

Literally a great film, I haven't laughed so loudly in a long time. A script based on the premise that no disaster is so great that it can't be followed by an even greater one, a charmingly ordinary protagonist, disarmingly played by Peter Sellers, who really is to blame for everything that happens (seriously, in a way, even the drunken waiter), but who is never happy about it and tries to fix every mistake (ahem) immediately. All sorts of figures revolve around him like on a crazy clock, the gags are unusually escalated and punctuated (with the shoe, the caviar, the dinner, with the compulsive need and the toilet, with the washing of the elephant...), moreover shot in long takes... I can't imagine it dubbed (I discovered the original version without subtitles on YouTube and let me tell you, hearing Sellers' polished accent is priceless), but the film and the excellent comedy can't be harmed by even the worst Czech version. A gem.

Finally, finally, finally, finally... Thanks to the stunningly good 2DVD release of the original King Kong, I watched the film in its original version and it was worth it. Five stars are most deserved - there is simply no better monster movie than this (this year) seventy-seven year old classic. Great special effects, atmosphere, actors (especially Bruce Cabot is as good as it gets), Steiner's music, literally timeless direction and great "how the hell did they do that?" special effects. It's great!

A great film, literally ruled by Connery and Cain. What more can I say? If you like adventure, suspense, British humor, films about friendship being tested, and films that show you an idea to ponder for a long time... The Man Who Would Be King is here for you. Scenes like the one with the avalanche, the ball game, the wedding or the suspension bridge are unforgettable.

There are few films that I can say without exaggeration that I know by heart, including their soundtracks. This is one of them, and even though I know it so well that I just can't find anything new in it anymore, I still enjoy watching it. Again and again. It's a beautiful space fairytale (I wouldn't really use the term sci-fi - at least not until someone invents the lightsaber) with a great atmosphere, for everyone, big and small, with likable actors, revolutionary special effects, and a bombastic John Williams, without whom it would all be half-hearted at best. That's what films are for, to take the audience to fantastic places they will never get to themselves.

Absolutely the best gangster film I've ever seen (and I've thoroughly enjoyed both Coppola and Scorsese). A film in which there is not a single extra scene, not a single shot is self-serving and everything fits together. Sean Penn's transformation is fascinating, but of course it's Al Pacino who gets all the attention. I maintain that Carlito Brigante is his best role. Tony Montana in Scarface was an asshole - and yet everyone was rooting for him. So with Carlito, who just got out of prison and wants nothing to do with the past, it must be the same. Unfortunately for this Puerto Rican, nothing is going nearly as well as he would like. Brian de Palma is in top form here, the final fifteen minutes at the "station" is unparalleled in the film world, and a thumbs up is also in order for Patrick Doyle's score. All I have to do is listen it on its own and my eyes get weirdly moist...

I haven't seen Whiplash, I didn't enjoy the cheesy La La Land, but I'm unreservedly excited about First Man. Captivating aerial scenes of all kinds (you feel like you are sitting there with him/them) interspersed with no less dramatic scenes from that “ordinary family life," Ryan Gosling once again acts well and I believed his character. At the same time, the script is not a classic biographical affair which, when watching it, the viewer just in spirit ticks off items and gets to the limit of kitsch only in the end (the bracelet), but it balances it, doesn't fall, and doesn’t hurt itself. I also enjoy being able to praise the music once again. Justin Hurwitz is playing the theremin, accompanying the scene with Gemini with a waltz and peaking as dramatically as if Hans Zimmer had collaborated with Philip Glass. I'm very much looking forward to the soundtrack.