I usually prefer Ang Lee's Eastern work to his Western stuff and this was no exception. Clocking in at a hefty 158 minutes, this film has that rare ability to “fly by”. Engaging from the onset, this is storytelling at its very best. Much has been said of the two leads, and they are both powerful performances indeed, but the supporting roles make the story all the more credible (I confess to not knowing much at all of the Japanese occupation of China). A special mention is deserved for Joan Chen’s understated performance. A classic example in silently speaking volumes. In Lust, Caution I have already found a contender for film of the year.

Well, damnit, now I'm going to have to go watch it. I wasn't sure how comfortable I'd feel in the cinema, what with the reported explicitness. I don't have a problem viewing that sort of stuff - just viewing it in public would make me feel awkward.

Amadeus (1984), director Milos Forman certainly hasn't made many films since he first went to America in 1975, but when he does make films, he's very, very good at it. Amadeus, for which he won his second Oscar, is a prime example of that, based on the play by Peter Shaffer, it's a very unconventional biopic of the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (played by Tom Hulce, whatever happened to him??) whose freespirited attitude causes outrage amongst the aristocracy of Vienna, especially causing jealousy with Italian court composer Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham, who has also gone off the radar too...) Years later, Salieri as an old man claims he killed Amadeus, who lived fast and died young. A sumptuous visual feast, portraying Mozart kinda like a modern pop star, with some brilliant performances thoughout. Forman even returned home to Czechoslovakia to shoot it, (then behind the Iron Curtain), and the architecture of Prague enhances the film, and Mozart's music shines throughout this illustrious if unconventional life story... 5/5 *screamy* Pic removed

Awesome movie... Soundtrack isn't bad either... :D

Downfall Second time i've seen it, it's absolutely brilliant 9/10

I watched that again just the other night,Nic... Heavy stuff but a fantastic film...

It is such a good film, the actings great.

Is it anything to do with this? :D

Similar,although with better uniforms and more suicides...

The Philadelphia Story - Brilliant. Still one of my favourite films of all time, there's just no way to beat a film with Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart on screen together, the chemistry is magical. They absolutely do not make films like this anymore. 5/5

The English Patient Not my cup of tea, I found the Ralph Fiennes and Kirsten Scott Thomas characters really irritating. This could be due to my crush on Colin Firth :mrgreen: 4/10

Godzilla (1998) One of my Guilty Pleasures. 8/10

Film of the month so far, from me. But then, I haven't seen No Country For Old Men; Lust, Caution; and many more yet. An astonishing film. (Full review will be up in mini-reviews over on Empire tomorrow probably.) Incidentally, since I post reviews there, should I post them here as well, or is everyone on here also over there? If that makes sense...

I don’t think there are that many here who read the mini-reviews thread, Homer. If it’s only cinema releases that you review in that format, maybe each one could be a thread in the reviews forum and just a small blurb in this thread? Jeepers Creepers (3rd view) – Atmospheric and tense Duel rip-off turns into a slightly silly horror with a winged beastie that comes out of hiding every 23 years to eat people. Worth a watch – 3/5 The Assassination Of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford (1st view) – Sublime western from the director of Chopper, Andrew Dominik. Atmospheric, haunting and a story that unfolds at a leisurely (at best) pace, it certainly isn’t a film for everyone, yet it’s hugely rewarding for those who are willing. As Jesse James, Brad Pitt has never been better. A masterful performance of a legend on the edge of his sanity, yet Casey Affleck as Ford equally matches him, an idolater turned assassin through jealousy and fear. Roger Deakins’ cinematography makes the film one of the most beautiful in years, and Nick Cave’s score matched the atmosphere and imagery perfectly. The final 20 minutes are heartbreaking. A modern masterpiece and my film of the year so far – 5/5 Bonnie and Clyde (1st view) – A fine gangster film, one of the first to employ graphic violence. Faye Dunaway is excellent as Bonnie Parker, and a pre-stardom Gene Hackamn is superb. However, Warren Beatty overacts exceptionally and Estella Warren, given little more to do than screech and shout, seems to have wondered in straight from a different film altogether. These two stop the film getting that extra star – 4/5 It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1st view) – Hilarious and frustrating, filled both with moments of genius and idiocy, this is a hugely enjoyable ramshackle affair. Spencer Tracy is he nominal lead, but as one of the taglines suggested - "Everybody who's ever been funny is in it!" – There are plenty of performances to enjoy here. Blink and you’ll miss them cameos from Buster Keaton, The Three Stooges, Jerry Lewis are peppered around the larger roles given to Milton Berle, Mickey Rooney, Terry Thomas, and Phil Silvers. Overlong and flawed, but superb fun – 4/5 Sink The Bismarck! (5th view) – Stiff upper lips are the order of the day in this splendid drama chronicling the efforts of the British Admiralty in sinking the pride of the German fleet. Perhaps not the film to watch for an unbiased account of what really happened, but a cracking war film all the same. The always-reliable Kenneth More is on top form and he’s backed by stalwarts such as Laurence Naismith and Michael Horden. Director Lewis Gilbert is perhaos best known for his few Bond films or Alfie, but this deserves to be placed right alongside them - 4/5 House Of Sand and Fog (2nd view) – Alcoholism, depression, suicide, kidnapping, murder, this film is not a barrel of laughs, but it is a supremely captivating film. Vadim Perelman’s direction is never obtrusive and he just lets the story progress naturally. Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly give splendid performances, and the denouement is very moving – 4/5