THE TEN BEST MOVIES I’VE SEEN IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
1. Donnie Darko
Seriously, this one’s *this* good. The way it deals with negative and positive consequences of choices is just awesome. Totally mind-blowing.
2. City of God
Growing up in one of Rio de Janeiro’s slums, from childhood in the 60s to late adolescence in the 70s, with gang wars, attempts to stay out of trouble, and police brutality. Also an interesting perspective on the formation of order in a society, represented by the main antagonist’s rule about no one raping or murdering in *his* favela.
3. Gosford Park
This movie is a crown example of use of understatements, facial expressions and quick glances as ways of communicating a story. A murder is committed during a hunting party on a huge British mansion in the 1930s, and no one are able to solve it, except for the Scottish maid Mary. It has awesome acting and brilliant story, and is perfectly executed in every way.
4. Quills
The tale of the Marquis de Sade and his imprisonment. Perverted, sadistic (duh) and naturalistic portrayal of a man who has to write, and the people around him.
5. The Merchant of Venice
An adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, where the movie makers direct the viewer’s sympathies from character to character. I’ve understood that it’s common to distribute blame equally between the characters for the last 150 years, and that the play’s original anti-Semitism is heavily toned down. I don’t know how other versions of this play has done it when it comes to placing blame on the non-Jews, but I know that in this movie, things’re perfect. Ingenious acting, too.
6. The Talented Mr. Ripley
I don’t really know what to say about this one. It’s uncomfortable to watch, it develops in all kinds of unexpected directions, and it’s flawlessly put together.
7. Elizabeth
One of the best historical dramas I’ve seen. And, as far as I’ve understood things, this one attempts to depict Elizabeth I’s rise to power as realistically as possible. And boy, is it fascinating to observe the ruthless men that surrounds the young pretender to the throne, and the intrigues of court and of international politics. Damn, I gotta watch this one again soon.
8. Full Metal Jacket
The best war movie ever, period. Anti-war without preaching, with little or no sentimentality, including scenes from both training and Vietnam.
9. Izzat
The first and only real Norwegian gangster movie. The sons of Pakistani immigrants find themselves alienated by the Norwegian social democracy, and attracted by a criminal world that appeals more to their old fashioned concepts of honour. Raw, brutal and a real eye-opener.
10. Good Luck and Good Night
The depicting of what a witch hunt does to a nation, and of the brave men and women who resisted. It’s not too long, either, if memory serves me right.
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