An abortion clinic worker with a special heritage is enlisted to prevent two angels from reentering Heaven and thus undoing the fabric of the universe. Along the way, she is aided by two prophets, Jay and Silent Bob. With the help of Rufus, the 13th Apostle, they must stop those who stand in their way and prevent the angels from entering Heaven. Yes, it’s a weird movie, but with a great message.

I have always loved Kevin Smith’s style of directing, anyone who has criticized Dogma for being offensive has really not understood the film. Dogma is full of excellent moments, such as Alanis Morissette in her small but important role as ‘God’, I also like Damon and Affleck together, no matter what they do. All the performances were excellent and the actors complimented each other superbly.

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3zEraHgfO4

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A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work. Director Julie Taymor was able to make a movie that is touching, informative, beautiful, and surrealistic like Frida Kahlos pictures. Starring Salma Hayek, who is stunning as Kahlo and deserved her Oscar nomination, and Alfred Molina as Rivera, who was convincing and almost unrecognizable. 

“Frida” chronicles the life Frida Kahlo shared unflinchingly and openly with Diego Rivera, as the young couple took the art world by storm. From her complex and enduring relationship with her mentor and husband to her illicit and controversial affair with Leon Trotsky, to her provocative and romantic entanglements with women, Frida Kahlo lived a bold and uncompromising life as a political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary.  Julie Taymor was able to make a movie that is touching, informative and beautiful, and surrealistic like Frida Kahlos pictures. (Won 2 Oscars)

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudfarZ-ZNk

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Also known as “Come As You Are”, a beautiful film from Belgium starring Tom Audenaert, Robrecht Vanden Thoren and Gilles De Schrijver as three disabled friends who want to go to Spain, to lose their virginity, the story is based upon a real-life experience. They get help by nurse Claude, played by Isabelle de Hertogh, who drives them through Belgium, France and Spain, in her own way.

“Hasta la Vista” has its moments where your eyes tear up with joy and laughter as well as wanting to cry your heart out just moments later. The chemistry between the trio (or perhaps I should say foursome) of actors comes across as very real and the story is truly wonderful. Philippe is paraplegic and hilarious, I’d say he brings in the humor, that’s necessary to make a movie like this enjoyable. The actors are nothing but great, and if you’re not moved by the end, you don’t have a heart ;)

(This film also reminded me of “Intouchables”.)

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS0St2NMk1Q

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A Rainer Werner Fassbinder film also known as “The Marriage Of Maria Braun”. This movie follows the life of a young German woman, married to a soldier in the waning days of WWII. Fassbinder has tried to show the gritty life after the end of WWII and the turmoil of the people trapped in its wake, and like always with brilliant writing.

Braun (Hanna Schygulla) is working at a bar for American GI’s and even after she hears from a fellow soldier that Hermann has died, will still stand by him as she sleeps with a black GI and comes close to bearing his child, but then her husband (Klaus Löwitsch) reappears and a murder occurs, he takes the rap so she can be safe. Later she works for a German businessman (Ivan Desny) and becomes his sometimes mistress and rising star in the company. Maria will do whatever it takes to be successful, but she’ll always be married.

Karl Oswald: You were different last night.
Maria Braun: Last night I slept with you. Today I’m working for you.
Karl Oswald: Afraid someone will think we’re having an affair?
Maria Braun: I don’t care what people think. I do care what you think. And you’re not having an affair with me. I’m having an affair with you.

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYyx5DwWu0k

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A film adaption of Erich Segal’s novel “Love Story” by Arthur Hiller, starring Ali MacGraw, Ryan O’Neal and John Marley. The movie’s premise is simple: the typical boy meets girl love story, with the cliché rich boy, poor girl angle. But I think its simplicity is part of what’s so great about it. I fell in love with Oliver and Jenny (and as corny as it may sound, I think their undying love for each other is ultimately what we’re all searching for), and their tragedy became my devastation as well. It’s generally your typical soppy chick flick, with the exception that the pair don’t “live happily ever after”, but probably the best one of its kind. A story like this has become so banal today, but it was surely one of the first of its kind. And with a terrific soundtrack! (Won Oscar for best music)

Harvard Law student Oliver Barrett IV and music student Jennifer Cavilleri share a chemistry they cannot deny - and a love they cannot ignore. Despite their opposite backgrounds, the young couple put their hearts on the line for each other. When they marry, Oliver’s wealthy father threatens to disown him. Jenny tries to reconcile the Barrett men, but to no avail. Oliver and Jenny continue to build their life together. Relying only on each other, they believe love can fix anything. But fate has other plans. Soon, what began as a brutally honest friendship becomes the love story of their lives.

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxOs2ZGRALU

China, 1920. One master, four wives. A film based on Su Tong’s novel directed by Yimou Zhang, starring Li Gong, Jingwu Ma, Cuifen Cao and Saifei He. The story we see is a visual treat but overlays a much deeper story of China in myriad aspects. This movie has it all, betrayal, conflict and tragedy, the story, the implicit attacks on the Communist regime, cinematography, direction, and acting (Gong Li was superb), one extraordinary piece of cinema magic that transcends both cultural and language differences. The film was so refreshing and exciting for me, yet it was also quite a dark film. The cinematography is exquisite, the artistic use of color breathtaking. I don’t care what anyone says, it belongs in the top 10 films of the 90s worldwide.

China in the 1920’s. After her father’s death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen has already three wives, each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master’s attention carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice. And each wife schemes and plots to make sure it’s hers. However, things get out of hand.

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vivaoPZhIH8

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