Directed by Robert Altman, based on Michael Tolkin’s novel. A studio executive, played by Tim Robbins, is being blackmailed by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one? This plot is written on a backdrop of sleazy Hollywood deals and several subplots involving the politics of the industry, loaded with Hollywood insider jokes.

I find it one of the best movies ever made about movies. We start with an incredible long “one-shot” showing us all the different characters on the studio lot talking - e.g. about the best long opening shots of all time while Robert Altman skillfully is showing you one. Then we see Tim Robbins in his office with famous film posters around him (who’s titles later always fit in the right situation). Tim is excellent as studio executive, Griffin Mill, the way he talks, thinks or orders water (you’ll get it if you watch it). What I loved about “The Player” is not only the original idea and the hilarious script but also, to find and name all the famous cameos. I’m not gonna give away much, but this film is absolutely worth watching!

Trailer:

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

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I think “American Beauty” is one, if not the best movie of the 90s. It deserves all 5 Oscars, including best picture. Kevin Spacey is brilliant, he plays as husband and dad in a midlife crisis, who also narrates the film in the beginning and at the end. Chris Cooper is a nice surprise, I didn’t think he could pull a off this role so damn well, Mena Suvari is perfectly playing the “Lolita”; Annette Bening, Wes Bentley and Thora Birch also give a great performance. So we see different story’s of different life’s, who are all connected, for example husband and wife, who don’t love each other anymore and escape in affairs, young children with no direction, and so on. The main subjects are trust/betrayal, conscience/morality and homosexuality. Directed by Sam Mendes, who captures the dull suburbs, but is able to show that appearances are often deceiving. With a beautiful cinematography (famous scene with the paper bag); and the script - a fantastic combination of drama and smart comedy.

Lester and Carolyn Burnham are on the outside, a perfect husband and wife, in a perfect house, in a perfect neighborhood. But inside, Lester is slipping deeper and deeper into a hopeless depression. He finally snaps when he becomes infatuated with one of his daughter’s friends. Meanwhile, his daughter Jane is developing a happy friendship with a shy boy-next-door named Ricky, who lives with a homophobic father.

Trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi917897497/

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