Inserts

Sideways is the kind of movie I go to the movies for-a thoroughly delightful, gratifying cinematic experience with the focus on character and plot. Based on a novel by Rex Pickett and directed by Alexander Payne, Sideways is a buddy picture, road trip, comedy, and drama all rolled up in a seven day adventure through the wine country of southern California-yes, that's southern.

Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, is a lonely heart, still not recovered from his divorce two years ago. His friend Jack, played by Thomas Haden Church, is about to get married, and the two men decide to go on a week-long wine tasting adventure before Jack settles down. The two men couldn't be more different from each other providing the story with textbook character contrast-expertly written, directed, and played. Jack's an intractable womanizer who wants to get as much action in as possible in these seven days before his apparent death sentence. Miles is depressed and frightened of any closeness that may present itself. But what Miles lacks in joy and courage, he exhibits in his deep knowledge of wine-providing the audience with both humor, and quite frankly, education. I'll never look at Pinots the same. Virginia Madsen as Maya and Sandra Oh as Stephanie round out the principle cast. All the actors do a terrific job. I simply did not see one false moment. And Paul Giamatti, again, deserves a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of this conflicted character.

"Mostly Martha" is an utterly delightful motion picture that skillfully combines drama, comedy, and romance. This is one of many European films that deserves much more attention and appreciation in the United States than it has received. In addition to the skillfully told story, I was particularly impressed with the high quality of the acting.

"Elling" is an absolutely perfect coming-of-age story starring Per Christian Ellefsen who does an absolutely brilliant job of portraying a unique lovable character. The main character and the film's progress are thoroughly captivating. Bravo! to all concerned!

I loved this movie which was released in the same era as "My Left Foot". I consider "Gaby: A True Story" an equal in quality to that movie, and I hope that it will some day receive the attention it deserves. The performance by the female lead is as haunting as the story itself.

"Unbreakable" is M. Night Shyamalan's best film so far. It is a well-focussed, disciplined drama about the distance we feel between ourselves and our passions, our abilities. It is also about the value we find in our lives and give to our world when we shorten this distance--to zero. The writing, acting, direction, camera work, editing AND music are superb. There is not one wasted moment in this movie. I hope many more people will discover "Unbreakable".

Heaven is a spectacularly well-written, directed, and acted. It is inspiring to see the depth of character and feeling so successfully portrayed in this film which deserves multiple Oscar nominations. I hope that more people will discover this film.

Chac is one of the best films ever produced and distributed about the shamanism of an indigenous culture in conflict with the material/technological/monotheistic world. It is a small story with a grand statement and emotional impact.

"Secretary" is a great movie, and deserves much more positive attention than it has received. The female lead deserves an Oscar nomination. Though I am dating myself by mentioning this, "Secretary" is somewhat of a "David and Lisa" for the aughties. However, it is a much more daring film, with a much more powerful impact. Though "Secretary" is an odyssey through human psychopathology, the filmmakers have the insight necessary to portray a positive vision. Ultimately, for those who are willing to view this film with open eyes and unfettered ears, "Secretary" is as inspiring as it is dark.

"The Duellists" is a spectacular movie that deserves to be seen on, and revived for the big screen. It's drama is totally impactful, and its vision is enthralling. It did not get the praise and audience it deserves, and I hope that someday it will be reborn to a new, larger viewing public.

Theresa Saldana was a Hollywood actress in the late-seventies, on the verge of major stardom having recently played a major role in Scorsese's "Raging Bull". The actress was stabbed in the chest and abdomen 26 times in the streets of L.A. by a crazy man. This is a made-for-television movie about the attack and its aftermath. Theresa plays herself, and I have the utmost admiration for this person I only know as a screen actress for the immeasurable amount of courage and skill it took to survive, to grow from, and to publicly relive this crisis in her life.

Return of the Secaucus 7 is one of the primary harbingers of the excellence which can be found in modern independent film making. It was thoroughly entertaining and original, and I feel that "The Big Chill" was a tepid remake of this original vision. Thank you John Sayles.