(68) Rachel Getting Married

(67) MASH

Directed by Robert Altman
Rated R
1970
116 minutes

****

Might get slammed a bit for this, but I didn't really get it. Yes it was funny. Actually, VERY funny. But compared to some of Altman's other films, like Nashville, The Player, Short Cuts or Gosford Park, I thought this wasn't even close. I don't know. Maybe I need to check it out more in-depth.

(66) Nashville

Directed by Robert Altman
Rated R
1975
159 minutes

*****

Robert Altman's 1975 masterpiece about a large group of people in the title city for a political rally is just about one of the best uses of a large cast I've ever seen. Every character (easily over 25) is fleshed out completely, and it makes for a brilliant portrait of life in about five different tax brackets while still injecting itself with great music and performances at the same time.

(65) McCabe & Mrs. Miller

Directed by Robert Altman
Rated R
1971
120 minutes

****

(64) Bikur Ha-Tizmoret

Directed by Eran Kolirin
Rated PG-13
2007
87 minutes

****

An Egyptian police band, in Israel to play a small concert, end up in the wrong town. A quietly funny night ensues. Probably one of the driest comedies I've ever seen, so much so that it almost borders on drama, is one that really pays off in its small moments.

(63) My Kid Could Paint That

Directed by Amir Bar-Lev
Rated PG-13
2007
82 minutes

*** 1/2

(62) Rachel Getting Married

(61) Surveillance

Directed by Jennifer Lynch
Rated R
2008
97 minutes

* 1/2

When I didn't have the opportunity to see this film at last year's Chicago Film Festival, I was extremely disappointed. A huge David Lynch fan, I was extremely excited to see what his offspring could do. Unfortunately, in her second film (and first in 15 years), Lynch the younger doesn't seem to have any more talent than Eastwood the younger. A laughable plot (with a twist you better figure out in the first fifteen minutes) and ridiculously over-the-top performances round out this (at times) excruciatingly bad entry into the already weak modern horror/thriller arena.

(60) In America

Directed by Jim Sheridan
Rated PG-13
2002
105 minutes

**** 1/2

How a film whose plot centers around a family that moves from Ireland to a rundown apartment complex in New York after the death of their son manages to be one of the most uplifting films I've ever seen is something I will never understand. Fantastic performances from the whole cast (particularly Djimon Hounsou's Oscar-nominated part) in a film that recalls the simple joys in growing up.

(59) Millions

Directed by Danny Boyle
Rated PG
2004
98 minutes

*** 1/2

Danny Boyle's 2004 film about a boy with a large imagination who finds a bag filled with money and attempts (against all odds) to do good with it was never the hit it deserved to be. It's nothing especially great, but appeals to both adults and kids alike.

(58) A Life Less Ordinary

Directed by Danny Boyle
Rated R
1997
103 minutes

** 1/2

If you consider yourself a big fan of Danny Boyle's great films, like Trainspotting, Sunshine, 28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire, etc., I must advise you to stay away from this one. It was clearly his big attempt to break into the mainstream after Trainspotting, with a big cast and budget, but almost completely fails. Has its moments, and Delroy Lindo and Holly Hunter are great in their roles, but mostly a big disappointment.

(57) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Directed by Kurt Kuenne
Rated R
2008
95 minutes

****

I don't really want to say anything about this film other than it is the most affecting, devastating, HEARTBREAKING film I have seen in my life. Technically, it's not perfect, but that can be forgiven because of the message. I won't say anymore because I don't want to ruin it, but just see it. It NEEDS to be seen.

(56) Trainspotting

Directed by Danny Boyle
Rated R
1996
94 minutes

****

Before Danny Boyle became one of the biggest directors in the world with Slumdog Millionaire, he was one of the kings of the cult film world. 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Shallow Grave all have large cult followings. But the biggest of them all (and the one that jumpstarted his career) is Trainspotting. Very well may be a little "too British" for some (I had subtitles on half the time) it is nonetheless one of the most affecting drug films I have ever seen. Oh yeah, it's also hilarious.