watch more foreign films

I watched L’Auberge espagnole last night with two friends. I didn’t really enjoy the special effects in the beginning scenes while Xavier was walking through the office buildings, but the rest of the movie was great! It was really funny, especially some of the scenes during Wendy’s brother’s visit. It annoyed me, however, that Audrey Tautou was featured on the cover of the movie as if she were the main character, when she really has a pretty small role. I know she’s the most recognizable person, but it still bugs me.

I also saw Water recently. I’m not very good at writing reviews, so I’ll just say that it was one of the best movies I’ve seen recently. I really want to see Earth, too, but I can’t find it anywhere. Blockbuster (the only rental place nearby) doesn’t carry it, and I can’t find it at my library.

I can now add Nuovo Cinema Paradiso to my list. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I rented it thinking it would be a long movie (155 min) but it turns out that the US version is only 120 min. Why is that? The young actor playing Salvatore was so sweet though. He reminded me of the little boy in La Vita è Bella.

I also watched Fire over the weekend, which was an amazing movie. I loved the how the ending was linked to the Indian story told throughout it, where the woman proves her innocence by going through the fire. Only two more to watch now!

Over the past few days I’ve watched: Bella Martha, and Pelle the Conqueror. They were both really good. Martina Gedeck is a great actress. Now I really can’t wait to see Das Leben der Anderen.

I was so disappointed when I went back to the library. I searched their online database, and found several movies I wanted that hadn’t been checked out, but when I went in the next day, they were all gone! I think it’s a conspiracy.

I was at the library this afternoon, browsing through their movie collection, not really expecting to find much, when I saw that they had a copy of Au revoir, les enfants. Another movie on my list (and French too!). I don’t know what it is about holocaust movies, but I can’t stop watching them. And they always make me cry. This was no exception. I was so upset when Julien looked back at Jean at the end. What a thing to have on your conscience for the rest of your life.

Another movie on my list is Joyeux Noël. I actually rented it a few months ago, but was too busy to watch it. I have a lot more time now though, so I’ll probably take it out again.

So I just saw A Very Long Engagement. I was a little disappointed. And slightly confused. The plot is complicated, and there are so many details and characters to keep track of. It definitely warrants a second viewing, however. I think I might enjoy it more if I know what is going on.

Next, I’m going to rent The Spanish Apartment. They played it at the foreign film fest at my school last fall, but I couldn’t make it. I was also wondering, are there any French movies (easily accessible ones) that don’t have Audrey Tautou in them? It’s not that I don’t like her, I just want to see someone else for a change. Every single French movie I’ve been able to rent stars her.