Extremist and over the top, but still an entertaining (if you can call it that) allegory for mankind; essentially an update of Lord of the Flies with the addition of governmental imposition. Wacky, violent, stylized.

Meditative and contemplative, one of Jia Zhang-Ke's best (which is saying something). Intertwining stories similar in themes: reunion, estrangement, nostalgia, destruction. Rich, textured film that encourages patience and introspection.

About halfway through their discography with a desire for more. Diverse sound with songs for just about any mood you're in.

Infectious indie-pop with some thoughtful lyrics. Give them credit for being the source of endless imitation (even if the followers were not up to par), but aside from a couple gem albums, they leave me kind of flat.

This is likely my favorite Ryan Adams recording (along with his Suicide Handbook sessions). Simple and catchy with good lyrics and melodies. Many lovely moments.

The Criterion Collection Masters of Cinema (though a region-free DVD player is needed) are a greater education in film theory than most classes I took. Wonderful stuff.

http://eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/

This is a really fun album for singing along with on a long drive with the windows down. Or for smashing guitars. Or for working. Anything, really.

Also, overflowing with references. Example: "The Right Profile" is about Montgomery Clift.

Very odd, bizarre film. An early effort from the director of Gomorrah that displays his filmmaking skill, but while tackling a less interesting, though weirder, story. Strong thematically.

Australia is a beautiful, even if oppressive, backdrop for this minimal, biblical tale. Largely free of dialogue, it is visually impressive and the pacing is meditative. Understated and subtle. Good.

Very sad the lead-singer killed himself. The first two albums are good, but my taste tends towards their latter two (It's A Wonderful Life and Dreamt For Light Years...). Fantastic stuff. Seemed like he was moving in a great direction.

Wonderful documentary. It seems to focus on the dramatic moments and outlandish comments, but that just makes for more interesting viewing, even if not an entirely honest portrayal. You can tell tons of work went into the making of this. Made me want to check out the bands involved.

This is a much different sound than her previous two albums. Perhaps the same level of instrumentation as Ys, but more subtly arranged; it feels more organic. Two solid hours of Newsom may sound daunting (and it can be), but I find it well worth the effort and concentration. Truly demonstrates she's in a class of her own.

A monumental triple album, each disc thematically mapping to morning, day and night. Growing on me with each subsequent listen.

Without Bogarde and Guinness, there's little of interest here. A naval drama with plenty of canon shots, disobedience and public punishment. The performances are definitely worthwhile though.

Closely followed the equally fantastic Face to Face. The Kinks had a great streak of superb albums and this was one of the best. So many classic tunes; home to many of their most popular hits.

Maybe the catchiest Kinks album (no small feat); part of their golden period - late 60s to early 70s. One of their best.

Thoroughly entertaining with a heart. The story is a bit predictable, but it's no less fulfilling when it happens. Well made, written and acted. Has some really funny parts. Seems a precursor for Dazed and Confused.

Michael Moore's latest bears a sense of desperation, and this helps and hurts it. He presents more facts than usual, but also pinpoints the system as the problem instead of the people and their behavior, which make up the system. Should focus more on better social values and morality rather than a new framework in which the same people will make the same mistakes.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with the views of the film though, it does invite a conversation about these issues, which is necessary and welcomed.

Christmas time or not, this is what classics are made of: purity, honesty and ultimately a questioning of how we can be better people. Capra was a master at blending the harsher realities of life with the joys and uplifting the audience, even the cynics. You don't have to sacrifice all of your dreams like George, but helping others won't hurt you.

Wow, this is quite an intense film. There is so much going on: the lure of crime to youth, how chaotic organized crime is, the expanding reach globally. Told in several connected segments, it masterfully displays people colliding directly crime within their daily lives. Powerful.

Amusing film that overcomes a faulty script with the plot focus on spontaneity. Overly long, but well made. Seems to do a lot with a little.

If not Campion's best, certainly her most deeply felt film. It has the visual quality of fine photography with an expressionistic color palette throughout. Carries the richness of the period, a time when some people still sat around and thought free of distractions. Contemplative, subtle and beautiful.

If you like the show (Important Things with Demetri Martin), this is more of the same. If you've never heard of it, give this a go. Pretty funny stuff.

As far as World War II films go, this takes the cake for breadth and ambition. Packed full with stars, but none really gets the focus, as the events themselves take center stage. Long, but worth it.

Great Chabrol film. Sandrine Bonnaire and Isabelle Huppert are expectedly fantastic. Very intriguing, well made, with a solid ending and underlying tension throughout.

Fits snugly in the genre of optimistic teachers in inner-city schools (Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds, etc.). Though it has become cliche, this is a good, early take. Not fighting misbehavior so much as indifference.

Sandwiched between the explosive self-titled debut and the masterful London Calling, it'd be easy to overlook this gem. However, that would be a shame; it's a perfect display of their progression as well as just great music that'll make you want to burn down the town.

Flat-out incredible. Can you imagine going into space and seeing Earth from millions of miles away? How unbelievable an accomplishment. And documented wonderfully by Reinert. Loads of special features on the Criterion disc.

This guy is a real treat to read and listen to, but especially to watch. A must-see for Bukowski fans.

Unfortunately, this is the closest I'll get to hearing The Clash live. Fortunately, it's an incredible recording that captures their trademark vitality and fervor. Great, great stuff.

Ambitious and sprawling. 36 tracks with various vocalists, exploring several genres at once, and enough of the usual Clash sound. Definitely worthy listening.

This gets a bad rap as being The Clash's "sell-out" record, but despite some of the songs' popularity, I don't see why. It's just as musically diverse and enjoyable a listen (even if not quite as great) as some of their earlier stuff.

Pleasurable watch for the direction and Bette Davis' acting, but not much else. Interesting how they handled ethnicity in the 40s (not so well); though I guess it was just a reflection of the times.

Earnest, natural actor with a large, varied body of work. Definitely recommend going through his filmography and watching some of his high points (Fearless, Tucker, The Big Lebowski, Fabulous Baker Boys, The Fisher King, and so on). He's one of the few actors that makes a movie better just by being in it.

This is like an edgier, more dysfunctional 'Meet the Parents' with Stiller just as frustrated (and funny). The plot is, and gets more, out of control, but the dialogue is sharp and the performances good from all involved.

Coppola has some great stylistic flourishes and Bridges is just as good playing the wide-eyed, adventurous Tucker. No surprise that he is fairly unknown today, as history tends to favor either the majority view or the tyrannical individual. Keep an eye out for the Tesla poster in the background of one of the scenes.

Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez have a surprising chemistry, along with decent cameos from Turturro and Benicio. Bridges' performance is surely the anchor of this unusual story, but other interesting themes emerge: mortality, the tedium of daily life, society's almost ingrained fears. Enjoyable.

Great insight into the life of one of my favorite actors. Rich and diverse array of anecdotes and comments from close friends, as well as well-written/researched. Compelling, even if a bit tragic, it's an absorbing book told chronologically but without that guiding the narrative.

Real-life brothers Jeff and Beau Bridges play a brotherly piano team trying to make ends meet before Michelle Pfeiffer comes along to up the stakes. She shows here why she was such a star. Really well shot and though the story teeters on the edge of predictability and mediocrity, the performances and talent overcome this.

Eastwood and Bridges lead the excellent cast in this fun, buddy movie. Cimino directs with the superb script. It's really Bridges' presence that makes the whole thing work.

Great reunion concert in which Cream shows why they were so revered at the time as well as how they have grown as musicians since. The sound/picture quality is great. There are several awesome solos and good interviews. The playing just seems to miss a bit of that fiery edge they used to have. Still great viewing.

Incredible film. Director Hiroshi Teshigahara puts on full display what it means to be a film director. Using very little narration and sound, Gaudi's work is explored and photographed simply and with much interest. A must-see for both lovers of architecture or film.

The video quality and effects are definitely dated, but the music itself and the candid interviews with the band (including demonstrations of their techniques) more than make up for it. Incredible document of one of the greatest musical bands.

Quite a filmography (almost 70 features), his work with Douglas Sirk provides a majority of the high points but he's done plenty of other great stuff. Part of the movement away from the macho leading actor towards the sensitive one. Great actor.