Favorite films

Recent reviews

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  Flowers of Shanghai 1998

  ★★★ Watched 19 Mar 2025

  In Tony's first HHH film he didn't talk; in this one he barely does. He looks languidly and forlornly in the presence of his flowers.

  From the very opening you know you're in for a glacially paced story, the camera gently swaying between patrons with the accompaniment of a very low key soundtrack. We get introduced more or less to some courtesans and their patrons. The courtesans want money; the patrons drink, eat congee, and play.
  So, yes, this bored me tremendously.

  Three stars for cinematography and soundtrack

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  Timeless Bottomless Bad Movie 1997

  ★★½ Watched 18 Mar 2025

  The comparisons with Larry Clarke's 1996 Kids are justified, including the horrific ending. I remember walking out of the Montreal cinema shocked at those NYC teenagers.

  This one was hard to sit through as well, all 2.5 hours of it. Hand held camera in your face or nether body parts, robbing, breaking in, using drugs, drinking alcohol, fighting, sex and rape.

  Good soundtrack though, esp. the one during the end credits

Popular reviews

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  The Wind Will Carry Us 1999

  ★★★★ Watched 14 Mar 2025

  Again a lot of talking while driving a car through winding roads, through beautiful rolling hills.
  We focus on one character, Behrzad, a man from the big city, on a mission. We hear of his crew; waiting for the death of an old woman; regular contact with his boss (?) in Teheran. Probably a documentary film crew.

  He gets immersed in the village, unlike the two other members, whom we don't get to see. He talks with a school boy,…

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  No Bears 2022

  ★★★ Watched 11 Mar 2025

  Having watched a few of his and Kiarostami's films now, this came across as much of the same.
  Panahi acting himself again, troubled by a production, old traditions and a couple wanting to flee the oppressive regime.
  And very meta again