One of my favorites for two reasons, one of course is Steve McQueen, the second is that it was filmed about 15 minutes from where I grew up. The theater that the Blob attacks still exists in Phoenixville, PA. One of these years I am going to make it for Blobfest (right around the 4th of July)...

Yeah what is going on here? Its cutting off our comments? Ok so to finish, I thought Kingdom of Heaven the directors cut is an absolute masterpiece, much better than the more popular Gladiator and probably it has to do with Orlando Bloom not having the screen presence of Russell Crowe (and Gladiator having a more simplistic story arc).

Its amazing when you look at his actual filmography, how many terrible films Ridley Scott is associated with throughout the years (GI Jane, Legend, Black Rain, 1492) and how there is only really 3-4 films that have cemented his reputation. I just had an opportunity to see the director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven and I think that film has to rank as one of his best films, just below Alien and Blade Runner (admittedly I have not seen the Duelist). It reminded me of an old-school studio epic in the best ways.

I maybe need to watch this film again, but of Wong Kar-wai's films I've seen, I probably responded least favorably to this one. I simply did not like the characters and thought that the cinematography wasn't up to his usual standards (although the dvd transfer may have been partly to blame). Better to start with Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love...

Music by Jason Schwartzman: Did Phantom Planet score the movie? Could 'California' be making a come back after the demise of the OC?

When one considers the best and most important films of the decade, I believe Children of Men must be considered on that list. Cuaron has become a filmaker whose each film is a must see. He redefined the road picture (with Y Tu Mama), actually made an intesting Harry Potter film and with Children of Men, brought back the thinking man's science fiction film. The motorcycle attack sequence is just brillant.

I also thought this film was overlooked. In an age in which all sci films seem to have explosions and ridiculous plotlines, I enjoyed this intelligent and well acted film. Certainly not a masterpiece but a quality film...

I had read somewhere that Tarkovsky shot almost the entire film and then the original negative was destroyed and he had to reshoot the entire movie on a much more limited budget. I am surprised that wasn't mentioned in the synopsis as it certainly would inform the visuals and aesthetic of the final film...