What a pleasant and life-affirming film this is. The protagonist unselfishly gives his dreams away for the benefit of the townspeople. This heartwarming film has immediately captured my heart right from the first half of it, and it manages to make me cry at the tear-jerking last scene with the people singing Auld Lang Syne and all.

Flashbacks are used to show how George Bailey has helped most of the people in town as well as the people close to him. They also show that he has always planned to leave town and go travel but somehow something always gets in the way and he is forced to stay and help the people around him instead. After a few crucial events, he decides to take his own life and wishes that he has never been born. He soon learns to appreciate life when he literally sees life go on without his existence with the help of an angel. After watching this film, almost anyone will learn to appreciate life and the fact that we were born and exist.

James Stewart's character, George Bailey, is so lovable and sympathetic while the antagonist is the exact opposite of him and is very despicable. This film isn't necessarily a Christmas film. Most of the setting just happens to be during December, the time of Christmas, but I guess it is considered a Christmas film because it has themes of generosity, benevolence, unselfishness, appreciation of life, and love and care for others. Everyone should watch this film when he or she is feeling depressed and problematic because this will certainly lift anyone's spirits up and cheer anyone up. This old and timeless movie is a must-see for everyone, even for average movie-goers.

I have attempted to watch the whole film after catching only a few glimpses of it in a couple of TV channels but I am pretty sure that I have watched this film when I was a kid since most of the scenes seem quite familiar.

I usually hate extremely cheerful and happy-go-lucky characters but almost anyone even the most bitter ones can easily fall in love with this film and its characters. The film is not exactly visually stunning but the colors are still bright, vibrant and appealing especially for children, the film's targeted audience. I still don't understand why Judy Garland is a gay icon though but she does a good performance here especially for a young and new actress. The song Somewhere Over the Rainbow is the only song in the film that I find catchy but overall, the music is quite great and pleasing.

I just don't like the film's concept of how evil people look like and the extra arc in the beginning of the film which is not a part of what the film is based on. I believe that the filmmakers only added the extra arc in the first part of the film to show the film's famous actors and actresses without their make-up and costumes on to make them recognizable to its audience back then but I still think that that was unnecessary. A couple of things from the book are changed too and most of them are quite noticeable but I can live with some of the changes.

But overall, the movie is entertaining, the musical acts are a joy to watch, and the characters, even the dog Toto, are lovable. For a film made in the late 1930s, the setting, costumes, and special effects are quite well done and detailed. I praise the filmmakers for the great effort and hard work that they have done for this film. This is truly a classic film.

Known for its unsimulated sex scenes with gay, lesbian, bi and straight characters and for starring Sook-Yin Lee, a former VJ of Canada's MuchMusic, this film is one of my personal favorites. It is really kind of weird that this film didn't stir up that much controversy as I was pretty sure that some right-wing extremists would find this film very offensive. Anyway at first, I didn't like how the film ended but after my second viewing of the film, I really began to appreciate the film more.

The story revolves around several characters: a woman who has never had an orgasm even when she has sex with her partner, a man who seems troubled and depressed with his relationship with his gay lover, and a female dominatrix who has never had a real relationship or human interaction at all. There are also other subplots such as the one about the voyeuristic stalker who seems to be following the gay couple. I love the colors and the overall tone of the film, and I am glad that this film doesn't try so hard to be artistic. I love the realistic conversations about sexuality, and because of those honest conversations and dialogues, the film feels similar to the earlier romantic comedies of Woody Allen.

The sex is just a part of the film and the story, and the most explicit ones are right in the beginning so don't let that stop you from watching this film. The sex scenes, however explicit they might be, are really intense and sensual. They are not exactly arousing but it feels like those people performing the sex scenes are actually making love and are feeling pleasure especially at the room in the club where a lot of people are having sex. The sex here is not degrading at all, unlike the ones in other contemporary films. If I were to choose between Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus, I would say that Shortbus is John Cameron Mitchell's better film.

I recommend this film to any hardcore fan of The Beatles and anybody else who grew up listening to the songs of one of the most well-known bands in history. I actually didn't grow up listening to The Beatles; I unashamedly grew up listening to the songs of the pop band ABBA. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate and adore this film especially now that I am familiar with some of their songs after watching Across the Universe which is another good film by the way. This film really shows the true colors and the whacky and spontaneous personalities of The Beatles. I am just not fond of the obsessed fanboys and screaming fangirls in the film.

In this film, the members of The Beatles prove that they are both talented musicians and good actors. Well, they just acted as themselves on screen but it should be noted that it is still hard to act in front of the camera whether you are playing an unfamiliar role or not. They might not be professionals but they aren't amateurs either. The fact that the members of The Beatles were still young in this film makes the band and the film itself seem timeless, ageless and everlasting.

This film is a playful, nonsensical and whacky rock-and-roll musical full of fun and one liners. The whole film seems to be a prolonged music video. The music especially the songs I Should Have Known Better, If I Fell, and I'm Happy Just to Dance with You is catchy, and The Beatles especially Paul McCartney are very charismatic, spontaneous, and humorous. I can watch this again from time to time for the awesome songs and the great performances from The Beatles.

It is one of the worst movies that I have ever seen this year. When you let mainstream people, who know nothing about or have limited knowledge of the gay/lesbian community, do a movie that is supposedly showing care and tolerance for the gay community, you get these offensive jokes, stereotypical depictions, awful drag outfits, and tiring cliches. I mean, come on. Leather fetish? Liza Minnelli and Cher as gay icons? Brokeback Mountain? The N-Sync guy who just recently came out of the closet? Are those the only things heterosexuals know and think about gays and lesbians? By the way, no drag queen or transvestite will ever wear that hideous butterfly outfit that one of the minor characters wore in the gay bar.

I did laugh at some scenes but most of them are awkward laughs and some felt kind of forced. I am just offended by the rest of the jokes. And I am annoyed by how Rob Schneider depicts an Asian person, specifically a Japanese one; it's not even funny. I am terribly reminded of Mickey Rooney playing a stereotypically Japanese man in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. It just goes to show how discrimination in Hollywood movies hasn't changed so much after all these years.

Yes, I have to give credit to the filmmakers for showing tolerance and some understanding of the gay/lesbian community but it can't be denied that the film is predictable and cliched with its typical ending where everyone lives happily ever after. If you belong to the mainstream audience and you want to watch films that have themes of homosexuality, transsexuality, and bisexuality, you should not bother watching this film and watch something else like Brokeback Mountain, Boys Don't Cry, and Rent instead which are all awesome movies.

It is a Japanese animation film bursting with color and also filled with both disturbing and beautiful imagery from the recurring image of the chaotic parade to the weird visuals and events in the policeman's dream to Paprika's different transformations. It is both a dream-like and nightmarish experience. The subplot with the cop is as interesting as the surreal main plot. Through the subplot about the policeman, Satoshi Kon shows his absolute love for movies. And the techno music is awesome. This animated film is the most visually stunning one that I have ever seen since Spirited Away.

This film's story revolves around the device called DC Mini which allows its user to see other people's dreams and Paprika, a virtual woman whom the lead protagonist Dr. Atsuko Chiba turns into when she is in the dream world. I won't explain more about the story since the plot is very confusing and kind of hard to put into words but it is still understandable even with the countless scientific and technological terms.

This is so far Satoshi Kon's most experimental film, and when dreams are a part of the main plot, there is a wider range of possibilities and almost no limitations, therefore, there is a lot to be experimented on. His other film Millenium Actress is also a little bit experimental and eccentric but is nothing compared to Paprika. In Tokyo Godfathers, Satoshi Kon shows his sentimental and emotional side while in the film Paprika, he shows his imaginative and creative side.

Jim Sturgess, the film's lead actor and the actor from Across the Universe, is pure eye candy. His acting is convincing but not that great enough. And Kevin does a somewhat good, if not mediocre, performance. He does better in films American Beauty, Se7en and Pay It Forward. The film also lacks of humor, and there are some scenes and lines from characters that I think were supposed to be comical but just became corny and lame.

I am also annoyed and pissed off by the fact that the women and the Asians in this film only have supporting or minor roles. Only Ben and Fisher, as well as the professor, are the big players while the females and the Asian guy are the ones who only do the hand signals and look out for the police. And may I ask why Kevin Spacey, who acts as the professor, specifically says that he doesn't trust Jill and Kianna, the women to let them be the big players?

A simple guy becomes tempted by the enormous riches he can get by counting cards but in the end, he goes back to being down-to-earth. This predictable and cliched plot has been done a lot of times in both films and TV shows, and I am really tired of these overdone plots. The filmmakers just changed the formula a little bit and did it differently but it's still the same old formula. The film is also obviously targeted for a more masculine audience and definitely not for someone like me, and the dull twist is really unnecessary. But I guess that it is entertaining enough but I have no plans to watch this film again in the future.

This cheerful and endearing musical film will keep both Woody Allen fans and musical aficionados smiling from the beginning to the end with the simple plot, the special tribute to Groucho Marx, the wonderful musical numbers, and the witty dialogues which are always to be expected in Allen's films. And it never takes itself seriously. It almost feels like Woody Allen is also poking fun at the musical genre itself with the musical numbers performed by the spirits (Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think) and the ones by the medical staff at the hospital (Makin' Whoopee).

Although they are very talented, the actors and actresses except Goldie Hawn in this film are very inexperienced in singing so they don't sing that well. But at least, they sing naturally. I believe that Drew Barrymore is the only one who doesn't use her actual singing voice; her singing parts in the film are dubbed because she herself thinks that she sings terribly. The choreography for two to three musical numbers in this film is very well-coordinated and well organized. I personally love the songs My Baby Just Cares For Me, I'm Thru With Love, and Hooray for Captain Spaulding.

I am very pleased with the film's special tribute to Groucho Marx, one of the greatest comedians in film history and also a favorite actor of Woody Allen's. I also like how Woody Allen tries to imitate Groucho's character at the party with the cigarette and all and how in the party by the end of the film, all of them are wearing the same moustache, same thick eyebrows, and same outfits that Groucho Marx had in his films.

The film's title is obviously a reference to William Shakespeare's comedy play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and apparently it is loosely based on one of Ingmar Bergman's films. This film might not be as witty as Annie Hall and Manhattan but it is still as humorous as any other of my favorite comedy films. With his wits and neurotic persona, Woody Allen can never go wrong with his films.

This romantic comedy film by Woody Allen is about the metaphysical and spiritual world as well as love, sex and relationships, hence the title, as the three couples of this ensemble talk about sexuality and philosophy. Leopold, one of the characters, doesn't believe in the existence of spirits, souls, and other entities and ideas that haven't been proven by mankind while the others somewhat believe in this world apart from the physical world we live in which leads to debates and discussions. The film is also hilariously about not missing the opportunity when it comes whether it be the right opportunity to make love to someone you love in the perfect place and right time or anything else.

The six main characters seem to either have doubts about different areas of their relationships or feel love or lust towards one of the other characters. Adrian feels bad for not wanting to have sex with her partner. Maxwell falls in love at first sight with Ariel who is about to get married. Andrew is confused about his feelings towards Ariel, who seems to be a woman whom he knew from the past. The ending is very well-done as it has a happy ending for all the characters and in a unique way, Leopold will soon learn to change his close-minded view about metaphysics.

A young Daniel Day-Lewis licking the neck of another man is pure bliss. This film has a lot of themes and conflicts: homosexuality, racism, politics, England's economy in the 1980s, and the life of minority groups in England, particularly the Pakistani.

Omar, a young Pakistani man starts working in one of his uncle's prosperous businesses and soon becomes the manager of a laundrette owned by his uncle. Later, he meets Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis), an old friend of his who seems to be a part of a group of white neo-fascist punks. As the story advances, it is revealed that Johnny and Omar were lovers back then, are still in love with each other and decide to keep their relationship a secret. Their love and friendship helps in making the laundry business become better and more successful but of course conflicts with Omar's plan to marry his cousin and the hatred and discrimination of Johnny's neo-facsist friends towards immigrants and other minority groups.

The other characters also have conflicts of their own: the uncle having great businesses but having a love affair with another woman which soon causes problems in his family, the father of Omar hating the politics of England and having problems with Omar continuing the laundry business and not planning to go to college, etc. There is neither an ambiguous or a resolved ending but this kind of film doesn't need an ending where every problem needs to be solved, every secret should be revealed to the other characters or every loose end should be tied up. The ending is satisfying enough for me.

This is now my most favorite Lukas Moodysson film as it has a happier and more feel-good ending than Show Me Love (Fucking Amal) and it is less depressing than Lilja 4-Ever. A woman, along with her kids, moves to a commune where her brother stays and lives the hippie lifestyle after her hot-tempered and abusive husband hits her, and it revolves around different characters inside the commune. It looks at liberal values and the hippie lifestyle. There are a lot of themes being dealt with in this film: feminism, politics, liberal values, homosexuality, alienation, loneliness, etc.

The people inside the commune discuss about politics and express their opinions in many issues. And after the new family moves in, the norms, values and rules in the commune slowly change. And all characters have conflicts of their own. The good-natured Goran is not entirely happy about his open relationship with his wife and can't seem to leave his wife and get mad at her for having feelings for another man. The violent husband deals with being alone and lonely. The children, especially the girl, who move to the commune feel alienated and lonely at first and are still not used to the liberal values and completely different lifestyle.

All of the characters in this film are very messed-up yet sympathetic and lovable. The happy ending is not oversentimental and it certainly makes us feel happy for the characters in the film. To anyone who have felt so depressed after watching Lilja 4-Ever, I recommend this one because this film will totally make you feel good and certainly put your hopes back up again.

Although I think Quentin Tarantino is overrated and misogynistic, I have to admit that this double feature, directed by both Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, is very entertaining and awesome. It is the definition of "cool". Just like Tarantino's other movies, this film is a homage to his favorite movies, particularly to B- movies and films of the exploitation genre from the simulated film scratches to the missing reels. To anyone who plans to watch this, watch both films in one viewing and don't watch them separately to fully enjoy the experience.

The double feature features an all-star cast and although both films are completely different from each other, both of them have awesome music, completely cool characters and good plots even though I think the plot of Planet Terror is kind of lame and cliched whether it might be intentional or not. The "missing reels" of the sex scene and the lap dance are totally hilarious and priceless. The concept of the fake trailers is great too but I must say that I had my eyes closed at most of the fake trailers.

As a feminist, I don't like how the characters specifically in Death Proof are very misogynistic and how the women are objectified in both films. And if I were to choose which one of the two films is better, I'd choose Death Proof which is a little bit better than Planet Terror. The car chase scene in Death Proof is very thrilling and suspenseful, and I totally love how Death Proof ends with the women kicking the annoying antagonist's ass and the awesome song, Chick Habit.

If I had watched this years ago, I certainly would have loved this but too bad, I didn't. The sappy and somewhat predictable ending, the typical Hollywood ending, would have been something that I would love years ago. I love happy endings but not sappy and cliched ones. I mean, what's up with the you-belong-to-me crap in this film?

I am also annoyed and upset by the stereotypical and poor depiction of a Japanese person in this film which unsurprisingly is done by a non-Japanese actor. Not only is Mickey Rooney, the one who plays Mr. Yunioshi, Holly's neighbor, trying to make fun of the Japanese but he also tries so hard to be funny when he isn't. His look in his face and the way he acts completely ruins the overall tone of the film.

But putting that and the ending aside, I love the two main characters and most of the scenes. Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly is very charismatic, sophisticated, and energetic, not to mention her extravagant and gorgeous outfits. Now I see why the image of her holding a cigarette has become so iconic. I also can see myself quoting some of the unforgettable quotes from this film.

Although I never actually read the novel, I still hate it when a filmmaker makes a lot of drastic and important changes from the novels he or she bases his or her film on. Not only does it bring dissatisfaction and show disrespect to the author but it also destroys the whole meaning of the novel itself. Even though I can find a lot of negative things about this film, this is one of those films that I can see myself watching again in the near future.

Paris Je T'aime, a series of short films set in Paris and directed by different critically acclaimed directors, is the best romance film I have ever seen so far. And this couldn't have been a masterpiece without the amazing directors, the stellar ensemble cast and the heartwarming short stories of love.

Each short film is supposed to represent one of the twenty arrondissements of Paris. Each one of them stands out on its own, and I love all of them except for at least one or two. Each shows a different kind of love in Paris: love between two men, love between mimes, love between people of different cultures, love between a mother and her son, concern and care of a babysitter for the baby she takes care of, love between old lovers, etc. I particularly love the stories directed by Gus Van Sant, Tom Tykwer, Isabel Coixet, Gurinder Chadha, and the Coen brothers.

Unlike other movies, this film has a realistic approach to love and has no cliches or stereotypes whatsoever. There might be a couple of films you might not like from the twenty short films but I am sure you will love most of them. Overall, this film is a heartwarming and touching one, and it will make you feel very pleased and good inside after watching it. If you still are not interested in watching this film after all of the compliments and praises I have given for this film, maybe Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve Buscemi, and Elijah Wood are good enough reasons for you to give this movie a try. I absolutely can't wait for the movie New York, I Love You which has the same theme as this film but is, as the title says, set in the state of New York.

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." "Here's looking at you, kid." "We'll always have Paris." "Play it again, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By'." "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." These are some of the most popular quotes in film history and all of these come from the movie Casablanca. Casablanca, an extraordinary film, is well-known for its memorable lines, witty and cynic dialogues, and hilarious quotes.

It is inarguably one of the greatest and most unforgettable movies of all time and no, it isn't as overrated as Citizen Kane. No one can ever imitate the brilliance of this film. And everyone who tries to watch this film must watch it until the end, and only in the end will one truly appreciate this film. It is also amazing how there wasn't a specific plot and ending planned for this film and the makers of this movie just came up with the characters' lines along the way.

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, an actor and an actress who were once very well-known in Hollywood and who are pretty much unknown to most of us in our generation, play two of the most infamous lovers in film history. But I can't say that I don't like the idea of Ilsa Lund (Bergman) and Victor Laszlo being together because all three protagonists are very likeable and sympathetic.

Once again, I will never understand why such rare gems like this weren't able to win any awards from the Oscars of year 2007. So far, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Lives of Others and Into The Wild are the ones that I consider as the greatest films of 2007. And although these three films are completely different from each other, they are all very heartwarming, touching and simply amazing.

Guess who directed this film? Sean Penn. Yes, who could imagine one of the greatest actors of all time as a great director too? Anyway, this inspirational film is based on a true story. It's about Christoper McCandless, a man who decides to travel to the wildnerness and get away from society and who finally decides to go to Alaska. And along his journey, he meets different kinds of people who all have been kind and friendly to him. The film has lovely images of nature, from animals to breathtaking sights, as well as some rather grotesque and unpleasant images of nature.

This is an extraordinary movie experience, a film that looks into truths about life, relationships, society, etc. while being visually stunning. While most of the insightful quotes are from books, the film's characters still have some insights of their own. One can fully appreciate nature, beauty, and life after watching this film even though the ending is kind of depressing.

Eh, talk about overrated. I don't understand why there was too much hype with this film a year ago when it was first released. Frank Miller's Sin City is way better than this other work of his. But I just want to praise the makers of this film for the brilliant special effects, the cool costumes, the interesting creatures, and the completely computerized yet realistic environment. The soundtrack is also good, and the visuals are stunning.

But I don't like the story, the characters and the dialogue. I just feel indifferent for the characters. There is also not much characterization. The audience only know the characters as men raised to be tough and strong. And only a few characters show vulnerability, weakness and other natural human qualities. The only character who I like is Queen Gorgo, the wife of King Leonidas, and I really like the scene in the Council and what she does to the manipulative traitor. The lines are also so lousy and cheesy.

The story is very simple, and it doesn't get more complicated than it is. Basically, it's about 300 Spartan warriors who try to fight against the Persians who plan to conquer their land. The plot is so simple that the ending turns out to be quite predictable. Just like in most wars, the Spartans' reason to continue fighting, even against all odds, is for freedom.

After watching a couple of movies by Kevin Smith, I can consider this film as his masterpiece, his magnum opus. I can't believe I kept postponing watching this film because I really enjoyed watching this film. Anyway, this movie is about a comic book writer, Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck), who falls in love with a lesbian. He admits his love for her, and the woman suddenly accepts his love. Yes, a lesbian falling in love with a straight man might be very unbelievable and unrealistic but Alyssa Jones, the woman herself, explains why she has fallen in love with Holden too.

The realistic dialogues about sex and homosexuality shouldn't put you off. With the constant foul language and the real, and sometimes hilarious, conversations about sex, this film only has good intentions. The characters such as the gay black man who does a tough and straight guy persona to sell his comic books and the homophobic and hot-tempered best friend of Holden who is always being called a "tracer", are very quirky and lovable. They also have such hilarious lines such as when Hooper X states that Star Wars is a racist franchise and when he also states that Archie and Jughead are gay lovers.

Wow, I now feel respect and admiration towards director Kevin Smith for making this emotional and hilarious movie. The characters are very realistic, the film is definitely quotable, and unlike other films, it shows compassion, tolerance, and a deep understanding of relationships. And just like other films by Kevin Smith, the dialogue is mainly what makes this film work. The offensive language is too much but I can ignore that because of the great story. The ending isn't what I have expected but I am very satisfied with the ending.

It's all about luck, that's what Chris Wilton, the protagonist played by Johnathan Rys Meyers, believes. When a tennis ball hits the top of the net, it either goes to the other side or on your side. And with only luck can the ball go forward on the other side of the net. That's his belief in life. With this somewhat pessimistic outlook in life, he manages to be lucky when he meets a daughter of a very wealthy family.

Then, he foolishly decides to have an affair with Nola Rice, played by Scarlett Johansson, just because of lust and obsession. I don't want to give away any more details of the story but the protagonist does everything, and I really mean everything, so he can live a wealthy life. The protagonist goes from being obsessed to being desperate, and he is completely insane. Let's just say that unfortunately, he doesn't run out of any luck.

The lengthy and draggy film has an interesting introduction and premise but a very slow pace, and it takes too long before it actually becomes interesting. The climax and the ending actually save this film from being entirely bad. But I don't like the ending. And I also don't consider this as one of Woody Allen's greatest movies. I just thought there would be justice and the rich Hewett family, and I hate the fact that the policemen are completely unaware of what the protagonist has done. In the end, the audience can't just help but hate him so much.

This is as breathtaking and sensational as the musical Moulin Rouge! The three protagonists, especially Don Lockwood, are so charismatic and delightful. The actor Gene Kelly also has an adorable smile and a charming presence. The iconic scene of Don Lockwood literally singing in the rain is just so wonderful and unforgettable. The other musical numbers may not be as exceptional and iconic as the one where he sings in the rain but they are still great and totally unforgettable too.

It seems like only early musicals had tap dancing along with the singing and the dancing. Gene Kelly and the others tap dancing is just amazing. Anyway, the cinematography of this film is simple yet exceptional. I love how the filmmakers have decided to show a fictional sequence so they can experiment with colors and other filmic elements. And most of the musical numbers have such dazzling and bright colors.

The only thing that I don't like about this film is the fact that the antagonist, the actress Lina Lamont, is so obviously stereotypical. She is manipulative, naive, spoiled, and not that bright. But I can just ignore that because everything else about this film is just perfect: the music, the lovable and charismatic characters, the musical numbers, the choreography, etc. After watching this, I remembered why I loved musicals so much in the first place. It is no wonder why this is a classic.