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randall 
"I like to watch."
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 Posted - 01/23/2008 : 11:35:56
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This Israeli beauty is both simple and profound. An Egyptian police orchestra which was engaged to help open an Arab arts center finds itself lost in an backwater town in Israel. That's it. But the movie opens like a flower, as the musicians split up and taste the foreign culture in many ways -- most hilarious, some touching, a couple both at the same time. The film has the lovely worldview that we can get along.
Other fwiffers have told me that this was originally Israel's nomination for the foreign-language Oscar, but AMPAS declined the film since most of the dialogue is in English. But because of the heavily-accented performers, all of whom are glorious, the English dialogue is subtitled! I think it's an unfortunate insistence on a rule which proves meaningless in this case.
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face during the performance -- that will stay there afterwards. I loved it. |
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ChocolateLady 
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 01/23/2008 : 12:46:57
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Funny, it got no publicity here, and I didn't even know about this film. On the other hand, Beaufort was a huge hit here, and it was all over the street signs, TV adverts and radio shows.
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 02/11/2008 : 22:53:40
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| It's just opened here in America, and getting glorious reviews from critics who were as smitten as I. |
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GHcool 
"Forever a curious character."
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Posted - 03/31/2008 : 23:20:09
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I just saw this last night. I liked it, but I think it was serendipitous that it was disqualified from the Academy Awards. Had it qualified, I don't think it would have been nominated, and then Beaufort wouldn't have been nominated either.
The film is very quirky. The comedy is much more quiet than I expected, but I still laughed out loud several times. The movie is a call for optimism in the face of loneliness, futility, and frustration. I'd say that the film would probably appeal to the same people who enjoyed The Station Agent. |
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 04/01/2008 : 22:11:59
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| That's a great comparison. |
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ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 10/07/2008 : 07:42:16
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Well, this is finally getting to TV here (although right now its only on pay-per-view).
Interestingly enough, I just got the 2009 version of Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide and in that little section of 50 "must see" movies he lists this film among them! |
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Airbolt
"teil mann, teil maschine"
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Posted - 10/07/2008 : 12:18:00
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A very quiet piece which didn't push any message very hard, except perhaps that people are people whatever the politics.
A word for the actors. Ronit Alkabetz was really outstanding as a passionate woman who slowly warms to the quiet,dignified Captain. She has a magnificently throaty delivery which adds a sensuous quality to her dialogue.
Opposite her, Sasson Gabai as the captain radiates a sort of pompous yet incompetent air. He is holding onto his dignity with great difficulty. His revalation about his background is very moving when it finally comes.
As an incidental note, he is a lookalike for British comedy actor Geoffrey Palmer!
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ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 10/07/2008 : 12:53:20
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Ronit was also fantastic in "Late Marriage", so I'd expect no less from her here.
Sasson Gabai is one of Israel's favourite actors. I've seen him on stage in several plays and he's just as amazing live as he is on screen.
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 10/07/2008 : 21:21:30
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| Chocky, I can't wait to read your take on this one, b/c of your unique [at least among us fwiffers] perspective. It's been a long time since I saw this one [check original post date], but I remember thinking walking out, "I wonder how Chocky will receive this?" My wild guess: you'll love. But maybe I'm wrong. |
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The Band's Visit
