SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #57: Begin Again (2013)

Running Time: 104 minutes
Directed By: John Carney
Written By: John Carney
Main Cast: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld
Click here to view the trailer

A DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSICAL 

I am coming to love John Carney and his brand of musicals. I'm currently dying to see Sing Street and it's on Netflix which means I can watch it whenever. Anyway, we're talking about Begin Again and it really was one of my favorite movies I saw last year. Definitely something for everybody - feel good story, quality filmmaking and a great soundtrack.

RATING: 8.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #56: Sea of Love (1989)

Running Time: 113 minutes
Directed By: Harold Becker
Written By: Richard Price
Main Cast: Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin, John Goodman, Michael Rooker, William Hickey
Click here to view the trailer

NEW PACINO ENTRIES: 3 of 3

What a gem this is and one that I found back when I was a teenager, just getting interested in films. I used to LOVE Al Pacino (still do - maybe not quite as much) and at one point would watch anything of his I could get my hands on. This is one that still holds up. A FANTASTIC little neo-noir, crime thriller with a fabulous cast, including Pacino, John Goodman and the always great Michael Rooker. Ellen Barkin is also great as the dame to Pacino's detective. I just love this one and it's always been one that I can enjoy anytime.

RATING: 8.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #55: 4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile/4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Running Time: 113 minutes
Directed By: Cristian Mungiu
Written By: Cristian Mungiu
Main Cast: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean, Luminita Gheorghiu
Click here to view the trailer

POWERFUL

Great movie. One that actually grew on me after I watched it. I think I initially rated it a '7' and I'd probably go around an '8.5' or so now. Just a really great movie that keeps you hooked, both story wise and emotionally.

RATING: 8.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #54: SCARECROW (1973)

Running Time: 112 minutes
Directed By: Jerry Schatzberg
Written By: Garry Michael White
Main Cast: Gene Hackman, Al Pacino, Dorothy Tristan, Ann Wedgeworth, Richard Lynch
Click here to view the trailer

NEW PACINO ENTRIES: 2 of 3

Have I mentioned I love Al Pacino? This is the sixth Al Pacino film to be added to my list, with a seventh on the way in the next few days. It's also worth noting that I've considered and declined the following Pacino offerings: The Panic in Needle Park, Glengarry Glen Ross, Insomnia, The Insider, Donnie Brasco and Serpico. Just a fun fact. This one is a hidden gem and it's great. This wasn't the first time I'd seen it.

RATING: 8/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #53: Garden State (2004)

Running Time: 102 minutes
Directed By: Zach Braff
Written By: Zach Braff
Main Cast: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Ron Leibman
Click here to view the trailer

ANOTHER FIND

I like to call the movies that I discovered on my own, without anyone else's recommendation or without hearing a word about it beforehand, "my discoveries". This is one of those movies. I rented it from the video store I worked at when it was released on DVD in 2004 and fell in love with it at first viewing. My opinion on it's quality has lessened a little through the years, but I still find it to be one of those movies that I'll be able to watch and enjoy ANYTIME. Still need to see that other movie that Braff directed,,,

Oh Garden State has a kick ass soundtrack, to boot...

RATING: 7.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #52: The Social Network (2010)

Running Time: 120 minutes

Directed By: David Fincher
Written By: Aaron Sorkin, based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich

Main Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Josh Pence

Click here to view the trailer

YOU DON'T GET TO 500 MILLION FRIENDS WITHOUT MAKING A FEW ENEMIES

Not a lot to say here. A few months ago, I got the urge to see The Social Network once again - somehow just knowing I'd like it better this go around. I'd only seen it one other time and liked it well enough that first time. I was right - I definitely dug it quite a bit this time; enough to make it an entry to my personal list. The only comment I'll make regarding the film itself is that I'm baffled by how dark Fincher is able to make a movie about Facebook. I think the score from Trent Reznor helped a lot to dampen the atmosphere and give the film a real feeling of gloom. 

RATING: 8/10