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    <title>The City of Lost Children's Recent Activity - Spout</title>
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      <title>The City of Lost Children's Recent Activity - Spout</title>
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      <title>Film:The City of Lost Children</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/films/The_City_of_Lost_Children/92071/default.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<table width='100%' style='font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><tr><td><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' /></td>
<td>
<strong>Title:</strong> The City of Lost Children<br/>
<strong>Year:</strong> 1995<br/>
<strong>Director:</strong> Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro<br/>
<strong>Plot:</strong> This visually inventive French sci-fi/fantasy tale began winning a cult following practically from the moment it was released. Krank (<a href="/players/P____21812/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Daniel Emilfork</a>) is a foul, monstrous creature who lords over the inhabitants of a small island; Krank's emotional being is every bit as ugly as his physical personage, largely because he does not have the ability to dream. However, he has developed a machine that can drain the dreams of others from their heads, and he devotes himself to kidnapping children from a nearby harbor town so that he can steal their pleasant dreams. Denree (Joseph Lucien) is one of the children who has been spirited off to the island; Krank discovers that he's an even bigger problem than he imagined when his big brother One (<a href="/players/P____56093/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Ron Perlman</a>), a harpoon-wielding mountain of a man, sets out on a rescue mission. Once he arrives on Krank's island, One encounters a brain in a fish tank that has learned to talk, a group of clones who can't decide who is the original, a pair of Siamese twins, an octopus that guides a group of orphaned thieves, and a girl named Miette (Judith Vittet) who says she can guide One to Denree. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide<br/>
<strong>Times Tagged:</strong> 30<br/>
<strong>Number of Lists:</strong> 68<br/>
<strong>Number of blog posts:</strong> 8<br/>
<strong>Number of discussion threads:</strong> 10<br/>
<strong>SpoutRating:</strong> 3<br/>
</td></tr></table>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:53:37 GMT</pubDate><spout:Title>The City of Lost Children</spout:Title><spout:Year>1995</spout:Year><spout:Director>Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro</spout:Director><spout:Plot>This visually inventive French sci-fi/fantasy tale began winning a cult following practically from the moment it was released. Krank (&lt;a href="/players/P____21812/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Daniel Emilfork&lt;/a&gt;) is a foul, monstrous creature who lords over the inhabitants of a small island; Krank's emotional being is every bit as ugly as his physical personage, largely because he does not have the ability to dream. However, he has developed a machine that can drain the dreams of others from their heads, and he devotes himself to kidnapping children from a nearby harbor town so that he can steal their pleasant dreams. Denree (Joseph Lucien) is one of the children who has been spirited off to the island; Krank discovers that he's an even bigger problem than he imagined when his big brother One (&lt;a href="/players/P____56093/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Ron Perlman&lt;/a&gt;), a harpoon-wielding mountain of a man, sets out on a rescue mission. Once he arrives on Krank's island, One encounters a brain in a fish tank that has learned to talk, a group of clones who can't decide who is the original, a pair of Siamese twins, an octopus that guides a group of orphaned thieves, and a girl named Miette (Judith Vittet) who says she can guide One to Denree. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide</spout:Plot><spout:TimesTagged>30</spout:TimesTagged><spout:taglevel>Tag Target (&gt;10)</spout:taglevel><spout:Numberoflists>68</spout:Numberoflists><spout:NumberOfBlogPosts>8</spout:NumberOfBlogPosts><spout:NumberOfDiscussionThreads>10</spout:NumberOfDiscussionThreads><spout:SpoutRating>3</spout:SpoutRating><spout:FilmCoverURL>http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg</spout:FilmCoverURL><spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL>http://www.spout.com/films/The_City_of_Lost_Children/92071/default.aspx</spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL><spout:type>Film</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: What is your favorite movie directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet?</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/What_is_your_favorite_movie_directed_by_Jean_Pierr/657/42333/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/5353/default.aspx'>Risselada</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/657/discussions.aspx'>Movie Polls</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 5/19/2009 4:05:42 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's got a new one on the horizon.  Let's take a look at his current handful of quirky films and see which ones are people's favorites.      Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:Alien: ResurrectionAm&eacute;lieThe City of Lost ChildrenDelicatessenA Very Long Engagement<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 20:05:42 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>Risselada</spout:postby><spout:postto>Movie Polls</spout:postto><spout:postdate>5/19/2009 4:05:42 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's got a new one on the horizon.  Let's take a look at his current handful of quirky films and see which ones are people's favorites.      Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:Alien: ResurrectionAm&amp;eacute;lieThe City of Lost ChildrenDelicatessenA Very Long Engagement</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Sci Fi Recommendations</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/sci_fi/Re_Sci_Fi_Recommendations/4/38194/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/121669/default.aspx'>leeroy711</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/sci_fi/4/discussions.aspx'>sci-fi</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 12/10/2008 2:42:31 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="rjsprague"] I'm in the mood for something with a steampunk theme! Are there even any movies that are steampunk? [/quote]   How about City of Lost Children or the Hellboy movies. In the non sci-fi realm, I would suggest Sukiyaki Western Django. It's not really a steampunk movie but it contains some steampunk elements.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:42:31 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>leeroy711</spout:postby><spout:postto>sci-fi</spout:postto><spout:postdate>12/10/2008 2:42:31 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="rjsprague"] I'm in the mood for something with a steampunk theme! Are there even any movies that are steampunk? [/quote]   How about City of Lost Children or the Hellboy movies. In the non sci-fi realm, I would suggest Sukiyaki Western Django. It's not really a steampunk movie but it contains some steampunk elements.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Creepy</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/lmstanley/archive/2008/12/3/37881.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/126140/default.aspx'>lmstanley</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/lmstanley/default.aspx'>lmstanley Blog</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 12/3/2008 10:21:17 AM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Although this movie is visually interesting and unique, it left me with such an overall creepy vibe that I really can't say whether I liked it or not. I hate to turn people away if they are looking for a weird and disturbing tale, however I'd definitely not go out of my way to see it again.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:21:17 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>lmstanley</spout:postby><spout:postto>lmstanley Blog</spout:postto><spout:postdate>12/3/2008 10:21:17 AM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Although this movie is visually interesting and unique, it left me with such an overall creepy vibe that I really can't say whether I liked it or not. I hate to turn people away if they are looking for a weird and disturbing tale, however I'd definitely not go out of my way to see it again.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Delicatessen</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/smooth_j/archive/2008/11/29/37737.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/119047/default.aspx'>Smooth_J</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/smooth_j/default.aspx'>Smooth_J Blog</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/29/2008 2:50:26 AM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> As opposed to the equally bizarre City of Lost Children, Delicatessen is slightly less of a head trip.  However, that's not to say that CoLT is pure head trip--it is just bizarre.  I find myself lost for words attempting to describe the feel of the two films, the only two by Jeunet (and Caro) that I have seen.  I suppose it suffices to say that they are remarkably dark yet infectiously upbeat, utterly grotesque yet unsettlingly whimsical. From Delicatessen's incredible opening sequence, we are introduced to a bleak, filth stained existence in which people and vermin are considered palpable sources of food.  Social unrest and starvation are plaguing the city--the "outside"--and yet we never see what this outside world really is.  The film is staged not unlike a play in that it primarily takes place in a single location, with only a certain number of set pieces and location set-ups.  The first hour of the film is even the same group of 10 or so characters; no new ones are introduced until the plot thickens into a conspiracy involving a supposed terrorist group.  But that's irrelevant.  To know the film, you must see it, and enjoy every freakish moment of it. Despite lack of outward scope, Jeunet and Caro really manage to make use of what they have, and that is a group of very strange looking actors and some wildly inventive set pieces.  The delicatessen and accompanying tenant houses are drab, dirty things, heightened by a brown mist that seems to envelope everything in the picture.  The scheme is obviously filth, but it's the commitment to this theme that allows the viewer to look around the slight errors or budgetary constraints of the film.  It's a humble film, but a great one, and a brilliant one. Some of the humor reminded me vaguely of the films of the Coen brothers--you feel disgusting for laughing, but you can't help it.  The humor is so relentlessly pitch black that the only way to truly accept it is to put aside your gut and laugh hysterically.  The movie's easier to handle if you look at it as pure comedy, but even this fact doesn't stop the film from sending a very serious, very unsettling message. I can't help but bring up the final scene, which is the highlight of the film for me, but I'll try to be careful as to not give too many plot points away.  The entire movie is set up (satirically, of course) like a tragedy; the build-up is there, with the inevitably doomed characters, small scale set (as in a play), and seemingly doomed romance.  I may be pushing it, but the butcher seems to be set up as a Julius Caesar figure, a brutal dictator in the secluded delicatessen.  In the final shot of him, as he falls into his chair, I feel as though it is no accident that his apron takes on the appearance of a toga; and then, as if to soften the blow of this finale, his final breath resembles that of a frog croaking. And then there's the scene on the roof, where the two boys, who have remained on the fringe of the film throughout, climb to the roof to imitate Pinon and Dougnac playing their instruments, two humble conductors, with their childish view of things, observing the events but staying out of them.  I could not help but to think of these two as Jeunet and Caro themselves, ending the film with their modest bows; and then the camera pans to the two leads, playing in their bizarre orchestral duo, to conclude the romance.  What better way to end a dark, whimsical, unsettling, original comedy? See Brazil, Leon, City of Lost Children, 12 Monkeys, Alphaville even<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:50:26 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>Smooth_J</spout:postby><spout:postto>Smooth_J Blog</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/29/2008 2:50:26 AM</spout:postdate><spout:body>As opposed to the equally bizarre City of Lost Children, Delicatessen is slightly less of a head trip.  However, that's not to say that CoLT is pure head trip--it is just bizarre.  I find myself lost for words attempting to describe the feel of the two films, the only two by Jeunet (and Caro) that I have seen.  I suppose it suffices to say that they are remarkably dark yet infectiously upbeat, utterly grotesque yet unsettlingly whimsical. From Delicatessen's incredible opening sequence, we are introduced to a bleak, filth stained existence in which people and vermin are considered palpable sources of food.  Social unrest and starvation are plaguing the city--the "outside"--and yet we never see what this outside world really is.  The film is staged not unlike a play in that it primarily takes place in a single location, with only a certain number of set pieces and location set-ups.  The first hour of the film is even the same group of 10 or so characters; no new ones are introduced until the plot thickens into a conspiracy involving a supposed terrorist group.  But that's irrelevant.  To know the film, you must see it, and enjoy every freakish moment of it. Despite lack of outward scope, Jeunet and Caro really manage to make use of what they have, and that is a group of very strange looking actors and some wildly inventive set pieces.  The delicatessen and accompanying tenant houses are drab, dirty things, heightened by a brown mist that seems to envelope everything in the picture.  The scheme is obviously filth, but it's the commitment to this theme that allows the viewer to look around the slight errors or budgetary constraints of the film.  It's a humble film, but a great one, and a brilliant one. Some of the humor reminded me vaguely of the films of the Coen brothers--you feel disgusting for laughing, but you can't help it.  The humor is so relentlessly pitch black that the only way to truly accept it is to put aside your gut and laugh hysterically.  The movie's easier to handle if you look at it as pure comedy, but even this fact doesn't stop the film from sending a very serious, very unsettling message. I can't help but bring up the final scene, which is the highlight of the film for me, but I'll try to be careful as to not give too many plot points away.  The entire movie is set up (satirically, of course) like a tragedy; the build-up is there, with the inevitably doomed characters, small scale set (as in a play), and seemingly doomed romance.  I may be pushing it, but the butcher seems to be set up as a Julius Caesar figure, a brutal dictator in the secluded delicatessen.  In the final shot of him, as he falls into his chair, I feel as though it is no accident that his apron takes on the appearance of a toga; and then, as if to soften the blow of this finale, his final breath resembles that of a frog croaking. And then there's the scene on the roof, where the two boys, who have remained on the fringe of the film throughout, climb to the roof to imitate Pinon and Dougnac playing their instruments, two humble conductors, with their childish view of things, observing the events but staying out of them.  I could not help but to think of these two as Jeunet and Caro themselves, ending the film with their modest bows; and then the camera pans to the two leads, playing in their bizarre orchestral duo, to conclude the romance.  What better way to end a dark, whimsical, unsettling, original comedy? See Brazil, Leon, City of Lost Children, 12 Monkeys, Alphaville even</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Recast ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_Recast_ONE_FLEW_OVER_THE_CUCKOO_S_NEST_1975/563/37320/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/2470/default.aspx'>SkyPilot</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/563/discussions.aspx'>Filmgaming</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/14/2008 3:07:53 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> The t-shirt goes to seven-ate-9, who really knocked this one out of the park. Everyone had some great picks. Like pippin says, Elijah Wood could do great as Billy Bibbitt. And benthams_head, I love Paul Giamatti as Cheswick, and Roberto Begnini as Martini.seven-ate-9 offered two great choices for McMurphy, and though I love the idea of Ryan Gosling in the role, I think Sam Rockwell is one more degree of perfect. I recommend you check out seven-ate-9's full post; here's why I love his choices:Jack Nicholson     ...        R.P. McMurphy                ...   Sam Rockwell  Sam is hugely talented, and he hits the right note between charming  &amp; smarmy. Favorite Sam roles, anyone? I'll go with Charlie in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.Louise Fletcher    ...       Nurse Mildred Ratched    ...  Linda Hamilton Whoa! The tough chick who's institutionalized in T:2 turns to the other side! Brilliant.William Redfield    ...     Dale Harding                ...          Sam Waterston Sydney Lassick    ...      Charley Cheswick       ...        Kevin Spacey  I'm imagining Spacey playing this like his character in The Usual Suspects, but it would be great to see him play someone who's not hiding a wolf-like cunning.Brad Dourif            ...      Billy Bibbit               ...             James Van der Beek  It would be wild to see this former teen sex symbol become terrified of the thought that his mother would discover he lost his virginity. Christopher Lloyd     ...     Taber                        ...            Elias Koteas  seven-ate-9 said "Does anyone out there currently play a better nutter?" I don't have an opinion on that, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Mr. Koteas. Remember him as the compassionate Captain Staros in The Thin Red Line? And who can forget him as Casey Jones in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.William Duell           ...     Jim Sefelt                 ...               Michael Jeter   Poor Michael Jeter. I didn't even know he was gone until I read seven-ate-9's post. Since he's the only one we'd have to resurrect, what do you guys think of benthams_head's choice, Dylan Baker? He's one of those "Oh, that guy. I like that guy!" kind of actors.Vincent Schiavelli    ...     Fredrickson               ...            Steve Buscemi  Will Sampson            ...     Chief Bromden         ...            Ron Perlman  seven-ate-9 is right on: "While not preserving the American Indian vibe, I'm convinced he could bring the strong and silent like he did in The City of Lost Children (1995)."Danny DeVito            ...      Martini                  ...                  Colin Farrell  Wow. Farrell can pull off a boyish charm (did you see In Bruges?) but playing that cute meatball, Martini, would be a challenge. If he pulled it off, he should star in a modern remake of Tom Hanks's Big. Dean R. Brooks         ...     Dr. John Spivey             ...     J.K. Simmons  Nice! The guy who played Juno's dad would be perfect here. I can see himplaying it similar to how he played the CIA boss in Burn After Reading. He and Brad Pitt were my two favorite things about that film. Scatman Crothers    ...     Turkle the Janitor            ...    John Witherspoon <br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:07:53 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SkyPilot</spout:postby><spout:postto>Filmgaming</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/14/2008 3:07:53 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>The t-shirt goes to seven-ate-9, who really knocked this one out of the park. Everyone had some great picks. Like pippin says, Elijah Wood could do great as Billy Bibbitt. And benthams_head, I love Paul Giamatti as Cheswick, and Roberto Begnini as Martini.seven-ate-9 offered two great choices for McMurphy, and though I love the idea of Ryan Gosling in the role, I think Sam Rockwell is one more degree of perfect. I recommend you check out seven-ate-9's full post; here's why I love his choices:Jack Nicholson     ...        R.P. McMurphy                ...   Sam Rockwell  Sam is hugely talented, and he hits the right note between charming  &amp;amp; smarmy. Favorite Sam roles, anyone? I'll go with Charlie in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.Louise Fletcher    ...       Nurse Mildred Ratched    ...  Linda Hamilton Whoa! The tough chick who's institutionalized in T:2 turns to the other side! Brilliant.William Redfield    ...     Dale Harding                ...          Sam Waterston Sydney Lassick    ...      Charley Cheswick       ...        Kevin Spacey  I'm imagining Spacey playing this like his character in The Usual Suspects, but it would be great to see him play someone who's not hiding a wolf-like cunning.Brad Dourif            ...      Billy Bibbit               ...             James Van der Beek  It would be wild to see this former teen sex symbol become terrified of the thought that his mother would discover he lost his virginity. Christopher Lloyd     ...     Taber                        ...            Elias Koteas  seven-ate-9 said "Does anyone out there currently play a better nutter?" I don't have an opinion on that, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Mr. Koteas. Remember him as the compassionate Captain Staros in The Thin Red Line? And who can forget him as Casey Jones in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.William Duell           ...     Jim Sefelt                 ...               Michael Jeter   Poor Michael Jeter. I didn't even know he was gone until I read seven-ate-9's post. Since he's the only one we'd have to resurrect, what do you guys think of benthams_head's choice, Dylan Baker? He's one of those "Oh, that guy. I like that guy!" kind of actors.Vincent Schiavelli    ...     Fredrickson               ...            Steve Buscemi  Will Sampson            ...     Chief Bromden         ...            Ron Perlman  seven-ate-9 is right on: "While not preserving the American Indian vibe, I'm convinced he could bring the strong and silent like he did in The City of Lost Children (1995)."Danny DeVito            ...      Martini                  ...                  Colin Farrell  Wow. Farrell can pull off a boyish charm (did you see In Bruges?) but playing that cute meatball, Martini, would be a challenge. If he pulled it off, he should star in a modern remake of Tom Hanks's Big. Dean R. Brooks         ...     Dr. John Spivey             ...     J.K. Simmons  Nice! The guy who played Juno's dad would be perfect here. I can see himplaying it similar to how he played the CIA boss in Burn After Reading. He and Brad Pitt were my two favorite things about that film. Scatman Crothers    ...     Turkle the Janitor            ...    John Witherspoon </spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: 10 Most Accessible Foreign Films of the Last Ten Years</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/11/13/37289.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/9325/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog on spout.com</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/13/2008 5:00:46 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Danny Boyle’s new crowd-pleasing film Slumdog Millionaire was originally intended to be shot entirely in English, but apparently due to the preferences of a casting director, about a third of the movie is in Hindi. While this fraction may not be enough to call it a foreign-language film, it could have been enough to turn off subtitle-fearing audiences were the movie not so otherwise accessible due to its feel-good, “Hollywood-style” story involving star-crossed romance, destiny and an ultimate “love conquers all” message. Also, the movie breaks free from one off-putting foreign film tradition by following Man on Fire, Night Watch and TV’s Heroes into the realm of non-traditional subtitling.
Slumdog received a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival, where it won the People’s Choice Award, and it could very well extend its popularity in the direction of the multiplex crowd. If it’s a hit with moviegoers who aren’t typically open to world cinema, this could be the chance for similarly feel-good foreign films to cross over and reach a wider audience, whether they be upcoming releases like the Sundance-winning Captain Abu Raed or titles from the past that could always use more Netflix-queue love.
And so, in the hopes that Slumdog could help open the door to further foreign film consumption, SpoutBlog presents this guide to the most accessible world cinema titles from the past ten years. For every entry-level film on the list, we name a couple of more intermediate titled in the same vein — just in case you get hooked.


Amelie 
Spout.com user leeroy711 recently referred to this imaginative French film as the foreign-language cinema’s “gateway drug.” And it’s certainly true that its fanciful romantic story and colorful tone have won the favor of many a young adult not previously accustomed to European cinema. Never mind that it makes stalking seem a little too precious and innocent — the film’s whimsical title character (played delightfully by Audrey Tautou), full of good intentions and lots of heart, will have you wishing you had such a thoughtful and inventive pursuer. Also worth checking out: A Very Long Engagement; Love Me If You Dare

The Chorus
Hollywood sometimes seems to have cornered the market on movies about inspirational teachers, especially those involving music instruction. But this French film proves that foreign films can have similarly motivational stories about great educators and their newly encouraged students. Also worth checking out: Small Voices; Monsieur Ibrahim

City of God
This Brazilian film set in the favelas of Rio can be quite violent, enough to have been compared to gangster films like Goodfellas (though Goodfellas doesn’t have any little kids being shot in the foot). But at its center is the uplifting tale of a boy who makes it out of the slums in order to become a successful writer. Also worth checking out: City of Men (both the TV series and the feature film)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Martial arts cinema has long been an accessible genre to a large enough portion of Americans, but this film, which became the top grossing foreign-language title in the U.S. (not counting The Passion of the Christ), has managed to acquire fans that don’t normally go for kung fu and wuxia. The main attraction that makes this title more appealing than most is likely its production value, which with its beautiful cinematography and well-crafted special effects allows it to compare to romantic epics out of Hollywood. Also worth checking out: Hero; House of Flying Daggers

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
The running time of 3 hrs. 43 min. probably seems like a deterrent, but this Bollywood film really does feel a lot shorter than it is. Really. And anyway its compelling story of an underdog cricket team is familiar enough that you don’t have to pay too much attention if you don’t have the time — though it will be difficult to let your attention stray except for during some of the less-adequately translated musical numbers that aren’t so significant or relatable to most Western viewers. Just think of this film as your typical Hollywood sports movie, except instead of the final game being quickly highlighted in the last 30 minutes, it’s seemingly depicted in its entirety for more than an hour. And yes, the ending is a crowd-pleaser. Also worth checking out: The Cup; Monsoon Wedding

Life is Beautiful
This Oscar-winning film is so feel-good that it comes close to overkill. In fact, a decade after its release, it’s easy to forget just how entertaining it is. Just as we’re more likely to remember the stomach ache after gorging ourselves with delicious sweets or the hangover that follows a great night of drinking, moviegoers often recall only the obnoxiousness that came with an overexposed and over-awarded Roberto Benigni. But don’t let the cynics keep you from enjoying such a heartwarming and inspiriting tale of a “real life Prince Charming.” Also worth checking out: I Served the King of England

The Motorcycle Diaries
Hollywood could actually take a cue from this film the next time it wants to make one of those prequels detailing the life of an iconic villain (ex: Hannibal Rising), at least if it wants audiences to like the guy enough to forget he grows up to be a murderous rebel. Whether or not you like who and what Ernesto Guevara becomes in the years after The Motorcycle Diaries takes place, you’ll have no trouble falling for his younger self as he ditches his privileged life and devotes himself to a colony of lepers. Also worth checking out: Downfall

Pan’s Labyrinth
In the tradition of such dark yet magical stories as Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, a little girl encounters strange creatures and kind of winds up a princess. It’s ultimately a very sad and depressing film, but the ending at least pretends to be happy, enough that you might think your eyes are watering with tears of joy. Also worth checking out: City of Lost Children

Run Lola Run
It’s extremely fast-paced, a little bit MTV, a little bit video game, and it features a character you really want to root for, especially because she’s narratively allotted a few do-overs in order to make things right. And mainstream moviegoers love stories of both chance and second chances. Roger Ebert also noted in his review that it’s the kind of film that could play in a sports bar, so perhaps it’s even more of a gateway foreign film for sports fans than Lagaan. Also worth checking out: The Princess and the Warrior; Amores perros

Tsotsi
Like City of God, this film involves a crime-ridden ghetto, but it’s even more accessible than that film despite its lack of inspiring upward mobility. It could probably appeal most to fans of American “urban” gangster films, but any mainstream moviegoer should enjoy the conventional plot involving a thug who accidentally kidnaps a baby and then changes morally as a result. Also worth checking out: Kolya; Central Station Originally posted on:SpoutBlog<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:00:46 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SpoutBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>SpoutBlog on spout.com</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/13/2008 5:00:46 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Danny Boyle’s new crowd-pleasing film Slumdog Millionaire was originally intended to be shot entirely in English, but apparently due to the preferences of a casting director, about a third of the movie is in Hindi. While this fraction may not be enough to call it a foreign-language film, it could have been enough to turn off subtitle-fearing audiences were the movie not so otherwise accessible due to its feel-good, “Hollywood-style” story involving star-crossed romance, destiny and an ultimate “love conquers all” message. Also, the movie breaks free from one off-putting foreign film tradition by following Man on Fire, Night Watch and TV’s Heroes into the realm of non-traditional subtitling.
Slumdog received a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival, where it won the People’s Choice Award, and it could very well extend its popularity in the direction of the multiplex crowd. If it’s a hit with moviegoers who aren’t typically open to world cinema, this could be the chance for similarly feel-good foreign films to cross over and reach a wider audience, whether they be upcoming releases like the Sundance-winning Captain Abu Raed or titles from the past that could always use more Netflix-queue love.
And so, in the hopes that Slumdog could help open the door to further foreign film consumption, SpoutBlog presents this guide to the most accessible world cinema titles from the past ten years. For every entry-level film on the list, we name a couple of more intermediate titled in the same vein — just in case you get hooked.


Amelie 
Spout.com user leeroy711 recently referred to this imaginative French film as the foreign-language cinema’s “gateway drug.” And it’s certainly true that its fanciful romantic story and colorful tone have won the favor of many a young adult not previously accustomed to European cinema. Never mind that it makes stalking seem a little too precious and innocent — the film’s whimsical title character (played delightfully by Audrey Tautou), full of good intentions and lots of heart, will have you wishing you had such a thoughtful and inventive pursuer. Also worth checking out: A Very Long Engagement; Love Me If You Dare

The Chorus
Hollywood sometimes seems to have cornered the market on movies about inspirational teachers, especially those involving music instruction. But this French film proves that foreign films can have similarly motivational stories about great educators and their newly encouraged students. Also worth checking out: Small Voices; Monsieur Ibrahim

City of God
This Brazilian film set in the favelas of Rio can be quite violent, enough to have been compared to gangster films like Goodfellas (though Goodfellas doesn’t have any little kids being shot in the foot). But at its center is the uplifting tale of a boy who makes it out of the slums in order to become a successful writer. Also worth checking out: City of Men (both the TV series and the feature film)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Martial arts cinema has long been an accessible genre to a large enough portion of Americans, but this film, which became the top grossing foreign-language title in the U.S. (not counting The Passion of the Christ), has managed to acquire fans that don’t normally go for kung fu and wuxia. The main attraction that makes this title more appealing than most is likely its production value, which with its beautiful cinematography and well-crafted special effects allows it to compare to romantic epics out of Hollywood. Also worth checking out: Hero; House of Flying Daggers

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
The running time of 3 hrs. 43 min. probably seems like a deterrent, but this Bollywood film really does feel a lot shorter than it is. Really. And anyway its compelling story of an underdog cricket team is familiar enough that you don’t have to pay too much attention if you don’t have the time — though it will be difficult to let your attention stray except for during some of the less-adequately translated musical numbers that aren’t so significant or relatable to most Western viewers. Just think of this film as your typical Hollywood sports movie, except instead of the final game being quickly highlighted in the last 30 minutes, it’s seemingly depicted in its entirety for more than an hour. And yes, the ending is a crowd-pleaser. Also worth checking out: The Cup; Monsoon Wedding

Life is Beautiful
This Oscar-winning film is so feel-good that it comes close to overkill. In fact, a decade after its release, it’s easy to forget just how entertaining it is. Just as we’re more likely to remember the stomach ache after gorging ourselves with delicious sweets or the hangover that follows a great night of drinking, moviegoers often recall only the obnoxiousness that came with an overexposed and over-awarded Roberto Benigni. But don’t let the cynics keep you from enjoying such a heartwarming and inspiriting tale of a “real life Prince Charming.” Also worth checking out: I Served the King of England

The Motorcycle Diaries
Hollywood could actually take a cue from this film the next time it wants to make one of those prequels detailing the life of an iconic villain (ex: Hannibal Rising), at least if it wants audiences to like the guy enough to forget he grows up to be a murderous rebel. Whether or not you like who and what Ernesto Guevara becomes in the years after The Motorcycle Diaries takes place, you’ll have no trouble falling for his younger self as he ditches his privileged life and devotes himself to a colony of lepers. Also worth checking out: Downfall

Pan’s Labyrinth
In the tradition of such dark yet magical stories as Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, a little girl encounters strange creatures and kind of winds up a princess. It’s ultimately a very sad and depressing film, but the ending at least pretends to be happy, enough that you might think your eyes are watering with tears of joy. Also worth checking out: City of Lost Children

Run Lola Run
It’s extremely fast-paced, a little bit MTV, a little bit video game, and it features a character you really want to root for, especially because she’s narratively allotted a few do-overs in order to make things right. And mainstream moviegoers love stories of both chance and second chances. Roger Ebert also noted in his review that it’s the kind of film that could play in a sports bar, so perhaps it’s even more of a gateway foreign film for sports fans than Lagaan. Also worth checking out: The Princess and the Warrior; Amores perros

Tsotsi
Like City of God, this film involves a crime-ridden ghetto, but it’s even more accessible than that film despite its lack of inspiring upward mobility. It could probably appeal most to fans of American “urban” gangster films, but any mainstream moviegoer should enjoy the conventional plot involving a thug who accidentally kidnaps a baby and then changes morally as a result. Also worth checking out: Kolya; Central Station Originally posted on:SpoutBlog</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Recast ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_Recast_ONE_FLEW_OVER_THE_CUCKOO_S_NEST_1975/563/37026/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/131367/default.aspx'>seven-ate-9</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/563/discussions.aspx'>Filmgaming</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/6/2008 12:58:31 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Jack Nicholson     ...     R.P. McMurphy                        ... Ryan Gosling (A little young for the part but I think he would really bring a fire to this role) or Sam Rockwell - Sorry, I just can't make up my mind on this one but either would do me proud. Louise Fletcher    ...     Nurse Mildred Ratched          ... Linda Hamilton (her breakthrough comeback role!) William Redfield    ...     Dale Harding                          ... Sam Waterston Sydney Lassick    ...     Charley Cheswick                   ... Kevin Spacey Brad Dourif    ...     Billy Bibbit                                         ... James Van der Beek (Where the hell is this guy?) Christopher Lloyd (on the right)   ...     Taber               ... Elias Coteas (Does anyone out there currently play a better nutter?) William Duell (in center)   ...     Jim Sefelt                    ... Michael Jeter (I believe he's the only actor on my list I need to resuscitate) Vincent Schiavelli (on the left)   ...     Fredrickson       ... Steve Buscemi (Sorry for the casting the other most famously not-the-most-attractive man here) Will Sampson    ...     Chief Bromden                            ... Ron Perlman (While not preserving the American Indian vibe, I'm convinced he could bring the strong and silent like he did in The City of Lost Children (1995)) Danny DeVito    ...     Martini                                             ... Colin Farrel Dean R. Brooks    ...     Dr. John Spivey                         ... J.K. Simmons Scatman Crothers    ...     Turkle the Janitor                 ... John Witherspoon (He blows away the critics with his first dramatic turn) Thanks.  This one really got me juiced up.  :)<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:58:31 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>seven-ate-9</spout:postby><spout:postto>Filmgaming</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/6/2008 12:58:31 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Jack Nicholson     ...     R.P. McMurphy                        ... Ryan Gosling (A little young for the part but I think he would really bring a fire to this role) or Sam Rockwell - Sorry, I just can't make up my mind on this one but either would do me proud. Louise Fletcher    ...     Nurse Mildred Ratched          ... Linda Hamilton (her breakthrough comeback role!) William Redfield    ...     Dale Harding                          ... Sam Waterston Sydney Lassick    ...     Charley Cheswick                   ... Kevin Spacey Brad Dourif    ...     Billy Bibbit                                         ... James Van der Beek (Where the hell is this guy?) Christopher Lloyd (on the right)   ...     Taber               ... Elias Coteas (Does anyone out there currently play a better nutter?) William Duell (in center)   ...     Jim Sefelt                    ... Michael Jeter (I believe he's the only actor on my list I need to resuscitate) Vincent Schiavelli (on the left)   ...     Fredrickson       ... Steve Buscemi (Sorry for the casting the other most famously not-the-most-attractive man here) Will Sampson    ...     Chief Bromden                            ... Ron Perlman (While not preserving the American Indian vibe, I'm convinced he could bring the strong and silent like he did in The City of Lost Children (1995)) Danny DeVito    ...     Martini                                             ... Colin Farrel Dean R. Brooks    ...     Dr. John Spivey                         ... J.K. Simmons Scatman Crothers    ...     Turkle the Janitor                 ... John Witherspoon (He blows away the critics with his first dramatic turn) Thanks.  This one really got me juiced up.  :)</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: 10 Great Movies About Brothers</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/7/22/32892.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/9325/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog on spout.com</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 7/22/2008 12:00:34 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> 
If there’s one thing I relate to on the big screen, it’s the depiction of fraternal relationships. I’m the middle of three brothers (excluding the half-brother I only knew as a toddler and the former stepbrother I only knew briefly as an adult), and at different points in my life I’ve either hated them or considered them my best friends. So, yeah, I can’t wait to see Step Brothers, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as new siblings who go from being enemies to BFFs when forced to live together.
Choosing a handful of favorite movies about brotherhood is really tough. After all, tales of brothers go all the way back to almost the beginning, with the story of Cain and Abel. And a number of favorites can’t exactly be discussed, because the revelation of brothers, especially twin brothers, is often the surprise twist in films. So, before you start naming a thousand other films about brothers that I’ve forgotten (such as The Brothers McMullen and Legends of the Fall), keep in mind that I’ve actually left out a whole pile of brother films, and this is more of a personal favorites list.

Coupe de Ville – If there’s one movie that seemed to define my brothers and I growing up, it’s this underrated road movie about three estranged siblings (played by Patrick Dempsey, Arye Gross and Daniel Stern) delivering the titular automobile to their father (Alan Arkin). As kids, my brothers and I couldn’t have been any more different, just like the guys in the movie. For at least half a decade, until he seemed to disappear after he left the sitcom Ellen, Gross was like my cinematic alter ego, just because I felt a kinship with his middle-brother character in Coupe de Ville so much.

Twins – While I’m on the subject of identification, here’s another movie I was able to relate to, as my older brother was (in my young, confused mind) like Schwarzenegger and I was a fat kid. Now that we’re in our 30s, we’re fortunately more physically balanced (or is it just that my perception has matured?).
The Godfather Part II – At one time or another, to one degree or another, most of us with brothers have unfortunately had fratricidal thoughts. Again, murdering one’s brother is a plot that goes back to The Book of Genesis, and the theme shows up in some of the greatest of stories, from Shakespeare’s Richard III to the Shakespearean animated film The Lion King. But as I never wanted to murder either of my brothers for gain of power, I’m including this film instead. Oh, wait, I guess I never actually struggled with the idea of whether or not to kill my brother because he’s a liability and an embarrassment, either.
The Public Enemy – In fraternal stories, if brothers aren’t trying to kill each other, they’re at least following separate paths, morally and occupationally. Typically, one is a criminal and the other is a cop, politician or priest. This particular gangster film doesn’t portray the divergence as clearly as subsequent films, such as Johnny Dangerously, We Own the Night or any number of Bollywood films, including the classics Deewaar. But it’s the scene in which the brothers argue about their differences and, ultimately, their similarities, that makes the film that much more interesting.
Amar Akbar Anthony – Like Deewaar, this film stars Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan and is also about brothers. This time, though, there’s three of them, and each one allegorically represents a different prominent religious group of post-colonial India. Bachchan plays the Catholic one, and the film is worth checking out just for his musical number involving a giant Easter egg.
The Best of Youth – Another film about brothers that also represents its nation’s history, this six-hour saga is even longer than the mere three hour Amar Akbar Anthony. If you’re ever in a fraternal mood, you can fill up a whole day of loosely learning about India and Italy via these movies. Or you can simply enjoy two great movies about brothers.
American History X – After fratricide and divergence, another common plot involving brothers is the one found here: elder brother tries to keep younger from following in his footsteps. Interestingly enough, Edward Furlong plays the younger in both this film and in Little Odessa.
Adaptation – My younger brother and I are differently creative, and in the past we’ve been mistaken for being twins (unlike me and my older brother being like Twins). So, of course, I had to be a sad sack and identify with the protagonist of the story, while viewing the character’s more popular, more successful brother as my own brother. I guess that would put the third act into a sort of wish fulfillment of fratricide. Maybe I need to stop this list before it upsets my currently great relationships with both my brothers.
Big Night – Though differently creative, my younger brother and I have at times worked really well together. As many brothers in history have. Though we never attempted to operate a business together, we were in a band together. I guess for that reason I could have used The Blues Brothers here instead, but I like Big Night a whole hell of a lot more.
The Darjeeling Limited – Return of the brotherly trio on a trip. Only this time the father has died (good ol’ Oedipal patricide is almost as popular as fratricide – not that any of the brothers killed Dad; I’m merely talking about wish fulfillment for the audience again) and the brothers are even more different (who would ever believe Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody as actual siblings?). I wonder if Wes Anderson ever saw Coupe de Ville. Or Amar Akbar Anthony.

And here’s 10 more favorite brother films: Simple Men; Rain Man; La Bamba; Undertow; The Brothers Grimm; The City of Lost Children; The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford; Thirteen Days; The Funeral; The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:00:34 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SpoutBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>SpoutBlog on spout.com</spout:postto><spout:postdate>7/22/2008 12:00:34 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>
If there’s one thing I relate to on the big screen, it’s the depiction of fraternal relationships. I’m the middle of three brothers (excluding the half-brother I only knew as a toddler and the former stepbrother I only knew briefly as an adult), and at different points in my life I’ve either hated them or considered them my best friends. So, yeah, I can’t wait to see Step Brothers, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as new siblings who go from being enemies to BFFs when forced to live together.
Choosing a handful of favorite movies about brotherhood is really tough. After all, tales of brothers go all the way back to almost the beginning, with the story of Cain and Abel. And a number of favorites can’t exactly be discussed, because the revelation of brothers, especially twin brothers, is often the surprise twist in films. So, before you start naming a thousand other films about brothers that I’ve forgotten (such as The Brothers McMullen and Legends of the Fall), keep in mind that I’ve actually left out a whole pile of brother films, and this is more of a personal favorites list.

Coupe de Ville – If there’s one movie that seemed to define my brothers and I growing up, it’s this underrated road movie about three estranged siblings (played by Patrick Dempsey, Arye Gross and Daniel Stern) delivering the titular automobile to their father (Alan Arkin). As kids, my brothers and I couldn’t have been any more different, just like the guys in the movie. For at least half a decade, until he seemed to disappear after he left the sitcom Ellen, Gross was like my cinematic alter ego, just because I felt a kinship with his middle-brother character in Coupe de Ville so much.

Twins – While I’m on the subject of identification, here’s another movie I was able to relate to, as my older brother was (in my young, confused mind) like Schwarzenegger and I was a fat kid. Now that we’re in our 30s, we’re fortunately more physically balanced (or is it just that my perception has matured?).
The Godfather Part II – At one time or another, to one degree or another, most of us with brothers have unfortunately had fratricidal thoughts. Again, murdering one’s brother is a plot that goes back to The Book of Genesis, and the theme shows up in some of the greatest of stories, from Shakespeare’s Richard III to the Shakespearean animated film The Lion King. But as I never wanted to murder either of my brothers for gain of power, I’m including this film instead. Oh, wait, I guess I never actually struggled with the idea of whether or not to kill my brother because he’s a liability and an embarrassment, either.
The Public Enemy – In fraternal stories, if brothers aren’t trying to kill each other, they’re at least following separate paths, morally and occupationally. Typically, one is a criminal and the other is a cop, politician or priest. This particular gangster film doesn’t portray the divergence as clearly as subsequent films, such as Johnny Dangerously, We Own the Night or any number of Bollywood films, including the classics Deewaar. But it’s the scene in which the brothers argue about their differences and, ultimately, their similarities, that makes the film that much more interesting.
Amar Akbar Anthony – Like Deewaar, this film stars Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan and is also about brothers. This time, though, there’s three of them, and each one allegorically represents a different prominent religious group of post-colonial India. Bachchan plays the Catholic one, and the film is worth checking out just for his musical number involving a giant Easter egg.
The Best of Youth – Another film about brothers that also represents its nation’s history, this six-hour saga is even longer than the mere three hour Amar Akbar Anthony. If you’re ever in a fraternal mood, you can fill up a whole day of loosely learning about India and Italy via these movies. Or you can simply enjoy two great movies about brothers.
American History X – After fratricide and divergence, another common plot involving brothers is the one found here: elder brother tries to keep younger from following in his footsteps. Interestingly enough, Edward Furlong plays the younger in both this film and in Little Odessa.
Adaptation – My younger brother and I are differently creative, and in the past we’ve been mistaken for being twins (unlike me and my older brother being like Twins). So, of course, I had to be a sad sack and identify with the protagonist of the story, while viewing the character’s more popular, more successful brother as my own brother. I guess that would put the third act into a sort of wish fulfillment of fratricide. Maybe I need to stop this list before it upsets my currently great relationships with both my brothers.
Big Night – Though differently creative, my younger brother and I have at times worked really well together. As many brothers in history have. Though we never attempted to operate a business together, we were in a band together. I guess for that reason I could have used The Blues Brothers here instead, but I like Big Night a whole hell of a lot more.
The Darjeeling Limited – Return of the brotherly trio on a trip. Only this time the father has died (good ol’ Oedipal patricide is almost as popular as fratricide – not that any of the brothers killed Dad; I’m merely talking about wish fulfillment for the audience again) and the brothers are even more different (who would ever believe Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody as actual siblings?). I wonder if Wes Anderson ever saw Coupe de Ville. Or Amar Akbar Anthony.

And here’s 10 more favorite brother films: Simple Men; Rain Man; La Bamba; Undertow; The Brothers Grimm; The City of Lost Children; The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford; Thirteen Days; The Funeral; The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 weirdest movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_weirdest_movies/190/32464/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/46030/default.aspx'>indieabby88</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 7/12/2008 2:09:17 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="Smooth_J"] Surreal, absurd, disturbing, or just plain strange movies.  I got this idea from a discussion on IMDB, and I believe some movie website or magazine released a list of the top 20 a while back.  In terms of overall weirdness, here it goes: 1.  Un Chien Andalou The old Bunuel-Dali collaboration.  This had me at the part where the eye gets sliced with a razor-blade.  It is quite possibly one of the most disturbing images I have ever seen, and it was made in 1929.  It is almost unsettlingly bizarre.  This easily takes the cake at a whopping 16 minutes.  Watching this film makes you realize how warped the human mind can be, and it's amazing.  It is where every David Lynch film is originated, and really where the surrealist genre was created. 2.  Eraserhead Not much about this film can be explained that hasn't already been said a million times.  It is adequate to say that never has anything like it ever been seen, and it began a long and illustrious career of nightmares and dreamscapes. 3.  The City of Lost Children This one is not quite surrealism, more like a plot-driven sci-fi nightmare that more than delivers on the absurdities.  However, it also makes up for such strange detachment with likeable characters and genuine horror. 4.  Brazil Also one of my favorite movies, it is the crowned jewel of Terry Gilliam's catalogue.  The way in which the dream sequences are paralleled by Lowry's just as bizarre existence makes this a masterpiece of surrealism. 5.  So many to choose from!!!!!! I can't pick this last one.  So, I'll make a list of honorable mentions:  Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Videodrome (and other Cronenberg), Dead Man, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Time Bandits (and most other Gilliam), 2001, Donnie Darko, all of Guy Maddin's shorts (some of which aren't in the Spout database......), Pi. Considering this is labeled "Top 5 Weirdest movies", I'm afraid to include 8 1/2, since it's not per se "weird", but more dreamy and surrealist, which does not necessarily mean weird in my book.  All of the surrealist films I mentioned were really by-the-book WEIRD.  Am I wrong here? [/quote] For some reason I don't like putting Giliam in the "weird" category, although I know his stuff generally is pretty off-the-wall. I grew up watching "Munchausen" and "Time Bandits," so I guess that kind of thing is just part of me. I've been sporadically watching "Fantastic Planet" lately. Now that is a weird movie. It actually feels like I'm watching a feature-length Gilliam animation from the old Monty Python series.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:09:17 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>indieabby88</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>7/12/2008 2:09:17 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="Smooth_J"] Surreal, absurd, disturbing, or just plain strange movies.  I got this idea from a discussion on IMDB, and I believe some movie website or magazine released a list of the top 20 a while back.  In terms of overall weirdness, here it goes: 1.  Un Chien Andalou The old Bunuel-Dali collaboration.  This had me at the part where the eye gets sliced with a razor-blade.  It is quite possibly one of the most disturbing images I have ever seen, and it was made in 1929.  It is almost unsettlingly bizarre.  This easily takes the cake at a whopping 16 minutes.  Watching this film makes you realize how warped the human mind can be, and it's amazing.  It is where every David Lynch film is originated, and really where the surrealist genre was created. 2.  Eraserhead Not much about this film can be explained that hasn't already been said a million times.  It is adequate to say that never has anything like it ever been seen, and it began a long and illustrious career of nightmares and dreamscapes. 3.  The City of Lost Children This one is not quite surrealism, more like a plot-driven sci-fi nightmare that more than delivers on the absurdities.  However, it also makes up for such strange detachment with likeable characters and genuine horror. 4.  Brazil Also one of my favorite movies, it is the crowned jewel of Terry Gilliam's catalogue.  The way in which the dream sequences are paralleled by Lowry's just as bizarre existence makes this a masterpiece of surrealism. 5.  So many to choose from!!!!!! I can't pick this last one.  So, I'll make a list of honorable mentions:  Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Videodrome (and other Cronenberg), Dead Man, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Time Bandits (and most other Gilliam), 2001, Donnie Darko, all of Guy Maddin's shorts (some of which aren't in the Spout database......), Pi. Considering this is labeled "Top 5 Weirdest movies", I'm afraid to include 8 1/2, since it's not per se "weird", but more dreamy and surrealist, which does not necessarily mean weird in my book.  All of the surrealist films I mentioned were really by-the-book WEIRD.  Am I wrong here? [/quote] For some reason I don't like putting Giliam in the "weird" category, although I know his stuff generally is pretty off-the-wall. I grew up watching "Munchausen" and "Time Bandits," so I guess that kind of thing is just part of me. I've been sporadically watching "Fantastic Planet" lately. Now that is a weird movie. It actually feels like I'm watching a feature-length Gilliam animation from the old Monty Python series.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Top 5 weirdest movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Top_5_weirdest_movies/190/32168/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02388qxcto.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/119047/default.aspx'>Smooth_J</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 7/5/2008 11:01:33 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Surreal, absurd, disturbing, or just plain strange movies.  I got this idea from a discussion on IMDB, and I believe some movie website or magazine released a list of the top 20 a while back.  In terms of overall weirdness, here it goes: 1.  Un Chien Andalou The old Bunuel-Dali collaboration.  This had me at the part where the eye gets sliced with a razor-blade.  It is quite possibly one of the most disturbing images I have ever seen, and it was made in 1929.  It is almost unsettlingly bizarre.  This easily takes the cake at a whopping 16 minutes.  Watching this film makes you realize how warped the human mind can be, and it's amazing.  It is where every David Lynch film is originated, and really where the surrealist genre was created. 2.  Eraserhead Not much about this film can be explained that hasn't already been said a million times.  It is adequate to say that never has anything like it ever been seen, and it began a long and illustrious career of nightmares and dreamscapes. 3.  The City of Lost Children This one is not quite surrealism, more like a plot-driven sci-fi nightmare that more than delivers on the absurdities.  However, it also makes up for such strange detachment with likeable characters and genuine horror. 4.  Brazil Also one of my favorite movies, it is the crowned jewel of Terry Gilliam's catalogue.  The way in which the dream sequences are paralleled by Lowry's just as bizarre existence makes this a masterpiece of surrealism. 5.  So many to choose from!!!!!! I can't pick this last one.  So, I'll make a list of honorable mentions:  Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Videodrome (and other Cronenberg), Dead Man, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Time Bandits (and most other Gilliam), 2001, Donnie Darko, all of Guy Maddin's shorts (some of which aren't in the Spout database......), Pi. Considering this is labeled "Top 5 Weirdest movies", I'm afraid to include 8 1/2, since it's not per se "weird", but more dreamy and surrealist, which does not necessarily mean weird in my book.  All of the surrealist films I mentioned were really by-the-book WEIRD.  Am I wrong here?<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:01:33 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>Smooth_J</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>7/5/2008 11:01:33 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Surreal, absurd, disturbing, or just plain strange movies.  I got this idea from a discussion on IMDB, and I believe some movie website or magazine released a list of the top 20 a while back.  In terms of overall weirdness, here it goes: 1.  Un Chien Andalou The old Bunuel-Dali collaboration.  This had me at the part where the eye gets sliced with a razor-blade.  It is quite possibly one of the most disturbing images I have ever seen, and it was made in 1929.  It is almost unsettlingly bizarre.  This easily takes the cake at a whopping 16 minutes.  Watching this film makes you realize how warped the human mind can be, and it's amazing.  It is where every David Lynch film is originated, and really where the surrealist genre was created. 2.  Eraserhead Not much about this film can be explained that hasn't already been said a million times.  It is adequate to say that never has anything like it ever been seen, and it began a long and illustrious career of nightmares and dreamscapes. 3.  The City of Lost Children This one is not quite surrealism, more like a plot-driven sci-fi nightmare that more than delivers on the absurdities.  However, it also makes up for such strange detachment with likeable characters and genuine horror. 4.  Brazil Also one of my favorite movies, it is the crowned jewel of Terry Gilliam's catalogue.  The way in which the dream sequences are paralleled by Lowry's just as bizarre existence makes this a masterpiece of surrealism. 5.  So many to choose from!!!!!! I can't pick this last one.  So, I'll make a list of honorable mentions:  Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Videodrome (and other Cronenberg), Dead Man, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Time Bandits (and most other Gilliam), 2001, Donnie Darko, all of Guy Maddin's shorts (some of which aren't in the Spout database......), Pi. Considering this is labeled "Top 5 Weirdest movies", I'm afraid to include 8 1/2, since it's not per se "weird", but more dreamy and surrealist, which does not necessarily mean weird in my book.  All of the surrealist films I mentioned were really by-the-book WEIRD.  Am I wrong here?</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:dark</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/dark/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/dark/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>dark</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 223</br><br/>
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</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:40:47 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>223</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>137</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>390</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
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      <title>Spout Tag:sex</title>
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      <title>Spout Tag:french</title>
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      <title>Spout Tag:Stupid</title>
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</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:28:04 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1035</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>62</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>154</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
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      <title>Spout Tag:gangster</title>
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      <title>Spout Tag:dreams</title>
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      <title>Spout Tag:magical</title>
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      <title>Spout Tag:scifi</title>
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