Ive watched a whole range of movies this week.

Citizen Kane (7/10) : I hadn't watched this movie before and I had high expectations going in since it was AFI No.1. I found it alright , the acting was great the script was great but it just didnt hold my interest for some reason.

12 Angry Men (10/10) : Now this had me riveted for the whole 96 mins. What a fantastic film. 12 men in one room discussing a case for the whole duration of a film doesnt sound so enticing but believe me it ll have you on the edge of your seat.

Rambo – First Blood Part 1 (9/10) :This is what an action film is all about. No special effects, no CGI just raw hardcore action. its right up there with the first Die Hard as one of the best of its genre for me.

O Brother Where art Thou – I watched this film after seeing it on top of Brad's list of the Coen Bros best movies..I cant rate this because i fell aslee halfway through it. I just found it to be reall really boring.

Fargo ( 8/10) : Now this was waaaaaaaay better. Perfect casting for starters , I thoroughly enjoyed this film, for its story,the acting,the cinematography which really captured the mood of the film. William H Macy was fantastic ,i dont think anyone else couldve played his character like he did.

1. Up – A-
I liked Up. Ok, I really liked Up. But somehow, unlike the other Pixar movies I've seen, I couldn't bring myself to LOVE Up. Having said that, it still remains a fascinating movie, and Ed Asner is just awesome. Also, the movie really came together for me because of the climax. I watched it in 2D, but I don't think 3D would change my opinion much.

2. Wake up Sid (Hindi film) – B+
Wake Up Sid is like so many other movies we've seen, but just a little better. Ranbir Kapoor isn't much of an actor, but a fresh screenplay for a cliched story, and characters that every wandering student can identify with, along with a vibrant Konkona SenSharma and fantastically placed music make this akin to (500) Days of Summer, at least for me. Definitely worth a watch in the bleak summer-fall Hindi cinema seems to be having.

3. Batman – C-
I think I shouldn't have watched Batman now. Having watched the Nolan reboot of the series, anything else just seems infantile. I was reading some of the stuff about the movie online, and I read somewhere that Burton wanted it to be darker and more sombre than other superhero flicks. Also, he thought Keaton had the intensity to do justice to the darker side of Bruce Wayne. Somehow, and maybe 'm completely unjustified in saying this, but after what Chris Nolan did with both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, this movie fell miles short, as did Keaton when compared with Bale. I worry now that in case Bale and Nolan don't reunite for the third, I'm going to hate that as well. Surprisingly, (considering all the hoopla around Ledger's Joker), I felt Nicholson's performance was nothing short of brilliant.

4. eight and a half
I can't grade this movie. There was something very surreal about Fellini's 'Eight and a Half'. Maybe it was the Italian, but I felt especially uncouth and uncultured watching this after nineteen years of my life. However, I did find it a hard movie to get through, and at one point thought I may have to give up. I'm glad I didn't, and look forward to understanding it a little more, (and potentially being able to grade it), after repeat viewings.

5. Across the Universe – B-
This is the first out of two movies I watched this week that I liked more for the visual aspects of the film than the story. Inspite of a very predictable story line, and some rather overt tributes (in terms of character names), Across the Universe really shines in its fantastic visual effects, brilliant choreography, and of course, cashes in nicely on some of the most fantastic Beatle's numbers ever. Oh, and Evan Rachel Wood is a vision.

6. The Riches season 1 – C+
At first I really liked it, then I sort of got bored, and then I got intrigued again. Constrained by a limited story scope, and a DARK palette, The Riches manages to hold it together with inventive storylines, a fresh plot for TV, and the absolutely brilliant Minnie Driver. I wish we could see more of her on the big screen.

7. Scoop – B-
I started watching Scoop thinking I would hate it, but was actually pleasantly surprised. I was only mildly annoyed by Woody Allen's affectation, and his genius of storytelling actually shone quite brightly in some places. Hugh Jackman was an adequate Ken Doll, but Scarlett Johansson really went a notch above Barbie with her portrayal. I have yet to watch Match Point, which I hear is their best collaboration together, but whilst I enjoyed Vicky Cristina Barcelona more as a film, I think Johansson was tons better in this one. She actually made me enjoy this otherwise lukewarm comic drama.

9. Silence of the Lambs – A
I was contemplating giving this an A+, but I think that's only because I felt a little extra happy to have finally watched it. Anthony Hopkins and Habbinal Lecter are finally a part of pop culture I am now privy to. Fantastic film, fantastic Jodie Foster, fantastic Jonathan Demme. Definitely one of the best thrillers to hit the marquee.

10. Persepolis – A+
Oh, another brilliant film. I love the simplistic animation, the emphasis on story telling, the absolutely indescribable personality that this film has. I definitely think this is one the best films I've seen this year.

11. Pi – B+
This was the third black and white film I've seen this week (if Persepolis can be counted). And this is the third Aronofsky film I've seen. And this is the second film I've seen this week that I loved more for the visual treatment than the story. A highly complex, erratically paced, wonderfully self assured first feature by Aronofsky, this film worked for me only because of the delightfully jagged editing and the fantastic camera work. Not that the story was poor or anything, but just a little bit, the film's own self assuredness throws you off a bit, until you sit and admire the confidence of the film-makers.

That's the first week in a while that I haven't watched anything horrible. Feels good to say that!

@Aaditya: Oh, I made a slight mistake there in my grades. I meant to give The Riches a B+ and Scoop a C+.

The Third Man ~ Brilliant thriller from Carol Reed. 5/5

Rewatched As Good as It Gets. Very good film, which does suffer from being overly sappy and sentimental, and overlong, but it pretty much redeems itself thanks to a fantastic acting. Nicholson is a genius here (well, as almost always), Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear are in their absolute finest, Cuba Goodng Jr. was great. I also loved the cameo appearance of Peter Jacobson and Lisa Edelstein ( Taub and Cuddy from "House"), who have a cameo appearance as a couple of Jews insulted by the main character. As I only started watching House this summer, I never paid attention to that couple before, and I was absolutely amazed when I saw them together.

Went to see Zombieland. Hugely entertaining, fast-paced and action-packed movie, with Woody at his best and coolest, and you-know-who in a cameo appearance TOTALLY stealing the show. The screenplay is flawed but features some great humor, the music is great and overall it's an incredibly enjoyable ride.

Rewatch of Magnolia, which seems to get less and less flawed the more times I watch it – whatever the case, it's one of my absolute favorite movies (whoo 1999!)

Rewatch of Synecdoche, New York: I didn't like the first time very much, but watching the trailer afterwards somehow intoxicated me into thinking I loved it. So, a rewatch. I like a lot within the movie, but it doesn't come together – I think the 'wackiness' was either a little too much or not nearly enough, but it currently sits in an awkward place. I'm now convinced that Charlie Kaufman can in fact direct – anything but his own work.

Watched (500) days of summer last night, and really, truly liked it quite a bit. Sure, there were a few glaring errors, but considering how risky it was, I think it's amazing it dodged so many

And… The Informant! I liked it. I didn't really feel there was much more to say coming out of the theater.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000): B+, brilliant and hilarious.

Psycho (1960): A+, what else can I say?

The Searchers (1956): A, classic, iconic western.

The Departed (2006): A, modern crime classic and one of Scorsese's best.

The Boys From Brazil (1978): B-, interesting ideas but could have been executed better. Greg Peck and Laurence Olivier both give great over-the-top performances.

The Warriors, The Thomas Crown Affair (remake) and got entertained by Pandorum, if you saw everithing on your local theatre give it a try.

In the Name of the Father {9-10] – great movie, Daniel Day-Lewis really desreved the oscar that year for this one. His character grows incredibly during the film and its a true joy to watch.

The Boxer{8-10}- Yet another DDL film this week. Again, DDL is perfect in the role and really carries the film. Has its moments where it slows down but never bores.

The Rainmaker- 8/10- Good performances and story.
Fido- 7/10- Entertaining and funny at parts.
About a Boy- 9/10- Great British comedy.
Year One- 4/10- Supid.
Surrogates- 6/10- Could have been better.

Re-watch:
O Brother Where Art Thou- 10/10- Fantastic.
Toy Story Double Feature- 10/10- Classic.

10/4-10/10:

Lovely, Still – B+
The Messenger – C-
I Sell the Dead – B-
Grace – B
Trick 'R Treat – B+
Law Abiding Citizen – F (terrible movie, worst of the year)
Assassination of a High School President – A-

I also caught up on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Breaking Bad this week. Both shows are amazing.

Scott, where the hell did you see Lovely, Still?

Night Moves = A+
Bonnie and Clyde(rewatch) = A+
The Battle of Algiers(rewatch) = A+
Apocalypse Now(10th time) = A+++++
The Crying Game = A
Bad Lieutenant = A
Zombieland = B-

@Brian:

It played at the Milwaukee Film Festival, I saw it there. Afterwards, the director and Martin Landau had a Q&A session.

It's a pretty good film. Not great, but well worth seeing for the performances alone.

watched 2 movies by tony scott, ima big fan of his stylized camera work, dont understand why ppl hate it, but again to each his own.
enemy of the state (9/10) for its high entertainment value and will smith, this movie is a solid reminder why smith is still the box office king.

taking of pelham 123- (6/10)- not impressed by this at all, hopefully all great talents like denzel, travolta, and scott can learn from this and move on to greater things.

on a side note, i was very tempted to watch braveheart again, but have a big exam coming up on next week, so i had to suffice myself with watching the ofifice "niagra" back to back imo the best office episode ever!!!!

New York, I Love You – It was good, but not great. I absolutely love the Paris version so I suppose I had high expectations and it just didn't deliver. It is fun at times, so I think it's worth a rent eventually. 3/5

Couples Retreat – Gah. This was bad, you guys. Sure I laughed a bit but the film was edited so sloppily and transitions were so terribly executed it brought down any high points provided by its stars. 2/5

Paris, je t'aime – Rewatched this after I got out of the NYILY screening and it just solidified my original position that much more. This is, in my mind, is simply a better film than it's New York counterpart. It's more pleasing to look at, and has better talent behind the camera — something you can absolutely tell the difference in. It's on Netflix Instant so there's no reason to not at least try it. 4.5/5

Here's what I watched:

"Bronson" – I thought it was a pointless movie with an unremarkable character at the center of it. 3.5/10

"Requiem for a Dream" – After all these years, I still love this tale of people descending into the hell of drug addiction. 9/10

"The Covenant" – I believe this is the first Renny Harlin film I have seen or remembered seeing. It's a generic thriller about boy witches. This the gayest straight movie ever. 3/10

"Fargo" – This is my first watching this film. In my opinion, it's not the best of Coen Bros. films. It's still a good movie to watch. 8/10

"Clerks." – Kevin Smith's first movie does not hold up well. In the end, it's an enjoyable ride. 7/10

"Shortbus" – John Cameron Mitchell's follow-up to "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" was nice to watch. There was some WTF moments in the end of the film. I didn't mind the un-simulated sex in it. Some of the characters were cardboard cutouts. 7/10

"Zombieland" – This is a highly enjoyable film. Jesse Eisenberg is getting on my nerves. Woody Harrleson was very good. The cameo was EPIC. The plot was mediocre. There was no thrust in it. 8/10

Half Nelson – 10/10

Toy Story – 7/10

Toy Story 2 – 9/10

Couples Retreat – 4/10

Paranormal Activity – 5/10

Paranormal Activity 10/10 (Definitly Now In My Top Five Scary Movies.)

Lucky Number Slevin 9/10

Push 7/10

Sin City 10/10

Desperado 9/10

Once Upon A Time In Mexico 9/10