Ryan Recommends

We watched this film for the second time last night, and I must say that I absolutely loved it. Written for the screen and directed by P.T. Anderson (Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love), "There Will Be Blood" is a movie that gets even better with age. Some have told me that it moved too slowly for them, but to me the pacing was just right and the acting was completely brilliant. Plus, with the music score being done by Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead, there was always something for my brain to be focused on. If you're going to invest 2.5 hours in a film, I cannot think of many films that have come out in recent years that would be more worth the investment.


Based on the book by Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close), "Everything is Illuminated" has become one of our all-time favorites over the past 2 years. It is beautifully shot, with plenty of dry wit and heartfelt family history to move you through. The music is extremely memorable, and as far as off-beat comedies go this is certainly one of the best out there. I liked it much better than other options such as "Running with Scissors" and "Winter Passing." Being that I am not an Elijah Wood fan, this recommendation should mean even more than if I were suggesting a Phillip Seymour Hoffman film (my favorite actor). See it, and enjoy it. Then go buy some Gogol Bordello records. :)


"The Darjeeling Limited" is the 5th movie from Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic), and for those who love his work it definitely did not disappoint. Shot in India, this beautiful story of 3 brothers on a "spiritual voyage" is hilarious, and yet rich with symbolism. I had concerns that Anderson was treading over the same material too often (white boys in the state of arrested development) but this movie still shed fresh light for me and was definitely worth making. I would suggest that you see this movie if you like dark comedy, family dysfunction, or India. ;)



"Lars and the Real Girl" was a little off-putting to me at first. Am I actually going to watch a guy buy a sex doll and then convince himself that she's real? Is that a movie?? But, I must say, I was terribly wrong to doubt this film. Not only were my worst fears not realized, but I was moved by the community aspects within the film. Ryan Gosling does a fine bit of acting, and although it is certainly quirky in nature, this movie is far from being non-accessible. It is not emotionally turbulent, it is not highly disturbing, it is merely a story of figuring out what it means to be human. And it's good.




"Paris, Je Taime" is a very unique film. It is comprised of 18 five minute films, all with different directors and different actors with different stories. One main thing in common: Paris is the backdrop. I loved this film and would certainly argue that it is one of the better ones made in the past 2 years. It is in French with English subtitles as you might expect, and the beauty and humor within this film makes it quite memorable indeed. Far from the norm, and yet not far from home, I would certainly suggest that you check out this movie.




This is not an exhaustive list by any means (honorable mentions would include "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", "King Corn," "Manderlay" and "The Squid and the Whale"), they are just some films over the past few years that have not seen incredible box office success but yield great rewards for those who invest the time. If you have any recommendations for me (or critiques of the ones I have enjoyed), please share with us by all means.