we need to talk about kevin (2011). directed by lynne ramsay.

a nightmarish tale of parenting, to mothers especially. what can you do with a child like this? it is not your fault that you don't enjoy the pregnancy, that you were a tad depressed, that the child is difficult and refused to bond. that he grew up to be antagonistic, a master manipulator to those who can't see him for who he is - a monster, albeit growing up in the best of environments with loving parents, is a bad seed from good people such as eva and franklin. 

i think it is a reminder how tough parenting could get, and on a more grim note, a reminder of how many criminals and killers were raised but good people. there is only so much that environment can do, for there is something more innate at work. 

the graduate (1967). directed by mike nichols.

watch this movie for 3 things:

anne bancroft

simon & grafunkel's soundtrack

yes, all young people goes through disillusionment like that (i do!)

tyrannosaur (2011). directed by paddy considine.

what a sad movie. anger burning the body and the soul, buried deep inside but it flares high up, destructive at every being. one can be angry at no one in particular, one can angry at being victimized. 

but who is going to save us, if not a little care?

road to perdition (2002). directed by sam mendes.

part gangster movie, mostly family drama told through the eyes of a young boy who was forced to road trip with his distant father. it's heartwarming and the graphics is fantastic. i am sure it is still as good as it was years ago when i watched it. 

american beauty (1999). directed by sam mendes.

american beauty is literally american hypocrisy. or just plain hypocrisy in general. the things we do to keep up appearances. a must watch. 

the good thief (2002). directed by neil jordan.

so many things to like about this movie. underaged prostitutes. badly staged bank robbery. smoke, lots of smoke. aging gamblers who don't know how to quit. and a pissed off gangster that can paint a face cubist. 

the crying game (1992). directed by neil jordan.

this is a strange time to update a movie blog because one i am at work and just finished working on the type curves but two i am bored and need a break. i watched this movie a long time ago in college when i was doing foundation studies to australia. i don't remember much of it and would like to see it again, but i do remember that the soldier fell in love with his victim's girlfriend who turns out to be something else. i don't think neil jordan intended a cheap shock factor here, rather, i think he wanted to highlight the possibility of unconditional love, of what it means to take someone just as they are. 

which we severely lack these days. i definitely need to re-visit this movie again.