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ZapperLife's 2013 Push 10

I guess I'm 3 weeks late, but there's still plenty of time left of the year. Push 10 is going to be my annual list of ten movies I'd like to recommend people give a chance. It's not going to be my favorite ten movies or the ten best in my eyes, but ten I think have gotten way too little attention... and this is my way of helping them along as best I can.

These might be among the best I've seen from genres or sub-genres that usually doesn't give us a lot of quality, it might be foreign movies that people have a little trouble finding in the jungle out there, or it might just be an old…

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  • Make Way for Tomorrow

    Make Way for Tomorrow

    ★★★★★

    A movie I've pushed on regular basis the past couple of years, and I guess it must make this first annual Push-list as well then.

    Make Way for Tomorrow is about gaps between generations, even within families, the changes of time and aging in a new era. 76 years since its release, it seems as appropriate as ever. I guess some things really doesn't change. Be warned; this isn't a least bit of a feelgood movie, and you might even want to keep a handkerchief handy.

    My last review, and Thomas Ringdal simplifying things.

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  • Raise the Red Lantern

    Raise the Red Lantern

    ★★★★½

    Visually creative storyteller Zhang Yimou collaborated with talented and beautiful lead actress Li Gong on many occasions, but this is their hauntingly beautiful masterpiece.

    No-one creates painted scenes like Yimou does. In the words of Roger Ebert;

    Yimou uses the bold, bright colors of "Ju Dou" again this time; his film was shot in the classic three-strip Technicolor process, now abandoned by Hollywood, which allows a richness of reds and yellows no longer possible in American films.

    I couldn't introduced it better myself, and the result for your viewing pleasure is nothing short of breathtaking. Thankfully there's a lot more to the movie than its visuals, and the drama is excellent. We're taken for a ride in concubinage-1920's China, following the fourth wife's new life there. I'm sure Jane Austen would have been thrilled to work with such an environment, but Yimou's movie also works as an allegory on China for the then young filmmaker of the fifth generation.

    I haven't seen this in a while myself (as this is also a push to myself for a rewatch during 2013), so no review link from me this time, but Reid Volk might help.

    Edit: Push 10-revisit in April 2013

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  • Trust

    Trust

    ★★★★½

    I'd heard whispers of Hal Hartley for years, but it took a while for me to finally watch one of his movies. Trust was a fresh breath reminding me why I should listen to people more often.

    While the story of bad boy and brainy girl might be spoiled by cliches over the years, there's nothing cliched about Hartley's take on the subject. He's got his own voice, Donovan and Shelly is perfect cast, and its bright wit makes it an entertaining adolescence ride as darkly funny as they come.

    My last review, and a few words from bwolo.

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  • You Are Alone

    You Are Alone

    ★★★★½

    I discovered this indie gem just a few months ago, but I'm sadly pretty alone discovering it thus far.

    Gorman Bechard cut his teeth on bizarre horror and sci-fi movies back in the day, but after a failed trip to Hollywood he has reinvented himself. You Are Alone is a talky movie mostly spent in one location, but it does it better than most. Undiscovered Jessica Bohl and Richard Bruntage have chemistry, talent and personas to deliver on every level, and they make it easy to invest attention to their tale. It's genuine, intimate and really good. Please support indie filmmaking at its low budget best, and your own best pleasurable interests, by spending a little time on this truly unknown little gem.

    My last review, and bookhouseboy even spent more than his usual few lines on his impressions.

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  • The Consequences of Love

    The Consequences of Love

    ★★★★½

    Whenever I hear the title of Paolo Sorrentino's Le consequenze dell'amore or see the cover, my head is filled with images of Das leben der anderen and Lost in Translation. That's how its been ever since I watched this overlooked pearl, and I don't see it change anytime soon.

    It's no coincidence, as it share a lot of themes with both of those quality movies, that have gone on to well deserved worldwide recognition and fame, but it deserves recognition and fame on its own as well. A somber tale, told patiently and meticulous, with a beautiful result.

    Haven't seen it in a few years, so no reviews from me, but dillamonster says it well, and I let a few others chip in short reviews as well.

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  • Army of Shadows

    Army of Shadows

    ★★★★★

    Jean-Pierre Melville is best known for his crime-flicks, and I love quite a few of them myself, but his masterpiece is this take on a French resistance group during WWII (maybe because he'd been one him self).

    Applying his usual ability to create tension and style on screen, Lino Ventura and the rest of them get to shine in a different sort of war movie. A place where tension are within, as in within the people with their fears and paranoia and within the group as trust only goes that far. I understand this might not be everyone's cup of Joe, but you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. The rewards are far too many to shy away from.

    My last review, and Rick Dabagian might have been short of words in his awe, but their telling all the same.

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  • Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal

    Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal

    ★★★★½

    A stand-alone tale released as OVA back in the day, Trust and Betrayal is a prequel/origin story to the animated series about Samurai X.

    An animated samurai-story that starts out just as you'd expect from the genre, but with very well done animated fight scenes. It all changes quickly enough, and you realize you're watching a character driven tale delivered by a great storyteller. It's powerful stuff, and I feel like I need to rewatch this soon myself, especially as I watched it prior to my Letterboxd-days and only can give you a semi-review written the other day, long after I watched it, to create some interest for this overlooked gem.

    And I have no idea what our new Brazilian friend Weber Gonçalves had to say on the subject earlier today, but looking at his rating, the built of his review and the capital use of letters with exclamation point, I'm sure I can agree....

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  • Iron Monkey

    Iron Monkey

    ★★★★½

    Iron Monkey takes on the tale of a folk hero told as often as Robin Hood, but Yuen Woo-ping does it better than most (if not all).

    I'm not usually that impressed by martial arts movies or wuxia, as the storytelling is overlooked as much as in Hollywood action movies, but this is an exception well worth taking a look at. It's well choreographed fight scenes, but it's also well told, well acted and entertaining throughout. (Be aware it was released in Hong Kong in '93, as Letterboxd uses the North American release, and there's a few differences in the releases (even if I'm told they aren't large enough to ruin the experience either edition you get your hands on)).

    Haven't seen this since I arrived at Letterboxd, so maybe about time I rewatch this as well, but Doubledown says it well enough.

    Edit: Push10-revisit in March 2013.

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  • Trouble in Paradise

    Trouble in Paradise

    ★★★★½

    I'd heard about The Lubitsch' Touch, but despite enjoying The Shop Around the Corner, it wasn't until Trouble in Paradise I understood what they meant.

    This is light entertainment, but of a classic timeless sort, and it's easily enjoyable. The leads are excellent with Francis, Hopkins and Marshall, but its Lubitsch' choices, touch and understanding that makes this one survive in memory where most light entertainments fade. Also, it didn't hurt that this is pre-code, and thus didn't suffer like it would if released after that damned Hays Code came in play.

    Haven't reviewed it either here myself, but anne_f_ says it simple enough.

  • Gun Crazy

    Gun Crazy

    ★★★★½

    Bonnie & Clyde might have taken the fame, but Annie & Bart certainly was made for an entertaining B-Noir ride of their own.

    Joseph H. Lewis can't step around every pitfall that inevitably follows with making a B-Noir, but he certainly makes the best of it. It's breezily told and wastes no time on other than necessities, but it's oh so very well done and draws you into the story with craftsmanship. Cummins and Dall also delivers memorably in the leads, making this quintessential.

    Haven't reviewed it either since my arrival, but Colin the dude and KasperL makes for excellent stand-ins.