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A Dirty Shame Tony Pisarenkov   Cineplex Odeon Dupont Circle, Washington, DC   08 October 2004 I gotta give it to Waters -- the sheer imagination required to come up with this stuff is worthy of respect.

A Man and a Woman Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   15 November 2003 Although to contemporary viewers it does look like a long music video at times, for me this is *the* way to do romance, and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this film. Beautiful in every respect, and for its time (1964) -- very innovative.

A Mighty Wind Tony Pisarenkov   AMC Desert Ridge, Paradise Valley, AZ   25 May 2003 Chrisopher Guest lays it on a little thick in this one, but still very much in his element. If you enjoyed any of his previous films ("This Is Spinal Tap," "Waiting for Guffman" or "Best in Show"), this is a must-see.

Aguirre, the Wrath of God Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   22 October 2005 The film that started the Herzog-Kinski collaboration. Rough around the edges, to be sure, but still well worth seeing.

Amélie Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez Stacy   31 May 2003 Unexpectedly great film. Funny, sad, touching, intelligent and gorgeous all at the same time. One of the very rare films where you actually wish for a happy ending, and when it comes, it works beautifully.

American Hardcore Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   29 October 2006 An honest attempt to look at the early eighties hardcore punk scene, marred by a lack of good footage, a lack of narrative continuity and, ultimately, the fact that the music itself was so bad that no filmmaker could probably redeem it.

Aviator Tony Pisarenkov   The Uptown Theatre, Washington, DC   04 February 2005 Impressive all around. If someone tells you that DiCaprio can act, they are not lying.

Bad Santa Tony Pisarenkov   Loews Tenleytown, Washington, DC   20 December 2003 Just the kind of misanthropic, off-color, politically incorrect antidote to the feel-good monstrosity that Christmas has become that I needed.

Ballets Russes Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 November 2005 A documentary about the history of the famous Ballet Russe ballet company in its various permutations, with interviews of surviving members as the backbone. A must for ballet fans, curious for the rest.

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   13 October 2005 As if one guy in a gorilla suit wasn't enough

Belle de jour Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez moi   26 December 2005 Un peu difficile sans sous-titres. Je n'ai compris que 30% du dialogue.

Black Jesus Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   20 June 2003 One of the biggest travesties of modern cinema is that filmmaker Valerio Zurlini is not better known. If "Black Jesus" is any indication, he is right up there with the other greats, Italian and otherwise. Breathtaking cinematography, excellent acting (with Woody Strode in the lead) and a creative adaptation of the story of Jesus to the struggle for independence in colonial Africa. Do stay away from the current Ivy Video DVD edition, however. Besides being dubbed, which nearly ruined the film, the print used for the transfer looks like it was pulled from the dumpster, and the sound mix is abysmal.

Blind Shaft Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 March 2004 Filmed by an ex-pat Chinese director on a shoestring budget using mostly amateur actors and friends of the production staff and subsequently banned by Chinese government censors, the film offers a fascinating and surprisingly unemotional look at the economic plight of everyday Chinese, combined with an unoriginal but well-executed version of the timeless story of moral corruption and redemption.

Blue Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   15 January 2004 The first installment in the "Colors" trilogy, "Blue" is much more inward-looking and darker in tone than "White," as well as being much more of a solo performance for the lead (Juliette Binoche). It also places a much greater emphasis on visuals, which are expertly done. Less readily accessible than "White" but no less enjoyable, especially on the big screen.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Tony Pisarenkov   The Avalon Theatre, Washington, DC   08 December 2006 Very cringe-inducing, but definitely had its moments.

Bowling for Columbine Tony Pisarenkov   Harkins Camelview 6, Scottsdale, AZ   19 November 2002 A documentary that attempts to examine the foundations of gun violence in the US and how it is related to gun ownership. Unfocused, attempts to cover too many extraneous issues, does not even provide a hypothesis much less attempts an answer, but manages to be somewhat thought-provoking anyway.

Broadway: The Golden Age Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   15 August 2004 A too-long, amateurish look at the "golden age" of Broadway musicals (1950s and 60s) taken through a series of interviews with countless broadway actors and a handful of songwriters and lyricists. Educational and occasionally fascinating, but could have definitely benefitted from some assertive editing and recommended only to the dedicated fans of musical theatre.

Bubba Ho-Tep Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   03 April 2004 There are some films that I just wasn't made for

Bukowski: Born into This Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 July 2004 A thoroughly researched and very enjoyable and human portrait of a fascinating man whose myth was much larger than his self. Befitting a good documentary, full of interesting footage and even more interesting characters, and especially impressive for a first feature-length work.

Capote Tony Pisarenkov   Loews Cineplex Dupont Circle, Washington, DC   03 December 2005 Very impressive. I can only assume that Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote was reasonably true to life, which makes Capote the most un-human, if not quite inhuman, personality in the history of American letters. Highly recommended.

Casablanca Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   26 April 2003 A classic that requires no introduction and the source of more cliches than you can count on the fingers of both hands. And some people even came over to watch it with us!

Casino Royale Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   17 March 2007 Eh...

Changking Express Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   18 August 2006 Absorbing and well done, but multiple independent stories touching at a single point work better in threes rather than twos like here.

Chicago Tony Pisarenkov   Harkins Arizona Mills   21 April 2003 Mildly Entertaining. But Oscar material?!?!

Children Underground Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez J.&C.   01 February 2008 A documentary about the infamous orphans of Bucharest, who found themselves on the streets when the orphanages closed after the fall of Causescu. A little hard to evaluate -- the subject matter is so foreign to an average American viewer that the footage doesn't seem real a lot of the time. The minimally produced, fly-on-the-wall style, and a complete lack of polemics doesn't help. Still, powerful and very sad.

Chinatown Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home (Film Night #2 at Jenn & Tony's)   07 June 2003 Unlike many "classics," this one deserves every bit of its status. I suppose Jack Nicholson has not had a role like this in at least fifteen years for the same reason that the ending would never fly in Hollywood today (and barely did in 1975). See it -- no one's film experience is complete without seeing "Chinatown."

Control Room Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   22 July 2004 A documentary that provides a look into the workings of Al-Jazeera television that mainstream Western media probably never will, makes a point, effectively for the most part, that as mass news outlets go, Al Jazeera may have a greater claim to objectivity than most of the ones we're familiar with and, more importantly, that any news outlet plays to a specific audience and that in this day and age, an argument can be made that no reporter is truly objective. Nice to see a documentary with some real insight and analysis for a change.

Darkened Room Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   20 March 2006 See Rabbits below, though at eight minutes this is marginally more watchable than Rabbits' 50.

Die Another Day Tony Pisarenkov   Camelback Esplanade, Phoenix, AZ   07 January 2003 Well, if you want to _think_ about it, Halle Berry's character falls completely flat, and it is the first Bond film in which computer animation is blatantly obvious. But no one would actually want to _think_ about a Bond film, would they? On a more disturbing note, this is the first Bond film that had to resort to magic. Still, entertainment of a highest order, as usual. And hey, it caused the government of a real country (North Korea) to issue an official condemnation. That's got to be a first.

Distant Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   25 July 2004 A visually gorgeous Turkish film about estrangement -- on the part of two cousins from each other, but more generally from family, art, friends, lovers, life. Minimal dialogue, an almost exclusive reliance on ambient sounds (with only a faint strain of music here and there) and genius-level camera work makes the pervasive chill that much more powerful. Profound as much from what it leaves unsaid as what it says, this will quite possibly be the most memorable film of the year.

Dreams Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   16 August 2003 As an introduction to Kurosawa, a bit unusual, but well worth seeing for both Kurosawa fans and novices. Most of his dreams are really nightmares, and some might complain that the dialog is too direct, but the subtlety is in the visuals, not in the dialog, and besides, these are really just fables reinterpreted for the modern world, and as such they succeed wonderfully.

East of Eden Tony Pisarenkov   American City Diner, Washington, DC   15 October 2003 James Dean couldn't act any better than he could drive his Porsche. But I do want to read Steinbeck's book now.

Eight and a Half Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   03 January 2004 Signalling the beginning of Fellini's highly allegorical later period, this is a film essentially about its own making. Undoubtedly chock-full of subtle references, ideas and messages, it is very difficult to track at first, but will no doubt reveal its charms on repeated viewings.

Elephant Man Tony Pisarenkov   VHS at home   09 June 2004 David Lynch's second feature, "Elephant Man" relates the true story of John Merrick, a man in Victorian England born with severe hydrocephalus who was a sideshow freak until he was discovered and rescued by a doctor at age 21. Very well made, with unmistakable Lynchian grotesqueries, and an excellent interpretation of the age-old "damned if you do, damned if you don't" conundrum -- even as Merrick gains respect and even admiration of society, it is only because he is seen as a freak.

End of the Century: the Story of the Ramones Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   19 September 2004 An excellent documentary on the Ramones, the band usually credited with having invented punk rock. A generous helping of dirt, accompanied by enough genuine musical and social history to satisfy all but the most extreme music geek. I could have done withough the extreme close-ups of Johnny Ramone's face, however.

Eraserhead Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   13 February 2005 David Lynch's first feature-length film. While very amateurish, the historical value is undeniable as it is already supremely creepy and readily points the way to Lynch's later work. Note: The DVD is only available in the UK. The entertainment industry moves in mysterious and sinister ways. UPDATE: Region 1 DVD now available direct from David Lynch's web site.

Eternity and A Day Tony Pisarenkov   VHS; no official US release   07 December 2002 A poet confronted with his impending death attempts to come to grips with his regrets and finds partial reprieve in a friendship with an Albanian orphan on the streets of Athens. The most brilliant portrayal of dying and regret since Visconti's 'Death in Venice'

Fahrenheit 9/11 Tony Pisarenkov   Some scary place in Fairfax   04 July 2004 Michael Moore has learned how to make films

Fellini's Roma Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   12 January 2003 Visually stunning, highly surreal, grotesque and pyschedelic, and full of Fellini's trademark repulsive specimens of humanity but ultimately relatively shallow. Worth seeing once, but otherwise for Fellini worshippers and completists only.

Female Trouble Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   24 June 2006 Vintage John Waters. What less could you want?

Festival Express Tony Pisarenkov   Loews Dupont Circle, Washington, DC   06 September 2004 A little-known piece of rock-n-roll history, documented but for some mysterious reason not released until now: a chartered train carrying the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, the Band, Buddy Guy, and a handful of lesser acts, to a series of outdoor concerts across Canada in the summer of 1970. A must for fans of the music, but potentially very boring for the rest, although if you have never seen close-up footage of Janis Joplin on stage, you're in for an eye-opening experience.

Fitzcarraldo Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   19 August 2006 Seeing a film at 2:00 a.m. after a couple of bottles of wine, much less this famously static Herzog/Kinski number, is no way for a respectable person to behave.

Flesh for Frankenstein Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   20 October 2006 "To know death, Otto, you have to fuck life... in the gall bladder"

Flic ou Voyou Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez Pisarenkov the Elder   05 September 2008 On me dit que j'ai vu ce film à l'age de six ans à Moscou, et que mon père m'a fait entrer clandistenement dans le cinema parce que j'etait trop jeune.

Fog of War Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   23 March 2004 A feature-length documentary on wars the US has fought, and more generally the conduct, philosophy, morality and consequences of war, with a long interview with a semi-repentant Robert McNamara as the backbone. Provided little, if any, new information, but Errol Morris's characteristically expert and inspired filmmaking made it powerful.

For Your Consideration Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at the in-laws   25 December 2008 Christopher Guest's send-up of Hollywood. Easy target, but has a wider appeal for it.

Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster Tony Pisarenkov   D.C. Visions, Washington, DC   24 August 2003 I should have had a lot more to drink beforehand.

Future War (MST3K version) Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez C.&S.   03 January 2009 Rating of movie: 1 Rating of MST3K commentary: 8 I forgot how funny those guys could be

Garden State Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   24 October 2004 Great story well done. Hit closer to home for me than it might for a lot of others viewers, but even without that, the film was very, very good. The main characters really draw you into their world, and the portrayal of dead-end lives in New New Jersey is priceless.

Gladiator Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   27 November 2002 Bombastic and melodramatic in true Hollywood fashion, both the story and the characters are shallow and devoid of substance

Heaven Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   11 January 2007 Sure, a Kieslowski screenplay being realized after his death by Tom Tykwer (with a soundrack by Arvo Part to boot) is a cineaste's wet dream, but even without name dropping, Heaven is truly powerful. Not overwrought Hollywood power, but real, subtle and deeply affecting intensity.

Hot Fuzz Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   18 August 2007 Very, very funny.

Il Postino (The Postman) Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   24 October 2003 The tragic ending and Philippe Noiret's subtle performance save this film from being a hokey, feel-good romantic comedy cum saga of discovering a higher purpose with the help of a mentor. Not worth all the hype it generated when it was first released a decade ago, but not a complete waste.

In Rwanda We Say: The Family that Does Not Speak, Dies Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   08 April 2004 Released for the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, this documentary chronicles the return of released "genocidaires" to their villages and the reactions of their former neighbors and victims to their return. Obviously a sensitive topic of enormous importance that needs to be covered, but the film itself offered nothing beyond basic, fly-on-the-wall reporting of events.

Intimate Strangers Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark Bethesda Row, Bethesda, MD   04 September 2004 The story of a woman who wonders into a tax lawyer's office instead of a psychologist's by mistake, and the peculiar relationship that develops between them when she tells him about her marital problems and he is too much of a chicken to tell her she has the wrong guy. Less hokey than the concept might suggest and more engaging than I expected. A relatively pleasant surprise.

It Might Get Loud Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E St. Theatre, Washington, DC   14 September 2009 Had its moments, but on the whole couldn't decide whether it wanted to be about How To Communicate Your Great Art To The World Through Music or a guitar geek-fest. It also had more than a whiff of an ego trip for jack White about it.

Japon Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   28 September 2003 Beautifully filmed meditation on alienation, rediscovering spirituality and hope, and going to stomach-churning extremes to connect with it only to fail, combined with a hefty dose of lament on how the sad state of social relations in Mexico undermines its natural beauty. A few gratuitous scenes whose purpose, if there was one beyond shock value, is lost on me, but on balance, worth seeing. The unusual soundtrack (Bach, Arvo Part, and Schostakovich) works surprisingly well.

Kinsey Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   25 November 2005 A very good bio-pic of Alfred Kinsey, with both Liam Neeson and Laura Linney doing great jobs in the lead roles. Any complaints, though real, become infinitsemal in the face of the overall quality of the film. Highly recommended.

La Dolce Vita Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   17 August 2004 My all-time favorite film, newly restored, on the big screen. What more could I ask for, a date with Anouk Aimee?

La fleur du mal (Flower of Evil) Tony Pisarenkov   The Avalon Theatre, Washington, DC   02 November 2003 A twisted story of adultery, incest and murder culminating in history repeating itself despite, or perhaps because of, the characters' best intentions. Think Ibsen's "Ghosts" for the 21st century. Wonderfully written, beautifully filmed, lots of subtle but effective humor. Close to a masterpiece.

Last Tango in Paris Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   19 January 2003 Vittorio Storaro's incomparable cinematography alone would have made it worth seeing -- quite simply, the most visually stunning film I have ever experienced. Beyond the visuals, it is sure to depress you and disgust you, but that is a testament to its power. Brando's Paul is not just a sleazeball, he is a freak the likes of which have not been seen before or since (take that, Klaus Kinski!), so much so that the entire film quickly achieves a profound sense of irreversible otherworldliness. The palpability with which Bertolucci corners you with it, however, is mind-boggling. Almost justifies the legendary status it has in film circles.

Le Papillon Tony Pisarenkov   The Embassy of France, Washington, DC   18 March 2004 A feel-good film about a little girl neglected by her mother surreptitiously following an elderly entomologist on a trip to capture a rare butterfly he had been chasing his entire life. Predictable to the n-th degree, its chief asset is some breathtaking footage of the French Alps, although I found a few elements of the story and the characters touching at times.

Let's Get Lost Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E St. Theatre, Washington, DC   07 March 2008 Pretty decent documentary on Chet Baker, though some of the more impressionistic, "mood" footage comes across as a bit self-conscious. The film did not redeem Baker for me, and did not really help me understand his mysterious appeal, but was morbidly fascinating anyway.

Lilo and Stitch Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at Liz & Rick's   06 July 2003 Not that there is anything wrong with feature-length animation per se, but Disney feature-length animation is a different question. A couple of humorous moments and a subtle visual pun on a Norman Rockwell painting at the end fail to save this profoundly conventional cartoon with a nauseating feel-good story and toothless, classically Disney animation style. I suppose the Stitch character, surprisingly Japanese-looking, is reasonably creative, what with his extra pair of retractable arms.

Lost in Translation Tony Pisarenkov   AMC Courthouse, Arlington, VA   04 October 2003 Bill Murray carried it, but there wasn't much to carry. Scarlett Johansson, too, was surprisingly impressive, sharing the screen with a presense like Murray at the ripe old age of 19, but that's where the positive qualities end. The characters, especially Murray's, are undercooked, the life crisis theme could have been developed with much more subtlety and creativity, the jokes about Japan bordered on insensitive, and even the potential for great visuals was wasted more often than not.

Love Leaves by the Foot Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   19 August 2007 Every day, in remote corners all over America, people are making movies. At least the soundtrack was killer.

Marat/Sade Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   01 March 2008 I suppose it takes the Royal Shakespeare Company to peddle sixties' counterculture as delivered by insane asylum inmates in early XIX-century France.

March of the Penguins Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   23 July 2005 A well-made documentary on what has to be one of the most bizzarre phenomena in the animal kingdom -- the breeding process of the Emperor Penguins. Morgan Freeman's voiceover, added for the English-language markets no doubt, is a little pompous for its own good, but doesn't ruin the film.

Maria Full of Grace Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark Theatre, Bethesda, MD   03 August 2004 A simple but not simple-minded film about Colombian drug mules, the ugly truth of their trade and their misadventures in New York after an operation goes bad. Powerful in its directness.

Midnight Cowboy Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   18 January 2003 A brilliant early example of Dustin Hoffman's genius, but even beyond that, despite a relative absence of depth and a lack of concern (admittedly intentional) with truly timeless themes, the film manages to keep your interest, partly due to a successful effort to avoid the obvious. Oh, did I mention Dustin Hoffman is brilliant?

Monster Tony Pisarenkov   The Avalon, Washington, DC   11 February 2004 Based on a true story of Aileen Wuornos, a Florida prostitute turned serial killer. Very well made and spectacularly acted, with an uncharacteristic but brilliant performance by Charlize Theron, who more than deserves the Oscar nomination. Amazingly enough, however, I managed to be bored through the first two thirds of the film.

Motel Hell Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at Chad & Suzanne's   28 June 2003 One star for Nina Axelrod in a wet t-shirt

Munich Tony Pisarenkov   Cinema Arts Theatre, Fairfax, VA   14 January 2006 Krauthammer totally missed the point. For my money, the depiction of the three-way conflict between the imperative for saftey and security, the desire for revenge, and the need to remain civilized human beings who abhor violence that is tearing apart the Israeli society was right on. And it's a great piece of filmmaking regardless of your politics.

Nacho Libre Tony Pisarenkov   Regal Cinemas, Bethesda, MD   04 July 2006 Sometimes, in your life, you wear stretchy pants.

Nico Icon Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   14 March 2003 An excellent documentary on Nico (nee Krista Paffgen), the sometime lead singer of the Velvet Underground and an habituee of Andy Warhol's Factory in its heyday. She was perhaps the most underappreciated influence on the world of Goth and a relentless perpetuator of Left Bank bohemian ideals.

No Country for Old Men Tony Pisarenkov   AMC Shirlington, Arlington, VA   10 February 2008 Excellent. Characters, suspense, tension, visuals, alleogries and references -- it's all here.

Old Boy Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   03 June 2006 One of the best treatments of revenge I've seen in a long time. Great story, and very well made to boot. Highly recommended.

Paris je t'aime Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E St. Theatre, Washington, DC   07 June 2007 A set of 20 five-minute vignettes, each by a different director, each taking place in a different neighborhood of Paris and, Paris being what it is, dealing with love in some form on some level. Plays surprisingly well as a whole, and many of the miniatures are microcosms of great or almost-great filmmaking in their own right.

Pink Flamingos Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   01 July 2006 If something like this can put someone on the map, anything can. But is it a map onto which one would want to be put? For John Waters, the answer is a resounding "yes."

Polyester Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   23 September 2006 The slog through the John Waters box set continues.

Rabbits Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   20 March 2006 I considered recommending that interested parties see it for themselves here but decided against it.

Red Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   15 February 2004 The final installment of the "Colors" trilogy, with its pervasive sense of tension and mystery, "Red" is to these eyes perhaps the best of the three, although it is really impossible to choose a first among equals in this case.

Requiem for a Dream Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   16 February 2003 Just when you thought that everything that could be said cinematically about drug abuse has been said, along comes Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream." The requisite teenagers shooting up and where it gets them are here, and they are portrayed very well, but the real power lies in Sara Goldfarb's (Ellen Burstyn) story -- drugs, certainly, but not in the way you've come to expect. Things get surreal to the point of trippiness, but amazingly, and mercifully, fail to contribute any kitsch factor. One of the most physically powerful and visceral films in recent, and maybe not so recent, memory.

Road to Perdition Tony Pisarenkov   Camelback Esplanade, Phoenix, AZ   01 August 2002 Brilliant. Best American film since Traffic. An art film in the best sense of the word -- incredible acting, breathtaking camerwork, a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and a stark portrayal of human behavior.

Romper Stomper Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   08 February 2004 A hyper-realistic, "take no prisoners" portrayal of a gang of skinheads in modern-day Melbourne, featuring a pre-Hollywood Russell Crowe in the lead. Recommended, but not for the faint of heart (or stomach).

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   12 January 2008 People frequently ask me, immediately after they've accused me of having no sense of humor, what I find funny. This is funny.

Santo vs. the Martian Invasion Tony Pisarenkov   The Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC   08 July 2004 A strong contender for the worst film I have ever seen.

Shaun of the Dead Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez C&S   17 February 2008 More cute than funny.

Sideways Tony Pisarenkov   E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   21 November 2004 A decent, amusing film about the misadventures of two friends, one a depressed divorcé, one a compulsive womanizer, taking one last trip to the California wine country before one of them (the womanizer) gets married. Not worth seeing more than once, but if you are so inclined, you can draw many sad, depressing conclusions about being a male with roughly half of your life behind you. The wine jokes were pretty good for the most part, I thought.

Sin City Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   16 December 2005 In our endless search for authenticity in art and boundless disdain for anything ever remotely commercial, we forget that there is a lot to be said for first-rate entertainment.

Snow Day, Bloody Snow Day Tony Pisarenkov   The Nevermore Film Festival, Durham, NC   19 February 2006 Everyone should have the right to make a joke.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Tony Pisarenkov   Fairfax Corner Umpteen, Fairfax, VA   28 May 2005 Not the most boring movie ever made, but you wouldn't know that just from looking at it.

Strange Brew Tony Pisarenkov   VHS at home   03 February 2007 Amazing what can turn up in the back of your closet when you're getting ready to move, eh?

Supersize Me Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   22 July 2005 Very entertaining and mildly eye-opening even for a food-obsessed viewer like myself. Shocking for some, no doubt. Highly recommended.

Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   18 September 2006 Falls a bit flat as a piece of documentary filmmaking, but has its moments, and the subject matter is fascinating enough to make me want to seek out a good biography.

Sweet and Lowdown Tony Pisarenkov   VHS at home   20 December 2003 A well-done dramatization of the life of Emmett Ray, the self-described second greatest guitar player in the world. Both Sean Penn and Smanatha Morton deliver excellent performances. Recommended.

Syriana Tony Pisarenkov   Regal Cinemas Gallery Place, Washington, DC   24 December 2005 Made as it was by the creators of Traffic, it is not too surprising that this vaguely reality-based tale of international intrigue surrounding the quest for Middle Eastern oil delivers a rich variety of evils battling each other with just a token (and -- I'll ruin it for you -- ultimately unsuccessful) opposition from a lonely idealist hero. The politics lack nuance in a fundamental way, and the myriad subplots will have you twisted into a pretzel that requires repeated viewings to untangle, but exceptionally well made and enjoyable nevertheless.

Tattooed Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   26 September 2006 A brooding but ultimately optimistic Argentine film about a teenage boy determined to find out the truth about his mother who left him and his father when he was three. Setless, scoreless and shot mostly hand-held, a sparse but poignant meditation on growing up, mutual acceptance and closure. Recommended if you can find it.

The Animation Show Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   06 September 2003 Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeld's latest collection of animated shorts from around the world is once again a success. A little heavy on Hertzfeld's own work, which wears thin rather quickly, but on balance, a thoroughly enjoyable way to kill an hour and a half.

The Battle of Algiers Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   18 January 2004 A rarely screened, justly famous and controversial film about the brutal tactics of terrorists during Algeria's fight for independence in the 1950s and their equally brutal suppression by the French government. Very well made and painfully relevant today both to the war in Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Big Lebowski Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   23 August 2008 Initially, had its moments but didn't do much for me as a whole, until I realized that (a) I am simply not in the mood for comedies these days and (b) it got a lot more creative and funnier once I thought about it a bit and discussed it with others.

The City of Lost Children Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N, Ann Arbor, MI   03 October 2005 Jenet and Caro are in top form with their grotesque hijinx, although it's not quite as twisted as Delicatessen. The sets alone make it worth seeing, to say nothing of Jean-Louis Tritignant starring as a brain in an aquarium.

The Conformist Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   13 September 2006 It's a travesty that Bertolucci's far inferior Last Tango in Paris is a cult classic while this film is unavailable and incredibly difficult to see despite having a better story (hell, having a story), better characters and equally brilliant cinematography.

The Corpse Vanishes Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   31 October 2008 Do you mean to tell me that this Dr. Lorenz is both a hypnotist and a horticulturalist?!

The French Connection Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   19 November 2006 Classic suspense from a time when even an Oscar-winning Hollywood blockbuster could deprive you of any satisfaction at the end.

The Godfather Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silvert Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   13 October 2004 Truly a cornerstone film of the twentieth century. Right up there with Citizen Kane, Chinatown, and a very small and select group of others.

The Graduate Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   06 October 2007 I am not sure what I expected, exactly, but it wasn't this.

The Hills Have Eyes (2006) Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   29 September 2007 I haven't seen the original, but the remake definitely gets some points for sheer creepiness, and the fact that the cute girl isn't the first to die.

The House on Haunted Hill Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   21 June 2003 Things we do for love...

The Incredible Shrinking Man Tony Pisarenkov   TCM, Courtyard Marriot, Pittsburgh, PA   02 September 2006 Quite possible the only 1950s film to be seen for something other than camp value. The special effects are shockingly good for its time.

The Maltese Falcon Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   16 September 2008 Nice visuals made for a good mood piece, but I forgot just how hokey and lame the dialog was.

The Pianist Tony Pisarenkov   Harkins Camelview 5, Scottsdale, AZ   25 January 2003 Brilliant to a point that defies description. Just see it.

The Professional Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   15 October 2007 Seriously intense and very powerful. Quite possibly the best action film I've ever seen; certainly the best that is a serious drama at the same time. I'm surprised I was only vaguely aware of it until now. Edit: This is the 1994 film with Jean Reno, titled Leon in France, not the 1981 one with Belmondo.

The Queen Tony Pisarenkov   AMC Shirlington, Arlington, VA   03 March 2007 Far more than a solo act for Helen Mirren. The whole thing is quite well done.

The Red Violin Tony Pisarenkov   VHS at home   01 June 2003 Good, although not incredible, story, competently written, professionally filmed. Mildly enjoyable. John Corigliano's score is beautiful; perhaps the best part of the film.

The Seventh Seal Tony Pisarenkov   National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC   24 July 2004 Although the philosophy and the angst looks way too heavy-handed today, and the fairy tale quality is more comical than Bergman intended, it is still mostly the classic that it is made out to be.

The Soviet Story Tony Pisarenkov   The Cato Institute, Washington, DC   02 November 2009 A documentary on the Soviet Union, its collusion with the Nazis in 1939-1940, and, following its joining the Allies, the West's continued reluctance to indict the Soviets fully for the horrors they perpetrated throughout the country's existence. Occasionally didactic in tone, but highly recommended nonetheless, for its chilling archival footage if nothing else.

The Triplets of Bellville Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N, Ann Arbor, MI   04 October 2005 French mafia kidnapping professional cyclists to use as slave labor in a bookie operation? It would be cool even if it wasn't animated.

The Wild One Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   19 May 2006 Who would have thought that (1) Lee Marvin could outact Marlon Brando in his sleep and (2) something so legendary could suck so badly?

This Film is Not Yet Rated Tony Pisarenkov   Cineplex Odeon Dupont Circle, Washington, DC   07 October 2006 A humorous, but under the surface chilling, investigation of the MPAA and its ultra-secretive ratings board. Reasonably well done, and brings much needed focus to the fact that while the freedom of expression in the US is indeed great, the freedom to bring this expression to the masses is strictly controlled.

Tom Dowd & the Language of Music Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   19 August 2004 A documentary about recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd who was responsible for capturing everyone from Charlie Parker through Aretha Franklin to Eric Claption on tape as well as pioneering many modern recording techniques (including first commercial use of multi-tracking). Occasionally heavy on technical details of the recording process, and I wish more vintage studio footage was included (I am sure it would have been if it existed), but on balance a fascinating portrait of the world of recorded music from the 1940s onwards and the man who made most of it happen.

Top Secret Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez Charles and Shelby   22 July 2003 Still hysterically funny after all these years. A masterpiece of slapstick. So densely packed with non-sequitur gags that it keeps you on your toes the whole time. Just what I needed after a week in a Ryder truck.

Touchez Pas au Grisbi Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   19 October 2003 With the incomparable Jean Gabin (of The Grand Illusion fame) in the lead, and a very young Jeanne Moreau, this is not a story of a specific heist so much as a portrayal of the criminal underground of post-war Paris. Well filmed, well written, with hefty doses of the French "savoir vivre." Plays very much like a period piece now, but still very enjoyable.

Trainspotting Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   29 October 2005 Has some visual and stylistic appeal, and I suppose the main character/narrator's non-chalance about dying babies and such is powerful in its own way, but cult following material? I think not.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens Tony Pisarenkov   Dr. Dremo's Taphouse, Arlington, VA   22 May 2007 How do you even rate something like this?!

Walk the Line Tony Pisarenkov   AMC Mazza Gallery, Washington, DC   26 November 2005 More than a little Hollywoody for my taste, and Joaquin Phoenix was channeling Elvis way better than he was channeling Cash, but the story kept my interest and the music was quite good.

White Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   14 January 2004 The middle installment of the "Colors" trilogy, this film actually stands wonderfully on its own. A story of a hapless loser who, dumped by his wife, transforms himself into a ruthless business tycoon out of obsession for her, bequeaths her his millions, and stages his own death. With a happy-yet-unhappy ending, and lots of subtle commentary on various aspects of love, life, cultural differences, and free market reforms in newly democratic Eastern Europe, "White" is a veritable layer cake of themes and messages.

Wild Strawberries Tony Pisarenkov   National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC   17 July 2004 A story of an old doctor reminiscing about his childhood and youth and realizing his failure as a human being even as he was a great success professionaly. Bergman's appropriately bleak allegories and a subtext of Swedish society in the 1950s struggling with its Lutheran inflexibility and encoraching modernity make this a small masterpiece, however rough around the edges it appears today.

Y Tu Mama Tambien Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   13 December 2002 Julio and Tenoch, two annoying, irresponsible and immature high school boys meet Luisa, an older woman trying to leave her cheating husband, and take her on a road trip to the beach. The film says absolutely nothing new. We don't need a Mexican filmmaker to tell us that teenage boys are obsessed with sex but get it all wrong most of the time, and the attempts to show the socio-economic problems of Mexican society are way undercooked and fall flat. The film barely starts on a tentative road to redemption from mediocrity in the final sex threesome and a bizzarre and chilling twist of Luisa's fate but ends before the interesting bits have a chance to gather steam. If you do decide to see it, try to get the unrated, unedited version -- lots of explicit sex make it mildly titillating.

Zardoz Tony Pisarenkov   Dr. Dremo's, Arlington, VA   29 March 2005 Merrie Olde England. With pods.

Zombie Honeymoon Tony Pisarenkov   The Nevermore Film Festival, Durham, NC   19 February 2006 There is a very good reason why so many films never get any distribution. One star for the brunette.