THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Wow.
This was a truly fantastic film, as most reviewers and recommender's would agree, but it's beyond that. THE LIVE OF OTHERS branches into the realm of gifted storytelling and realistic drama, to say nothing of the superb character development, portrayal and acting. It was quite simply excellent in all respects.
A warning; the movie runs about 2 and a quarter hours, so it's a bit long, but the writing and the directing are so accomplished that it's a pleasure to watch and worth the time. Also, this film is German, so it has to be watched in subtitles, but don't let that stop you. This movie could only be what it is BECAUSE of the spoken German language. It wouldn't have any of it's realism if it was in English, or dubbed.
THE LIVES OF OTHERS goes back to chronicle the lives of persons in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) before the wall fell. It's story concerns itself around the Stasi (State Security/The SS) and the possibility for change in the human soul (of an SS captain), when conscience is upheld no matter the cost, and personal ethics and beliefs of a common person are not cast aside in the face of overwhelming power and control.
A great cinematic achievement, THE LIVES OF OTHERS is such a well fashioned piece of art that it should not be passed up. (By anyone)
A new release, it was put out in 2006 and is now available to rent on DVD.



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A STRONG FINISH TO A SOLID TRILOGY

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM:
"Remember everything. Forgive nothing."

I'm not sure if this movie is still in theatres, but man was it good! Throughout this entire set of movies I was continually impressed by the level of book to screen adaptation. I read all three of Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' books when I was about 14 ,after finding my grandfathers collection of Ludlum novels, and they have stuck with me for years afterward as really solid writing. I was overjoyed that despite some rewriting to fit Jason Bourne and his story onto the screen, this movie carried with it some of that same intensity that made the novels so gripping.
Absolutely no spoilers for this movie. If you have seen the other two, then you know what to expect. And if you haven't, then I suggest that you rent all three of these movies that I'm sure will become a classic trilogy in the near and far future.
And read the books!



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A Still Relevant Thriller: A Rarity

THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR:

"His code name is Condor. In the next seventy-two hours everyone he trusts will try to kill him."

I think that the most important comment I can write about this movie is that among the older classic movie genre, a percentage of older film may lose some of its relevance to the current viewing generation. Some stories or trials portrayed in an older screen play are no longer considered in the same context as they were when they were first produced. That is the theme of this post; context, and the rarity of context enduring through decades of change.
This movie has done exactly that; endured. New movies like the Bourne Ultimatum series are good adaptations of books that were written in a different time and context. The special attribute of Three Days of the Condor is that it IS still relevant in its original form and with its original context. The suspense, the thrills, and the characters all resonate with the same intensity as new movies, even thirty-some odd years later.
For this post I will not reveal any plot spoilers or overviews, but instead will simply state that this movie is a superb spy/CIA thriller, a terrific movie, and possessed of an inspired cast.

Starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. Directed by Sydney Pollack.
For more information go to www.imdb.com