Short Versions, Take 2

Movies you might want to check out (or we have to force you). Shaun of the dead, Wonderland, Carandiru, Coffee & Cigarettes, Oldboy.

	Shaun Of The Dead You might frown upon the silly title but once you get over it you'll be rewarded with one of the most charming and original horror comedies since Mel Brooks' “Young Frankenstein” (1974). This film should be seen side by side with Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" as both films cleverly and sarcastically comment on our zombified society and virtually show no difference between the living and the living dead. You don't even have to switch off your brain in order to get a laugh here and there. Also, the movie - bravely, but successfully - has sudden bursts of moving drama. (if you're not jaded, that is). The cast consists of the finest talents current british comedy has to offer: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Jessica Stevenson (“Spaced”), Dylan Moran (“Black Books”), and Lucy Davis (“The Office”). And it deals with Dire Straits records in the only appropriate way.
	Wonderland Who the man? John Holmes! He was the greatest porn actor ever (at least that's what I was told, I mean I haven't seen him in a movie...well okay, once, but I was forced at gunpoint to watch it, and I didn't enjoy it, okay?! Oh, and there was this other time when...please, shut me up!) Okay, where was I? After his career was over Holmes turned to a life of crime that included drugs, robberies and a gruesome quadruple homicide. “Wonderland” is James Cox' fictious attempt to deal with the two official versions of this crime, starring “I-don't-believe-this-guy-can-act” - Val Kilmer in a highly modulated performance as the well-hung sociopath. The 2nd DVD contains “WADD”, a funny documentary about the real John.
	Carandiru Hector Babenco's harrowing look at the riot that occurred in 1992 in the state penitentiary Carandiru, in Sao Paolo, Brazil, when police force killed 111 unarmed, penned-in prisoners in order to smother the rebellion which was fueled by the inhuman living conditions. Based on the book by Carandiru's prison doctor Drauzio Varella (who was also Babenco's doctor when the director was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1991). Another nihilstic masterpiece in the realm of “City Of God”, “Behind The Sun” and the forthcoming “Bus 174”.
	Coffee & Cigarettes It took Jim Jarmusch over 17 years to complete this movie. Starting in 1986 he shot a couple of short films, all revolving around coffee and cigarettes. The cast includes Roberto Benigni, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, RZA, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, Joie Lee and many, many familiar faces more. Jarmusch once stated:" Watching two guys drinking beer can be more exhilarating than a car chase." You decide.
	Oldboy Another stunner from Chan-wook Park ("Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance"). An average guy gets kidnapped and is being held prisoner for 15 years without any explanation. Disturbing and gritty, this revenge thriller ignores all laws of western filmmaking, uncompromising and unconventional. Another fine example of how movies should be made.