The Essentials: Movies

Foreign Movie:  Ushpizin

Why I like it:  

This movie is a Hebrew movie.  It's a movie made by Jews, about Jews, and specifically about the Jewish holiday, Succoth.  Ushpizin is Hebrew for house guest and this movie is about a couple who are having their own troubles when two house guests arrive.  This is considered a blessing during Succoth, but these house guests soon turn the house upside down.  The strength shown by the characters, the trip to far away places and ideas, the raw emotion and beautiful cinematography will have you on your feet by the end of the movie.  Two songs by Adi Ran are featured in the movie, one is called "Ata Kadosh".  I LOVE this song.  Adi Ran is an Orthodox Jew, but he rocks out like he was Ozzy Osborne.  Check out the link to see the music video starring actors from the movie and Adi Ran.

Classic Movie:  Suddenly, Last Summer

Why I like it:

Tennessee Williams is one of my favorite playwrights and "Suddenly, Last Summer" is one of his best.  A thrilling mystery of sorts, a psychologist (Montgomery Clift) filters through the details to find out what happened last summer to make a young girl (Elizabeth Taylor) go crazy.  Her aunt (Katherine Hepburn) is determined to have her lobotomized and he must do everything he can to save the girl before the surgery is performed.  Of course as all Tennessee Williams' plays are, the dialog is rich, the plot is scandalous, and the drama is gripping.  The ending with the final reveal will leave your heart pumping.  If you don't get the implication, you can find the meaning of the end here.  The Catholics protested until the movie was edited to be more decent.  

Contemporary Movie:  Bella

Why I like it:

This movie has won so many awards, features the incredibly handsome Eduardo Verastegui, and is so incredibly moving that it is a must see film.  Latinos are rarely showcased in film or television other than in a stereotypical and offensive way.  This movie dives into the Latino American family as a true representation of their way of life and values.  I loved this movie for the theme of restoration and healing and the fact that this is a good family film.  It's about connections, life changing events, and love.  However, it's not a romance.  It's about a deeper love: a life-giving, deep, familiar love.  This movie will leave you glued to your seat, overcome.  You have to see this one, it is pure art.