The Burning Plain (2008)

Written by: Guillermo Arriaga

Directed by: Guillermo Arriaga.

If you liked Babel, you'll like this one. Amazing acting and interesting story structure.

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This is it (2009)

Nahh. I love Michael Jackson's music and scene performances. But this? It's not enough. It was definitely not it.

Twelve Angry Men (1957)

Written by: Reginald Rose

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

It was long since I saw a brilliant movie, but this film went straight into my top ten. The whole story more or less settled in one room, Twelve Angry Men portrays how one man fights against eleven others not to send an accused into death penalty without sure proof.

Twelve Angry Men has something that is rare nowadays - a message that builds up. Acting and cinematography are at master level, but I would say how the story is written impresses me most. Even if some elements would be criticized by scholars today, this script has everything that a great screenplay ought to have - a catching start, an "unsolvable" conflict, interesting characters, a redeeming resolution and several layers of life. But what makes Twelve Angry Men into something more than just a good story is how it carries a strong message of good values without preaching.

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Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Written by: Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson

Directed by: David Lean

Lawrence of Arabia, made by the director of The Bridge on the River Kwai, in my opinion is carried foremost by one thing - Peter O'Toole's portrayal of Lawrence. This figure is defintely interesting with all his contradictory traits; Englishman and Arabic in soul, strategic and impulsive, strong and weak, mercyful and cruel.

The story may or may not have depicted the real Lawrence correctly; in my opinion it doesn't really matter, I want to see a great story that is beliavable in itself.

Even if O'Tooles acting is great and if I enjoy seeing films that mix cultures, I finished the film with the sense that someting was missing. I even dare to think that Lawrence of Arabia film could have been improved on several points. The first thing is the plot - it could be more focused, building up tension towards a climax. The film has several ups and lows, but it lacks consistency in its structure.

Furthermore, some of the mass scenes are simply not believable when it comes to the number of extras. This might have to do with having seen all the modern films where CGI fills in all the thousands of people. But it doesn't make sense when whole nations are in battle and then you see about 200 people fighting.

But I guess the main thing with a film is personal, do you connect to it or not? Do you care about the characters? With Lawrence of Arabia I didn't.

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