Heres a top 10

by GIOVANNI TORRE

1. The Consequences of Love

Made in 2004, this Italian film will leave you shaken. Seemingly an ice-cool existential thriller, the things trapped under the ice are expertly brought to the surface. Character development is absolutely exquisite. The use of music and silence perfect. Every single shot is a winner. Tension builds as though not even the script writer had the power to stop it. Nothing in this film could have been done better.

2. Citizen Kane

Orson Welles directed and starred, but Greg Toland is the little-known genius behind the perfection of Citizen Kane. Toland's cinematography in 1941 makes most films in the past 65 years look clumsy and dated. Welles is gigantic, of course. Joseph Cotton is magnificent. This is THE "great American novel", but it just happened to be a film.

3. The Third Man

No Toland, but Robert Krasker did a fantastic job filming this Carol Reed-directed film. Cotton and Welles are working together again in this classic: While the cinematography isn't as consistently stunning as Toland's, there are some moments of sheer visual genius and the script (based on Graham Greene's novel) is great, the acting brilliant and the music wonderful.

4. Paradise Now

This film is unashamedly a political document. The fundamental questions of how the Palestinian people should wage their struggle for self-determination are fiercely debated in the red-hot context of occupation, desperation, war, humiliation, rage, humour, friendship and love. It is a political document but also an excellent film, beautifully shot, well acted and well written. The three leads (two men and one woman) are superb.

5. La Haine

Made over a decade ago now, La Haine was a warning: The rage of poor urban French youth depicted in it boiled over into riots in Paris last year. Born in France, raised in France - youth of Algerian and Arabic descent are constantly reminded "you are not really French and never will be", then denounced for not assimilating. Disconnected from their past and their present, they dream of a future that will almost certainly never exist. Frenetic, expertly constructed, well acted, both gritty and stylish - a triumph.

6. Hoffa

This film is not subtle by any stretch of the imagination, but I've always liked it. Jack Nicholson is terrific as James R. Hoffa - the union organiser who revolutionised pay and conditions for truck drivers and transport workers throughout America in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Rough in some ways, not always well filmed, not always brilliantly acted, as a whole package it's a ripping yarn that is compellingly told.

7. Lagan

An Indian epic about a villager in the early 19th century who finds himself in a wager with the British: If we can beat you at cricket, we pay no tax for three years, if we lose: we pay triple tax for three years. Of course, no one in his village (including him) knows how to play - so this wager is the source of great consternation. Lovely photography, great acting and an irresistible storyline makes Lagan the best Indian film in history and the best film about sport - surpassing even 'The Club'.

8. Romper Stomper

It was either this or 'Breaker Morant'. Russell Crowe's best film. Rough as guts and at times horrible: it remains a masterpiece; the brutality would have no impact were it not for the authenticity of the characters and the startling performances by the actors. As it stands, this film is a shake-up for anyone who doesn't know about the darkest side of Australian politics.

9. The Godfather

A great story expertly told by a master film maker. Brilliant acting from Pacino, Cazale and Brando. Famous music and excellent photography.

10.The Shining

Kubrick's best. Tense, almost hypnotic. Jack Nicholson at his menacing best. Some of the shots will stay in your mind for the rest of your life.

14 December 2006

australianrules.com.au

con of love

Consequences of Love is the best according to Torre.

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