Amores Perros (2000) was well-reviewed by Scoopy not long ago, and the short version of my review is "ditto." The narrative structure was interesting, and there was much to think about. I found it a little long, especially in the first act (guy takes his brothers dog to the dog fights and his brothers wife to bed, but that is the act that provided breast exposure from Vanessa Bauche. I think the subtitles were well-translated, and conveyed the meaning of the original (mostly vulgar) slang. Spanish is the most colorful language I am aware of when it comes to profanities, but most of them lose their edge when directly translated.

I agree with Scoops C+ rating. I would award higher if there were more people to like, and a reduced running time.

Bridget Jones' Diary is one of the ten best of the year so far, and the best 2001 film of its type. Consistently funny, consistently interesting, refreshingly real for a romantic comedy. Even Hugh Grant is good in it, in defiance of the natural laws of the universe, although he had somewhat of an advantage in that he was cast in the part of Hugh Grant. (I think they changed the name of the character a bit, to Gogi Grant. Gogi, of course, is the Dutch word for "Hugh")

• Zellweger (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
• someone else (can't see much,anyway)

Here's how the 2001 films rank so far at IMDb: 

I have only seen five of the ten, as you can see. I would rate them (1)Memento (2 tied) Enemy at the Gates (2) Bridget Jones's Diary (4) Jay and Silent Bob (5) The Others. Frankly, I'm kind of surprised to see The Others on the Top 10 list, but then I was surprised to see it make such a smash at the box office as well, although I thought it was a good flick. The tie for second is because I don't see any way to compare such dissimilar films. They are both good. 

As it stands now, I'm guessing that Memento will be the only one to make the Oscar nominees, unless everything else stinks the rest of the year. (Ghost World has been a critical darling, but I gather it is too dark for the academy crowd.) 

I'm guessing that Zellweger will probably get a Best Actress nomination, unless unforseen brilliance arrives between now and then. I'd expect Guy Pearce to be nominated, as well as Bob Hoskins in Enemy at the Gates in the supporting category. (Hugh Grant is also an outside possibility, and I wouldn't mind seeing him win just because he would make a great acceptance speech.)

The Godfather is a movie you have probably heard of already. All three Godfather films will come out Tuesday in a 5-disk set. One thing I had forgotten is that they run more than 9 hours between the three of them, plus there are about 25 deleted scenes, so you could spend most of your life watching these films.

Godfather is rated #1 of all time at IMDb, which sort of conflicts with my rating, since I don't even rate it number one in the trilogy. Godfather, Part 2 is a really terrific flick, and certainly a legitimate candidate for "best ever", although I have no idea how to choose just one. I guess if I was forced to pick only one in the entire history of film, I'd have to go with Shakes the Clown. 

I have made the point before, but for you new guys, we've been searching for the "perfect" actors and actresses - the people who eliminate the need for TV Guide. Thus, if Person X is in a movie, it is guaranteed to be good (or bad). So far we have identified two:

• Pauly Shore has never been in anything good. His best rated non-animated film at IMDb is The Son in Law at 4.9, about like one and a half stars out of four!! If he's in a film, it's your guarantee that it stinks.
• John Cazale (Fredo) was never in anything bad. His WORST movie was Dog Day Afternoon at 7.9 (About four stars, #201 on the all-time list). In other words, if he's in a movie, it's four stars! (Note, they used footage of him in the lower-rated "Godfather, Part 3", but he had been dead for 12 years when they made that film). He died at 42.

Anyway, here's Simonetta Stefanelli from the first Godfather film  (1, 2, 3, 4)

One reader wrote in to remind me that some of the the images in Crash were day-for-night shots that could be cleaned up. Just for info, here's what one looks like without the clichéd blue filter.

Deborah Unger

The Encyclopedia has been updated to include a new volume for Sophie Marceau. Get there from the member's links.

The Honte's site is updated

The big question of course is "What ever happened to Anne Archer?" Did anyone ever get any pics of her stint in the long running London show?

Unknown

Cate Blanchett