my brief thoughts on.... 'Cashback' (2006)

this film was just a happy accident.... it kept popping up as a recommended viewing, but i didn't decide to watch it until i finally read the summary.... it's a quaint little romantic/comedy/drama from the UK that crosses some normal boundries into the surreal.... but it all works so damn well that it's now in my list of top films from 2006.... it caught my attention from the opening credits and didn't let me go until after the closing credits finished rolling.... it's not a nail-biter of a film.... it moves at a slow and steady pace like a train rolling out of the station.... it follows your standard rules of cinema, but the little twist of the story creates a whole other side to the plot.... one that asks a lot of 'what if?' questions and has the guts to answer them too.... it presents you with a reality that all of us have thought about at one point in our lives: the ability to freeze time.

while our hero, Ben, is working the nightshift at a supermarket he realizes that he has the ability to freeze time.... meanwhile, he's slowing falling for the checkout clerk Sharon.... and inbetween working and fawning over her, he takes time to freeze the customers and sketch them, in various states of undress.... this probably sounds a bit creepy.... but the way it's pulled off in the film is fairly tasteful and shows the long term effects of these actions.... (and no, he doesn't undress Sharon.... even though he could.)

this film is beautiful to watch.... there's a scene near the end that encapsulates what love is in a visual sense.... it's not something i can explain, but the way the scene is drawn out creates a tangible feeling of love.... the credit for this belongs to the cinematographer, the special effects people and the screenwriter.... the screenwriter also created complete characters that lived and breathed on their own, even outside of the world he created.... they stick with you even after you turn it off.... these are presented as real people, with real lives, and real problems.... people you might know in real life.... and for all you know, maybe one of them is harboring a secret and they can freeze time....? i doubt it, but stranger things have happened....

after this film ended, i didn't hesitate to give this 4 out of 5 stars and might have gone as far as a full 5 out of 5 if it wasn't for the slight 'icky' factor.... that being the fact that Ben violates the rights of the women he sketches, by undressing them without their knowledge.... that being said, i would recommend this to anyone with a slight slant towards the bizarre.... and to those who like a good love story.... it's a new twist on an old theme.... something that i hadn't seen before, and something you haven't seen either.... it's available right now OnDemand on Netflix and i recommend that you add it to your queue when you get a chance.... it's a great film.

if you like this, watch: well, there aren't any other films about guys who can freeze time in love with girls.... at least not that i can remember

my thoughts on.... 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'

yes, this is Heath Ledgers final performance, but don't let that be the only reason you watch it.... this movie has so much more to offer.... and anytime Terry Gilliam is involved, i'm in. he created one of my all time favorite films 'The Fisher King' and this is right on par with that and has a very similar feel to that film.... what Gilliam has created is a world that is well known, but is still totally unique and foreign.... it's strange how he walks the fine line between reality and fantasy so deftly.... he is the master of this technique and i think a lot of that goes back to his days with Monty Python.... either way, he's created a masterpiece of filmaking and something that will stand the test of time as a film full of amazing visuals, an incredible story, superb performances from his actors and solid direction.... i can't say enough good things about it.... after watching it, i couldn't stop thinking about it.... and to me that's a good sign of a worthwhile film.... if it sticks with you or teaches you something about yourself or life.... and this film does that.... or i guess, did that.... with me anyway.... i walked away with a lot and most films are made to entertain, Terry Gilliam's films are made to be an experience.... but i digress....

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a travelling sideshow.... with Doctor Parnassus and his daughter Valentina.... his dwarf sidekick, Percy and Anton, the show's barker.... they travel around putting on performances to earn money and to change peoples lives, but over the years the public has lost interest.... as they want new and exciting things.... not traditional stage shows.... little do they know what Doctor Parnassus truly has to offer them, if they submitted themselves to him.... along the way, they come across a man hanging under a bridge by the neck.... (Heath Ledger).... he's suffered amnesia, but soon learns his name is Tony and he joins the travelling sideshow.... things just digress into wonderful madness from there....
heaping praise on a movie is always a wonderful feeling.... because if i can pass on the joy that i had while watching it.... or the wisdom it gave me.... it makes all of this worthwhile and tempers the horrible movies that i have to endure inbetween.... this is a rare example of a movie that has it all.... granted there are cracks in the armour.... it's not the perfect movie.... some of the CGI bothered me.... and some of the scenes inside the Imaginarium were difficult to watch.... however, overall it's pure genius..... and one of the best movies i've seen this year.... that's a bold statement.... but it's true.... from start to finish i fell in love with this film and will make it part of my library and proudly display it....

5 out of 5 stars.... something that is rare for me.... just the storyline deserves the 5 star review.... the theory that the world will stop if the storytelling stop.... however, the storytelling in the world never truly stops.... especially with the invention of television.... but just the idea that it could, is a fascinating concept.... but when you add the actors, the cinematography, the costumes, the script and everything inbetween this makes this another amazing addition to the Terry Gilliam catalog of films.... the man never ceases to amaze me.... like him or not, you can't deny the power of this film.... not to mention, Tom Waits is a main character.... and he's worth the price of admission alone.... so go out and watch it as soon as you can.... and keep the world turning, by participating in some storytelling of your own....

if you like this, see: '12 Monkeys', 'The Fisher King' and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'