The Battle Of Algiers (Pontecorvo, 1966)A film in a class by itself (a GREAT film) and a lot to tell us about what we are going through in the world today. Some of the actors were historical participants. A must see with a whole lot more going for it than stuff like the disenchantment of "Valley of Elah" or the navel gazing (to no purpose) of "Lions and Lambs".

Blade Runner - Directors' Cut (Scott, 1982)One of the rare spinoffs based rather loosely on the great Sci Fi author Philip K Dick. It's been pretty easy to take his ideas loosely, but rather harder to make a film that is true to his stories, partly because his settings are at least half psychological. Maybe Hitchcock AND CGI could have achieved it. I dread the day someon like Cameron tries to tackle "Ubik".

Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot (Tati, 1953)Didn't see it, don't know it.

The Day The Earth Stood Still (Wise, 1951)Case in point, the original movie is well acted and the special effects, though limited, still hold sway today with the spare grim presentation of Gort, and the inspired use of the theremin. The movie has characters, plot, excellent writing, pacing, a simple and straightforward message presented with much less manipulation than the cliche that is Avatar. Last year a travesty was issued under the name of TDTESS, with in fact a similar message to that of Avatar. It was like hijacking Shakespeare or Dickens (filmicly speaking). Poorly paced, poorly plotted, an unbelievable context for an ok message, it panders to this age instead of presenting the original stark timeless message.

Seven Samurai (Kurosawa, 1954)One of the great movies of all time. I wonder if issuing this in Blu-Ray can add anything? It was Japan's tribute to the John Ford western, and like good little copycats the Americans re-issued it as Magnificent Seven, with an inspired soundtrack. I don't want to generalize, but Americans sure know how to copy a good idea (and many many bad ones).

Tom & Jerry: The Cat Concerto (Barbera, 1946)Sorry, not into Tom & Jerry. (I think I'd rather watch Avatar again!) Itchy and Scratchy are the logical culmination of all Tom & Jerrys (although Jerry did okay sharing the action with Fred Astaire (or was it Gene Kelly?)The little basterd rodent had some moves.

A Matter Of Life And Death (Powell & Pressburger, 1946)(Didn't see it, ignorant sod)