Thanks. Will look for it.

Another Alan Arkin film that I highly recommend is

Thirteen conversations about one thing (2001)

The 'one thing' here is happiness, who has it and where to look for it. A very deep, small budget film.

Avoid Babel (2006) Too much meaningless suffering with no redeeming value.

Same goes for Notes on a scandal (2006) All those dysfunctional people. But Cate Blanchett can act. Looks different in every film. 

And while we are at it, stay away from The human stain (2003) The misery! Plus Nicole Kidman can't act. Not in this one.

The trouble with all these films is that, technically speaking (assuming I know anything about films) they are all very professionally made. So you think, um, that's a good film. Then they stab you with their content.

"I can't afford to hate people. I don't have that kind of time."

I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't seen Ikiru. Will look for it. Thanks.

Babel was weak.

I liked Syriana though.

How about that Hizbollah guy with the sort of NY accent who pulled out one of Clooney's character's finger nails?

in bruges is phucking hilarious if you don't feel offended by VERY strong language easily.

one of the good ones I watched recently

Syriana, definitely liked that one. Right, some cool finger nail shot in there. It almost got into a juicy torture!

Fellini: seen only La Dolce Vita, was great. If i have to pick only one or two other, would 8 e 1/2  be somehow representative of his work?

rfm...now you talkin and shit.  Fellini. My life IS a Fellini film.

8 1/2 is good, but, for some reason, I like Julliette of the Spirits.  after a quick google (post viewing veronique's big four post), I realize one of the reasons Julliette of the Spirits moved me....color. shrooms.

what really cracks me up about Fellini is the Circus music....

ahahahah good stuff! Didn't know you guys were into Fellini!

Music in 8 1/2 is great and god knows where he found those weird looking characters, like la Saraghina or the sailor dancing tip tap. And Mastroianni is amazing, his smooth acting and voice, just great.

Der Untergang (2004)

Based on Inside Hitler's bunker by J Fest and Until the final hour by Hitler's secretary Traudl Junge, it tells the story of Hitler's final hours. As realistically and emotionally unsparing as a film can be. I watched it many times. A very fine film. Bruno Ganz as Hitler, Alexandra Maria Lara as Traudl and the whole cast are excellent.