100 Minutes (1978)- Ted Bafaloukos
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Selector: HiGrade
A Trenchtown variant on Robin Hood, this is the Jamaica-set story of a drummer, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace (playing, like other musicians in the film, a version of himself) who, talented though he is, is mightily fed up with being ripped off by the local music business. Unable and unwilling to survive on occasional recording sessions and gigs, he opts to buy a red motorcycle and distribute records to the sound systems around the island himself. The first result of his part-self-centered, part-idealistic efforts is a severe beating and a stolen bike. An excellent soundtrack, and a script which digresses through explanations of the Rasta faith and countless idiosyncratic solidarity rituals, make for a delightful piece of whimsy. Complete with subtitles transliterating the Rasta patois.
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Rockers
Los Olvidados
90 Minutes (1950)- Luis Bunuel
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Selector: MOFO
Looks unflinchingly at life in a Mexican slum. At the center of the story are Pedro, a young boy who is walking the line between delinquency and responsibility, and Jaibo, an older, charismatic boy who has already chosen the former path. Jaibo exerts his influence over almost every boy in the village, and when he accidentally murders the only good role model Pedro has and sleeps with Pedro's mother, it seems the path Pedro is to take has already determined itself.
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Deliverance
109 Minutes (1972)- John Boorman
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Selector: Bubbleman
The Cahulawassee River is soon to be destroyed, along with the beautiful country that surrounds it. Eager to see it before it's gone, adventurer and outdoor fanatic Lewis, organizes a trip for him and his friends Ed, Drew and Bobby to canoe their way from top to bottom in search of great adventure. Little do they know, they're in for much more than they originally bargained for when two mountain men take Ed and Bobby hostage. In a brave attempt to save his friends, Lewis kills one of the mountain men. Now they've got a dead person on their hands and there's no going back... especially deep in the American back-country where nobody's on your side..
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Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai
116 Minutes (1999)- Jim Jarmusch
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Selector: HiGrade
In Jersey City, a hit man follows the "Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai." He lives alone, in simplicity with homing pigeons for company, calling himself Ghost Dog. His retainer (master), who saved his life eight years ago, is part of the local mob. When the boss' daughter witnesses one of Ghost Dog's hits, he becomes expendable. The first victims are his birds, and in response, Ghost Dog goes right at his attackers but does not want to harm his master or the young woman. On occasion, he speaks with his best friend, a Haitian who sells ice cream in the park, although neither speaks the others language, but somehow can communicate effectively, and with a child with whom he discusses books. Can he stay true to his code? And if he does, what is his fate?.
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