[Kurt Sexington]

Ozy (and Portland, to some extent)

I dont think that every movie made after 1985 sucks. In fact, many dont. However, the fact remains that many of the best movies available (think 400 Blows, Seven Samurai, Tokyo Story) were made outside of the US, before the 1980`s.

A movie like Juno or Lars and the Real Girl (which I saw) are not BAD movies. However, they are not very good movies either. They are just intentionally quirky, festival circuit fare that is meant for the casual, american filmgoer. Liking movies such as Lars, Little Miss Sunshine, TYFS, Juno, the Squid and the Whale, Thumbsucker, ect. is pretty much part of the progression to getting interested in movies that are actually superb. I was into movies like that around four or five years ago. Believe me, soon you will realize how vapid 9although entertaining) films like Juno are and you will start getting interested in movies that either have stood the test of time, such as Ikuru or Breathless, or the Killer, or movies thta likely will stand the test of time such as In the Mood for Love or Oldboy.

I enjoy American movies alot, purely based on entertainment value. I go to the movies with my lady alot and we watch the standard American blockbuster fare because it is entertaining and never lets you down. However, when it comes to the actual movies I am interested, I realized that, outside of a few films, American cinema hasnt produced any solid work in decades.

Also, There Will be Blood looks very promising.