Could it have been all the hype and awards won that elevated my expectations, only to have them left unfulfilled by movie’s end? I admit I am not a huge fan of Scorcese – his films for me are hit or miss. I do not mind the blood and guts, but the pacing I found slow, and I think the movie could benefit from tighter editing. In this movie, Leonardo was great, the only real standout, and his performance had me recalling the greatness he exuded in Whats Eating Gilbert Grape. The rest of the main characters were flat, if I even found them believable at all.

I found this movie comparable to Gangs of New York – bloody, gang-centered, test of loyalties, and just too too long.

One of the Oscar nominations for best foreign film. a Dutch film, set in modern era, a seemingly normal group of people. Very intense emotionally, very well acted, very good pacing of the plot and suspense. Never mind that it was in Dutch with English subtitles – it’s one of those films whose story you get just by visuals alone.

I was really looking forward to seeing it, and it surpassed my expectations by far! Humor, acting, writing – all fantastic. For once I was keen to how awesome the writing was – something I do not usually notice in a film. Will Farrell was great as a straight man, Emma Thompson rocked her character. One of the best movies I have seen in a while.