The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo.)

Release Year: 1966

Director: Sergio Leone

Review: It figures it takes an Italian filmmaker's Western for me to really connect with the genre.  There is an almost rigid artfulness the exudes from what could have easily been a run of the mill Western plot.  Every shot is beautiful and well thought out.  The meshing of iconic soundtrack, majestic cinematography and classic storytelling all combine to make this an incredible movie.  Sergio Leone's direction is impeccable, making a western epic feel as light as popcorn blockbuster.   The acting by Eastwood, Wallach and Van Cleef as the main leads defines the western archetypes to a tee.  Each one is a separate personality, with different motives, who further the plot and give their own perspective.  Having these strong definable characters allows us to intake the whirlwind of events without getting lost.  The dialog is sharp and witty, and the themes moving.  Combining the best troupes from the genre, a phenomenal character driven plot and the genius of a talented director, 'The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly' is a masterpiece of the genre.
Rating: 5/5

Andrei Rublev

Release Year: 1966
Review: This is the first film by Andrei Tarkovsky that I have seen. You definitely have to be in the right mindset when starting this film. It is challenging, requiring you to pay attention and read subtitles for three and a half hours. Despite it's length, the film remained engaging throughout, however, I was continually frustrated feeling that I was missing out on important plot points and insights. It was too much for me to keep the plot straight, read the subtitles and take in the actors emotions. When the film ended I felt more confused than anything, and immediately wanted to watch it again with commentary, but unfortunately the DVD was not mine so I couldn't do that. After reading a plot synopsis which cleared up some confusion, I feel much better about giving this a positive review. There is no doubt that this is a quality film, but it is a bit of a chore to watch.
Rating: 3/5