"10,000 BC" 2008 USA, by Roland Emmerish

"10,000 BC" is an amazing prehistoric epic by Roland Emmerish. This stunning film portrayed the prehistoric lifestyle by representing a few different tribes, their ancient beliefs and their prophecies. The film set in absolutely beautiful landscapes in various parts of the world. The story follow the journey of D'Leh, played by Steven Strait, a young mammoth hunter who follows his father's footsteps to secure his tribe and his lover Evolet, played by Camilla Belle. 

It is so fascinating for me to see this exceptional portray of the prehistoric era. I love pretty much everything about it. The story is a little cheesy, but it is how it needs to be so. I love the cinematography and the dialogue, more than anything else. The animation of those mammoths was so well done, their movement and the texture and everything. It makes me feel like getting a little 'Spear tooth' pet. (he he) I really don't have a bad thing to say about this film.  

Here is my favourite bits of the dialogue.

D'Leh

Why do they think I can free their people?


Tic-Tic

There's something you must know about your father.

When your mother died bringing you life, your father

took upon himself not only the weight of you, but

all of our people.

(Skiped a line from each character)

D'Leh

And why do you tell me this now?


Tic-Tic

A good man draws a circle around himself and

cares for those within. His woman, his children.

Other men draw a larger circle and bring within

their brothers and sisters. But some men have a

great destiny. They must draw around themselves

a circle that includes many, many more. Your

father was one of those men. You must decide to

yourself whether you are, as well.

It is such a beautiful film. And it truly is one of the best films I've even seen. 

"The Insider" 1999 USA, by Michael Mann

"The Insider" is a biographical drama thriller based on the life of Jeffrey Wigand, a Former Vice President of Development and Research at Brown & Williamson tobacco company. The story presents the struggles of Lowell Bergman, a "60 minutes" producer, and Wigand's to expose the secret of the Big Tobacco. The film discuss the power of politic, in both tobacco and media industries, to control the secret information of the Big Tobacco about nicotine addiction which in the end was revealed through the process of legal investigation.

This Michael Mann's film has really appealed to me not because of the fact that the story was about a "60 minutes" producer trying to expose some secret, but I was attracted to the film at first because of the actors, Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. They are my idols. I love the "tone" of the film, the way the director chose to tell it. I personally don't find it as a thriller, or I don't think there's enough of thriller element to it. I watched the film several times and tried to decide whose performance, between Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, was the winner. I don't think there is one. They both are amazing, just different. I love the complexity that Al Pacino built into his performance and the way Russell Crowe wearing the character's mindset, in particular. I also really like the ending, when Bergman decided to quit his job. I think the film successfully did what it mean to do to the audience. It made a profound impact on me, personally. I think it is a great film and very insightful. 

"INVICTUS" 2009 USA, by Clint Eastwood

"INVICTUS" is another stunning and inspiring drama by Clint Eastwood. The film tells the story  of Nelson Mandela, portrayed by Morgan Freeman, the elected president of South Africa after his 27 years of imprisonment. The story captured the breakthrough moment of reconciliation in South Africa during Mandela's government. Mandela inspired the national rugby team leader Francois Pienaar, played by Matt Damon, the captain of Springboks with the mission to win world cup in 1995 and promote the slogan "One team, one country.".

The most outstanding things of the film to me is the cultural sensitivity of the direction and the film script as well as the exceptional performances of Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. I think it is always a challenge for film makers to make film about political matter of a country. The film "INVICTUS" does not discuss the political issue as such, but it presents the approach of Mandela in uniting his country. Without saying much about production value of the film which established by the standard of one of world best directors, Clint Eastwood, it is obvious. It may not be the most entertaining film to watch, but it is a truly heartfelt and inspiring film to see.