Although I was drawn in by many of the actors’ performances and was interested in the Germans’ plan to flood the global economy with counterfeit currency and the commandant’s desire to implement modern management philosophies and practices, I was relatively unmoved by this film. Perhaps cynically, I believe that its producers loaded it with certain devices-the authoritarian commandant who reveals flickers of compassion, the thuggish second-in-command who shoots prisoners mercilessly, the strains of classical music that underscore brief moments of civility-that audiences have come to expect in a Holocaust-related film. I was left wondering what it revealed that we haven’t already seen in Sophie’s Choice, Schindler’s List or other works. Its scale is smaller and more intimate than these big-budget Hollywood productions, though.

I think that we’ll soon see actor Devid Striesow move into English-language productions.

I was chided by a member of the audience for laughing quietly at a few short, selected scenes. She felt compelled to mutter that “there [was] nothing funny here”, that six million people died in the events portrayed. I wonder why she couldn’t assume that I’m a [admittedly non-practicing] Jew and fully aware of the Holocaust’s horrors? When did responses to movies become subject to standards of political correctness?

As much as I enjoyed experiencing this film and appreciated its eye for the details of its period, I think that Inside Man is more tightly constructed and, therefore, more suspensful.

I think that a film in which Clive Owen and Jason Statham were pitted against each other would be captivating

Upon reflection, I realized how much I enjoyed David Suchet’s performance as Lew Vogel. I’ve noted this actor’s work since seeing his distinctive performance in A Perfect Murder. He’s apparently able to master a variety of accents and disappears into the characters he portrays.

I had the pleasure of seeing him in a production of Amadeus several years ago.

Throughout virtually the entire film, I was reminded of how utterly tasteful it was….it features tasteful performances, tasteful cinematography, tasteful music, tasteful settings and tasteful costumes. That doesn’t mean that it is dramatic or engaging, though.

I felt that that the film only came to life during the conflict in the small flat, and during Vanessa Redgrave’s monologue at the conclusion. That scene alone reveals what a great actress she is…every flicker of her eyes, the biting of her lip, conveys emotion. Her face tells so many stories.

The film features a beautiful continuous tracking shot that reminded me of the showstopper from Goodfellas.

I thought this was a sad and touching movie, with something to say to anyone who is caring for or preparing to care for an older parent.

Thinking back on it, I feel that the cold and grey hang over almost everything that occurs.

Buffalo apparently symbolizes the new bleak.

I really enjoyed this film. If the laughter in the theatre is an indication, others did, too.

I think Ellen Page is an intelligent, witty, natural performer who could enjoy a long career, if she avoids the usual pitfalls. After seeing her in Hard Candy and Juno, I’d like her to take a role in which she’s cast against type…just to see her test her skills.

I loved the fact that the producers and director surrounded her with strong character actors drawn from both TV and film.

I don’t understand why this film is enjoying such strong buzz.

I described it this morning as almost a “mob souffle”...one part Godfather, one part Scarface (De Palma edition), seasoned with the talents of Mr. Washington and Mr. Crowe. Now that I think about it, a little Serpico was tossed in, as well.

What distinguished the film, I thought, was its emphasis on race relations within the organized crime community and its production design…it definitely looked and sounded like a 70s flick. Not surprising, given that the film’s production designer skillfully designed Gladiator.

I saw this film last night at Kip’s Bay, one of my favorite multiplexes. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m noting that I’ve only seen snippets of this movie’s predecessor, on HBO.

I thought E:TGA was not much better than the dramatic recreations you sometimes find on the History Channel.

Very early on, I felt that it bordered on being a farce, that Blanchett and her fellow cast members were in on the joke and were playing their roles broadly just until their paychecks were distributed.

A line in which “hell” was used brought to mind Russell Crowe’s memorable utterance in Gladiator. I wasn’t surprised, then, when IMDb revealed that the two films share the same screenwriter.

I give the director credit, though…the image of Owen at the ship’s prow is right out of Titanic and classic pirate films.

I think it’s interesting that the producers put this work in the hands of a Bollywood director…it’s certainly filled with swelling music, dramatic imagery (flashes of lighting, secret caverns, wave-swept cliffs), lush costumes and swirling camerawork.

I forgot about the film shortly after leaving the theatre.

I know that many moviegoers loved the original and were looking forward to this sequel. Were you pleased with it? Disappointed?

The guy at the office supplies store claimed that this model writes smoother than any other pen on the market today.

We’ll see…right now, I think the grip is a little too big for me, and the line a little too thick.

Now, if I can remember to retract the point before putting the pen in my shirt pocket….

I think this piece of cookware is essential. I start every morning with a cup of freshly French pressed coffee, and my typical day is filled with several more.

I think Bodum’s press is better machined that that available from Bonjour and other companies.

I think that the subject of this film is a noteworthy one, and that it’s important for the public to be aware of Jacques Verges’s work and his involvement with the international network of reputed terrorists.

I think that the film will benefit from additional editing, though. Too much of it consists of “talking heads” telling stories from their past. I wish the director had shaped the narrative into themes and expressed points of view.

As a result of seeing the film, though, I’ll read about the battle of Algiers, Carlos the Jackal and the terrorist incidents of the ‘70s.

Those Cinephiles who saw the film were reminded of Syriana and mob lawyer Bruce Cutler.