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"Grosse Pointe Blank" is an amusing comedy with John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Joan Cusack and Dan Aykroyd in the leading roles. Cusack is perfect for this kind of roles. He gives a very funny performance as the desperate but lethal Martin Blank. There are many funny scenes in this movie, just too much to mention! This movie is definitely a must see.

Although I'm not a big fan of her, Minnie Driver is quit good as well. Joan Cusack was hilarious as his secretary and Dan Aykroyd is also perfect as fellow professional killer of Blank.

The story is well done, not cliché at all. John Cusack is one of my favourite actors and I like him a lot in this kind of comedies. He was outstanding in "High Fidelity" and wonderful in "Say Anything", he was truly amazing in "City Hall" and unique in "Being John Malkovich". I think he is one of the most underrated actors of his generation.

"Thirteen" shows the consequences when your 13 year old daughter starts hanging out when the wrong people. This movie is based on the true story of Nikki Reed who also is the co-star in this feature. OK, I'll be honest, the story is provoking and chocking for most people, but not for me. I'm 20 and I know and have known many girls of that age. These things certainly happen, although it's not always that worse as in Tracy's case. But this is certainly a difficult age. People, boys as well as girls, are very insecure about their self and their looks and what other people think of them. Because in the end, everybody wants to be popular and have a lot of friends. Everyone would like to take risk and live on the edge. That's what "Thirteen" is about.

The acting in "Thirteen" was certainly amazing. Evan Rachel Wood was outstanding! One hell of a performance she gave, as well as Holly Hunter. Excellent first feature by Catherine Hardwicke. I'm really looking forward to see her second feature "Lords of Dogtown". This movie is certainly worth watching if you would like to know something more about young girls, growing up in an insecure and instable environment. I don't say every teenage girl is like this or goes through this, but it certainly does exist. This isn't fiction.

8/10

"Cidade de Deus" is the breakthrough of Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles ("The Constant Gardener"). It tells the unbelievable but true story of the gang life in a poor neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. The neighbourhood is mostly ruled by kids and young adults, who doesn't play cowboy and Indian like most kids of their age do. No, most of the time they are busy dealing drugs, robbing local stores or killing other young adults in order to extend their territory.

The story is told by Rocket, a young guy who tries to live an honest life and not to be involved in the gang life. Fernando Meirelles made an amazing movie of an exceptional story. The story is disturbing and chocking. If it wasn't based on true events, this movie wouldn't have been such a big hit either. It's the combination of an objective style, fast filming, a great soundtrack and the chocking story that made "Cidade de Deus" a revolutionary movie.

Although the events are tragic, don't expect a melodramatic story. I don't think the purpose of the director was to move us. I think he wants as to be chocked after seeing this movie. Although we are confronted with violence on TV every day when we watch the news, the fact that kids are involved in this kind of gang life is really chocking.

Although I really liked this movie, I think it's highly overrated. Personnaly, I don't think it deserves such a high ranking in the Top 250. Nevertheless an excellent movie. 8/10