response 1 of 165:

Jan 12 00:06 UTC 1999

Okay, here's a terrific film recommendation to start things off:

AFFLICTION--  This is writer Russell Banks followup to the "Sweet 
Hereafter" (if you saw that movie, it was a very very dark, character 
study about the residents of a small town in Canada-- great film)  
Anyway this stars Nick Nolte as a policeman in a small upstate New 
Hampshire town.  The dominant relationship in his life is with his 
father who hates him.  His daughter is afraid of him.  His girlfriend 
doesnt understand him.  The film chronicles his slow, steady breakdown 
over a period of weeks, as he becomes a prisoner of alcoholism and 
paranoia.  The movie starts with Nolte's character on the edge, and 
shows him going straight over.  Nolte is deservedly the favorite to win 
the Best Actor Oscar this year, and James Coburn is simply haunting as 
the brutal father who dominates his life and will certainly be up for 
Best Supporting Actor.

"AFFLICTION" is a very intense, dark and disturbing film.  Not one that 
everyone will enjoy therefore, but it is a beautiful work and great 
cinema.  ***** (five stars-- highly recommended)