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La vita è bella (1997)
The best film ever period.
Benigni's masterpiece Johnny Stecchino tickled everyone's sense of humour in a magnificent way. With La Vita e' Bella (or: Life is Beautiful), Benigni has outperformed every film director in humour, melancholy and drama.
I will not spend too much words on this. If you haven't already seen this movie and you don't trust the exceptionally high votes that IMDB-users have given it, please let me convince you: buy it, rent it, but above all: make sure you watch it.
Johnny Stecchino (1991)
The most hilarious film ever !
The incredible Roberto Benigni played the role of his lifetime in this movie. A double-role in fact. I won't bother you repeating the story; suffice to say that your slapstick collection is not complete without this treasure.
I must admit that for non-Italian speakers, it may be more difficult to understand the most subtle parts of the film. It is particularly great if you understand the Italian society (north v south, mafia culture, etiquettes).
Should you be able to lay your hands on this one, get an italian course: it's worth it!
De lift (1983)
Low budget, great movie
Dick Maas has made himself the big guy of Dutch cinema with this excellent thriller. The concept of an elevator with an evil mind of his own is hilarious.
The suspense Maas has been able to create using some flashlights and low budget actors is amazing. Even though you always know what's coming, it still scares the heck out of you.
Any Dutch movie of this age wouldn't be Dutch without some bare breasts, but all in all it is well worth seeing it. Provided you find it somewhere...
Soldaat van Oranje (1977)
Arguably best war movie ever !
I guess this movie loses a lot of it's body when translated. Subtitles will not make up for it either.
The original Dutch version is arguably one of the best war movies ever made. It's very Dutch and the story is completely situated in the Netherlands.
The hatred people felt for the German nazi's and the Dutch NSB'ers is beautifully displayed by the actors. It all seems very "natural" (and I don't necessarily mean the inevitable Dutch nude scenes -by the way, Renee Soutendijk is a true bitch in this movie).
Best phrase: "Schoonmoeder.. Scheveningen, Scheveningen... lul!" Translated: "Mother-in-law... Scheveningen, Scheveningen (Dutch sea-side town)... dick!" The reason the guy had the other guy saying this was to make sure he wasn't German, as Germans can't pronounce the rasping "sch" sound.
Great movie.
Testimone a rischio (1997)
The shock of the truth
A salesman witnesses two mafia killers shooting somebody on the motorway. From that moment onwards, he and his family go through a seemingly never ending chain of corruption, fear and threats. This movie is so realistic, it could almost be a documentary. When the credits start rolling, you literally bounce back to earth. Thrilling!