Monday Links (07/11)

It has been a bit of a slow start to the month. I haven't posted as regularly as usual, and there have been a couple of days where I have been too busy, and another where I had invested interest in other things. I started the week with a screening of We Need to Talk About Kevin, an extraordinary and unsettling film. It became one of only five 5 Star reviews so far in 2011.

I then had a day off from work/writing and had a Paul Thomas Anderson double feature (Boogie Nights and Punch Drunk Love) before watching and reviewing Vivre sa vie last Thursday. I watched The First Grader (review to be posted later today) and Anonymous that very same evening. That felt like one of the longest days ever, I can assure you. I also had this strange urge to re-watch Brian De Palma's Scarface (a film I initially didn't care for) and Carlito's Way (a film I thought was under appreciated). I visited my parents for a couple of days and amidst some family engagements, I watched the latter there.

As for my stats, it has been a disappointing week. It's as if the tick over to a new month meant that my views would significantly drop. I can't explain it, but huge thanks to everyone who continues to leave comments on my posts. I greatly appreciate all of the feedback and hope you enjoy stopping by the check out what I have to say about the films I review. Without further ado, here are some of the weeks top articles and a few sites I suggest you check out:

Dan Stephens @ Top 10 Films discusses his attraction to horror cinema and the Top 10 British Films of the 1940's. I was glad to see a couple of Powell and Pressburger masterpieces included.

Jessica @ The Velvet Cafe questions What Makes a Good Film Critic? She's not alone, Ben Cooper @ Anomalous Material raises similar issues in his article, What's the Point of the Movie Critic Anyway? 

Kevyn Knox's review of John Carpenter's Halloween for LAMBS in the Director's Chair @ The Most Beautiful Fraud in the World is well worth a read. 

I haven't read Ryan McNeil's review of The Skin I Live In, because I want to watch it knowing as little as possible. But, if you're intrigued by the new Almodovar, be sure to stop by The Matinee to check it out.

Anna has unveiled her 123 Films That Everyone Should See! list. It's pretty rad.

Tyler @ Southern Vision is a man never short on ideas. This week he looks at the Women of Ingmar Bergman.

John @ John Likes Movies watched and reviewed two of my 2011 favourites this week: Take Shelter and Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Ruth @ Flixchatter shares her Top 5 Worst James Bond Films Ever Made.

For her 700th Post Stevee @ Cinematic Paradox tackles the Favourite Film Argument.

Aziza @ Aziza's Picks, a flourishing little blog, has reviewed Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line this week. 

Finally, be sure to stop by Duke and the Movies and leave Sam your Top 10 Favourite Films of the 80's as part of his History of Film special.

Arrivederci. Hope everyone has a great week.