Stranger Than Paradise

Stranger Than Paradise (Criterion #400).
1984 Janus Films.
Starring: John Lurie, Eszter Balint, Richard Edison, Cecillia Stark, Danny Rosen
Director: Jim Jarmusch
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This was independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch's breakthrough project.

Willie (Lurie) is a small-time gambler who receives an unwanted visitor to his New York City apartment when his distant cousin Eva (Balint) drops in unexpectedly from Hungary. Eva says she needs to stay with Willie for ten days before she travels west to Cleveland. An unhappy Willie finds himself teaching Eva about the joys of American cigarettes, TV dinners, and the NFL, and they also watch both "planet" movies, Forbidden Planet and Fantastic Planet. Eva suddenly gains Willie's respect when she goes to the corner store and shoplifts a pack of smokes and a frozen dinner.

Eddie (Edson, former drummer for Sonic Youth) drops by the apartment, and finds himself liking Eva, which lasts just long enough before she departs for Ohio to live with her aunt Lottie (Stark). Several months later, Willie and Eddie win $600 in a poker game and decide to visit Eva in Cleveland...in the dead of winter. The dead of winter in Cleveland. Since there isn't much to do but look at a frozen Lake Erie, our heroes travel south to Miami, where Willie and Eddie play the horses. However, mutual boredom sends Eddie, Willie and Eva on their own separate paths.

The Criterion edition of Stranger Than Paradise contains Jarmusch's first film, 1980's Permanent Vacation as a bonus feature on the second disc. I may watch and review that one separately down the road. As for the main attraction, I can safely give it a rating of highly recommended.

Coffee and Cigarettes

Coffee and Cigarettes.
1986, 1989, 1993 & 2003 United Artists, distributed to DVD by MGM.
Featuring: Roberto Benigni, Steven Wright, Joie Lee, Cinqué Lee, Steve Buscemi, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, Joseph Rigano, Vinny Vella, Renée French, E.J. Rodriguez, Alex Descas, Isaach De Bankolé, Cate Blanchett, Mike Hogan, Jack White, Meg White, Alfred Molina, Steve Coogan, Katy Hansz, GZA, RZA, Bill Murray, William Rice, Taylor Mead
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Amazon.com listing (discontinued).
Visit the official website.

Jim Jarmusch directed this compilation film with eleven short stories sharing coffee and cigarettes as a common link. The first three segments were independently made in 1986, 1989, and 1993. Notable highlights include Jack White's self-made Tesla coil and passionate discussion about the achievements of Nikola Tesla, Iggy Pop and Tom Waits celebrating quitting smoking naturally by lighting up and having awkward conversations, and Wu-Tang Clan members (and cousins) GZA and RZA drinking herbal tea while talking with their waiter (Bill Murray) about the dangers of caffeine and nicotine.

Not bad. Recommended for those who love their movies with a lot of conversations. If you do, this is your kind of film. Don't forget to bring the coffee and cigarettes.