1. PatrickT.

   10

   You may not have a more thoroughly enjoyable time at the movies this year. Stark yet sumptuous in its implications. Sweet yet devastatingly sad. An immensely pleasurable exercise in contrast and plurality.… Expand

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2. ChadS.

   10

   All dressed up and nowhere to go, the Egyptian Invasion of Israel gets off to an ignominious start when The Alexandria Police Ceremonial Orchestra find themselves in the wrong town, the wrong Bet Hatkiva. This Bet Hatkiva is practically a ghost town, whose chosen people, choose to live by the tenets of minimalism. In spite of the orchestra's extended layover, these stoic musicians remain in their formal blue uniforms, which grows increasingly hilarious as they clash repeatedly with the drab interiors and exteriors of the town. The band is like some straight-laced person's acid flashback. The clash of egos between Tewfiq(Sasson Gabai) and Simon(Khalifa Natour), and the filmmaker's absurdest sensibilities, results in a film that suggests "This is Spinal Tap" by Beckett. Tewfiq and Dina(Ronit Elkabetz) sit on a "park" bench, waiting, not for Godot, but for love to arrive. Unfortunately, Dina makes an offhanded comment about Arab men which rankles the lieutenant-colonel; so natural, is the buried expression, like breathing, does her deal-breaking words of racial stereotyping, suddenly politicize their sitting and talking, once mired with great expectations for love. Alas, God rears its ugly head. Wistful, but never gloomy(like the "gloomy girl", a possible nod to Aki Kaurismaki's "Leningrad Cowboys Go America"), "The Band's Visit" shares the same comic touch for miniature emotions as the Finnish master of the subtle ha-ha.… Expand

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3. blairalan

   10

   I just watched this movie a second time. It is a parable of such aching beauty. Every move is so carefully and subtly played out, at once humble and downplayed, at the same time sublime and uplifting. I'm a fan of minimalism for example, of the styles of musician Arvo Part or artist Marc Rothko. This film reflects this tradition, with the simplest of pauses, moments, glances or gestures, communicating from the depths of the soul.… Expand

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