Wings of Desire

Title: Der Himmel über Berlin
Year: 1987 (Germany), 1988 (US)
Director: Wim Wenders
Writers: Peter Handke, Richard Reitinger & Wim Wenders
Starring: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois, Peter Falk
Music: Jürgen Knieper
Distinctions: formerly on IMDb's Top 250
Synopsis: one of the many Angels hanging out in Berlin listening to people think wants to become human, and, and... Peter Falk as himself!
How I saw it: on video (rented from Netflix), June 2008
Subjective Rating: 7/10 (Good).
Objective Rating: 7/10 (points off for story, dialog and pacing) c. 3.0/4 (Good).

Best. Concept. Ever. Okay, maybe not, but... Peter Falk as himself! The story is okay, but didn't live up to the potential. They were just kind of winging it. For the most part it's completely brilliant, but every now and then, especially the final scene, they take a break to be Very German and pretentious, enough so to ruin the movie. They never let you forget you're watching an art film and not a movie, so in spite of everything that's good, you don't really get a chance to enjoy yourself. It's still good, if you're able to watch with a German filter on your brain. Cut out the reading of poetry and asides of Nihilsim, and you'd have a perfect 90-minute movie. The music is amazing. And did I mention... Peter Falk as himself!?