In Cannes, the movie-watching continues. The last two mornings I have gotten up really early to make 8:30 screenings of "Star Wars, Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith" and "Manderlay". I wrote a story for indieWIRE today about some parallels that I see between the two movies, but below are some opinions on both. Oh, and I also saw forgot to mention that I saw James Marsh's "The King", starring Gael Garcia Bernal, but disliked it enough that I dont feel like bothering to write about it.

Early word is correct, "Revenge of the Sith" is head and shoulders above the previous two recent "Star Wars" movies. Despite the Ewoks in "Return of the Jedi," in my opinion "Jedi" is still a better movie, but this one has a lot going for it. My biggest problem with "Sith"? Its a bit overblown at times, bloated. If you are reading this, I will assume you don't mind me giving something away (if not, skip ahead), but the crucial scene in the movie -- and perhaps the key scene in all six movies -- is the anticipated final fight between Anakin and Obi-wan. It sets the stage for the transformation that will lead to the black Darth Vader suit. Well in my mind, Lucas has botched this scene big time by having so much happening on screen that its hard to stay focused on the intensity that this battle represents between these two characters. After you see the movie, tell me what you think.

Throughout the movie, there is often too much going on in the background, too many effects, distracting from key scenes involving real people. Thats my main criticism, but that said there is enough of a story to tell that overall the movie is very entertaining, often told with brief scenes -- it moves quickly and I found the first 30 minutes or so especially great. Along with a number of other key twists and turns along the way. By the end, it was hard to believe that the whole thing is actually over, after nearly 30 years.

As an aside, how great it was to see the final "Star Wars" in the Lumieré Theater here in Cannes. Amazing projection, great sound, and a massive movie screen. Perfect. I was thinking yesterday that if someone had told me in 1977 that I'd see the 6th chapter of "Star Wars" at the Cannes Film Festival, I'd have said.... "There are six parts?! Or, "What's the Cannes Film Festival?"

As for Lars von Trier's "Manderlay", which I saw this morning...I like it even more than "Dogville." In fact, I found that it adds a new level to "Dogville," builds upon it rather than just follows it and makes me want to see both again as soon as possible. I found Bryce Dallas Howard even better in the role than Nicole Kidman, while Danny Glover and Isaach de Bankolé were exceptional. With a bit more staging and props than I recall in "Dogville," sets that seemed like a gimmick in "Dogville" work well and make sense this time around.

Lars von Trier could face tremendous criticism for tackling such a sensitive subject as slavery, from an outsider perspective. But with actors like Glover involved, its harder to dismiss the movie out of hand. Presenting a group of freed slaves who by the end of the movie essentially want to return to servitude is a bold storyline that raises an interesting discussion about what happens to oppressed people when they are suddenly "free," especially when that freedom is forced by someone else and doesn't emerge from within. Too many issues to try to tackle here and now, but I am curious to hear some responses if anyone else has seen the film.

Tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m....The new Jim Jarmusch film, "Broken Flowers."