A/wpqx: I hope you guys do get to Eastern Promises. I think it's as lean and taut as A History of Violence; every moment in the film is accounted for.

M.M.: I couldn't agree more regarding Fat City. It's been underrated for a long time. I suggested it to wpqx a while back, who's a Huston fan for sure, but I don't believe he was as enthusiastic about it. May need to write about the film in order to have him reconsider it. 

Will definitely pay attention to your and R6dw6C's list(s) for Italian films. And that Skolimowski project sounds promising indeed!