My new favorite war film. Not the sort you watch a dozen times, but perfect nonetheless.
13 Feb 2009 • 1:47 pm 0
Letters From Iwo Jima (5/5)
10 Feb 2009 • 2:15 pm 0
Downfall (5/5)
5 Feb 2009 • 2:19 pm 0
The Constant Gardener (5/5)
26 Jan 2009 • 2:21 pm 1
Clue (5/5)
14 Jan 2009 • 2:31 pm 0
In Bruges (5/5)
Farrel is an obnoxious half-wit, at least off camera. So what a pleasant surprise to see him pull off one of the most nuanced and dynamic comedic performances in recent memory: moments after putting a gun to his head, he is making light of his plight and the wussiness of his gun. Yes, the ending goes a bit far and requires some unlikely machinations, but these characters are all so lovely. If the Academy wasn’t dumb the whole cast would have been nominated for best supporting everything. My favorite film of 2008.
1 Jan 2009 • 2:43 pm 0
Donnie Darko (5/5)
I’ve reached the point of diminishing returns on this film. I don’t recommend the Director’s Cut or the commentary, both tragically demystify the film and any deep or nuanced ideologies you may have secretly uncovered. An example of how explaining your creation can ruin the experience of your audience. My shorthand: If Lynch and Hughes rewrote “Back To The Future” into an episode of “The Bloodhound Gang”.
• 2:40 pm 0
Aliens (Special Edition) (5/5)
I do enjoy the expanded combat scenes in the Special Edition, but I find the colony scenes at the beginning detract from the mystery and discovery we experience with Ripley’s rescue squad later on. Paxon is a favorite character–going from blowhard marine to needing a warm bath in under a minute. He’s been Cameron’s go-to patsy ever since.
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