Written by Mark Boal, who was embedded with a bomb squad in Baghdad, this is a tense, suspensful and very realistic Iraq war movie that completely eschews both the patriotic speeches about fighting for democracy, and the leftist propaganda about American imperialism. Here, war isn't hell. War is a drug. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker" is a perfect anti-"Avatar" (directed by her ex-husband James Cameron) - presenting the US military as apolitical, professional and profoundly decent, and the Iraqi "resistance" as ruthless, fanatical and evil. But it's all done so subtly, few liberals are likely to notice just how pro-American this film really is, especially since some war vetarans have pathetically complained (in articles like this and this) that the film presents them as reckless cowboys.
November 11, 2009
The Hurt Locker (2009) *****
Written by Mark Boal, who was embedded with a bomb squad in Baghdad, this is a tense, suspensful and very realistic Iraq war movie that completely eschews both the patriotic speeches about fighting for democracy, and the leftist propaganda about American imperialism. Here, war isn't hell. War is a drug. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker" is a perfect anti-"Avatar" (directed by her ex-husband James Cameron) - presenting the US military as apolitical, professional and profoundly decent, and the Iraqi "resistance" as ruthless, fanatical and evil. But it's all done so subtly, few liberals are likely to notice just how pro-American this film really is, especially since some war vetarans have pathetically complained (in articles like this and this) that the film presents them as reckless cowboys.
Inglourious Basterds (2009) *****
Quentin Tarantino's take on World War II, the Nazis and the Holocaust isn't exactly historically accurate (the ending will come as a huge surprise to those who actually paid attention in history class), but as a work of cinematic art it is absolutely flawless. Part spaghetti western, part '"Dirty Dozen" and part "Valkyrie" upside down, it's a stylistic tour-de-force with priceless dialogue, terrific action scenes and outstanding performances (Christopher Waltz is mesmerizing).
October 10, 2009
An Education (2009) ****
A wonderfully witty, stupendously well-acted British black comedy of manners about a bright 16-year-old schoolgirl (Carey Mulligan) falling in love with a handsome cad in his late 30's (Peter Sarsgaard). Set in London in 1961, the film deftly dances around its nabokovian theme with a graceful sophistication worthy of Oscar Wilde. It's sublime in its subtlety. Directed by Lone Scherfig ("Wilbur", "Italian For Beginners"). The sole drawback of this otherwise perfect gem - its needlessly excessive modesty in sexual matters. It's British, after all.
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (2009) ****
Even better than the previous instalment ("Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix"), though nowhere near as good as "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban", which it superficially resembles by its dark tone and somber mood. The real star of this, sixth, episode is the Hogwarts College itself, with its dark, empty corridors whose art designs have been inspired by Gothic interiors of the most beautiful churches and monasteries in England.
Panique au village (2009) ****
An insane animated feature from Belgium. Hilarious, innovative and totally unpredictable.
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September 9, 2009
Ponyo (2009) ***
Another wonderful animated film from Hayao Miyazaki. Like "My Neighbor Totoro", it's a gentle fairy tale for children, but it also explores many important ecological themes (just like several of Miyazaki's more serious films, such as "Nausicaä" or "Princess Mononoke").
Whatever Works (2009) ***
Woody Allen's well-known fetish for sexy young women is very much in evidence in this entertaining comedy about a 62-year-old misantropic old fart (Larry David) marrying a nubile young nymphet (Evan Rachel Wood), who is 40 years younger than him. Witty and very intelligent, but also a bit creepy.
Star Trek (2009) ***
Plenty of action in this dynamic prequel to the "Star Trek" saga. With sexy Zoe Saldana (first photo) as Uhura (who unfortunately only strips to her bra) and Rachel Nichols (last photo).
Le Concert (2009) ***
The Timekeeper (2009) ***
Memorable film set in the Canadian wilderness. A Londonian (as in Jack London) allegory about our society and its rules, based on a novel by Trevor Ferguson. A complex and fascinating picture directed by Louis Bélanger, with a terrific performance by Stephen McHattie.
The Lovely Bones (2009) ***
Peter Jackson's adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestselling novel about a 14-year-old girl (Saoirse Ronan) murdered by a serial killer (Stanley Tucci). While a few film critics (like Rolling Stones' Peter Travers) have praised the movie, others savaged it mercilessly, calling it "deplorable" (Roger Ebert), "erratic" (L.A. Times' Kenneth Turan) and "doubly appalling" (Village Voice's J.Hoberman). The most vicious of all was Salon's Stephanie Zacharek, denouncing it as "a perfect storm of a movie disaster: You've got good actors fighting a poorly conceived script, under the guidance of a director who can no longer make the distinction between imaginativeness and computer-generated effects. The result is an expensive-looking mess that fails to capture the mood, and the poetry, of its source material". However, it is S.F. Chronicle's Mick LaSalle who's hit the nail on the head by pointing out that "Jackson made as good a film as could be made, and (...) the flaws of "The Lovely Bones" as a film were built into the story's design". Indeed. And while it is far less daring than Jackson's own "Heavenly Creatures" (which shares a lot of similarities with "The Lovely Bones"), its emotional impact is overwhelming.
Krolik po berlinsku (2009) ***
Polish documentary about the Berlin Wall, presented from the point of view of rabbits. Length: 50 min.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) ***
Wes Anderson's best film since "Rushmore", an elegant and entertaining adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale about a sly fox going to war against three evil farmers. The film's delightfully ambiguous treatment of many issues even succeeds in provoking hilariously midsguided interpretations of it by commenters like Lauren Bans on doublex.com, who actually called it racist: "Fox raises his hand into the black power sign—arm straight, fist closed-- and the wolf is finally responsive, raising his black arm into the black power sign in return". Needless to say, while the scene in question is described quite accurately, its alleged racism is entirely a figment of Bans's paranoid imagination.
Up (2009) ***
Wonderfully imaginative animated film from Disney and Pixar. It's a story of a cranky old man who flies away in his house using countless helium-filled balloons. Surprising, deeply moving and very entertaining.
2012 (2009) ***
It's nowhere as bad as most critics would have you believe. As disaster epics go, this is definitely a very impressive achievement, with enough iconic images (Los Angeles disappearing into the San Andreas fault, Yellowstone volcano blowing up, Las Vegas collapsing under the tectonic plates, Washington D.C. destroyed by a tsunami, etc.) for a dozen movies. More surprisingly, the story is very effective as well. And not just suspense-wise. We actually care about the characters and about who lives and who dies. And the film's political message, about how the rich can buy their way into safety, while the poor perish en masse, is quite provocative. Unfortunately, there is no nudity, unless we count Woody Harrelson's butt crack (and he isn't even playing a plumber!).
The Young Victoria (2009) ***
Excellent histrical drama about the early years of the famous British queen. Emily Blunt is terrific in the title role. Despite some minor inaccuracies (Prince Albert was never injured in an assassination attempt, and Lord Melbourne - played by 37-year-old Paul Bettany - was 60 years old when Victoria and Albert were married), it's a fascinating history lesson.
Rapt (2009) ***
Based on a true story, this is a serious psychological drama about the kidnapping of a rich French industralist. Taut and suspenseful, but also incredibly rich in psychological complexities.
Paranormal Activity (2009) ***
Impressive horror movie of the "less is more" school of frights. It's a story of a young couple disturbed every night by a demonic presence.
Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009) ***
From the director of "Muriel's Wedding" and "My Best Friend's Wedding" comes this campy and very enjoyable satire about fashion slavery and consumer addiction. Isla Fisher gives a terrific performance.
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