The Hurt Locker

Wow. Just saw The Hurt Locker and it's by far the most gripping war movie I've ever seen. And I've seen them all. Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, The Deer Hunter, Glory, Inglorious Basterds, Flags of our Fathers, Apocalypse Now, and I'm sure more that I can't think of right now. THL is probably in the top 2 for sheer grittiness and engaging story. It's gory, it's violent, it's shocking, and enduring. You really feel the impact of each explosion. And each explosion is actually real. Meaning explosions aren't happening left and right. Each one has a purpose and consequences. Not like most movies where explosions could kill you but probably don't, each one is felt for what it can actually do. THL drives the point home about war - it's horrible. But some people are born for it.

Jeremy Renner stars as Will James, an IED tech with seemingly nothing to lose. While he does an excellent job in his performance, unfortunately his co-stars were not as excellent. Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty do an OK job. Mackie feels a bit forced as the second in command to James. Mackie's character is strictly by the book, rules are rules, and everyone communicates constantly. While his character drives this point home by repeatedly saying this exact thing, Mackie looks as though this is true....without saying it 18 times.

Geraghty also plays the cookie cutter token "guy who can't take it anymore and just needs to get out". Though it's convincing, its convincing because we've seen it a million times before and we already know the part.

The intro to this movie is by far the best part. The tension and excitment in the first ten minutes is palpable. The music is good but also classic cookie cutter war movie. Very good war movie.

IMDB here

Chocolat

Though I'm still wondering why Johnny Depp's picture and name are on the cover, this is a great little movie about how stirring things up can be the best thing for you, or in this case - a town.

Things have always been done the same way in the small village in the French country side. Everyone goes to the same church and those who don't are not spoken to or of. Of course when a drifter and her daughter blow into the village with a strong north wind and open a chocolaterie just in time for Lent, things get a little crazy.

The movie tackle's some tough issues (violence against women among them) but never lets you stop to realize what is actually happening. The movie has a way of presenting the story to you that makes you not worry - everything will be ok, then it wakes you up to the fact that, um, if you start an intentional fire on a boat that has people on it - people could get hurt. Who ever thought of that?

Chocolat is a GREAT date night movie because both parties can have a good time watching it. I highly recommend and thanks to A.K. and U.S. for lending it to me.

IMDB here

Taxi Driver

So I've decided to tell you why an old movie is great instead of a new one this time. Taxi Driver is an awesome movie for a few reasons.

One is the setting, 1970's New York. The way Scorsese shows how the people of this city act and react to some of the most atrocious conditions of living paints a stunning picture. Children prostitutes, blood on the back seat of his cab, gangs dealing drugs in broad daylight...

Two is Robert De Niro, in his prime, young as hell, and exactly perfect for the movie. He plays Travis, a Vietnam vet without much going on in his life. He can't sleep and figures he might as well get a job at night. He becomes a Taxi Driver without any trouble and works his nights away. He slowly sinks into despair however with the aid of "junk food and pills". He see's the horrible filth that fills the streets each night and see's how unhappy the people of New York truly are. He meets a 12 year old prostitute one night and is struck speechless when she is pulled from his cab by her pimp (Harvey Keitel). This is a turning point for Travis.

Around the same time he becomes enamoured with Betsy. She works for a local politician running for office. He sees her as the future. Free of the filth around her. She is pure above all else. Though he hasn't even met her yet. While Betsy is is good in the world, Travis is constantly reminded of the evil in this world by way of multiple run-in's with the young prostitute, Iris. After finally becoming fed up with the world after discovering that even Betsy isn't perfect, Travis takes drastic measures.

This early Scorsese masterpiece about urban decay and a little bit about how we percieve the people around us. The cinematography is excellent, writing is top notch, and the music lends itself to the story. Some people say it is boring but they MUST sit and watch it. It is a very important movie for any film buff to see.

I won't ruin the ending for you but it's evident that the only thing separating saints and sinners is sometimes one decision. I would recommend Taxi Driver to everyone.

IMDB here