...one of which is my top choice. First off, apologies for this not going up until late, but I've added a full time job onto my screenwriting and the full time job that is being a Senior Staff Writer here. Forgive me for the delay, as I'm learning to live without sleep. That being said, let's press on. My choice for the PICK OF THE WEEK got nominated for 2 Oscars. It's:The Messenger
This movie grew on me as the year went on. When I first saw it at a very early screening last year, I was impressed mostly with the lead performance of Ben Foster (my original review can be found here). When I revisited it when it came out in general release, the rest of its charms came out to me. This human drama about the emotional costs of war is powerful stuff, and if you're looking for a low-key companion piece to The Hurt Locker, this is an excellent choice.
-Also out this week is Clint Eastwood's latest Invictus. It didn't do much for me, but I recognize that it's not a bad film. Perhaps I would have preferred a traditional Nelson Mandela biopic, but this is what we ended up with. It's lesser Eastwood, but it certainly has its fans. If you're among them, pick it up and enjoy.
-The rest of the releases include the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day, the documentary When You're Strange, the drama Extraordinary Measures, the "comedy" The Spy Next Door, and the foreign drama The Girl on the Train. None of them rocked my world, but id any appeal to you, go for it.
-My Vintage pick is, in honor of Shrek Forever After, the original film that started it all. It's Shrek, and despite the way the franchise crumbled with the third installment, the first two flicks (the first one especially) are rather hilarious. Pop the first one in and enjoy!
-What will you be watching on DVD this week?
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Again, apologies for the delay!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it's not a bad week for DVD this week. Decidedly above average, in my opinion, despite some dogs coming out...
ReplyDeleteI like the quotes around comedy to describe the spy next door. Well done, and good luck with your new job and the whole finding time to sleep thing.
ReplyDelete-Robbie
Much obliged Robbie, in all regards.
ReplyDeleteI had the same feeling about The Messenger being the muted, tender companion piece to The Hurt Locker's intensity. It also shares the similarity of having three fabulous performances, yet only one of them (Harrelson for Messenger, Renner for Locker) was recognized by AMPAS. What a shame.
ReplyDelete"The Messenger" was a very good film which, in my opinion, dealt with the our current situation in Iraq in a much more affective and unique way than "The Hurt Locker" did. I agree that Foster's nomination was stolen from him by someone who didn't deserve it at all, like Morgan Freeman. He gave a terrific performance - arguably the most layered of his young career.
ReplyDeleteRobert- Agreed. I think The Hurt Locker was a better film (mainly due to much stronger direction and better writing), but The Messenger had better acting slightly, though it's a case of both of them knocking it out of the park.
ReplyDeleteJoshua- That's a fair opinion. I agree about Foster, of course, if not the film itself.
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