The Hurt Locker.
I had heard nothing but great things about this movie and was very interested in seeing it, but because it was in such limited release it was hard to find a location close enough to go see it. When it eventually came to a local theater I went immediately to give it once through.
This is a gritty and seemingly realistic take on the lives of soldiers who are responsible from the safe removal of bombs from Iraq. The scenes were bomb disposal is taking place are intense and nerve racking and are the best part of the film. The movie also focuses on the lives of these men when they are off duty and how they each deal with stress. These are done well but are less successful then the scenes with ordinance removal. I would have also like to have seen a more cohesive story line with a tangible arch, but that’s a personal desire and some may certainly prefer it as it is.
This film does not paint the war to be glamorous or fun, and it certainly makes you wonder why anyone would want to be on the bomb squad in Iraq. It’s well shot, well acted and a sold war movie that belongs up there with the good ones but falls just short of the best ones.
Inglorious Bastards
I liked the trailer for this movie when it came out but I was a little gun shy as Quentin Tarantino’s movies have been hit or miss for me. So with great trepidation I went to see it, and thankfully, I’m glad I did. It’s fun and as long as you don’t mind Quentin Tarantino’s writing style – which can be a little self aware – it’s also well written. The main antagonist is fantastically cast well acted, and format of separate stories that tie together works great. Some of the scenes could have benefited from a little editing, and Mike Myers Cameo bugged me (to reminiscent of Austin Powers). But this movie has one of my new favorite last lines coming in behind, “I’m finished” from There Will Be Blood.
