Restrepo (2010)
Directed by Sebastian Junger & Tim Hetherington
This is the kind of movie that should be shown on TV, on all of the major stations-- ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX. They showed Schindler's List unedited on TV at one point, why not this? This is perhaps the most powerful documentary on men at war that I have ever seen. It takes the veil of secrecy off of what transpires in Afghanistan and shoves it right into our faces. The camera never stops rolling as the viewer is taken through multiple firefights, while at the same time capturing the tedium and boredom of holding a position.
What was particularly powerful about this movie was not the war footage (which was shocking) but really, it was the way in which the two directors were able to capture the way in which men behave together. It showed them as they discuss life, communicate, and have an impromptu dance party. While that might strike someone as being relatively insignificant, it shows the audience what these soldiers are- they are kids. They are all 18-25 year olds. They should be at home with their friends trying to figure things out and yet they are bravely serving our country to fight a war that they may not agree with.
I cannot sing this movie's praises highly enough. While simple in concept, it packs a wallop. Go see it as soon as you can.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Best Movie of the Year?
Winter's Bone (2010)
Directed by: Debra Granik
Written by: Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence & John Hawkes
I hate to declare this already, but I may have seen the best movie of 2010. It is wonderfully acted, directed, and scripted. It is one of the first movies in a long time that has managed to be both thrilling and at the same take up the call of "social realism." Winter's Bone is truly one of the best American movies I have seen in a very long time. It is as close to the Italian Neo-Realist movement as any movie I have seen that has come from the United States.
Winter's Bone tells the story of Rhee Dolly, a 17 year old who is caring for her younger brother and sister. Her mother is catatonic and spends most of her days sitting on an Eazy-Boy in their house in rural Missouri. Rhee's father has been arrested for cooking crystal meth and in order to post bond, he put the house up as bond. If her father does not come to court, they will be evicted. So, Rhee sets out to find her father and save her house and family. What ensues can only be described as an odyssey through the bizarre and not often seen world of middle America.
I cannot sing this movie's praises enough. It is well shot, well-edited, and well-directed. And from what I can tell, it looks as if Jennifer Lawrence may be the first serious actress of her generation. Whether or not she continues on that path, remains to be seen. This is a movie that I hope is seen by as many people as possible.
Directed by: Debra Granik
Written by: Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence & John Hawkes
I hate to declare this already, but I may have seen the best movie of 2010. It is wonderfully acted, directed, and scripted. It is one of the first movies in a long time that has managed to be both thrilling and at the same take up the call of "social realism." Winter's Bone is truly one of the best American movies I have seen in a very long time. It is as close to the Italian Neo-Realist movement as any movie I have seen that has come from the United States.
Winter's Bone tells the story of Rhee Dolly, a 17 year old who is caring for her younger brother and sister. Her mother is catatonic and spends most of her days sitting on an Eazy-Boy in their house in rural Missouri. Rhee's father has been arrested for cooking crystal meth and in order to post bond, he put the house up as bond. If her father does not come to court, they will be evicted. So, Rhee sets out to find her father and save her house and family. What ensues can only be described as an odyssey through the bizarre and not often seen world of middle America.
I cannot sing this movie's praises enough. It is well shot, well-edited, and well-directed. And from what I can tell, it looks as if Jennifer Lawrence may be the first serious actress of her generation. Whether or not she continues on that path, remains to be seen. This is a movie that I hope is seen by as many people as possible.
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