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Redbelt (2008)
Honor amongst human
As a fan of David Mamet you go to his movies expecting to be challenged and entertained. This movie surely does not disappoint in either category.
A man becomes victimized by lying, amoral emotional cowards. That it is done by someone they love is all the more horrible. Going through life on this planet can be hurtful but, as Terry embodies, maintaining honor and love is the ultimate goal. Being able to look in the mirror and respect and love what looks back is infinitely more important than money or living up to someone else's expectations.
David Mamet has made another movie that is a joy to experience. His usual crew of actors do their expected great work and he gets good performances by others and a great job in the lead.
I hope the time goes quickly before his next film. (I also wish Ms. Pidgeon would work more often).
Sicko (2007)
Sick System
A noble effort by Mr. Moore. Beyond the expected childish political polemic from people who will not even watch this film and the expected counter-attack from the moneyed interests this is a good film on a horrible and sad system.
Health care should not be a matter of finance, it is a human right. The health of Americans is simply a profit motive for immoral companies getting rich on the suffering of people, of you and me. Doctors play along as they get rich and forget the oath they once took and the responsibility they have to cure and heal and treat, not enrich.
One walks out of this film profoundly sad and ashamed to be part of a sheeplike electorate too hypnotized by propaganda to see what is being done to them.
La Môme (2007)
If only talent equaled happiness
There so many great things about this movie yet it also leaves so many questions unanswered. It does make you want to do research on Piaf's life and fill in the years that, due to time constraints, had to be given little note.
First off you have to acknowledge the amazing acting performance by Marion Cotillard. There is no way to articulate the brilliance of this total immersion into Piaf.It is simply spectacular work.
The whole question of the gift of talent and it's fragility is one that this movie brings to light. How many times in this sad, painful, insane life was this talent, this voice, almost denied to us all? How many other talents, be they in music, art, science are snuffed out due to happenstance?
I hope Piaf has found the peace in death that she never had on Earth. Her voice is a gift we can enjoy forever and that is a good thing. But, given a choice now, would Piaf trade the legend, the fact she will live forever and her voice will survive until the end of time for a simple life of happiness as an unknown with no singing ability?
A Mighty Heart (2007)
A Might Heart Lacks Heart
A Mighty Heart is an ironic title for a movie that lacks heart. The responsibility lies at the feet of the director. The film is well acted but it lacks any emotion. It is flat and laborious. Too bad because it is an important and interesting subject with compelling characters. What a huge letdown. There was not enough time spent on illuminating exactly WHO Daniel was and WHO Mariane is. We all know the story from following the news at the time but the director makes no effort to get beyond the surface of these people.
You do get some sense of the what Pakistan was/is like and the turmoil and paranoia that pervades that society. Angelina does a very good job but I think the "buzz" was unwarranted. Noble effort, mediocre result.
Inside Man (2006)
New look at Genre succeeds
I found this movie very surprising and interesting. It kept me guessing throughout as to the ending and the motives of all involved. Denzel, as usual, was outstanding. When a movie sends you back to IMDb to check the screenwriter and check the rest of their work then someone did a hell of a job. You could nitpick here and there but ultimately it was a very entertaining movie that was well worth the time and money. Spike Lee is a polarizing figure to some but you have to give him credit for making quite a few movies that were important, riveting, and entertaining. He is very talented as far as getting good work from his actors. I look forward to watching him confound his detractors for many more years.