Why I Watch Movies

I've been lucky enough to see A LOT of great movies lately, each of them worthy of their own lengthy post. Unfortunately, there's just no way I can get thoroughly caught up. So, with the adage of "Something is better than nothing" in mind, I'll give a brief gut reaction to each of them.

1) The Fighter - Excellent, understated film that manages to live up to the hype but not in the way you would expect. Avoids cliches and "triumphant-sports-movie-swell-of-emotions" moments by refraining from indulgent camera-lingering after "important" or "moving" lines have been said. Matter-of-fact in the best sense possible.

2) True Grit - As good as you would expect a movie with this subject matter made by the Coen Brothers to be. Could not be a more perfect marriage of content and director; an exceptionally great cast to boot. At its core, about how Time itself (much like protagonist Mattie Ross) plods matter-of-factly and mercilessly on.

3) Black Swan - Slightly disappointing, simply in that it was not as shocking as is was touted to be. However, this could be due to one of two reasons: 1) because I had read a signigicant number of reviews and spoiler alerts before watching this film, and 2) because I am very familiar with the world of ballet and thus could not be shocked by what otherwise might be "shocking realities" of the ballet world. That said, I was impressed by Natalie Portman's appearance, though not Barbara Hershey's. I also applaud Darron Aronofsky for spotting an excellent opportunity for a setting - the world of ballet (rife with vulnerable girl-women striving impossibly for perfection, domineering Balanchine-esque directors, physical rigor bordering on masochism, and the ever-present mirror, with it's second-guessing, esteem-sucking quality) - and using it as the stage for one woman's descent into obsession and insanity.

4) The Wind That Shakes the Barley - This film broke my heart and ended before it could mend it again; still, I would recommend it to anyone. Like The Lives of Others, this film portrays the daily lives of common people during an era of history largely unfamiliar to most. At the end, I was left really questioning for the first time the causes of war, and if any cause is ever worth it. More specfically, I found myself marveling at the fact that a belief in an abstract idea, government, or political concept could be so strong that you could look another human being in the eye and kill them because of it. This movie contains characters who are both able and unable to do this, and compassionately portrays all of them.

5) The Lives of Others - Astoundingly interesting and moving film that manages to be compelling on multiple levels - first as an in-depth look into the realities of pre-fall Germany, secondly as a testimony to the transformative power of art, and finally as a subtle celebration of our ability to be moved by another person's humanity.