Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Length: 153 minutes
Rated R for strong graphic violence, language, and brief sexuality




Let me be the first to say, I love Quentin Tarantino. Hailing from my home state of Tennessee, Tarantino has directed some of my favorite movies of all time, and more often than not delivers a film worth mentioning with the greats. Having kept this particular production on the back burner long enough, Tarantino has finally delivered his epic WWII/"band of brothers" film from the perspective much different than most WWII movies. While I may be biased in my love for Mr. Tarantino, he truly has developed an original, funny, frightening, and unbelievable film that truly will be considered one of the greats of 2009.

Set in Nazi-occupied France, Brad Pitt (The Tree of Life, The Lost City of Z) as Lt. Aldo Raine (hailing from Tennessee I might add) is the leader of the bastards, a band of Jewish-American soldiers sent to strike fear into the hearts of the Nazis...and collect some scalps along the way. There are various other side stories that intertwine, weaving a layered saga that culminates in the ending we all wish would happen at the end of a WWII movie...Hitler being brutally killed along with the rest of the Nazis. Is there a hint of farce to this movie? Yes, but that's what makes this film so unique; Tarantino has succeed in delivering his own interesting twist to the traditional mold. Instead of lamenting the horrors of the Holocaust, he has produced a Jew revenge film...and revenge the Jews do obtain! You'll cheer on the bastards as the "Bear Jew" and "Aldo the Apache" destroy the Nazis without mercy.

What really makes Inglorious Basterds go are the amazing characters and performances. Tarantino has often been successful at getting amazing performances out of his actors, but in this particular case, they are some of the best. To begin with, Pitt, the face of the movie, delivers a great performance as Aldo Raine. The thick southern accent delivered from a protruding under bite under a face constantly scowling will have you rolling with laughter at almost every line. However, the true star of the film has to be Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa. Waltz, a German actor, delivers a performance wrought with layers and complexities: a sardonic, sadistic, calculating, evil, and charming character that truly deserves to be nominated for an Oscar. Col. Landa is the type of evil villain immortalized for striking fear into the hearts of his prey. Whether it be the subtle way he attempts to dig the truth out of someone through his almost playful questioning, the multiple languages he speaks in the film (German, English, French, and Italian as far as I remember!), or the ferocity of his hatred for Jewish sympathizers, Landa is the type of evil you remember for years to come. Waltz truly has delivered the performance of a lifetime and deserves the recognition for his brilliance.

The movie is a little violent and gruesome at times, but it doesn't even come close to reaching the same level as some of Tarantino's previous films. Yes, there is a lot of dialogue, but most of it doesn't feel unnecessary. Any scene with Landa, however long they may be, establishes the way he toys with his victim like a cat with a mouse. On multiple occasions, the dialogue may be long but succeeds in creating the tension and anxiousness that has you on the edge of your seat in anticipation.

My biggest complaint with the film is the lack of scenes involving the bastards themselves. Though each scene involving the crew of misfits is great, I would have liked to learn more about each member (or at least the main ones) or seen more scenes involving their exploits. Instead, the namesake only provide a supporting role to the film. Though Tarantino traditionally doesn't focus on one sole actor or actress (exception being Kill Bill), it would have made the characters more memorable and endearing for the audience.

Those worried that Tarantino would deliver another film heavy on the "excessive talking for the sake of talking" (a la Death Proof), rest assured that Inglorious Basterds is a perfect blend of dialogue and action. Without a doubt, this is one of the best films of 2009 and will deserve to be nominated for multiple Oscars come time. I hope you will support one of the immortal masters continuing to produce instant classics and go see Inglorious Basterds!

Final Rating: 4 out 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Lt. Aldo Raine: "I need to know about Germans hiding in trees. And you need to tell me right now."
Sgt. Werner Rachtman: "I respectfully refuse, sir."
Lt. Aldo Raine: "Actually, Werner, we're tickled to hear you say that. Quite frankly, watching Donny beat Nazi's to death is the closest we ever get to going to the movies."
[shouts offscreen]
Lt. Aldo Raine: "Donny!"
Sgt. Donny Donowitz: [from offscreen] "Yeah?"
Lt. Aldo Raine: "Got us a German here who wants to die for country. Oblige him."

Oscar Winners:
Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz

Oscar Nominations:
Best Motion Picture
Best Achievement in Directing - Quentin Tarantino
Best Original Screenplay
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Best Achievement in Sound Editing

District 9

District 9 (2009)
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Length 112 minutes
Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive lanugage




People are often inclined to complain about the state of movies today, specifically concerning the lack of originality and quality. Thankfully, what started as the film adaptation of the popular video game Halo quickly turned into one of the most original and best movies to come out in a long time. Making his directorial debut, Neill Blomkamp has delivered a powerful movie that has you leaving the theater not only commenting on the special effects and gore but also on the immense social commentary found throughout the film. Bolstered by these powerful themes, District 9 is the rare combo of action and drama that truly succeeds in making a meaningful impact.

The plot of District 9 is easy enough to understand and is established in a documentary style. Roughly twenty years ago, an alien mothership broke down over the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, a region with a rich history of segregation, hatred, and misunderstanding. Instead of attempting to establish a meaningful first contact with the aliens, known by the humans as "Prawns" for their shrimp-like appearance, they are soon gathered in ghettos guarded by a corporation attempting to utilize the alien technology to develop new weapons. The protagonist of the story Wikus Van De Merwe, played by Blomkamp's real life friend and new comer Sharlto Copley, works for the corporation as a director of alien affairs (essentially). While serving eviction notices, Wikus is exposed to an alien substance that begins to cause him to transform into one of the Prawns.

The real star and driving force of District 9 is Wikus. Mirroring the transformation process of Jeff Golblum in David Croneburg's adaption of The Fly (an obvious influnce on Blomkamp), the emotional and physical pain Wikus experiences is felt by the audience. I know I personally found myself on the verge of tears numerous times as Wikus struggled with losing his wife. Particularly powerful are the scenese involving the experiementation on Wikus. In the clearest definition of the term, Wikus is a tragic hero, not only physically transforming but also mentally and emotionally transforming from the true monstrosity of a human into the misunderstood Prawn.

Beyond simply being gory, District 9 is a haunting movie that forces you to question your irrational fears of the unknown. Living in unfit conditions, the concentration camps housing the Prawn are dirty, dangerous, and disturbing. It is known by urban developers that a poor environment can lead to bad behavior in the form of gangs, crime, and prostitution, all of which are found in the ghettos of district nine. It's amazing to witness the level of detail in terms of social commentary Blomkamp fit into this movie, not only concerning segregation but also on poverty and society as a whole.

Perhaps the most prevalent theme throughout the film is the control corporations wield in today's society. The corporation that Wikus works for, MNU, attempts to garner new technologies from the aliens, specifially weapons. The problem with the alien's technology is that it only works when used by someone possessing alien DNA. I'm sure you can realize based on my plot summary the interest MNU has in Wikus and his new found transformation. Truly, the scenes involving Wikus being forced to fire the alien weapons will leave your jaw dropped and on the verge of tears.

What is being helmed as a great summer action movie succeeds in delivering on many more levels than initially anticipated. For a first film, Blomkamp has hit a home run. Not only will the thrill seekers be satisfied with the blood and explosions, the most ferocious filmgoers will all find something in District 9. It truly is disturbing to watch the depths the human race will sink to. In a time still plagued by hatred and war, we need more films like Blomkamp's masterpiece that force us to ponder the bigger issues as well as those we may not be comfortable facing.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote: I couldn't really remember one particularly quote, but there are numerous scenes that will stick out and leave a lasting impression on you.

Oscar Nominations:
Best Motion Picture
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Brüno

Brüno (2009)

Directed by Larry Charles

Length:81 minutes

Rated R for pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity, and language

Vas up? It's time for everybody's favorite gay, Austrian fashionista known simply as

Brüno. I will preface this review with a strong warning: this is not a film for everybody! This is a movie that strives to push the boundaries of what is acceptable and forces you to watch, sometimes in horror, as Brüno convinces a mother to dress her child in Nazi attire as another baby is crucified, tells a Southern Baptist minister he has DSLs, or feigns blowing the ghost of his dead lover Milli from Milli Vanilli. Is it funny? Hysterical! But its humor will definitely be lost on a lot of people. That being said, if you can overcome any potential scruples you may have, you will enjoy seeing a very funny movie.

In the second film featuring a character from the popular HBO series Da Ali G Show, Sacha Baron Cohen (Sweeney Todd, Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa) has once again attempted to push the boundaries in another "mocumentary" style film. Riding high after the success of his previous film Borat, Cohen strives to recreate the controversy and insanity that made him a huge success. Though Borat succeeded in creating controversy, it cannot begin to near the level of absurdity found in Brüno. How this movie avoided earning a NC-17 rating I'll never know, but Cohen certainly succeeds in "one-upping" his previous film in almost every category...almost.

Let's establish right now, Brüno is a very funny movie. Falling from grace after a disastrous snafu at a fashion show, our favorite fashionista leaves for America to achieve stardom, no matter what. Needless to say, an overly flamboyant European isn't exactly what American audiences are looking forward. The situations Brüno finds himself in definitely exceed the border lines of taboo and acceptable. But does Cohen succeed in making a believable, funny yet introspective film like Borat? Admittedly, the film feels a bit more staged than Cohen's previous endeavor. Though typically very funny, it's harder to believe the spontaneity or realism. A perfect example is a hunting expedition with three Southerns that Brüno believes will make him man up; though highly funny, you definitely feel like Cohen had to force more situations this go around.

I believe the reason for this lies with the character. Borat is a much more likable kind of guy. Is this simply because Brüno is gay? Certainly many people are initially put off by this character for that simple reason. What makes Brüno funny is also what makes him a less accessible character. While Borat was simply a guy from Kazakhstan trying to make "romantic explosion" on Pamela Anderson's stomach, Brüno addresses the largest prejudice in the world today. Granted a gay man attempting to make a sex tape with Ron Paul would probably make many people uncomfortable, you should be willing to give Brüno a chance.

My biggest complaint with Brüno lies with the story. As stated, though highly funny, the plot largely is a rehash of Borat...as in the exact same story sans love interest. Brüno comes to America looking for love (in this case fame leads to love) and winds up falling for the most unexpected of characters. Though this is a bit disheartening, it's not enough to take away from some truly brilliant moments. I realize not everyone will enjoy the humor found here, but really this is a very funny movie. If you can find it within yourself, you should definitely gives Brüno a chance...after all, don't we all have a little gay fashionista within us all?

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:

Reviewer response to Brüno's new show: "It's worse than cancer!"

(500) Days of Summer

(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Directed by Marc Webb
Length: 95 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sexual material and language




Movies are an amazing thing: they can allow us to connect with a piece of art in such a short time period, at a very intense level. While many have certain songs that remind them of moments in their lives, movies allow someone to empathize with the images and sounds that result in an immediate emotional response that can have lasting implications. This intense connection can be felt immediately or even sometimes afterwords, and is often hard to truly vocalize. (500) Days of Summer takes what many would consider another romantic comedy and creates a redefining film that breaks the surface level in order to provide an in depth look at the new generation of lovers. My generation, the sons and daughters of hippies, yuppies, feminists, and Vietnam vets: we are the broken generation, born of divorce and resistance to the standards predefined throughout the American culture.

(500) Days of Summer pairs two of the most talented young actors in the film today. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) plays Tom, a greeting card writer, and Summer, the titular object of Tom's affection, is played by the "queen of indie damaged chicks" Zooey Deschanel (Your Highness, Yes Man). In an interesting twist, (500) Days of Summer becomes the Memento of the romantic comedy drama as the film unfolds in a sporadic jump throughout the five hundred days of the relationship between Tom and Summer, showing the first kiss, to the first time they ever make love, all the way to the heartbreaking end of their relationship. That's right kids, know going in, this isn't your typical romantic comedy; the guy doesn't get the girl. Instead, the greatness of this film is not the relationship but the commentary on today's love.

Today's love? What does that even mean?!?! Well consider the state of marriage and relationships today: almost 50% of marriages end in divorce; most children grow up in a "broken home" with one predominant parent; women have striven for more independence and control leading to a more powerful role in relationships; and men have become a more docile partner seeking companionship more than many women do. Admit it, guys, how many times have you heard, "I want to keep this casual. Let's just be friends," only to have her then act like she is dating you. (500) Days of Summer captures this shift in society to perfection, showcasing the independence of the modern female in relationships while allowing the often hormonal male to show his more emotional side. While very beautiful and tragic, Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel's chemistry is hard to deny. I found myself laughing along with the audience at the pure joy and hilarity the couple enjoys, while clinching my teeth in horror at the way Summer plays Tom's emotions.

Though focusing more on the Generation X couple, the film also showcases the modern Millennials/Generation Y'ers. As the voice of reason, Tom's pre-pubescent teenage sister represents the speed at which children begin to understand and develop adult connections and thought processes. With access to the internet, the young children are more knowledgeable and experienced than any other generation.

This film will revolutionize the romantic comedy, redefining the tried-and-true formula by injecting more realism and modernity into a tired, stale, and predictable genre. Beyond the deeper analysis, Webb has succeeded in creating a movie enjoyable on all levels. Surface dwellers will enjoy a funny, intelligent, beautiful, and tragic film that never goes over the top but allows the audience to build an intense connection, all while allowing the harshest of movie critics to dig into the layers that compose this modern masterpiece. Woody Allen's 1977 classic Annie Hall is often thought of as one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time, despite its quirky, unorthodox delivery. You can now safely add (500) Days of Summer to the list of instant masterpieces that should be viewed, enjoyed, and discussed for generations to come.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Favorite Quote:
Paul: "Have you slept together? Hanjob, blowjob, any job?"
Tom: "I'm still unemployed."