The best in movies...so far
Matthew Howard
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Life!
1. In Bruges: Writer/Director Martin McDonagh came up with the idea for this film while he was traveling through the town of Bruges in Belgium. Half of him loved the culture of Bruges while the other half was "bored to tears" by the architecture. Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell play Ken and Ray, hit men hiding out after a job gone horribly wrong.
Gleeson and Farrell are as entertaining a pair of hit men on screen since Vincent and Jules discussed French cheeseburgers in Pulp Fiction. Ralph Fiennes plays a psychotic crime boss who adds a sinister twist to the film.
But this is Gleeson's career performance as the interesting, sincere and articulate hit man. McDonagh is a renowned playwright known for using excessive violence in his plays. He saves almost all of the violence for the end of the film in the graphic climax. In Bruges provides a unique trip through the town as we meet many different personalities which makes this the most genuine and enjoyable film of the year so far.
2. Reprise: It is rare that a film captures the thought processes of the young and the restless so well but this dazzling Norwegian film nails it. The story centers on two young writers, Philip and Erik, who are looking to get their manuscripts published.
Every scene in Reprise is subject to revisions, flashbacks, flash forwards and voiceover commentary. First time writer and director, Joachim Trier, announces his arrival to the film industry with this refreshingly original movie and brings exuberance to the film that is truly enjoyable to watch. Reprise has a smart and meaningful script that will compel audiences to reflect on themselves at that age.
3. The Dark Knight: Long gone are the Adam West and Tim Burton versions of Batman. Christopher Nolan has created a new, darker version of Batman for a new generation. The Dark Knight was one of the most highly anticipated films of the year and it did not disappoint. A follow-up to the 2005 success Batman Begins, this film is sensational, sinister, foreboding in atmosphere and certainly not for kids under twelve years old.
Gleeson and Farrell are as entertaining a pair of hit men on screen since Vincent and Jules discussed French cheeseburgers in Pulp Fiction. Ralph Fiennes plays a psychotic crime boss who adds a sinister twist to the film.
But this is Gleeson's career performance as the interesting, sincere and articulate hit man. McDonagh is a renowned playwright known for using excessive violence in his plays. He saves almost all of the violence for the end of the film in the graphic climax. In Bruges provides a unique trip through the town as we meet many different personalities which makes this the most genuine and enjoyable film of the year so far.
2. Reprise: It is rare that a film captures the thought processes of the young and the restless so well but this dazzling Norwegian film nails it. The story centers on two young writers, Philip and Erik, who are looking to get their manuscripts published.
Every scene in Reprise is subject to revisions, flashbacks, flash forwards and voiceover commentary. First time writer and director, Joachim Trier, announces his arrival to the film industry with this refreshingly original movie and brings exuberance to the film that is truly enjoyable to watch. Reprise has a smart and meaningful script that will compel audiences to reflect on themselves at that age.
3. The Dark Knight: Long gone are the Adam West and Tim Burton versions of Batman. Christopher Nolan has created a new, darker version of Batman for a new generation. The Dark Knight was one of the most highly anticipated films of the year and it did not disappoint. A follow-up to the 2005 success Batman Begins, this film is sensational, sinister, foreboding in atmosphere and certainly not for kids under twelve years old.