The Artist (2011)

The Artist (2011) – I’ve been bemoaning the lack of new silent films for a while now, and it looks like they heard me in France. I think more than anything, The Artist proves that techniques never become obsolete as long as someone can come along to use them in a profound way. That’s why … Continue reading

The King’s Speech (2010)

The King’s Speech(2010) — Who would have guessed that elocution lessons could make for a movie this good?  Apparently King George VI of England (who only ascended to the throne because his brother abdicated) had a very pronounced stammer.  Being King in the age of radio (the 1930s), one needed to make speeches (especially when … Continue reading

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) — This is actually my least favorite of the three films and it incidentally went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director (and several others).  But despite my problems with it (which are few) it still remains, as with … Continue reading

The Hurt Locker (2009)

The Hurt Locker (2009) — Brilliantly acted all around and tense as all hell.  Not what I necessarily would have expected from Kathryn Bigelow, the director of Near Dark and Point Break, but then again I guess you really never should pigeonhole a director.  Jeremy Renner portrays a man who thinks he’s invincible.  Anthony Mackie … Continue reading