Shauna and I subscribe to a DVD rental company called Zip.ca, which allows you to rent DVDs through the mail. I’ll try to remember to post a blog about the site sometime so you can all check it out. The upshot is that we’ve had a chance to watch a lot of movies that you either can’t find at Blockbuster or you choose not to rent because the New Releases wall is just too tempting to pass up. Here’s a quick summary of some of the flicks we’ve had a chance to watch using Zip.
Joyeux Noel
I’ve wanted to see this movie for some time after seeing the trailer over 2 years ago. We were never able to find it at Blockbuster however. Fortunately Zip.ca carries about 20 times as many titles so it was a piece of cake to get this one delivered right to our door. It tells the true story of German, French and Scottish soldiers who celebrated Christmas together in the trenches during World War I. Told from all three sides and pieced together from letters recovered after the war, Joyeux Noel is both hear-warming and eye-opening. Shauna and I were delighted by this little gem and highly recommend it. Some may find it a little cliché, but the fact that these events really took place will hopefully transform cliché into hope.Charlie Wilson’s War
Another war movie, sort of. Again based on a true story, Charlie Wilson’s War recounts the efforts of Senator Charlie Wilson, womanizer, party animal and casual drug user, as he conspires to make a difference in the Soviet War in Afghanistan. Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman (one of our favourites), this film shows an interesting side of war and politics. The ultimate message is what really intrigued me, however. I won’t spoil it for you but anyone who is familiar with the history of the Soviet/Afghanistan war and how it relates to recent violence in Afghanistan will already have a good idea of what I’m talking about. Although Tom Hanks’ character is a little hard to like at the outset, he changes your mind with his actions. A great example of how our lives can either be defined by how we live or by what we do. Highly recommended.Lars and the Real Girl
This is a quirky little film about a man struggling with loss, love and fitting in. Lars lives in his brother’s garage and has a very difficult time interacting with people. Then one day he knocks on his brother and sister-in-law’s door and announces he has a visitor. They are delighted until they realize his visitor is a lifelike sex-doll name Bianca, ordered from the Internet. Lars intentions are a complete surprise however, as the town folk discover that he’s trying to find a meaningful relationship while reconciling the loss of his mother. This movie is definitely not what you expect as Lars’ friends and family go the extra mile to accept Bianca into their lives while trying to help Lars find what he’s looking for. Shauna and I really enjoyed this look at the human psyche and the unique ways in which Lars finds healing. There Will Be Blood
Nominated for Best Picture this year, There Will Be Blood appears to be about the early days of oil drilling at the turn of the century. There’s a lot more going on here, however. The greed fuelled search for oil is merely a backdrop for a film which is a true character story. Daniel Day Lewis gives an incredible performance in this dramatic and chilling story which, I’m told, is based on true events, or at least on real people. The characters’ motivations are the real heart of this story. The truth is somewhere beneath the surface and the constant struggle for power, money and fame ensure that, in the end, there will be blood. This is one of those “deep” movies that will keep you thinking and contains as many themes as you’re willing to consider. Definitely recommended.American Gangster
Two of my favourite actors, Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington, star in this dramatic story of an African American gangster who takes over the drug trade in New York during the 1970s and the police detective determined to bring him down. Another character film, American Gangster is a little slow but filled with drama and intensity. It’s definitely not the action film that the trailers suggest. It is, however, a good story filled with some great acting. I appreciate films that manage to effectively show the perceived advantages of being a gangster as well as the very real, very grim reality of the consequence of such a life. I’m not sure if I would add this film to my collection or not, which is usually my stamp of approval for any film, but it was certainly worth watching once. If you’re a fan of either Denzel or Russell you probably can’t go wrong with this one.Raging Bull
This is another title that I added to my ‘Ziplist’ as part of a collection of older, classic movies that I’ve never seen. Raging Bull was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 1980 and gave Robert De Niro his first Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. While on the surface this appears to be simply a “boxing movie” (as my wife calls them), the story is much deeper and focuses on the character of Jake La Motta and the struggles he has both in, and out of the ring. I can totally appreciate the impressive performance that De Niro gives in this film, but I’m not convinced that Raging Bull has stood the test of time. Special and visual effects aside, I think if this movie were released today it would get criticized for its writing and somewhat oversimplified story points. Many consider Raging Bull to be one of the most powerful movies, ever, but I have to disagree. Perhaps it was groundbreaking and powerful back in 1980, but this is one of those classics that has lost some of its steam over the years. I’m glad I saw it, but I really don’t see what all the fuss was about.The Grifters
I actually don’t have much to say about The Grifters. It wasn’t at all what I thought it was going to be about. Although the story does involve con-men (and women) this is definitely not a “caper film” like I’m used to. That doesn’t necessarily make it a bad film, but I just wasn’t able to buy into the characters enough to be that concerned with the events that unfold. If anyone wants to help me re-write that last sentence I’m all ears. Overall I found The Grifters a little boring and strange. Maybe my expectations got the best of me. It happens.
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