Defiance

"Defiance" is a good film. Unlike last years horrible "Atonement", this film is about real people and their struggles durring a real moment in history, instead of using history as a backdrop for a shallow soap opera. Edward Zwick has directed a film that follows the lives of four brothers as they attempt to survive, help others and fight back during the Nazi extermination of the Jews. Zwick can make great, powerful films, as he did with "Glory". He can also get so close, then dissapoint, as he did in "The Last Samurai". Here he never achives the greatness of the first half of "Samurai", but then since he never gets so good, it never seems to get so bad either. Zwick is consistent here, following the brothers in thier victories and failures. I liked that he portrayed each characters strenghts and weaknesses, not merely as plot gimmicks, but as real people. Sometimes a quick temper will save lives, other times it could be your (or your friend's) downfall. In retrospect there is quite a bit in this film to appreciate, yet it never achieved the power of a "Schindler's List". I realize that's a pretty tall order, so I'll give this film credit where it's due, and finish by saying it was a good film, good acting, direction, cinemotagraphy, accurate weapons etc. But, Zwick has more to him than this and I'm looking forward to his next truly great film.

Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood has snuck up on me and become one of my favorite directors. His films are consistently good, have more depth than the average Hollywood fare and each one is unique. Just look at his last five films; "Gran Torino", "Changeling", "Letters from Iwo Jima", "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Million Dollar Baby". Even "Iwo Jima" and "Flags" which took place in the same place and time were two completely different films. I didn't really like "Flags" or "Million Dollar Baby", but they had thier strengths. By the way, "Million Dollar Baby" was a good film, I just didn't like it.

Now Eastwood has taken an character he's portrayed before, and taken a good hard look inside. He's an old unhappy man who growls when he's not making racial slurs, and drinking beer when he's not growling. He speaks his mind and looses his temper. He is controlled and violent. There's nothing lovable on his exterior, but if you give him a chance, or if he gives you a chance, there is a heart beating inside his chest. Eastwood plays this Bogart style character perfectly, and his performance and dialogue is right on. Unfortunately I found some of the supporting actors and the lines they spoke to be sub-par. It's amazing how quickly the illusion of reality can be broken with some bad acting. All in all though, I thought the film was another great achievement for Eastwood. I especially enjoyed the moments when Eastwood's character is trying to teach a kid how men talk and interact with each other. Moments like that transcend a perfomance and become real.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This film had the potential to be a great fable. The possibilities that someone might have if born really old, aging backwards, becoming younger and stronger, that story is boundless. "Benjamin Button" takes a much simpler approach. Basically what we learn is that whether you're born young or born old, you really should live life one day at a time, being happy with what you've been given, and appreciating life to the fullest. Benjamin Button starts life old, living with old people. The ones he comes to know, be friends with and love all die off, while he grows younger and healthier. Then, as he comes into the prime of his life, he meets the girl he wants to love in the middle of her life. Of course, he continues to youthify while she gets old and wrinkly, bring to a quick halt their life together. Benjamin doesn't get many breaks, and when he does they seem short lived. It sucks getting younger. I almost think that David Fincher (the director) is just messing with our heads (Surprise, surprise). It's almost like he's saying that it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from or what you do; life is pointless fo all. Everyone wants what they can't have, and when they get it, it's not so great. Well, whatever Fincher's message, the special effects were amazing. I want tos see the making-of for this film, and it better include specifics on when computer effects and makeup were used. Especially impressive are effects where Brad Pitt is super young again (like 17 or so). We saw him early in his career not much different from this, and thanks to gifted artists, we see him young again.