Jarhead appresh
Saw this flick on Saturday afternoon, and was very happy with it. Jake Gyllenhal is amazing, as always, and frequently disrobed, in various forms, throughout the movie. Jamie Fox was great. The graverobber from Garden State was tremendous. This is now my favorite Gulf War film. Easily topped Three Kings, which is also a fave flick.
Easily the best desert cinematography I can remember, and it'll get Oscar nominations for editing, sound and sound editing.
Politically neutral to Iraq in '90/'91. Good acting: Jamie Foxx continues to impress with character range; Gyllenhaal is primping for a Tom Hanks 'everyman' career; Sarsgaard will no doubt be a perenial "Best supporting actor" contender; and a break out performance by some kid named Brian Geraghty as "Fergus".
Tons of misogyny and gay bashing, but it is about Marines with nods to 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Full Metal Jacket' (they're not inventing the wheel here). But it has great sound work and enough originality sprinkled with mild violence (the main character never fires his gun in combat) to be fully entertaining. A contender in 2005, not as good as 'Crash', but a solid (B+).
'Three Kings'
I am looking forward to seeing Jarhead.
Anyone here read the book? Is that any good?
_______________________________
What movie have I liked better this year? 'Sin City'? 'Batman Begins'?
Anything even remotely in the 'drama' genre? Will I like 'Brokenback Mountain'?
bottom line:
liked the gritty streetscapes reminiscent of Sheridan's other film 'In the Name of the Father' in the Irish ghetto that Daniel Day Lewis was in.
-liked <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0005024/">Terence Howard's</a> costarring turn. Howard is a powerhouse here, as he was in 'Ray' and 'Hustle and Flow'
-liked the 80's footage of .50 cent and his mother.
-didn't like .50's "grinning" mannerism (I think the Glob said the same thing): .50 has a goofy grin on his face learning he's going to be a father, threatening other baddies, while rapping, etc. etc.
Definitely had that rocky (1) or 8 Mile type of feel to it.
I'd reccomend it if you liked any of the abovbe films or if you like Jim Sheridan / Terence Howard...
_______________________________
and a cop in 'Four Brothers'
_______________________________
<a href="http://www.rideside.net:8080/drupal/node/2184">I loved 'History of Violence'</a>.
I've seen 'Jarhead' once, and 'History of Violence' once, and I want to see 'History of Violence' again acres more. It's so good... just for the whole Gansta-cum-Rocky story to it. Not that the film has some crazy mysterious plot twist, but seriously, did you see that coming?!? William Hurt? What the fuck?! He is introduced 75 minutes (yep, seven-five minutes) into the thing, and I almost feel a superhero style rivalry being created; Miramax could make two more features with it. But then Viggo just ends it.
Perfect. Blah, blah, blah... 'Taxi Driver'.
Dude, it was based on a comic. That's why you felt that way.
You guys gettin ready for the onslaught of obnoxious 'best of 2005' lists?
I know I am :)