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January 7, 2008
50 Movies You Might Have Missed (16-20)
16. Brick

When I first heard the buzz about this film coming out of the fests, my first reaction was that it was simply talk. This was probably going to be yet another dim bulb production hyped up beyond it’s worth. This film is worth the hype. Rian Johnson offers one of the most stunning directorial debuts into the mainstream since Bryan Singer released The Usual Suspects. His gritty, intelligent film is a huge risk. Johnson takes the marks of film noir and shoehorns them into a high school setting with a self-aware wink to the audience. The plot is about about a teenage boy who is tries to unravel the mystery of his ex-girlfriend’s murder. The teenage boy Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a classic film noir anti-anti-hero and is adorned with all of the cliché trappings of the form. His dialog is surreal and snappy. His demeanor is aloof and he does well when cornered. Gordon-Levitt provides a well-tempered performance in a film that could have made him look like a fool.

The risk Johnson takes could have fallen on it's face but he pulls it off and the result is a very enjoyable, quick witted feast for film lovers.


17. Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon

 Yes, the characters fly around and gingerly dash across rooftops, but at least you can't see the wires. Ang Lee is a great director and this film is striking not only in its look and feel, but its moving story as well. If you don't mind subtitles this worth seeing today.




18. Requiem for a Heavyweight

A gripping character drama penned by Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone,) tells the story of Mountain Rivera (Anthony Quinn), a haggard aging boxer whose career is over and health is on the decline. Mountain is booted out of professional boxing due to the discovery that his failed health leaves him so fragile that one punch may kill him. Urged on by his manipulating manager Maish (Jackie Gleason), Mountain faces the world with his broken and beaten body and slow mind. Quinn gives Mountain a rawness that captivates and pulls off what could have been a cartoonish performance. With his bulbous face and scrambled elocution, Mountain could have been an annoying guy to watch, but Quinn’s delicate handling makes him sympathetic. Gleason is perfectly cast as the sleazy manager. His belligerent persona mixes well with the script. Gleason’s adept performance conveys a man desperate to squeeze the last drops from his friend but also hates himself for doing it.

I always felt that Serling has always been an under appreciated writer, this film shows him at the top of his game. It may take a little to find a copy of this movie but I guarantee you it is well worth the search.


19. Eve’s Bayou

Normally I'd rather clean the inside of an oven with my tongue than sit through a film with a child actor in the lead role. Jurnee Smolett's performance in this film about a troubled girl who watches her family disintegrate in 1962 Louisiana, should have won her a best actress nod from the Academy. She makes this film a joy to watch. In addition to Smolett's great performance, the rest of the cast from Lynn Whitefield and Samuel L. Jackson to Meagan Good all provide brilliant efforts that mesh together beautifully. Writer/Director Kasi Lemmons (The Caveman's Valentine) has done more acting in the past few years. This is a shame. She is clearly a talented filmmaker and I'd love to see more from her.

I strongly recommend this movie. It is intelligently written, well acted and very satisfying. Please note: those who are sensitive to sexual content and violence may find some scenes upsetting. If you don't mind these issues, knock yourself out - this often overlooked film is worth your time.


20. The Machinist

Director Brad Anderson and screenwriter Scott Kosar tell the story of Trevor Reznik, a machinist who hasn’t slept in a year and fears he is going insane. Reznik, who is near skeletal in appearance, hallucinates a co-worker that isn’t there. As horrible things begin to happen in his life, Reznik worries that he’s making these things happen.

Take a look at the photo above, Bale is about 3 lbs. He is Holocaust victim skinny. It’s hard to even look at him, let alone watch him for an hour and a half. His performance is very strong, perhaps the best of all of his performances to date.





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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 5:00 PM




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