I saw the first really great film about our involvement in Iraq last night called The Hurt Locker. It was real, authentic and gritty. It made no political statements but at its heart showed the insanity of this conflict for us.
I was really moved. The camera work was fantastic. And the acting was spectacular. The story is one you have never seen before. Go see this film.
A graduate film student colleague raving as well. “Point Break,” and, “K 19: The Widowmaker,” also headed by, “Hurt Locker,” director Kathrine Bigelow; making waves as female director in big-budget action feature genre.
I am also a big fan of “Three Kings,” for griping Americans-at-war-in-the-Middle-East narrative, and Mark Wahlbergh’s stellar, break-out performance as young father and soldier separated from family, overseas, at war.
The exchange between Wahlbergh’s character as captive and his captor; an Iraqi peer (played by actor Said Taghmaoui; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846548/) is one of my favorites scenes in all cinema.
Can see a slightly younger Said as lead in another favorite; the film “La Haine.” French; subtitles; B&W. Two co-stars equally compelling and fantastic; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113247/
Reading front page of WP yesterday AM; taken aback at phrase, “…also by a bomb, making July the deadliest month for U.S. forces since the war in Afghanistan began nearly eight years ago.” … really?
Fitting to follow with this music video; “Peace,” from Depeche Mode of which I am in awe (DM playing Nissan Tue.) I’ll post vid. for, “Wrong,” also. Equally profound; completely different.
Break a Leg, Jeff
“Peace”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMkaSi6JTQ
“Wrong”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bsXOcK9_Cw
I have not seen the film yet, but every time I think of the men (I presume they are all men) that VOLUNTEER to be bomb disposal experts, it makes me cringe that we even need to ask for people to take on such a job. How their loved ones can function knowing that’s what they are doing for their work in Iraq must be nerve wracking on an unimaginable scale. I look forward to August 2010.
I’ve heard really great things about this film; that it’s very intense. Definitely on my ‘must see’ list of films..