Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated: R for strong graphic violence and some language
(This review contains minor spoilers. Discretion is advised.)
The Coen brothers always seem to be wrestling with how we should be living in a world filled with such evil and depravity. Their masterpiece No Country for Old Men is their strongest opinion yet. The movie follows Llewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin) who stumbles across a million dollars in drug money. The original owners hire Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) to track down Moss and get the money back, even though Chigurh is currently being hunted by Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), an old Texan who is realizing how depraved the world around him is becoming. It becomes a relentless, slow-paced, cat-and-mouse chase that is as frightening as it is thrilling; trust me, it will get your heart racing. Javier Bardem’s chilling performance as the cold-blooded killer earned him an Oscar, which was deserved, as were the other awards for No Country’s screenplay and direction. (And the cinematography could have used a nod, as well.)
Yet, for as good as the movie is, many miss the themes because of the unconventional storytelling. Don’t be fooled: the Coen’s conclusion is what makes the film great. According to them, the world we live in is a difficult, depraved place: both good and evil must suffer in it. (That why neither win or walk away unharmed in the ending.) Where does the Coen's nihilism find it's hope for humanity? In that people have gone through life before us. Not satisfied? Sorry. While this certainly doesn’t bring warm feelings to their audience, at least they have thought through their world, and are being honest. Fortunately, for us, they’re wrong.
Starring: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy
Rated:R for language and some aberrant sexual content
It’s terrifying how far our search for meaning can take us from the truth. It is even more terrifying how our friendships can become a means of obsession and manipulation. This haunting, unrelenting tale of how Barbara (Judi Dench), a lonely teacher, befriends a woman, Sheba (Cate Blanchett), a seemingly happily married woman who harbors a troubling secret. As their relationship grows, it becomes aware that Barbara has no interest in helping Sheba through her sin but, instead, will use it to get what she wants. While the film is spectacular, especially the performances of Dame Judi Dench and Ms. Cate Blanchett, it’s not for everyone; the film has some rather harsh content, and is even more so heavy. Yet, in the end, it made me realize how easy relationships become manipulation in the name of responsibility; do I use my friendships to get something out of them for me, or do I practice a self-sacrificing love in them? A good question to ask, even if it takes a difficult example to get through.
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