“The Hurt Locker”. Starts off strong but ends like a limp handshake. The slower arthouse version of “Jarhead”. Not Oscar material in any way. The insight into disillusioned soldiers is overdone. The ending borrows from “Home of the Brave”. Did I say borrows? You could safely say, steals unabashedly.
“Crazy Heart”. Good film. Strong performances by Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal brings a lot of vulnerability and openness to the role. Ending is realistic and non-sappy. Yet, not Oscar material. Not a timeless piece, from where I’m standing.
“Inception”. Rewatched this and stayed awake for the final section that I missed last time. Interesting, strong film. Real star here is really the concept or story rather than the actors. It’s the darker, broodier cousin of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Vanilla Sky”, the one with the morose face and emo haircut. Ending is interesting. Touches of playfulness comes with shots of Marion Coutillard and then Edith Piaff playing in the background. Definitely to own.
“Coco”. The one with Audrey Tatou. Didn’t get to finish this, but very promising. Was interesting to compare and contrast with “Coco and Stravinsky”.
