Movie Recs
I watched a couple of movies this weekend (In Bruges and The Princess and the Warrior, both pretty awesome by the way) that ended up being kind of similar thematically speaking. I’m sure Netflix will create a “Movies About Misunderstood, Suicidal Criminals and the People Who Love Them” category for me now.
Speaking of Netflix, do you ever feel like they’re passive aggressively judging your viewing habits. For instance, they recently claimed that my taste preferences had created a “Critically-Acclaimed Foreign Documentaries categories” when I have no recollection of ever asking them for any documentaries, let alone critically-acclaimed foreign documentaries. If Netflix were a person I have feeling we would be having the following conversation:
Netflix: “Excuse me, Ma’am, but would you like to take a break from your Canadian sitcoms and crappy Sci-Fi movies to try this documentary about the trials of prostitutes in India?”
Me: “That sounds kind of sad. Could you just send me National Treasure 2? I want to see that cute, little guy with the glasses again.”
Netflix: “Sad yes, but also educational and enlightening. Are you sure you won’t give it a try?”
Me: “Are there any cute animals? Oh, or dudes playing video games?”
Netflix: “No…there are prostitutes. In India. Struggling to maintain their dignity and provide food for their families.”
Me: “Huh.” *stares blankly at Netflix* “Is there a spelling bee? I like spelling bees.”
Netflix: “No there’s not…Oh, just forget it, here take your National Treasure sequel. Enjoy your cute guy with glasses it’s not like there are any movies with important social value being made or anything. By all means, just go enjoy your mass-market, cookie cutter blockbuster. See if I care.”
Me: “Thanks, Netflix! You’re the best! Hey, could you go ahead and queue up that new Bradley Cooper movie. He’s got such lovely eyes…”
*Netflix quietly begins to weep.*
On to the movie recs:
This movie should just be subtitled, “The Movie That Will Finally Convince You That Colin Farrell Can Act.”
It’s about two hit men cooling their heals in Bruges while waiting for orders about their next hit. They sight see, hang out with Peter Dinklage, and have a little existential crisis in the process. Ralph Fiennes co-stars as the big bad, who’s kind of noble in a completely psychotic way.
The movie has an amazing story structure. When it all came together in the end, I just sat there in awe for a moment at the sheer beauty of the payoff. This is how you do it Hollywood, take note. The atmosphere of the movie is strange and dreamlike. It’s dark, bloody, and the acting is solid from all parties, but I was particularly impressed with Farrell. I didn’t know he had it in him. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.
This stars the girl from Run, Lola Run and this guy-go look I’ll wait. And it’s directed by Tom Tykwer. Why yes, it was kind of awesome. I might be a little biased because I absolutely love Tykwer’s directing style. That man does things with cameras and color that just makes me drool. His movies are always gorgeous and visually interesting even when the plot is…well not (I’m looking at you The International).
Luckily this movie did not have that problem. It’s a bit like a fairytale, a twisted, melancholy modern fairy tale. It also has the most bizarrely romantic, yet disgusting, emergency tracheotomy scene I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. It’s a movie about survivor’s guilt and loneliness and loss. It’s about a boy and girl who are deeply broken. It’s about how they put each other back together again. My favorite thing about the movie? You think he’s the warrior and she’s the princess in need of rescuing, which would be fitting in with the fairy tale motif, but by the end of the movie the complete opposite is true.
It’s a gorgeous, surprising movie. Seriously, check it out I was pleasantly surprised.