I viewed two films this past week. One more depressing than the next. It was great!
Sad Bastard Double Feature
First up was "No Country For Old Men." This is a Cohen Brothers picture (Fargo, Big Lebowski). They are known for their quirky take on life. Also almost every one of their movies involves a large sum of money being fought over by several parties with life lost in the process. This movie is no different, except tone wise its more downbeat. I love their films because even the minor roles feel authentic. I won’t give away any of the plot (hate when reviews do that) but here are some main details: Texas, serial killer, a lot of cash.
Tommy Lee Jones is awesome in it. I’m thinking he may get Oscar nod. We’ve all seen him in some shitty pictures before (Man of the House, Volcano), so its not all his doing. Its really the excellent Cohen dialogue that lets him shine.
Second feature is "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead." Sindey Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico) directed this one. Both of those where not happy affairs either. It also involves money and crime with all the complications that arise from those elements. This movie has a hell of an upsetting finish to it. My girlfriend saw it with me and said she felt like someone hit her. Great stuff!
Philip Seymour Hoffman is great as usual. This guy managed to be brilliant in a "Mission Impossible" movie, need I say more. Devil has a structure that is a Pulp Fiction/ Memento hybrid. Things keep spiraling more and more out of control.
Both of these films have great acting, story, structure, directing. However they both also have a heavily pessimistic attitude. This is of course right up my alley, but be forewarned. No happy endings in sight. I will probably buy both pictures. They are art house movies so it may be hard for you Aiken kids to see them. I don’t think the movies at a plex really adds that much to these two. But don’t miss em if you like downbeat character pieces.
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