No Country for Old Men

Viewed: 02.28.08
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane/Torrent
Overall Review: 4 out of 5

Plot:
Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.

Memorable Quote:
"What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?"

My Thoughts:
First of all, I want to welcome everyone back to CineJax. I am also going to introduce you to my latest way of watching movies - torrents. I find it much nicer to watch movies on flights on my 14" laptop than on the tiny plane screens.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about this incredible film. Nominated for 8 academy awards and won a total of 4 including best director, best screenplay and best supporting actor. That last one I don't completely understand, because it seems that Javier Bardem's character was what the movie was about and he was the lead role. I guess I don't know my movies enough. The academy can wait.

The movie is truly terrific. It keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout and you just don't know who's going to die next and how. It is kind of gory and brutal, but done in a very good way. The writing is very good as is the acting by all the characters. I especially enjoy films with Tommy Lee Jones. Something about his voice, I think. Woody Harrelson has a great part as well. Josh Brolin plays a great role, but OMG - I think he either has the biggest head of any human alive or the smallest body attached to a gigantic head.

The true brilliance is Javier, though. First of all, you have to admire someone who was willing to live with that haircut for the duration of filming. I've seen people refer to it as the Snoopy Ears cut and someone even suggested that for his next role they need to give him an even worse do, just to mess with him. I would not mess with the guy after seeing this movie though. You just knew it was all going to go horribly wrong after he strangles the cop at the beginning of the movie.

So just to summarize, Best Motion Picture of the Year.

Blood Diamond

Viewed: 06.07.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 4 out of 5

Plot:
Solomon Vandy (Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou), a farmer, is taken from his family and forced to work in the mines of Sierra Leone. After discovering a huge raw diamond, he teams with a mercenary (Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio) to smuggle the diamond out of the mine.

Memorable Quote:
"Sometimes I wonder... will God ever forgive us for what we've done to each other? Then I look around and I realize... God left this place a long time ago."

My Thoughts:
I am not usually a big Leo fan, but I have to say this movie was very good and not just because Leo did a terrific job (and nailed the accent) but because the entire cast was great. This movie shines a spotlight on one kind of horror (amongst the many others) that occur in Africa on daily basis. It is astonishing to me that the so-called "advanced" parts of the world are so materialistic that they almost always forget what happens just because someone wants to spend 3 months' pay on an engagement ring. The pain and suffering that go into the diamond trade are inexcusable and I think this movie will make more people think before they blindly pay the outrageous prices that jewelers demand.

This movie reminded me a little of 'The Killing Fields' (with a touch of 'Romancing the Stone' but without the romance). Especially the scenes with the children being brainwashed. These are the same tactics that were used by the Khmer Rouge and they are completely despicable. I had moments during the movie that I felt like punching the screen, but was afraid I would either break it or wake the person sitting in the seat in front of me.

So overall, I say this is a must-see and must-tell. The injustice in Africa has to be known and the word spread. Only by educating the masses will there be any hope to change the current situation.

Children Of Men

Viewed: 1.06.07
Theater or DVD: Theater
Overall Review: 4 out of 5

Plot:
The year is 2027 and the world is in dissaray due to the unexplained inability of women to reproduce for the last 18 years. With each dying person, the world grows closer to extinction. Chaos ensues.

Memorable Quote: "As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices."

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this movie. It is not for everyone, but really pulled me in and had its way with me. I will admit, it is a slow paced movie that takes time to build up, but the last 30 minutes blew me away. The directing and vision were stellar throughout. I came into this movie expecting a low budget, artsy flick, but was really shown the goods. Clive Owen and Michael Caine did a great job in their respective roles.

Like I said, this one is definitely not for everyone, and probably isn't "date night" material, but it worked for both ChickJax and I. It took some time for me to really understand everything that was going on, but along the way I managed to fill in the blanks. Still, I think seeing this one again will probably do me some good. We will definitely be renting this one. If you do the same, get the kids to bed before you fire it up cause their are some pretty graphic battle scenes at the end.