1/29/09

Bob's Big Screen

Genre movies top the list of new DVD releases

by Bob Connally

This issue we'll explore an American western, a Brit gangster movie, and add some California wine to top it off.

Appaloosa

(R, Now available)

Great Britain makes costume dramas. America makes westerns. Once upon a time it was the most popular movie genre in this country, but now it seems we get one a year, maybe two as we did in 2007. Initially, it appeared that "Appaloosa" would have more in common with the overrated "3:10 to Yuma" than the underrated "Assassination of Jesse James." However I enjoyed "Appaloosa" more than I had expected.

"Appaloosa" is the second directorial effort from Ed Harris ("Pollock") and from the start it's clear he has an affinity for old school westerns. Movies where good guys were good and bad guys were very bad. This is the right approach to bring to the story of Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen).

In an opening bit of narration, Hitch explains that these two friends have been keeping the peace together for the last 15 years, going wherever they're needed. The town of Appaloosa needs them desperately and, within minutes of their arrival, it's clear to outlaws everywhere that these two mean business.

The murderous cattle rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) believes he can keep control of Appaloosa and its residents in spite of the presence of Cole and Hitch. A battle of wills begins.

Things are complicated when Cole falls for the new woman in town, Allison French (Renee Zellweger). Hitch has feelings for Allison too, but out of loyalty he pushes them away.

"Appaloosa" is essentially made of three pieces. As a traditional western it works pretty well. The characters, dialogue, scenery, and gunplay work nicely. It's not "Unforgiven" but it's quite good.

As a love story it does not fare as well. I lay the blame squarely on Zellweger for this. She excels at comedy but in dramas she seems to only be able to provide the same bizarre facial expression that has been described as "acting face." She simply doesn't have the range to play this role and "Appaloosa" is weaker for it.

It is as a story of friendship that "Appaloosa" shines. Harris and Mortensen play off of each other splendidly. We absolutely believe that Cole and Hitch have been riding together for 15 years and their loyalty to one another is beyond question. They communicate with nods and glances, and when Cole can't quite figure out the word he is looking for, Hitch is there to provide him with it.

I would never spoil the ending of a movie, but suffice it to say that the final scene of this film is one of the greatest displays of true friendship I have ever witnessed in a movie. This is what sets "Appaloosa" apart. 7.5/10.

In Bruges

(R, Now available)

Sometimes a genre gets stale. The British gangster film had become such a genre. But Martin McDonagh's brilliant black comedy has made the British gangster film cool again. He did it by taking the hit men out of London and sending them to the last place they, or seemingly anyone else, would want to go: Bruges, Belgium.

Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson, "Braveheart") just did a job that went bad and they've been sent by their boss, Harry (Ralph Fiennes), to go wait for the heat to blow over where no one would ever look for them. Ray is bored to tears by Bruges, but Ken seems to be having the time of his life.

"We shall try to strike a balance between culture and fun," Ken tries to assure his young partner. Ray isn't buying it though. "Somehow I believe, Ken, that the balance shall tip in the favor of culture..."

As they try to pass the time they run afoul other tourists, a lousy mugger, and a somewhat racist dwarf. Ray and Ken also discuss some meaningful things, trying to sort out what they believe about life and more to the point, the afterlife. The afterlife, it turns out, may be a more pressing issue than they'd thought when Harry makes his way to town.

McDonagh's screenplay is outstanding. The comedy is wickedly funny and the dramatic moments are every bit as strong. He gets stellar performances from his actors as well. Farrell is better than I've ever seen him before and, after years of bit parts, Gleeson really gets to shine. Fiennes is hilarious as a mob boss who's a raging storm one moment and in the next, a childlike observer of Bruges, a town he views as the most beautiful he's ever seen.

McDonagh's direction is top notch. There's a healthy amount of style but it doesn't become overbearing or distracting. He keeps the focus on the characters, and when the characters are this well developed, why wouldn't he?

"In Bruges" is easily one of the best films of 2008 and one that will grow more popular over time. 10/10.

Bottle Shock

(PG-13, Avail. 2/3)

The men's 4x100 swimming relay this past summer was hardly the first time Americans have taken on the "superior" French. And won. In 1976 British wine critic and Parisian resident Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman) set about to dispel the myth that only France could produce worthwhile wine. He found what he was looking for in Napa Valley, California.

Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) is a Californian with a dream and a firm belief that he can produce the finest wine in the world. It didn't seem believable to most at the time but Jim and his son Bo (Chris Pine, the new Captain Kirk) were out to prove the world wrong.

Directed by Randall Miller, "Bottle Shock" is an enjoyable little film telling the true story of the first time American wine was taken seriously. It's hardly perfection but it has a big heart and some great performances by Rickman, Pullman, Pine, and Freddy Rodriguez, who just keeps turning in terrific work.

It's a good time and no, it's not anything like "Sideways." 7/10.