#19 A Serious Man

The Coen Brothers are back. They seem to have some sort of code where they put out a great movie then follow it with a mediocre to bad one to fill the time until the next great film. This movie about a down-and-out man who just keeps getting stepped on by everyone is great from beginning to end. The film is very funny with clever dialogue that would only get better with multiple viewings. I wouldn't be surprised to see this film garnering a cult status as many of there dark comedies before. Definitely check this one out.

Highly Recommended
A Serious Man

#18 Inglorious Basterds

The movie wasn't quite what I was expecting. Based on the previews I certainly thought it was going to be more violent and be about "The Basterds" going around torturing Nazis. There is very little of "The Basterds" in the film. Most of them in the opening scene are never seen again, much too our disappointment. We were really looking forward to Samm Levine being a tough guy. Also, B.J. Novak (from The Office) is seen early and then forgotten only to reappear later in the film for no real reason with no explanation of why he is in the scene.

Back to the plot, the bulk of the movie centering on Tarantino's favorite theme; Women getting revenge. The movie is a bit long, and the payoff scenes aren't so great that you can look past the extensive build-ups. The best scenes are those involving Christopher Waltz as "The Jew Hunter." He steals every scene, and it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for him to get an Oscar nod this January.

As far as Tarantino I'd say that this is one of his weakest films, with the only worse one being "Death Proof." It would really do him well to get back to concentrating on clever stories than making homages to whatever genre he is really into at the moment.

Somewhat Recommended
Inglorious Basterds



Recommended

#17 The Informant

In Matt Damon's best ever spy film, we find him going undercover in the world of spice manufacturing to stop the global threat of food price fixing. Ok maybe that's not quite the story but its very close in this fun movie based on the crazy life of Mark Whitacre. If you want a very good background in the story listen to the radio broadcast that inspired the movie 8 years ago. It can be found at This American Life

i really enjoyed the film and really only saw one problem. I don't quite understand Steven Soderbergh's use of '70s inspired music and transitions fr a film that takes place in the 1990s. Otherwise the film is great.

Highly recommended
The Informant