three movies that smockdaddy and i have seen recently involve -- to one degree or another -- deep moral questioning and the human struggle for redemption. have the "powers that be" in film finally discovered that morality is sexy?
3:10 to Yuma. In Arizona in the late 1800's, infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) and his vicious gang of thieves and murderers have plagued the Southern Railroad. When Wade is captured, Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Christian Bale), struggling to survive on his drought-plagued ranch, volunteers to deliver him alive to the "3:10 to Yuma", a train that will take the killer to trial. On the trail, Evans and Wade, each from very different worlds, begin to earn each other's respect. But with Wade's outfit on their trail – and dangers at every turn – the mission soon becomes a violent, impossible journey toward each man's destiny. smock says: christian bale is one of my "top 10 faves" and he totally rocks this role and makes your heart hurt (well, iffin you're a girl) for his struggle to prove himself to his son and to provide for his family. even whats-his-face (that would be crowe) turns out to be believable in a "sketti westrun" sort of way. it's a shame it didn't last longer on the big screen cuz it's definately worth full price admission. rent it asap. it's a man's man movie that even the ladies can enjoy.
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house “fixer” at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack). Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life. smock says: this movie is the quintessential "thinking man's" film. everyone who kvetched about this flick is (what's the word?) ignorant
'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad Pitt) plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money – and the glory – riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most. smock says: a very long but beautiful documentary. very long.
