Saturday, October 13, 2007

QUICK GLANCE

I need to sleep on them both before giving full reviews, but Wes Andersons THE DARJEELING LIMITED was a lot of fun in the typical Wes Anderson way. Nothing mindblowing and certainly not the best film that Anderson has made (I still think THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS is his crowning achievement, with RUSHMORE right on its heels), THE DARJEELING LIMITED is a precious, expertly crafted, spiritual trek through India that was funny and at times, surprisingly touching.

MICHAEL CLAYTON, the directorial debut from fantastic screenwriter Tony Gilroy (the BOURNE franchise, THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, PROOF OF LIFE), was easily one of the best movies of the year. I loved it from the very first shot. George Clooney gave one of the best performances of his career, and the movie, a real 70's throwback with it moral complexities and ambiguities, operated on such an intelligent, realistic level that it became truly riveting to watch. A great supporting cast and cool, elegant cinematography from Robert Elswit (SYRIANA, BOOGIE NIGHTS) also upped the ante.

More on both of these, along with a look at WE OWN THE NIGHT, tomorrow.

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