Sunday, July 26, 2009

WAR IS A DRUG

Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker sits alongside Black Hawk Down as one the best modern war films in recent memory. The pure tension that you feel as a viewer while watching this tour de force -- and make no mistake, this film is a tour de force -- is remarkable. Bigelow's kinetic direction, combined with extremely sharp editing, a nervous, jittery shooting style, and dense sound design, all make for a visceral piece of grab-you-by-the-throat filmmaking. I'll have a full review soon, but it's the best action picture of the year, and one of the best movies of the year in general. Bigelow is back. Big time. It's up there with Strange Days as the best piece of work in her career. I hope she makes another film very, very soon.

2 comments:

Joel said...

Will definitely rent this one, because the freaking thing ain't playing near me. I wanna see this. BAD. You have no idea. The trailers, the reviews, the cast, the look of the thing--all are pointing to a possible Oscar contender. Maybe the top one of the year, if lucky. Looks amazing and your take makes me even more anticipated, if possible.

Actionman said...

Make the drive to see this film if it isn't playing near you. Make a day trip out of it. I did. It was very much worth it. I can't stop thinking about it.