Weekly Alternatives: 'Black Hawk Down' and 'Certified Copy'
Don't like the major theatrical offerings, try these instead
| Black Hawk Down |
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| I remember reading as far back as summer 2009 that Battle: Los Angeles was more closely modeled after Black Hawk Down than a film like Independence Day. I was the first to admit that the trailers for Battle: Los Angeles show some promise, but surely the director of such gems as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and Darkness Falls can't live up to the great Ridley Scott when it comes to crafting large-scale action sequences. So why not stay home and watch the real thing? For those unfamiliar, Black Hawk Down is Scott's harrowing depiction of a near-disastrous U.S. military operation during the 1993 Somalian conflict. Watching it now after almost nine years, I've come to realize how ambitious it was. There is no one central character or even someone who could have been called a "major star" at the time of release so it treats the team as one cohesive personality trying to survive against a faceless opposition, throwing character development to the wayside. The action is relentless and almost shameless in the way it doesn't slow down for desperate attempts to bring depth to any particular character (see: The Expendables). Most impressively, it somehow works. Black Hawk Down is a technical marvel, winning Oscars for Best Editing and Best Sound. I can't think of a film better suited for Blu-ray, surround sound and all the rest. Otherwise, it can be streamed instantly via Netflix or purchased for $2.99 On Demand (you can pay $1 extra for HD). If you haven't seen it in a while, you might be surprised at all the faces that have become more recognizable in the years after the film's 2001 release. | |
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| Certified Copy |
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| This is probably best seen as the first part of a "dinner and a movie" date. I guess that would make it "movie and a dinner," right? You have to be aware of what you're getting yourself into (several people walked out of my screening), but this is a rare romance filled with a mystery and ambiguity that will surely fuel the mealtime conversation. It's an "intentionally aimless" talkfest in the vein of Before Sunrise/Sunset that relies heavily on the seamless chemistry between co-stars Juliette Binoche and William Shimell as they discuss life, art and what it means to be "authentic." Fortunately, the majority of it is done in English so don't let that whole "Foreign Film" label deter you. Seriously, there are probably more subtitles in Inglourious Basterds than in Certified Copy. I'll defer to Brad's review from Cannes 2010 (where Binoche won Best Actress) for further details, though I think you're better off going into this one knowing as little as possible. Certified Copy hits New York and California theaters today before expanding to additional markets next weekend and On Demand March 23. | |
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Strange, I just came back from watching Battle: Los Angeles and as I was watching it I was thinking "maybe I should put Black Hawk Down in when i get home"
Be sure to leave your thoughts on Battle: LA in the comments on my review.
Certified Copy is indeed wonderful. Right up there with Kiarostami's best, I think.
Actually just saw Black Hawk Down for the first time the other day. It was a little surprising to see a young Thomas Hardy as one of the supporting characters. As you say there is little character development, but somehow (and this is definitely a credit to Ridley Scott's direction), I felt like a part of the unit, where when one of the soldiers was shot, or wounded I felt it, wanted them all to get out safe. It is definitely a powerful piece of filmmaking.
Scott should have won Best Director for Black Hawk Down. A great achievement and for me easily one of his 3 best films, and frankly it's doubtful now he'll ever come close to that level.
I wouldn't count out Prometheus.
The weakest part of Black Hawk Down is the screenplay, but Ridley Scott's direction is terrific and easily the best part about it.