billythekyd

Seldom has the "world of intersecting secrecies" of terrorists and counter-terrorists been presented so thoughtfully or well. *Munich* is a violent, suspenseful film, but it is a film well-aware of its moral ambiguities. Its lead character (Eric Bana) begins as a noble avenger and ends as a self-doubting angel of death, uncertain of the value of his mission. Given current debates concerning "the war on terrorism", Spielberg's film is as relevant today as when it was released in 2005.

87 _58%

Secretariat (2010) - Rated 19 Nov 2010

The soundtrack of *Secretariat* is just like the film itself: derivative of other horse-racing films, boring in the family scenes, but exciting once hooves begin to thunder in Dolby Surround 7.1

86 _47%

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) - Rated 10 May 2011

The crime sequences that bookend this art-heist film are ingenious, suspenseful, well-paced and well-directed. The rest of the film doesn't caper; it crawls. The leads have little chemistry, and their relationship leads nowhere interesting. Watching the film is like opening an elegant jewel box only to find that the ring that was supposed to be inside is missing.

85 _37%

Inglourious Basterds (2009) - Rated 26 Sep 2010

Tarantino disregards historical facts, revels in his own banality, and winkingly shows off his vast knowledge of Hollywood's B list of war films. His film is the cinematic equivalent of cheesecake, which is not a cake, and isn't made with cheese, but is delicious for all that.

86 _47%

Flesh & Blood (1985) - Rated 01 May 2011

I saw *Flesh and Blood* years ago, in a movie theater in a small Mexican town. Outside the theater, there was a lurid poster which advertised the film with the words: MORE ACTION! MORE SEX! MORE HISTORY! After I saw the film, I remember thinking that the Spanish-language ad described the film perfectly.

90 _90%

In a Better World (2010) - Rated 16 Feb 2012

This is a thought-provoking, suspenseful film about ethical choices and their consequences. It also is a film about the permeable limits of non-violence, about friendship, courage and empathy, and about the fact that compassionate, peace-loving people sometimes come into conflict with bullies and with men who are violent and cruel. How should one act in such circumstances? There are no easy answers, but at least In a Better World asks the right questions.

88 _73%

12 (2007) - Rated 10 May 2011

The legal system in Russia has changed mightily since 1993. Jury trials now are common; both countries now rely on citizen-jurors. *12* features fine ensemble acting and preserves the plot twists and turns of *Twelve Angry Men*. It is an engrossing film, and one with an important underlying message. The Russian jurors in the film are people like us; in different circumstances, they could be us. Implicitly, the film affirms the common humanity of common people in the two countries.

90 _90%

Dersu Uzala (1975) - Rated 27 Sep 2010

Dersu Uzala has an epic feel for landscape, but it tells a simple tale of friendship that transcends culture, class, and language. How is deep, long-lasting friendship between the Siberian trapper and the Russian surveyor even possible? It emerges from shared experience (each saves the other's life), mutual respect, and a sense of common humanity. Kurosawa shows that in cross-cultural human relations, what we share in common is far more important than the ways in which we are different.

90 _90%

High and Low (1963) - Rated 27 Mar 2010

After watching High and Low, I had the feeling I had seen the film before, as an American remake. I found out that no remake has been made, but one is in production, scripted by Scorsese, to be directed by Mike Nichols. This speaks well of the timeliness and timelessness of Kurosawa's 1963 film. But is a remake necessary? I don't think so. The original version is as crisp and fresh and suspenseful today as when it was made 47 years ago.