Chinatown: What a Downer

But a really really good one. But, man, it starts off as if its going to be just your regular private detective movie, the good guys figures out the mystery and the bad guys pay. Not at all: the end, which Jack Nicholson perfectly expresses on his face, is extreme disappointment and a loss of faith in humanity. Throughout the film, Nicholson mentions that he used to work in Chinatown but has since moved on to more sophisticated police work. He learns his lesson after discovering the deeply embedded corruption that runs through all divisions of governance in the city of LA; from the police to water and power to, one can assume, the politicians who look the other way. Its beyond despicable. So Nicholson fights the best fight he can to find out who really is the firestarter and save the innocent. In the end, the worst that can happen, does and he is left completely helpless against the corruption. Its most disturbing to know that these things happen now, in real life, and its true, there is not much anyone can do because those who have power have money and create the "knowledge" that is accepted as truth. Good luck trying to save us from that. Bummer but heck if Jack Nicholson isn't one of the best actors out there. Faye Dunaway was awesome too.

The Fighter: A Winner

Yep. Really good. Better than I expected. Then again, put Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg together and you inevitably get great character dynamics. They are great actors. The others were all good supports. I love that they show how annoying families can be but then, in the end, the love and trust you can have for each other can mend destructive patterns or give someone the confidence they need to overcome their life obstacle. Bale, the recovering crack addict and "comeback" boxer loved his brother more than himself and in the end can act selflessly for him, freeing him from his restrictive vices. And Wahlberg loves his brother so much that he fights for them, not only himself. Really good acting. Very entertaining.

The Boondock Saints: A Religious Experience

Ha, not really a religious experience for me but definitely for Dafoe's cop character. Wow, he is great to watch. This movie could have easily been horrible if it weren't for Dafoe. There a lot of really cheesy parts, the beginning where the brothers come out of the church and put their sunglasses on and light up cigarettes for starters. THe script is well written, a little odd but entertaining for sure. The brothers are just cute, they act okay. A+ to Dafoe for saving this flick.