No Country For Old Men

Based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, No Country For Old Men is the story of a man with a suitcase full of money on the run from the most convincing and bewildering antagonist since Anthony Hopkins's Hannibal Lecter. Joel and Ethan Coen, perhaps my most beloved modern filmmakers, have achieved something marvelous with this film - and it's surely destined for most critics' top 10 lists, and perhaps a contender on several fronts for the Academy Award. Rarely have I encountered such an amazing combination of acting talent (Tommy Lee Jones in perhaps his best-ever role, Javier Bardem playing the crazed serial killer, and Josh Brolin cleverly eliciting our identification as the protagonist), brilliant cinematography (West Texas is alive and wholly palpable in every shot), and a thrilling shooting script (naturally the source material helps). To further describe why this film is my favourite pick of the year would only spoil its grandeur. This film isn't only to be seen, it's to be experienced and marveled over. An exceptional achievement in modern cinema.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

December Film Discussion: Fanny & Alexander

Join us on Wednesday, December 5 at 7pm for our lively discussion of Ingmar Bergman's glorious look at childhood, Fanny & Alexander