This week we have a double feature. We’re going to cover the mainstream with Bruno and dive into the independent movies with The Hurt Locker. Let’s get Bruno out of the way so we can talk about the one you should really see.
I liked Borat. It was very successful in being a scripted Jackass because it blurred the lines between what was real and what was scripted. You weren’t always sure if the regular people were in on it. It was mostly a prank on unsuspecting Americans, even if a lot of it wasn’t real.
Bruno, not so much. The entire thing felt scripted and I found myself using make believe 95% of the time to try to enjoy it. Aside from Borat being a much better and multidimensional character, Bruno only has one punch line. He’s gay! I guess the movie is entertaining if you enjoy a ton of reality-based skits based on that punch line.
I’m not going say not to see this, because I guess it is funny in a way, but I’m going to have to put this with the other big summer duds such as Terminator: Salvation. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. Thank god Gi Joe will save us before it’s all over.
Now for something that really is different and won’t dissapoint, The Hurt Locker.
I never heard of this movie, one of my friends who’s movie opinion I trust 90% of the time recommended this to me. It’s in the independent theaters right now and totally worth seeing.
It’s about an elite bomb squad deployed in Iraq and we follow them in their remanning days of their tour, while they’re joined with by a reckless soldier who’s the best at his job.
I really don’t like war movies, but I enjoyed this one a lot. It’s a suspense action thriller and you really feel anything could go wrong at any point while these guys do their jobs, especially disarming the random bombs thrown their way.
The lead is played by Jeremy Renner, who’s only claim to fame was opposite of Collin Farrel in SWAT. He is amazing in this and totally makes the film. I was surprised. There’s some really brief cameos by Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, and Evangeline Lilly that are somewhat memorable.
The movie is really well put together and has no political input whatsoever. It’s through the eyes of the bomb squad, mainly the reckless leader.
Highly recommended.
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