The Hurt Locker

Looks like this is headed for a best picture nom, and deservedly so. If you are responsible for bringing Point Break into the world, obviously you are a great filmmaker, but Kathryn Bigelow will certainly be nominated for best director, earning some long overdue respect. Jeremy Renner should be nominated as well; he's excellent as Will James, the adrenaline junkie explosives expert. He reminds me of a young Russell Crowe: rugged masculinity, expressive face, get this guy Ridley Scott's phone number. Great ensemble cast in this movie. I had no idea I'd be seeing Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, and David Morse in bit roles, but their performances were great, and really added to the intensity of this film. I think that's a really good word to describe this movie: INTENSE. There are multiple scenes of James and his team dismantling bombs, and they will have you on the edge of your seat. On its surface, this movie is a kickass action flick, but there's a lot more to it. Bigelow makes her intentions known right off the bat with the opening quote, but it's the execution of the many intricate scenes of the soldiers doing their job that ultimately makes her point. Will James is a metaphor, his personal addiction is our collective addiction to war as a nation. When James can't give it up, Bigelow is questioning whether our society can give it up. Bigelow has crafted a brilliant action movie that challenges the way we think about war without preaching.