Some DVDs I've Seen Recently

I have to say this past year of 2008 opened me up to some surprising films, most of which I had to discover at my local Blockbuster store. While I have seen some really good films in the theatre recently I was more impressed with some of these following films. Please check them out if you think you've seen everything 2008 has to offer.

The Edge of Heaven: An engrossing film of life, death, and forgiveness. The film is told in two parts, one involving an aging man who hires a hooker to live with him to fill his lonely days. Tragedy happens which brings the old man's son on an unexpected journey. The second story involves the daughter of the same hooker as she embarks on a rebellious life and falls for a German student who sympathizes with her cause. Both stories are full of unexpected turns and just when you think it would end on an emotional climax, it takes a more sublime turn. 4 stars out of 4

Shotgun Stories: Michael Shannon gave two great performances this year. One is for "Revolutionary Road" for which he received an Oscar nomination, the second and for my money the more effecting performance is in this understated and often brilliant film of escalating violence. The story centers on a group of half brothers who had the same father, but have different impressions on what kind of a man he was. The first group of brothers remember him of being a mean abusive man, while the other half remember him as a changed man. When the father dies, the three brothers crash the funeral and start off an series of violent reaction from the other family causing tragedy in many cases. The film was co-produced by David Gordon Green who has made similar films as this in theme. The film never wallows in despair even though it would be easy for it to do so, but instead becomes a film full of grace. Shannon's performance is quiet but powerful. 4 stars out of 4

Still Life: A slow but interesting piece from China involving the damming of the Yangtze and the impact it has on the people who's homes are literally flooded. The film is part social commentary and part love story as it follows a man who is trying to find his wife, and woman who's trying to find her husband. This would be a good double feature to have along with the documentary "Up the Yangtze" 3.5 stars out of 4

Vicki Christina Barcelona: Woody Allen's latest comedy as two young American women come to Barcelona and have a memorable encounter with passionate artist Javier Bardem. Penelope Cruz shows up at the half-way point as Bardem's passionate yet suicidal ex-wife and steals every scene she's in. In fact Cruz and Bardem breath some fresh air into the sometimes stuffy Woody comedy. Still the film remains clever enough and full of some great truth however perhaps it's the romantic in me but I would've preferred a different ending. Woody seems to be getting more cynical with age. 3 stars out of 4