An Unreasonable Man --
As quietly provocative as its thoughtful
protagonist, Steve Skrovan and Henriette Mantel's galvanizing
documentary which examines how one of the 20th century's most admired
and indefatigable social activists, Ralph Nader, became a pariah among
the same progressive circles he helped champion. Utilizing the standard
documentary formula of archival footage, talking-head interviews, and
the occasional computer animated graphic, the film deftly traces
Nader's life and career with a robust, lively pace that follows him
from his upbringing in a Lebanese immigrant family that took its
commitment to civic engagement very seriously (the family discussed
politics at the dinner table and attended town hall meetings together)
to his role as the leading consumer advocate of the 1960s and '70s
(when he took on the automobile industry and became responsible for
many safety features modern consumers take for granted, such as
seatbelts and airbags). But the film really picks up steam and takes
the form of an impassioned public debate when it tackles the
contentious 2000 and 2004 presidential runs that elicited accusations
of splitting the Democratic vote and enabling the election of George W.
Bush, making enemies of Nader's most ardent supporters (including
celebrity pundits Michael Moore and Bill Maher; liberal journalists
Eric Alterman and Todd Gitlin; and even former members of Nader's own
advocacy group, Nader’s
Raiders) while cementing the continued respect of fellow activists like
Mark Green and James Ridgeway. That all these figures appear on screen
alongside such disparate political luminaries as Phil Donahue, Pat
Buchanan, and Nader himself stands as a testament to the film's
balanced approach, one that makes a nonpartisan plea that such a
lifelong crusader for social justice not be remembered as a mere
"spoiler," but as a consummate public advocate and a living example of
the average citizen's power to participate in the democratic process.
Darwin's Nightmare --
Some time in the 1960's, in the heart of Africa,
a new animal was introduced into Lake Victoria as a little scientific
experiment. The Nile Perch, a voracious predator, extinguished almost
the entire stock of the native fish species. However, the new fish
multiplied so fast, that its white fillets are today exported all
around the world. Huge hulking ex Soviet cargo planes come daily to
collect the latest catch in exchange for their southbound cargo;
Kalashnikovs and ammunitions for the uncounted wars in the dark center
of the continent. This booming multinational industry of fish and
weapons has created an ungodly globalized alliance on the shores of the
world’s biggest
tropical lake: an army of local fishermen, World bank agents, homeless
children, African ministers, EU-commissioners, Tanzanian prostitutes
and Russian pilots.
Hot Fuzz --
Police officer Nicholas Angel is London’s
top cop. This tough law enforcer is good at his job; so good, in fact,
that he makes his colleagues look bad. As a result, his superiors
promote him to the village of Sandford, where all is garden parties and
neighborhood watch meetings. Partnered with Danny Butterman, an oafish
but well meaning young local cop, Angel struggles to adapt. But he just
can’t: until a
series of grisly accidents indicates that foul play is afoot.
Suddenly, this seemingly idyllic town is a case that Angel has to crack
hard.
Rated R for horror violence and gore, some sexuality, nudity and language.
Pathfinder --
In an untamed, primordial America, 500 years
before Columbus will reach its shores, unfolds an epic battle between
love and hate that will change one man’s
destiny and the future of a nation. This action adventure saga
recreates one of the most riveting, yet never before seen, eras in
human history when Viking dragon ships from the mysterious Norse lands
arrived out of nowhere to invade a pristine North America. Inspired by
historical findings, yet forged with the magic and style of a modern
graphic novel comes to life in a cinematic experience filled with
intense and primal action.
The legend like story of survival begins with a
Viking child who becomes the lone survivor of a shipwreck, after his
marauding Norse clan raids a coastal Native American village for
slaves. Despite his blonde hair and strange language and concerns that
evil will follow the boy wherever he goes the ten year old is adopted
by the local Wampanoag Indians, who raise him to become a skilled
hunter and warrior. But fifteen years later, the pale young man known
to his tribe as Ghost is still trying to escape his past. Now, as the
Vikings return to storm America again, this time they will carry out a
barbaric attack that will annihilate Ghost’s
beloved tribe and endanger the woman he loves. Once again a survivor on
the run, and thirsting for blood vengeance, Ghost comes under the
guidance of the Pathfinder, a powerful shaman who foresees the enraged
young man’s unexpected destiny; as the hard won hero who will wage a one man war against the Vikings and becomes his people’s savior.
Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout.
300 --
A ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of
Thermopylae in which King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death
against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable
odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against
their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. The film
brings Miller’s
acclaimed graphic novel to life by combining live action with virtual
backgrounds that capture his distinct vision of this ancient historic
tale. Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller.
Rated R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.
Rescue Me : FX
Rescue Me is a wake up call for every man who
dreamed about becoming a fireman and every woman who fantasized about
being with one. As flawed and complicated as they are selfless and
heroic, the fire fighters in this series are a compelling lot. They
deal with infidelity, drug addiction, and sexual abuse on a daily basis
and make it seem like old hat. But the characters are so well thought
out that they almost always make viewers care about what's developing
in their lives. This second season surpasses the debut year in terms of
story lines and pacing. Series creator Denis Leary reprises his role of
Tommy Gavin. Separated from his wife and children and also battling a
drinking addiction, Tommy is now working as the new guy in a Staten
Island firehouse. He isn't a hero so much as he's his own best victim.
Luckily, he's still got some loyal friends who're quick to nip his pity
parties short: "You feeling a little angry? You feeling a little hurt?
You feeling betrayed? Well, congratulations, you're feeling, and you're
feeling because you're sober." With his hangdog features and fast paced
speech pattern, Leary is surprisingly believable in the role. Returning
character Chief Reilly faces some struggles of his own, as he watches
his wife's spiral downward thanks to Alzheimer's. And it's not much
easier for Franco, who is trying to figure out the best ways to care
for his daughter while working an unpredictable schedule. While the
drama on this show can sometimes be fiery and intense, the series
provides enough biting humor to lend it an air of humanity and, at
times, even a little warmth. It doesn't leave viewers wanting to be
fire fighters, but rather empathizing with them.
Not Just The Best Of The Larry Sanders Show
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