Thursday Movie Picks: A Disappearance
1) Brick
Brendon attempts to uncovering the story behind the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend in this high school noir. This is one of the few movies that is so amazing that I can excuse the fact that most of these actors don't look like teenagers.
2) Changeling
I loved this movie. Angelina Jolie may be kind of ridiculous in real life but I thought she was great here. The only low point was Jeffrey Donovan and his ever changing accent.
3) Oldboy
Dae-Su disappears for 15 years and he's understandably pretty pissed about it. This movie is exactly as good as everyone says it is.
Brick is a sensational pick! The fact that they don't look like teens is the only real flaw in the picture which is a wonderful reworking of noir. JGL is perfect in the lead.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Changeling without loving it. The period detail was very good and Jolie excellent in one of her better roles but the film itself didn't engage me quite the way I expected it too.
Haven't seen Oldboy.
I got a chuckle from your Julianne Moore comment, she did go through that phase. This is a more sober subject than the last few have been but that keeps it interesting. A trifle more difficult to come up with films though. My first choice is one of my top 20 favorite films but after that one I had to cast around a bit.
Missing (1982)-A young American couple Charlie and Beth Horman (John Shea & Sissy Spacek) are living in Chile while he works as a freelance writer observing the political situation. Suddenly they are caught in a coup and when Beth returns home one day their house is ransacked and Charlie is missing. When word reaches the States his disapproving father Ed (Jack Lemmon) arrives looking for answers. Despite assurances by the authorities that everything is being done an unbelieving Beth and increasingly doubtful Ed begin their own search, as they come to understand each other at last Ed’s eyes are opened to facts that go against everything he believes in. Riveting fact based drama directed by Costa-Gravas earned four Oscar nominations-Best Actor & Actress for Lemmon and Spacek as well as a Best Adaptation and a Best Picture nod.
Without a Trace (1983)-Susan Selky (Kate Nelligan) helps her six year old son Alex get ready and watches him set off on the three block walk to school in their affluent New York City neighborhood but he never makes it. When he doesn’t return home at the appointed hour she slowly comes to the realization that something is terribly wrong and contacts the police. Both she and her husband (David Dukes) are immediately suspected, when it becomes clear they aren’t involved the police follow other leads but the case soon turns cold. For everyone that is but Susan who becomes so determined in her pursuit she pushes almost everyone including her husband and good friend (Stockard Channing) away. However with the assistance of one detective who also won’t give up (Judd Hirsch) she presses on determined to have some resolution whatever that may be. Exceptionally well-acted but a tough watch.
The Seventh Victim (1943)-Mary Gibson (Kim Hunter) arrives in New York City intent on locating her sister Jacqueline who has disappeared. As she starts searching she meets resistance from all quarters including her sister’s husband. As she delves deeper into the mystery she discovers a connection to devil worship and begins to fear for her own safety. Low budget noir produced by Val Lewton has a nice sense of dread and looks at a provocative subject for a forties film. This was future Oscar winner Hunter’s screen debut.
Julianne Moore did have a phase. lol. I haven't seen your picks but they all sound like something I'd watch. I'll have to drop them in my Netflix queue.
DeleteI can't believe I didn't think neither of Oldboy nor Changeling, they both are such great movies!
ReplyDeleteYou picked good ones too though!
DeleteAngelina was really good in Changeling but the film was a mess, like two different movies in one
ReplyDeleteIt did, I definitely understand that. I liked "both" movies though, except for Donovan's parts.
DeleteOooh, Changeling, I forgot about that.. which I think isn't a good thing for a movie. I can't believe I still haven't watched Brick.....
ReplyDeleteYou have to watch Brick! It's amazing.
DeleteChangling was so much better than I thought it would be, and it's probably the last really great performance given by Jolie. She needs to go back to meaty roles like this one and skip the action flicks like Salt imo.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteBrick and Oldboy are classics while I also liked Changeling which I think is underrated.
ReplyDeleteIt is. You don't hear many people talk about it anymore.
DeleteFun picks. Well, okay, not exactly 'fun.' Well Brick is kind of fun, if you watch it in the right mood.
ReplyDeleteFun in the heavy, depressing sort of way. ;) lol
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but both Brick and Oldboy are on my watch list. I will get to them some day.
ReplyDeleteBrick is one of my all time favorites. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThe Changeling is a great pick and I thought Jolie did a great job as this lady who lost her son. It is so sad that it is based on a true story. I haven't seen the other 2
ReplyDeleteOh I know. And she never got a happy ending.
DeleteI really liked changeling -- great pick! And I really need to see Oldboy.
ReplyDeleteOldboy is amazing, you definitely should see it. Just don't accidentally watch the dub like I did the first time. lol
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