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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2009 > June > 09 > Entry
DVDs - Gran Torino, The International, and more
This week’s DVDs include a pair of movie with old school-ish assets.
Gran Torino: What a long, strange trip this movie took, from a trailer that had some people (myself included) scratching their heads to a theatrical run that made it one of Clint Eastwood’s biggest hits. It’s far from his best movie, and I’d stop just shy of calling it a great movie, but it is one of his most fascinating. His portrayal of an embittered bigot who unexpectedly takes Asian neighbors under his wing both celebrates and critiques his “give em hell” persona. The movie goes for the cheap and easy laugh a bit too often, and the storytelling becomes a bit ham-handed at times, but at its best, it’s quite affecting. Full review. GRADE: B+
The International: This thriller plays a bit like one of the paranoid conspiracy movies of the 1970s and has great international flavor — that’s no surprise coming from Run Lola Run; director Tom Tykwer. Still, despite solid performances from leads Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, the story about sinister bankers feels dry and lacks emotion. Some solid action set pieces, especially a shootout in a museum, make it worthwhile regardless. GRADE: B
Also out today
Fired Up: The poster for this movie highlighted the abbreviation FU. I don’t think that also stands for Felix Ungar.
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