Some films have been released recently on DVD that I thought were really good. I give 'em all a big thumbs up. If you see them, let me know what you thought of them.
1. "Touching The Void"
The true story of two mountain climbers that got themselves in one hell of a mess. With almost no provisions left, on the descent thousands of feet up, one of the climbers breaks his leg. His buddy works to help him get down but they got caught in a huge storm. The line is cut and the injured climber falls into a crevasse where he begins his struggle to crawl down the mountain on his own. Based on the book of the same name.
2. "Fog of War"
An Oscar winning documentary. Learn what policymakers in the US government are really like. Like you don't know already because of Simon (lol) Robert McNamara recounts stories of firebombing Japanese cities in World War II and his legacy of the Vietnam War. He has 11 lessons on how NOT to repeat the mistakes of the past. His insights are remarkable and sharp. His stories about the Cuban Missile Crisis are frightening. If only McNamara could have figured out the most important lesson of all.
3. "Dirty Pretty Things"
The story of an illegal immigrant in London who is trying to survive and make money in a system that takes advantage of people like him. Then one night, he realizes something very sinister is going on at the hotel he is the night clerk of. He can't go to the police because it is too risky. Great acting, good characters, with a riveting ending.
4. "City of God"
The story of a group of kids growing up in Brazil's third world slum "City of God." It is a true story and focuses on one of the boys looking for a way out of a life of poverty and crime, where violence and killing are the norm, who loves photography. With subtitles. Violent, funny, and really great direction.