Movie Diary 10/3/2008

Having some problems keeping images in the website; sorry for the scruffy look at present.

Trouble the Water (Tia Lesson and Carl Deal, 2008). A documentary specifically about Hurricane Katrina and the people caught in it, but also, unavoidably, about America today–not just political specifics or courage in the face of a disaster, but about the way people live and dream. (full review 10/17)

The Dam Busters (Michael Anderson, 1955). Taut WWII story of the men who designed a bomb that could skid across the surface of water, the better to destroy German dams. Michael Redgrave in great form in a character part, some eerie miniatures of the dams and their reservoirs at night, and splendid sustained shots of planes taking off. Nothing extraneous about it–not even the dog.

Nick and Norah’s Flash of Chihuahua (Weekly Links)

Eight movies reviewed for the Herald this week.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.

Appaloosa.

A Girl Cut in Two.

Flash of Genius.

Religulous.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

Sukiyaki Western Django.

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People.

I talk to KUOW-FM’s Jeremy Richards about Religulous, Appaloosa, and Sukiyaki Western Django; listen here. The movie conversation picks up at 33:57.