Inglourious Basterds

Some people make movies for a living, some people are artists. Guess which category Quentin Tarantino belongs to? Ever since Pulp Fiction emerged in 1994 writers and directors have tried to either directly imitate Tarantino or at least to find a QT inspired spark of their own. Most have failed to do so and even those who've made successful career of it (I'm looking at you, Guy Ritchie), fail to approach the master.

What's the difference? How does he do it? Most movies are about a story happening to a group of characters. In a Tarantino movie, the characters happen to the story. From Mr. Orange to Jules and Vincent to the Bride, Tarantino's protagonists control the show even when they lose control of the situation. Add the Basterds to their ranks.

One can tell Tarantino has no master but his own vision. The film is beautifully shot, conventions are thrown out the window, rules are broken, and the viewer has absolutely no idea what is going to happen down to the final minutes of the movie. If Tarantino had been born in an earlier generation, one could see him writing of once upon a midnight dreary or painting a coy smile on an Italian lady.

The Hurt Locker

If actors were stock, I'd tell you to put all the money you can on Jeremy Renner. The 38-year-old has been acting steadily since the mid-90s, but his work in The Hurt Locker will make him a star between now and the Oscars, even if he's not nominated. He demonstrates that he's skilled enough to carry a movie on his shoulders. Now he may just end up being another Jason Statham, but his pay checks are on their way.

Hurt Locker holds you at the cliff's edge for its entire run time. Every moment is life or death, which is exactly the point. This is what our soldiers in combat have to deal with every day. Any plot is secondary to simply putting you into the shoes of a soldier for a couple hours. There is no political agenda here, nothing rings false. War is what it is. And, as we are told in the movie's opening, for Renner's Staff Sergeant Will James who lives for the next challenge and risk of death, war is a drug.

(500) Days of Summer

500 Days of Summer takes pains to declare that it is not a love story. I disagree. Not only is it a love story, it's one of the best love stories ever put on film, which is probably why they don't think they qualify. For me it called to mind atypical (and outstanding) romances such as Chasing Amy and Closer.

This movie is boldly unconventional. It's not afraid to take risks and it succeeds on all fronts. It is funny, gripping, and unique. Joseph Gordon-Levitt controls the screen and shows that he is a talent who could one day contend for little gold statues. He'd get my vote here.