Post by klep on Aug 8, 2016 6:45:21 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 8/8: A History of Violence
It's often said that violence is cyclical. Violent acts beget violent acts, and the circle is very hard to break. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), however, is a man who has tried. As Joey Cusack, he was a violent mob member in Philly, hurting and killing people as a matter of course. But when he realized his actions would have reprisals, he left that all behind and tried to become someone else - a peaceful family man who rejects violence.
And he succeeds for a long time. Long enough to get married and raise a family and truly become Tom Stall. He has a great relationship with his wife Edie (Mario Bello) and two kids that love and respect him. But when events force his hand and his facility with violence makes national news, he and his family left to reckon with the man he once was. Tom Stall is built on an edifice of lies, and the discovery of it creates a rift in his family. This rift is marvelously explored in my pick for best scene of the film - a hospital bed confrontation between Edie and Tom. Spectacularly lit and composed, Edie forces Tom to tell her the truth of his past and drives home the betrayal of it all when she realizes that even the name she took from him means nothing.
As violence starts spilling out around Tom, he's forced to become Joey again and close the cycle of violence. But does doing so close the rift exposed between him and his family, or will he never truly be able to heal those wounds?
What do you think? In that final shot, does Tom still see Edie's love for him in her eyes?
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 8/15: Upstream Color
In a welcome surprise, Shane Carruth's sophomore feature won the voting in a blowout and becomes our next Movie of the Week. Known for its inscrutable - but still powerful - plot, Upstream Color is a strong contender for Best Film of 2013 and I'm looking forward to discussing it with you guys. Upstream Color is available on Netflix Instant, Hulu Plus, and for rent on Amazon Instant Video, though it is not free for Prime members.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 8/9: The Dirty Dozen
This film about a band of ne'er-do-wells gathered together to do some good is paired with Suicide Squad for the Next Picture Show podcast. We'll have a thread on Wednesday to discuss this classic film. The Dirty Dozen is available for rent on Amazon Instant Video, though it is not free for Prime members.
It's often said that violence is cyclical. Violent acts beget violent acts, and the circle is very hard to break. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), however, is a man who has tried. As Joey Cusack, he was a violent mob member in Philly, hurting and killing people as a matter of course. But when he realized his actions would have reprisals, he left that all behind and tried to become someone else - a peaceful family man who rejects violence.
And he succeeds for a long time. Long enough to get married and raise a family and truly become Tom Stall. He has a great relationship with his wife Edie (Mario Bello) and two kids that love and respect him. But when events force his hand and his facility with violence makes national news, he and his family left to reckon with the man he once was. Tom Stall is built on an edifice of lies, and the discovery of it creates a rift in his family. This rift is marvelously explored in my pick for best scene of the film - a hospital bed confrontation between Edie and Tom. Spectacularly lit and composed, Edie forces Tom to tell her the truth of his past and drives home the betrayal of it all when she realizes that even the name she took from him means nothing.
As violence starts spilling out around Tom, he's forced to become Joey again and close the cycle of violence. But does doing so close the rift exposed between him and his family, or will he never truly be able to heal those wounds?
What do you think? In that final shot, does Tom still see Edie's love for him in her eyes?
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 8/15: Upstream Color
In a welcome surprise, Shane Carruth's sophomore feature won the voting in a blowout and becomes our next Movie of the Week. Known for its inscrutable - but still powerful - plot, Upstream Color is a strong contender for Best Film of 2013 and I'm looking forward to discussing it with you guys. Upstream Color is available on Netflix Instant, Hulu Plus, and for rent on Amazon Instant Video, though it is not free for Prime members.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 8/9: The Dirty Dozen
This film about a band of ne'er-do-wells gathered together to do some good is paired with Suicide Squad for the Next Picture Show podcast. We'll have a thread on Wednesday to discuss this classic film. The Dirty Dozen is available for rent on Amazon Instant Video, though it is not free for Prime members.