The Searchers

Runtime: 119 min

Directed By: John Ford

Starring: John Wayne and a German guy as the Chief Indian

This being my first John Wayne film, I could not understand why people idealize him.  After some reading I realized it is because this is the role he did not normally play and he played it perfectly.  I felt sorry for him.  He was a real character with flaws and depth.  The search for his niece was a goal and it was something to do, a means to a purpose.

I wonder if it is worth it to spend five years to find someone who has been captured.  I think I would fit in with the Indians who would stop chasing something eventually more so than Ethan who would chase it forever.  At some point it seems like there is reason to move on.  When is one life worth two?  When is it worth more?  What if in the search a dozen men died?  I think the struggle Ethan undergoes is one that we can relate to our own quests.  Whether it be a job, a spouse or some possession, it seems we are all searchers.  At some point the search far exceeds the object and it seems that aside from ego, it would be prudent to reevaluate.  Would that be a passionless life?

Technique- 6

Production Quality- 8

Story- 8

Thought Provoking-7

Entertainment- 6

The Thin Red Line

Runtime: 170 min

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Starring: Every man to be on film ever

I really liked Days of Heaven, but this one didn’t hit me as directly.  I think I was in the wrong environment to appreciate most of the voice overlay.  The battle scenes were what I image to be realistic.  There are plenty of movies that show war and plenty that show the horrors of it, but I feel this one showed a bit of the silliness of it and that there is a differentt way.

Technique- 9

Production Quality- 8

Story- 7

Thought Provoking-7

Entertainment- 6

Waking Ned Devine

Runtime: 91 min

Directed By: Kirk Jones

Starring: Ian Bannen & David Kelly

I had the pleasure of studying in Ireland and took a course on Irish Folklore in which I did my paper on the Merry Wake.  I feel this makes me about as knowledgeable on the subject and any 4 year old in Ireland.  This was a fun piece that dripped of Irish.

There is a big difference between small towns and big cities.  The smallest place I have ever lived was a town of 10,000 and I could tell the difference from the city I’m from.  I can not even imagine 52 people in a town.  To live in a place where there is a love triangle because there happens to only be on girl of a certain age.  The characters in this film live a simple life without much excitement and I think that says something about city life.  For all of the sensor overload of the contemporary world, there is a simple beauty in living disconnected.  There is a give and take of course, but I wonder if I could get Newport Beach to all pretend I was Ned.

Technique- 7

Production Quality- 7

Story- 8

Thought Provoking- 4

Entertainment- 8

Inland Empire

Runtime: 180 min

Directed By: David Lynch

Starring: Laura Dern

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Technique- 7

Production Quality- 4

Story- ?

Thought Provoking- ?

Entertainment- 2

Live Free or Die Hard

Runtime: 130 min

Starring: Bruce Willis, computers that do not operate the way real life computers do

I think I’m still a little confused about the plot.  I might have zoned out and repeatedly played in my head David Cross saying,  “Oh, my God, we’re having a fire. Sale. Oh, the burning!”

Technique- 3

Production Quality- 8

Story- 2

Thought Provoking- 1

Entertainment- 6