Babel – F

Maybe I missed something, but I thought it was almost completely without merit. The confusion of languages serves to divide us and makes life difficult. Title: Babel. Subtle.

In the end, the viewer is left empty, wondering, is that it? That said, Brad Pitt does a very good job with his role. The music was minimal, and I think that it served the film well. By far the most redeeming character in the film was the guide from the bus. He takes Pitt and Blanchett to his village, works hard to get them the care that they need, stays with them until the ambulance arrives, and then refuses any compensation whatsoever. Otherwise, a real disappointment. Makes the contrivance that is Crash look good (at least it had a point).

The Departed – B-

As the film started, I told my life-partner lady-friend that Scorsese’s movies are always violent, but the violence is not without consequence. While that held mostly true here, the violence ultimately seemed pointless. Which, of course, is what a world of pure evil would quickly degenerate to—not just an eye for an eye, but a life for an eye (see Genesis 4:23-24). Perhaps the film would have been stronger if we had seen more of the inner struggles of Costigan (DiCaprio) and Sullivan (Damon) (and perhaps even Dignam (Wahlberg) and/or Queenan (Sheen)). As it is, we're given (at best) only hints about inner struggles.

One reviewer claims the film is a commentary on who we truly are versus who we appear to be. This may not be far off, particularly given the not so subtle digs at the Roman Catholic Church throughout the film.

Style-wise, it’s great. Depth-wise though, not so much.

Clarification

Several of you have written to say that, based on my recommendation, you've read The Sparrow. Most of you have also mentioned that you found it depressing. Well, yeah, that's probably true. The second book, Children of God sets what happened in The Sparrow into a different context, but CoG is not nearly as well written. If you pick it up, feel free to skip the chapters that are clearly not relevant to the plot from the first book (you'll know what I mean if you start reading the book).

Spoiler Alert
If you don't feel like wading through CoG then let me just say that it turns out that everything Emilio did and said on the alien planet was misinterpreted. As strange as it seems, they thought they were honoring him, and doing him big favors. Ah, miscommunication, ain't it great?!?

The Guardian - B-

It mostly achieves what it sets out to do, which is to be entertaining and to give a tip of the hat to the under-respected U.S. Coast Guard. A little something for the guys (action and adventure) and a little something for the ladies (romance and Ashton Kutcher). Not great movie-making, but not awful either.

Mister Ginger found it interesting on another level, as parts of it were filmed in and around a city where he once lived and he recognized some of the locations.

Scoop - C+

This is the style of movie I thought I was getting when I rented Match Point. Scoop has its moments, primarily one-liners, some of which are spoken as throw-away lines. If you're a fan of Allen, you've probably already seen it. If you're not a fan, this probably isn't the place to start.