True Grit
Another perfectly executed Coen brother’s film based almost exactly on the Charles Portis novel. Absent the usual very dark humor and irony, it didn’t have quite the power of other of their films. Very good, nonetheless. **
The Tourist
Maybe the worst film of the year. Stunningly bad, and a huge waste of acting talent (that does not include Angelina). Avoid it. *
Antichrist
Bizarre, emotionally raw, nightmarish, beautifully filmed, very personal film where Lars von Trier works out his psycho-sexual complexes. Hard to watch, but kind of interesting. **
The Human Condition
Kobayashi Masaki’s 9.5 hour film about a man trying to live a moral and meaningful life during Japan’s war years. Beautifully filmed, extremely well acted, especially by Nakadai Tatsuya, and brilliantly directed. A stunning cinematic achievement. *****
