Edge of Darkness review

Hi all! Whether all means many or few I cannot tell. I will hazard a guess at the latter for I do not believe anyone has subscribed to my blog yet. I can't blame them. I haven't updated in over a month. And with good reason. January typically sucks where movies are concerned. Also I've been caught up in a dozen other things, none of which will interest you if you come seeking movie reviews. So I bring my first review of the year Edge of Darkness, and I might as well finish up by giving my Oscar predictions for 2009.

Edge of Darkness - Mel Gibson's first film as the lead in almost decade has him as Boston policemen Thomas Craven who is seeking revenge for crimes against his daughter. His harrowing quest for justice gets Craven deep in bureaucratic affairs and intrigue aplomb. I went into the film knowing almost nothing about it, and would likewise like to keep you viewers in the dark, or on the edge of it (tee hee!) as well. Trust me, you'll have more fun the less you know.

It's a nice reminder of why Mel Gibson used to garner such attention. Talented as he is behind the camera, he is far more enjoyable on camera. Unlike Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson actually gives credibility to an old man kicking a fair amount of ass simply because he has nothing left. As a man tortured by the deception and cruelty unfolding around him, Mel gives the film vitality. The same can be said for director Martin Campbell, action director extraordinaire. They project the film a notch above similar fare. Danny Huston and Ray Winstone give good performances to fairly generic characters: a corrupt businessman and a Deepthroat style character.

The film is tight and occasionally surprising. And by surprising, I don't mean as to whether a character is going to die or not, but how they are going to die. The plot is comprehensive if a little far-fetched given the surroundings and motivations. It too elevates the film above the likes of a Steven Seagal film.The action is tight and well choreographed. I loved watching Mel Gibson enact revenge in Lethal Weapon. I loved it in Braveheart. I enjoyed it here as well. His brand of crazy vengeance is just one of the simple things you treasure in life. It's a film about a simple man who demands honesty from a frequently morally bankrupt world that is driven by greed. I think that's why we have so many films in which good is portrayed as winning in the end. Not because it's true to life, but it's the truth that we desire to see.

Sidenote: This film was made largely in my home of Western Massachussetts. I am reminded of how I felt during my viewing of "In Bruges" in which a quaint countryside town is given a wildly-inappropriate-given-its-settings gangster story. This alternate Massachussetts is like if Sin City were mixed with Dr. No's nuclear scheme. Sounds like a fun place. Wish I lived there.

A solid entertaining film that delivers in February no less. Edge of Darkness gets a B.


Now, Oscar predictions. The Oscar folk have been trying to cloud my judgement by upping the stakes from 5 to 10 nominees for best picture. It's difficult, as I have not seen 6 of the films, but that won't stop cynical old me. I'm betting most of the Oscar ballot casters haven't seen more than 4 films on the list either.

Best Picture: Avatar.
Why: 2 Billion Fuck you. That's why. Was it a great film? No. Was it a very good film that could have used a little more depth? Yes. Was it a beautiful film that the world over has seen? Twice? Yes. "Precious" could win, but it's more likely that actress will win in her respective category. "District 9" was great, but it's too nerdy, and "Avatar" is far more pedestrian sci-fi. Not enough people have seen "The Hurt Locker", "A Serious Man", "The Blind Side" or "An Education". Remember folks, Oscar's about publicity. They did themselves no favors back in 06 when they awarded "Crash" Best Film. "Up in the Air" was great but depressing to many, and "Up" will win Best Animated Film. "Inglurious Basterds" was widely liked, but ravaging history just to imagine-sock Hitler and all the Nazis on the jaw that escaped unscathed does not Best Film make.

Best Actor: George Clooney
Why: Hmmm....tricky. I haven't seen all of these films. Clooney and Freeman have both won awards in the past. A Single Man is only up for this one Oscar. Invictus is really more about a soccer match than Nelson Mandela. I'm going to bring it down between Jeff Bridges and George Clooney. I would like for Jeff Bridges to win an award one of these days, as he's done many great unappreciate things. I'm going to go out on the first of many limbs and say that The Hurt Locker is going to be the Benjamin Button this year. i.e. the film that is respected but not liked enough to garner anything beyond nominations. Up in the Air was probably Clooney's best film, and a very relevant one given unemployment rising.

Best Actress: Gabourey Sidibe
Again tricky. I've only seen Julie and Julia. Meryl was great, but she's always great. Oscars aren't about consistent greatness, which people find not awesome but boring for some reason, but momentary new greatness. That's how Jennifer Hudson got more Oscars than you ever will. I'll wait to let you get some Aloe Vera for that burn. Okay you're back. Anywho, Helen Mirren is great, but no one has seen The Last Station. This was really down to hype between Bullock and Precious. I will be damned if the world has become so cruel that Sandra Bullock wins an Oscar after two decades of playing the same persona. Nay, that she wins an Oscar the same year that she is nominated for a Razzie. Therefore I vote for the other overhyped film I have not seen, Precious. Hey it worked last year when I said I would be damned if Marisa Tomei took a SECOND Oscar. Yes I take full credit for that happening. And won my local Oscar ballot contest through pure cynicism. Moving on...

Best Supporting Actor: Matt Damon
This is a tricky year. Possibly Matt Damon. He turned in what i hear are two very good performances, which always raises the odds. Christopher Plummer is getting on in years, and I would like to see him get recognition. Stanley Tucci is a very good actor as well. However, Matt Damon is the most high profile of all of these men, and we need some celebs in the house to win!

Best Supporting Actress: Mo' Nique
Best Director: James Cameron
Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
Best Original Screenplay: A Serious Man
Best Cinematography: Avatar
Best Foreign Film: Das wiesse Band
Best Animated Film: Up
Possibly the only easy choice in the lot.

There ya go! Not easy choices, and it took an hour of wild guessing to arrive there. Enjoy!