Monkey Wrench's Big Score!

In Bruges (2008) – One of 2008’s better flicks, this tale of two assassins and their enforced holiday in the title city is extremely violent and depressing, with a bleak view of mankind. In other words, a perfectly lovely Irish comedy. Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson are the hit men on leave, with an increasingly unsteady Ralph Fiennes as their employer. Impressive sleeper from writer-director Martin McDonagh. Grade: A

30 Days of Night (2007) – Awful and awfully stupid vampire thriller takes the title and set-up of a great comic but adds nothing beyond the punchline. It’s Alaska and it turns out that vampires love locations that get no sunlight for months. Silly and unbelievable, with Josh Harnett, Melissa George and Danny Huston as the natty fanged leader (hilariously parodied by John Kline in his classic “twitchy vamp puts his tie on” bit) – Grade: F

The Assassination of Jesse James (2007) – With T as witness for this second viewing (because I enjoy getting her confirmation), this is a fine piece of work – with a muddled middle the only misstep. Grade: A-

This Is England (2006) – Tough drama about growing up different in early ‘80s England educated me about the time period and kept me engrossed. Occasionally familiar drama, at times unbearably intense. Watched in a binge while Tiffany was away down South for a funeral. Grade: B+

Seraphim Falls (2006) – Epic-scaled adventure watched in the same binge. Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson square off post-War Between the States, and both are appropriately tough and gritty. Fine stuff, a shame it wasn’t seen more on the big screen. Grade: B

Also rewatched bits of the big Oscar winner No Country for Old Men and it was fine (but not as good as Burn After Reading, though I’ve always been more a Lebowski than a Blood Simple devotee).

Also rewatched Zodiac (2007) and that’s such a masterful piece that David Fincher deserves all the Oscar love his recent hit Button (opening surprisingly strong over the holidays) will receive. That Best Director nod should be in part for this too.

CP