Having just watched The Battle of Algiers I can understand why they screened it at the Pentagon. While there are several key differences between the fights in Iraq today and Algeria in the 1950s, there are some important similarities (though I suppose some of you would rather overlook the fact that we are now playing the role that imperial France occupies in the movie) that probably could have informed the way officers look at the conflict in the present day. But quite apart from whether or not this 1960's film is relevant to today's politics, it's a very well done political thriller. That none of it was documentary footage, well, let's just say that the director did a phenomenal job of recreating events, particular considering when this movie was made. And there are all types of things about its construction, the action, the acting and the score that hold your interest.
As to my other recent rental, All the Real Girls, if you were able to get through it, good for you. I found the begining of it to be down-home folksy and romantic in such a heavy-handed and pretentious way that it boogles the mind. I had to pop it out of the DVD player after 11 minutes.
Posted by armand at March 1, 2005 11:26 AM | TrackBack | Posted to MoviesThe joys of Netflix. Though be aware that even if you were to join Netflix it seems they don't have many copies of it. That was up at the top of my list of things to rent for longer than anything I've every requested. The "very long wait" was indeed very long.
Posted by: Armand at March 1, 2005 11:49 AM | PERMALINKi caught BfA at a pittsburgh theatre a year or so ago. truly, a stunning pic.
Posted by: joshua at March 1, 2005 12:50 PM | PERMALINK