Lieutenant Aldo Raine knelt to the ground in front of a Nazi begging for his life. He smiled and took out a knife and grabbed the Nazi by his head and carved the Swastika symbol into the cringing man’s head. He threw the man out of his way and looks at his men, the Basterds, and said, “We’re gonna be doin’ one thing and one thing only… killin’ Nazis.”
Last year was a killer year in film, with doses of laughter and intelligence mixed with social awareness. Movies such as “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” and “Up in the Air” mixed together clever scripts, talented actors, and creative directors to create a blend of perfection.
When summer comes and you have nothing to do, turn off “The Hills” and Netflix 2009 Oscar winning movies. They are much more entertaining than “The Hills”, but you actually just might learn something. First on your list should be “The Hurt Locker,” which was the winner of nine Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Achievement in Directing.
“The Hurt Locker” follows a group of young men who are trained to disarm bombs in the brutal environment of modern day Iraq. Jeremy Renner plays Sergeant First Class William James, a man who feeds off adrenaline and continually cheats death. The movie takes place over 39 days in Bravo Company’s bomb disposal unit. The movie will hit you straight on. No movie about war has ever been made in such a realistic and emotional way.
Now that you’ve began your list of movies to Netflix, you better not forget to add “Up in the Air.” Jason Reitman, the director of “Juno,” brings you another must-see dramedy using that same essence of realistic life. Nominated for six Oscars, “Up in the Air,” starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kenndrick, and Jason Bateman, is an entertaining spin on the ups and downs that life brings.
“Up in the Air” follows the journey of Ryan Bingham, played by Clooney, and Natalie Keener, played by Kenndrick, around the country firing anyone in their path. Bingham is a vulnerable man who fools himself into believing that being alone is the safe way to live. After watching “Up in the Air” not only will you have laughed, but you will have felt as if the characters were real people you knew.
Finally on your list should be “Inglourious Basterds.” Nominated for eight Academy Awards, “Inglourious Basterds” starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Diane Kruger portrays history as it wasn’t. The film follows a group of Jewish- American soldiers that were infamous for killing Nazis during the chaos of WWII.
Director Quentin Tarantino brings audiences another genius movie that will make you laugh and wonder if maybe WWII really did happen this way. “Inglourious Basterds” will surely entertain, but it’s the incredible script combined with the incredibly hilarious personality of Lt. Aldo Raine that make this movie unforgettable.
Summer is just around the corner so get ready to enjoy the sun and the fresh air, but when you feel like you’re about to pass out due to heat stroke, go inside and take a seat on the couch. Enjoy the air conditioning and relax with some popcorn, because all you have to do now is press play.
Eva Bialobrzeski can be reached for comment at [email protected]