3 Movie Reviews

V for Vendetta -Set in a future totalitarian London, we see Evey, a young woman out after curfew attacked by police forces. She's rescued by a vigilante wearing a Guy Fawlkes mask known only as V (Hugo Weaving). V begins a series of terrorist acts to overthrow the government and Evey learns more about herself in the process. It's based on a comic by Alan Moore from the early 80s, it was adapted by the Wachowski brothers (of Matrix fame) and updated with words like "rendition" and "avian flu". V's speeches are a little preachy at times and his tactics are clearly questionable, but the underlying message of being responsible for your government comes through strongly. "People shouldn't be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people." I liked it a lot even though I found a few points a bit slow.

The War Within - An independent film from 2005 about a Pakistani named Hassan who is in New York to perform a terrorist act. He's staying with old friends who don't know what he's here for. This is not a dumb action film with one dimensional villians and Bruce Willis saving the day. As Hassan spends more time with his friends he begins to question what he's doing. Through flashback we find out how he was recruited into this cell after he was mistakenly apprehended and tortured by the CIA. This doesn't glorify or justify terrorism but it does suggest that not all terrorists are unthinking religious fanatics. I got a lot out of it.

Fever Pitch - A romantic Comedy about successful business woman (Drew Barrymore) dating a rabid red sox fanatic (Jimmy Fallon). They meet during the off season and she doesn't realize the extent of his obsession, this has happened to him before. Once the season starts he's in conflict as he's never missed a game in 23 years. It's a Farrelly brothers film, but without the grossout scenes. The characters aren't idiots and the situations aren't forced and while there's not much depth, it was a lot of fun. I can't imagine anyone not liking this film.