So, this weekend I finally decided to checkout the Landmark Bethesda Row in Downtown Bethesda, MD, for not one but two films! It's a wonderful theater for indie and international (I don't like the term 'foreign') films. I've always wanted to check it out, since they showcase many 'limited-release' films, but never got around to going. All I can say is I regret not going sooner. The atmosphere is remarkably different from ordinary theaters, probably due partly to the slightly older audiences.
The first movie I saw was "Goya's Ghosts", starring Natalie Portman (who happens to be my all-time favorite celebrity crush) ;) & Stellan Skarsgard. The theater I screened this in was very cozy, so even those in the back row were still pretty close to the screen. I ended up in the front, so was even closer.
I thought it was a stunning and poignant film that showed the extreme horror and tragedy that 'humanity' can inflict upon itself. Natalie Portman's portrayal of Ines (and later her daughter, Alicia) Bilbatua was quite heart-wrenching to watch. It was almost like an extension to her torture in V For Vendetta.
Stellan Skarsgard's performance was equally brilliant as well, portraying the historically renowned Spanish artist, Francisco De Goya. I really watching his scenes when he was creating his artwork, such as the etchings.
The Spanish Inquisition was just one such period of human history where atrocities were committed in the name of some higher 'purpose', whether it be the Crusades, Naziism, or something else...
Then, on Sunday, I came back to Landmark again to see "Rescue Dawn". Christian Bale was incredible once again, this time playing a US fighter pilot shot down over Laos before the start of the Vietnam War. He is soon captured and taken to a Laotian POW camp owned by the Vietcong. There, he meets two other US soldiers, and local prisoners. After months of planning, the prisoners make a perilous attempt for escape, on July 4th no less. This was an amazing epic that I can't wait for DVD!
Coming next week...Sunshine!
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