Redbelt
Jan/090
Since I’m talking movies I wanted to talk about Redbelt. Written and directed by David Mamet the movie stars one of my absolute favorite actors Chiwetel Ejiofor as a Jiu Jitsu instructor who doesn’t believe in fighting for prize. When this movie came out reviews were mixed, most of them saying it was the usual David Mamet trickery with Ricky Jay and magic and twists and everything else. To an extent this is true. David Mamet could write a Teletubbies episode and maintain your interest, but overall this movie is so much more than it’s plot twists. This movie is about Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mike Terry who is just an amazing character. His character has the strongest character and morals of any character you will see on screen. He believes in his students and he believes in his sport and he will do anything to defend it…except fight. Which makes it all the more fascinating. Even in the climax when all signs point to fighting for what you believe in, he does so but he does it without fighting. There is a fight, but he’s not the one who picks it. The story and the twists are fun, but this movie is Mike Terry and Mike Terry is awesome. 4/5.
I still have a ways to go on 2008 movies, but here is my updated Top Ten.
1. Wall-E
2. Iron Man
3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
4. Speed Racer
5. Redbelt
6. Dark Knight
7.Definitely, Maybe
8. Slumdog Millionaire
9. Pineapple Express
10. Step Brothers
I recently rented Iron Man and I didn’t return it for two weeks watching it 8 or 9 times over that period. That’s how it leapfrogged Forgetting Sarah Marshall. And I might as well put The Wrestler somewhere in the top 3 because I know that I am going to love everyone second of it (if I ever get to see it, thanks limited release! I saw Slumdog Millionaire and thought it was pretty good, but not as good as everyone is making it out to be.
