Blockbuster tried to lure us back with a special offer of $1 for the month of January to try their Netflix-rip-off service again. And damn it, I was happy to let them.
So I got to see “Crash” and “Batman Begins“. Both movies surprised me.
First, “Crash”. It’s a non-PC (politically correct) movie that exposes the ugliness that exists around Los Angeles (and probably most cities in America) about racism, stereotypes and conflicts between different ethnic groups and professions. It’s a very well-written script with excellent performance from many big-time actors. Don Cheadle, after his amazing performance in “Hotel Rwanda“, did it again with this film. But I’d say that this movie, overall, was a hidden treasure from the mainstream. I can think of many reasons why movies like this simply won’t become mainstream, but the issues it brought up certainly deserve a closer look. This movie reminds me of “Changing Lanes” quite a bit.
“Batman Begins” really took me by surprise with the quality of script, directing and cinematography. Since the franchise kind of took a nose die after about the third film, this movie saved the “Batman” name from being lost in a crowd of badly made super hero movies. I also have to add that this was one of the few super hero movies to which I hardly pay any attention to any of the special effects because I was so engaged in the plot, storytelling and acting. This movie is highly recommended if you are ever so curious about just how Batman came about.
