Review: Redbelt

Redbelt – ***1/2

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alice Braga, Tim Allen, Rodrigo Santoro, Emily Mortimer, Joe Mantegna, Ricky Jay, Max Martini
Written and Directed by David Mamet

David Mamet is undoubtedly a great playwright. Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo will stand up among the true greats of Western theatre for many years to come. On film though, he’s never gained the consistency of his stage work. The best filmic work from Mamet is his first work, House of Games, a ridiculously over-plotted but hugely enjoyable game about deceit. The absolute best thing with his mark on its Glengarry, directed by James Foley and all the better for it.

Redbelt is his latest to be both written and directed by the man himself and it contains all the joys and misgivings of his other dual-controlled efforts in the past. The story is basically about a struggling Jiu Jitsu teacher (played really well by Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is having money troubles. We then meet a rolling set of characters, all of whom have complicatedly hidden agendas, and we carry on towards a convoluted but controlled ending.

Films Since My Birth

So, after doing albums, it’s only my style to continue on the list-making train and do one for films. The release dates are a little sketchy but I’ve kept to it as much as possible given the discrepancies between US and UK releases over the years. Enjoy.

Post-jump then, the best movies of my lifetime so far, year by year.

Where Did Our Link Go?

The AV Club has a glowing review of No Country For Old Men. On the subject, PopMatters has an interview with the Coens.

You can choose your friends. But not your family.

Garrison Keillor talks Halloween on Salon.

Hirsuite genius Guillermo Del Toro is to remake UK series Champions. For those who don’t know, here’s what that is.

The Village Voice reviews Sufjan Stevens.

Ellen has pissed off some writers.

The Pringles Ad of Brad Pitt’s past is back to haunt him.

The Office‘s John Krasinski is looking yummy in this sports-related spread from Men’s Health.

This evening Beth has mostly been playing High School Musical: Sing It! and marvelling at how complicated the harmonies are.

And Sam enjoyed Glengarry Glen Ross at The Apollo Theatre in London, starring Aiden Gillen and Jonathan Pryce.

There be some women out there who truly hate Observer Woman magazine…

And finally – here’s the Rashida Jones (Karen in The Office) starring Foo Fighters video for Long Road To Ruin