Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

The Big Screen: Three Kings

Both of Los Baños' theaters are far from lacking in diversity this week. USA Theaters on Pacheco Boulevard is showing an impressive string of independently produced films, three in particular that have received stellar critical attention but little respect from mainstream audiences.

"Whip It," the roller derby film starring Ellen Page and directed by Drew Barrymore, is still playing on a big screen. Two others are also playing; "Trucker," a story about a woman who hesitantly brings the young son she abandoned on the road with her. It stars Michelle Monaghan of "Gone Baby Gone."

Another, "Ponyo," is a children's cartoon and a loose adaptation of "The Little Mermaid." Ponyo has been hyped up as a big contender for the Best Animated Feature award at this year's Oscars.

Premiere Cinemas, although playing a less notable lineup of movies, is hosting "2012" to sold out audiences. For all of the above mentioned films I had little excuse not to make it out to the movies this week. I will go ahead and blame the two and a half hour running time for "2012" as my reason to choose to rent.

I must come clean with the definitive motivation. Uncertainty. In the last few months I grew increasingly excited with anticipation about critiquing "The Men Who Stare at Goats." Both George Clooney and Jeff Bridges are among my favorite actors, and the war satire, an underutilized subgenre, is one of my preferred styles. The flick fell hard and the results were miserably flat. So although I've heard fantastic remarks about "Trucker," "Ponyo" and "2012," I felt more comfort in renting a definitive favorite.

So in the mood to watch a war movie that takes place in Iraq, preferably a satire, and starring George Clooney I was clearly pushed in the direction of David O. Russell's ingenious "Three Kings," starring Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube, a caper film that takes place among the chaotic and confused setting of the first Gulf War.

"Three Kings" is about four soldiers in Iraq at the closing of America's first attack against the dictator Saddam Hussein. The four men go in search of stolen Kuwait bullion that is rumored to be just a few hours drive from the base. But in addition to finding Kuwaiti treasure they find the real Iraq.

The real Iraq is full of bleak deserts and an even bleaker future beautifully painted by Russell's use of high contrast photography and wide lens cinematography. The technical effects become even more tangible through his use of screwball comedy and disturbing violence and action sequences. What begins as a traditional caper film turns into an examination of US intervention around the world. It is engaging and thoughtful but also a joy to watch.