DVD of the Week: The American

In this 2010 thriller, George Clooney plays an international master assassin.  He lives a life of crushing loneliness.  Anyone who gets close to him will either die or betray him.  He is exhausted by years of perpetual vigilance, unnourished by human affection.  I remember this loneliness from my own years as an international master assassin.

Clooney’s character is written and played well.  This is a smart, arty film that transcends its hackneyed set-up:  the assassin takes One Last Job and encounters some beautiful, available and potentially dangerous women who may be Up To No Good.  The climax reminds me of the greatest assassin movie, Day of the Jackal.

For my recent DVD choices (including trailers), see DVDs of the Week.

Movies to See: Something for Everyone!

a good date movie - Going the Distance

How about starting off the weekend with an arty thriller?  There’s The American with George Clooney.

Want gritty crime drama?  You can choose between Mesrine: Killer Instinct and Animal Kingdom (or make them into a blood splattering double feature).

Maybe a smart and charming and relatively smart romantic comedy?  Going the Distance is your pick.

Hardhitting documentary?  The Tillman Story.

For trailers and other choices, see Movies to See Right Now.

For my recent DVD choices (including trailers), see DVDs of the Week.

Movies on TV include Underworld USA and Soylent Green, all coming up on TCM.