The Day of the Jackal

Updated Movies To See Right Now

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James Coburn and James Garner in The Americanization of Emily

The best movie to see is still The Social Network.   The birth story of Facebook is a riveting tale of college sophomores that are brilliant, ambitious, immature, self-absorbed and disloyal – and about to become zillionaires.  It’s a triumph for actor Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland, Zombieland and Solitary Man), director David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac) and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The West Wing, Charlie Wilson’s War).  It’s already on my list of Best Movies of 2010 – So Far.

Howl has a fine performance by James Franco, but is marred by an unsuccessful animation.  Without strongly recommending it, I can say that The Town is a satisfying Hollywood thriller.  You can skip Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger.  For trailers and other choices, see  Movies to See Right Now.

I have not yet seen Inside Job or Hereafter, which open this week.  You can see their trailers at Movies I’m Looking Forward To.

My DVD of the Week is still The Day of the Jackal.  For my recent DVD choices (including trailers), see DVDs of the Week.

Movies on TV include  The Americanization of Emily (more on that tomorrow) and The Black Stallion, all coming up on TCM.

This week's Movies to See Right Now

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Rooney Mara and Jesse Eisenberg open The Social Network

 

The Social Network is still the top choice in theaters this week. The birth story of Facebook is a riveting tale of college sophomores that are brilliant, ambitious, immature, self-absorbed and disloyal – and about to become zillionaires.  It’s a triumph for actor Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland, Zombieland and Solitary Man), director David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac) and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The West Wing, Charlie Wilson’s War).  It’s already on my list of Best Movies of 2010 – So Far.

Howl has a fine performance by James Franco, but is marred by an unsuccessful animation.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a light and wry coming-of-age comedy set in a locked psychiatric facility.  It’s good-hearted fluff with a few chuckles and an unexpectedly restrained and  heartfelt performance by Zach Galifianakis.

Without strongly recommending it, I can say that The Town is a satisfying Hollywood thriller.  You can skip Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger.

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

My DVD of the Week is The Day of the Jackal, like The American, the tale of an international master assassin – only fact-based and even better.  For my recent DVD choices (including trailers), see DVDs of the Week.

Movies on TV include  Mister Roberts, Repo Man and Arsenic and Old Lace, all coming up on TCM.

DVD of the Week: The Day of the Jackal

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My DVD of the Week is The Day of the Jackal (1973), like The American, the tale of an international master assassin – only fact-based and even better.  In Day of the Jackal, French security forces are tipped off to a plot to assassinate President DeGaulle and they eventually figure out where and when the assassination will be attempted.  But they don’t know who they are looking for or what he looks like.  Without computers or cell phones, they must track down the unknown assassin in time.

Edward Fox is excellent as the resourceful and meticulously professional killer.  So is Michael Lonsdale as the creative yet methodical cop leading the manhunt.  But the real star is director Fred Zinnemann (High Noon, From Here to Eternity, A Man for All Seasons).  As he showed in High Noon, Zinnemann knows how to tell a story and build tension, and the ending in Day of the Jackal is thrilling.

The Day of the Jackal has nothing to do with Carlos the Jackal of The Sundance Channel’s Carlos.

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