johnmartin323

Ray McKinnon is a delight. The Accountant is a whimsical, fast-talking tale concerning a very strange fellow and his bucolic interests around the tax nature of a farm. The highlight of this film centers around the writing. The words are snappy, well-timed, and extremely funny. The performances do a great justice to the words, and you can tell that the filmmakers are masters of their craft.

I think this short film is well-deserving of the Oscar, but sadly McKinnon has been all but absent in the feature scene. He's had his appearances, and I even enjoyed Crysthal, but in the end, they are outshined by The Accountant. I hope McKinnon comes back and captures this character in another piece. It is a delight.

I would give this an 7.5 or 8, if it were not for Bruno Ganz. In fact, I will dare say that the biggest crime surrounding this film is that Ganz was not lauded with every single acting award available. Never before has such dimensionality and care been applied to a performance of, quite possibly, the most vile human who ever lived (with the exception, perhaps, of his cohort Himmler). It's a confusing, sharp yet tender mix of sorrow, pity, anger, and ultimately, frustration.

Initially, I figured this would be a very low budget chamber piece. But it is as epic in scope as a Spielberg war film, with effects to match. A real surprise. But don't be fooled by eye candy. Der Untergang is a human story. It is an amazing built film. And it is unreal. A must-see.

Films like this are the essence of modern cinema. I am amazing simply by how quiet one finds Mar Adentro. It is measured, calm, and relaxed. Still it is able to incite amazing passion, torment, and emotion beyond what most films are capable. The picture remains bright and vivid, the sets are utilitarian and tonally perfect, the sound design is transparent. Equally impressive are the transitions and picture effects, which link scenes with a fluidity that binds the theme from scene to scene. Amenabar, who did the score as well as half the writing and the film's direction, is an auteur in the truest sense. He has a grand vision for the work, and it shines. His biggest star is definitely Bardem, who gives the best performance I've seen since Bruno Ganz in Der Untergang. Fabulous work.

On a side note, I recently had the opportunity to attend a screening of this film. I brought a friend, who was hesitant due to the subject matter. She did not want to "be depressed" by such a dismal theme. However, she wound up loving the film, finding it to be completely full of life.