The Reader, Changeling

I just watched The Reader. I’m surprised it got made, but I guess the further away from WWII we get, the more people are willing to see Nazis as humans (as long as not played by Tom Cruise). It’s an excellent movie, as I’m sure you’ve heard. Kate Winslet slams that mother out of the park, completely deserves the Academy award. Ralph Fiennes was also very good. It seems slow, and you’re like okay, yeah, romance, stuff, whatever and then all of a sudden it builds to this peak and holy fuck, you’re bawling. 2 forks. I highly recommend it; the forks are mostly for re-treading the tired old Nazi turf, but they did it in such a fresh way I don’t have the heart to really snipe at them about it.

I also watched Changeling. Angelina was decent; I’ve enjoyed her more in other things, for certain. She really looks the part. This movie has an really interesting back story, some really good, strong characters drawn from real life, some seriously good actors, and THE LAMEST MOST SENTIMENTAL DIRECTOR OF ALL TIME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I GIVE YOU CLINT EASTWOOD. Can anyone give me a reason, beyond that he’s a famous guy, for why Clint Eastwood is allowed to direct movies? All his films plod along, lingering over fallen teddy bears and shit when good artists are labouring away trying to make you feel something for the characters. Eastwood would’ve filmed it all in a dreamy haze if he could’ve. This movie is about the mother of a kid abducted by a seriously twisted serial killer in the 20s; it should have been completely fascinating. Instead it was Snoresville. This is a thriller for your grandma, but it didn’t so much as warm my frikken’ heart. Damn you, Clint. 8 forks. We all know you tried, Angelina.