"'71"

Jesus Christ, British army's been dying up there with shit flying at them from all angles for the last 10 years, and you're not impressed? (The Long Good Friday)

The conflict in Northern Ireland (the so-called «The Troubles») spanned for more than 30 years. Despite the fact, that this conflict is less known than The Vietnam War, it got own place in history and lest thousands of mentally and physically traumatized residents of the United Kingdom.

Gary Hook is a new recruit to the British Army. He hopes that his platoon would be sent to the West Germany, but instead they are transferred to Belfast. The capital of Northern Ireland is divided between Catholics and Protestants. During one of the search missions, one soldier loses his rifle and Cook, accompanied by another soldier, tries to regain it. They are severely beaten by angry mob and the Harry’s comrade is shot by IRA gunman. Gary evades the capturers, but the path to a base is very dangerous…

An ex-documentary director Yann Demange offers an impassionate insight into the 1970’s Northern Ireland. Without taking sides, The Director shows the young Nationalists and Catholics who are dreaming of growing up and acquiring rifles; pubs, where bombs misdetonates; bloody feud between senior and young wing of the IRA.

Such war does not have anything in common with wars about which we read and watch. In Belfast, there are no trenches, barbed wire, artillery or air strikes. Instead of it, the city is one big battlefield, where enemy is everywhere. The Northern Ireland conflict is fought by «unconventional» means – the extortion, the blackmail, the informants, the death squads doing dirty work on both sides.   

Nevertheless, even in such war, there are some people who save some traces of humanity. A retired Army medic along with his daughter shelters and helps a wounded Hook, despite the real threat of the IRA retaliation.

There is no place for justice in the real world. In a normal circumstances, nobody would not be interested in rescuing the peace of meat. The only reason for the hunt is simple – Hook knows, by coincidence, some valuable information. Nevertheless, after rescue there will be no commendation or punishment for the guilty. Mentally traumatized Gary Hook would be just thrown back into the world and maybe he will learn to live there again.

«’71» is a sincere film after which you want read some literature on The Troubles.

8/10

Birdman

People, they love blood. They love action. Not this talky, depressing, philosophical bullshit

Riggan Thomson used to be a blockbuster star, but it was a long time ago. In an attempt to reclaim past glory, he writes, directs and plays the leading part in the stage adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story «What We Talk About When We Talk About Love». Riggan has to face many difficulties: the skeptical daughter; the critical contempt; the trolling of Mike Shiner and, first, his alter ego…

Birdman, with sufficient simplification, could be described by these words – the self-parody. Michael Keaton, who was the best Batman, plays his own distorted image – the washed-up actor, who desperately tries to succeed in the «real art». Riggan Thomson is the quintessential dinosaur – despises the social networking; tries to rebuild relationship with his estranged daughter and worries about not getting in the headlines, if a plane of him and Clooney would crash.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu makes fun of the modern Hollywood, where the form has taken over the substance. The modern culture, in author’s opinion, got the same traits – the cheap épatage; the silly tweets and the stupid YouTube videos could make more popular, than the «real art».

The author pokes the washed-up actors in general, who are trying to reclaim their glory be acting, which is incomparable with their acting possibilities. In order to show the limits of Riggan’s acting, the director creates the character of Edward Norton – the grotesquely method and brilliant actor. A critic also shows Riggan the difference between real and fake acting.

The film uses, jokingly, the theme of temptation. His alter ego – Birdman, constantly tempts Riggan Thomson. As a classical demon, he constantly seduces Riggan to abandon art and return to the easy buck of blockbusters. Birdman, by giving Riggan the supernatural traits, shows him the advantages of an easy path.

Birdman is a very good film. I would be surprised, if this film will not get any Oscars.

9/10