Old Men, Middle-aged senators, and westerns

Are you looking for the ultimate propaganda piece of the year? Look no further!

Charlie Wilson's War is the American propaganda film this year. There's nothing like one of those star-studded films with uplifting music, glorifying American ideals and traditions. Except, this is ironic.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman is incredibly good in this film, and deserves whatever awards are thrown at him. Dare I say, he's better in this film than as Truman Capote?

Anyway, as I said, this film is incredibly ironic. It's about the true story 'struggle' of Charlie Wilson's to defend America from Communism by covertly providing arms and training to the Afghan resistance during the Cold War in 1980.

Throughout the stereotypical evil Russian dialogue, and the victoriously righteous montages of American-trained Afghan soldiers, blowing the Russians out of the air, one cannot help but laugh. This film is glorifying the incidents which were indirectly responsible for the lead up to the 9/11 attacks on American soil.

It's ironic, and very strange that this topic should be chosen for glorifying the American causes and ideals. And the weak postscript which tries to make out that the Americans wouldn't have been attacked if they had spent a million dollars on schooling the Afghans just doesn't work. And it kind've makes you laugh even more, when it comes to it.

It's a good, funny film, with excellent acting performances, and I have to say I'm glad I saw it, so that I could ridicule it's message somewhat.


Polarised, then, there was the No Country for Old Men. The film was dictated by silence. The Coen's ever faithful crediting of Carter Burwell as their 'Music by' credit, was no doubt a funny one in this film.

The Coens have a talent for black humour, and in a film with such a bleak outlook, it's amazing how many comedic references they managed to put in. The evil character of Chigurh was chilling and darkly comic. I have great respect for the Coens for being able to make a dark, serious first confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist so funny.

What blew me away, was Kelly McDonald's performance as Carla Jean Moss. This Scottish actor has a talent for accents, and she excels in her chemistry with Llewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin). She really works well with her dialogue and her material, and gives a lovely feeling into whichever scene she is in.

The lack of music makes the tension in this film hang on a thread. It's full of conflict and is simply fantastically acted, directed, and scripted. I make this my favourite for the Oscars (if they ever happen) this year.