Jens Scherer (ironclad1609)

Unlike the Bourne movies this "one man against government conspiracy" film has not much of a story to offer. At least not a very intelligent one. Sure, everything's really nicely filmed (and god bless them for shooting in Philadelphia, a city very dear to me) and some of the action looks pretty good. The thing is, there is not even that much of it. And the investigation phase works well for a while, but in the end, especially during the showdown, things make not all that much sense. That doesn't make the movie any less entertaining and watchable on a rainy Sunday. If only they would have spared us of all those stereotypes. Why does the guy showing a picture of his beloved always die first? Why is she the only possible hostage person for the film? Why meet a sniper on a huge open snow field? Oh well, it was okay for as long as it lasted. Just don't think about it.

After delivering some of the best action films of the 90s, namely Point Blank and Strange Days, director Kathryn Bigelow returns with a very intense war drama about an Army bomb squad team in todays Iraq. While the movie only has mini roles to offer for stars, it's Jeremy Renner's show anyway, who gives a very convincing performance as the bomb expert. The almost documentary style of the film takes you right into the middle of things and doesn't let go for two very intense hours. The impression of imminent thread hanging over the soldier's heads expands to the audience easily. The few action scenes are well timed and shot, especially the sniper duel across a valley is excellent. And although the topic of the film is as current as it gets and accordingly explosive (literally), it neither preaches any political point of view nor glorifies heroism. Its view on things are realistic and sobering, sometimes even sickeningly so (the body bomb). Exciting and intelligent, one of the highlights of the year 2009.

The end of the series and my personal highlight of the Star Wars series, this is the most racy puppet theater of the Universe. It easily shows that you don't need CGI effects, because not only do matte paintings, puppets and masks still work excellently 25 years later, they are also part of the charm. It also shows, that what the prequels were lacking was mostly a character like Harrison Ford's Han Solo, delivering snotty lines by the minute, being the coolest asshole in space. The set-up, the action, the effects, the flow, everything here is perfect and leads to the biggest showdown cinemas ever saw. The tripartite conference scene with the space battle over Endor, the hilarious and imaginative Ewok warfare on Endor and the Emperor on the Death Star, being the most evil villain of all times, tempting Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side, (and knowing each step of the good guys in advance) is just fantastic. The final lightsaber battle Vader vs. Skywalker is easily the most emotional and therefore best of the whole series. And then the ending: Vader's redemption and final celebration, which makes the audience just as happy as the surviving rebels: Perfect. All threads are tied, everyone gets what they deserve (yes, fans of the Extended Universe know Boba Fett made it out of the Sarlacc). The ultimate fairy tale ending. After 25 years this easily remains my favorite movie of all times.

It actually has the weakest beginning of the three, if you wanna use that word, because it's still pretty good, just not as mind-blowing as FOTR and TTT. What follows in the last two hours of the extended version is movie making to dream of, though. A lot has been said about the Oscar nominated effects, props, camera work, music and of course Jackson's flawless directing. But few mentioned how much fine acting is happening here as well: it's the small gestures, facial expressions and lines especially Wood, Mortensen, McKellen and Astin deliver that make this movie unforgettable just as much as the stunning visuals. The lighting of the beacons, the ride of the Rohirrim, Legolas taking out the war elephant, Eowyn and Merry taking on the Witch King, Sam carrying Frodo up Mount Doom and this unbelievably beautiful ending (not one minute too long) - all perfect, memorable scenes and going down in movie history. One of the best movies of our time. "You bow to no one".