In this issue, I'll review two very different examinations of war. One is comical, the other is intense, and both are terrific.

In the Loop
(R, Now Available)

While researching for this political satire, writer-director Armando Iannucci printed a picture of himself off of Google, created a makeshift press pass, and gained access to the U.S. State Department by showing the ID to a security guard and stating, "BBC. I'm here for the 12:30." Iannucci roamed freely to take pictures for his production designer.

From its opening frames, "In the Loop" is a film on the go, just like its characters. Simon Foster (Tom Hollander, "Pride and Prejudice") is a man who should not be going anywhere. Certainly not in front of the press, but go he does. As a very important figure in the British government, Simon declares the United States entering a war with an unnamed Middle Eastern country to be "unforeseeable." Simon's well-publicized blunder awakens the considerable wrath of the Prime Minister's director of communications, Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Malcolm is a profane force of nature, who makes it his mission in life to keep Simon's mouth shut. Within moments he's on the phone with the press, declaring, "He did not say that war was unforeseeable. You may have heard him say it, but he did not, and that is a fact."

Simon's inability to keep his mouth shut does not make life easy for his young handler, Toby (Chris Addison), who cannot prevent Simon from telling the press that sometimes, in order to have peace, you must be willing to, "climb the mountain of conflict." A mortified Malcolm informs Simon, "You sounded like a Nazi Julie Andrews."

In an attempt to undo the damage and to show that war is neither "inevitable nor...evitable," Simon and Toby go to Washington, but, of course, no good can come of this.

"In the Loop" is a film that packs an enormous amount of content, well-developed characters, and sharp political satire into 105 minutes. There is a lot going on and Iannucci seems to care more that we are able to keep up with the film's energy and pace than to understand all the ins and outs of the plot. That's what second viewings are for.

Scripted with three other writers, Iannucci's characters and dialogue are absolutely fantastic. David Rasche (cult TV classic "Sledge Hammer") is outstanding as the disturbingly unqualified head of seemingly every committee in Washington, and James Gandolfini shines as the most intelligent and rational character in the entire film. The fact that this character is a U.S. Army general is a nice surprise, considering how negative and disrespectful films often are to American military officers.

Hollander, Addison, and Paul Higgins (as "the crossest man in Scotland") are all memorable and provide their characters great depth.

It is clear, however, that this film belongs to one man. As Malcom Tucker, Peter Capaldi is nothing short of comic dynamite. He's like Mozart or Picasso, but with swear words. It's not profanity for the sake of it. Malcolm Tucker is a living, fire-breathing f-bomb and you'd best stay out of his way. This is an incredible performance. He played it previously in the television series, "The Thick of It," which I want to devour as soon as possible.

"In the Loop" is a very smart and very funny movie that will probably only get better with future viewings. If you enjoy a good satire, then this is an absolute must. 9/10.

The Hurt Locker
(R, Now Available)

It's not often that a film makes me feel on edge, where I truly feel a sense of danger or even fear throughout virtually the entire movie. From its opening moments, Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is that sort of film.

Set in the early days of the Iraq War, a bomb tech (Guy Pearce) is coolly going to work, fully aware that he is always one wrong move or one sniper shot away from death. This opening scene is strangely peaceful, with men in uniform joking with each other, talking mostly about cheeseburgers. It's so peaceful, in fact, that with each passing moment we find ourselves tensing up, slowly realizing there's no possible way this can end well. By the time we meet the film's central character, Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner, "The Assassination of Jesse James"), there is a pervasive feeling that at any given moment something can, and will, go wrong.

James is another bomb tech, one who, by his count, has defused 873 bombs. When asked by a superior officer (David Morse) the best way to defuse a bomb, James simply says, "The way you don't die, sir."

Covering James' back as he steps into danger are Sergeant Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Eldridge (Brian Geraghty, "Jarhead"), neither of whom care for James' "wild man" streak. Eldridge especially is convinced that James is going to get him killed, and when we see how James operates, it's hard to blame him.

Written by first-time screenwriter Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker" is not a film terribly interested in examining the politics of war, but really about the varying mindsets of the warriors involved.

As James, Renner gives a terrific understated performance, which manages to play well with the intense fear created by Boal and Bigelow ("Point Break"). It takes someone with the character's cool mindset to be willing to do what James does. And not only is James willing, it is the only time he feels in his element. He may not be relatable, but we realize that there are people just like him that put themselves on the line every day and the world is a better place for it.

"The Hurt Locker" is an intense moviegoing experience that must be seen. 9/10.

Questions? Comments? E-mail Bob.

Also New to DVD and Blu-Ray

Now Available:
Moon (R) - 8/10
Halloween II (R)
The Brothers Bloom (PG-13) 9/10 (Finally available for purchase)
The Whitest Kids U' Know: Season 2

January 19:
Gamer (R)
Magnolia (R) (Blu-Ray)
Weeds: Season 5

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