Stop-loss

I had no idea what a stop-loss was before I saw this film. I thought it was the tap that controlled the water supply for your house. I think that's called a stop-cock though. Close enough.
It actually means that when a U.S. soldieris due to leave the army in a timeof war, they can be issued with a stop-loss order and be redeployed to the front line.
It seems like a ridiculous notion to me, I can't imagine any other workplace getting away with that. "Excuse me sir" he said to his manager at McDonalds "I'm handing in my notice as i'd like to further my career, better myself and possibly discover the cure for Aids". The manager would look him up and down, laugh whilst handing him his burger flipper and apron and say "Stop-lossed bitch, get back to work".
The film starts with an ultra-realistic combat scene on the streets of Afghan as the troops are drawn into an ambush, resulting in numerous casualties. So far so good. The film then relocates to Texas and the homecoming of the soldiers, where they unwind with booze, girls and fights. Much the same as any other Texan relaxes.
The acting talent on show is some of the best of the up and coming crop of actors including Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Abbie Cornish. Ryan Phillipe also gives his best performance to date as the soldier on the run.
Its just a shame that after half the film, what was a gripping character piece resorts to being just another two bit chase movie, with Phillipe trying to avoid being stop-lossed. Its a shame because this looked to be in the same league as The Hurt Locker, being a gripping look into the mindset of battle scarred U.S. soldiers. Director Kimberley Pierce also mishandles a scene involving a severely disabled troop who's injuries are a result of the opening ambush which Phillipe blames himself for, and she seems to insist on hammering home the fact that he's not changed, he's still the fun loving guy he was regardless of lack of sight and limbs. It seems a bit patronising.
I did like this film as a whole, its well made, the acting talent is remarkable and it is an original take on the modern war story. The ending is pretty good as well, even if it does undermine the whole of the film that came before it. Plus its got Abbie Cornish in it, surely the most naturally beautiful actress to grace our screens this century.
Four stars.

Gentlemen Broncos

Jared Hess is the new master of quirky comedy. Napoleon Dynamite was an absolute masterpiece of teenage awkwardness and angst whilst Nacho Libre, although maybe not the greatest film, was still full of originality. Gentlemen Broncos isn't quite as good as Napoleon but its a damn sight better than Nacho Libre.
Although this film didn't get a theatrical release in the UK, I still went into it expecting big things purely because of Hess' name on the director's chair. The screenplay's he writes with his other half Jerusha are the epitome of indie quirk. Every character is unique and every interaction between two people comes across as awkward, intentionally of course.
The presence of Jermaine Clement is probably the best bit of casting this side of Heath Ledger's Joker. He channels the presence of the Mighty Boosh's Dixon Bainbridge into the body of Serpico. The entertainment scale is cranked right up every time he appears and it is surely just a matter of time before he is a proper comedy superstar.
Halley Feiffer is an interesting choice for the leading lady being neither conventionally beautiful nor that gifted an actress, however she is still one of the most interesting young actresses i've witnessed for a while. I can't work out if her stilted performance was part of the act but she is certainly most alluring.
Although it may sound like I thought Gentlemen Broncos was perfect, believe me, it ain't. The scenes with Sam Rockwell set in the Yeast Lords story are way off the mark, bringing the films momentum to a halt every 15 minutes or so. Even the always reliable Rockwell is nothing short of irritating.
To summarise what I know is quite a hurried review, this is a great film if you like Napoleon and Nacho but if you didn't its probably best to steer clear. There's also a scene with a snake having a shit on a mans crisp white shirt if that counts for anything.
Four stars.