Movies of the Week -- August 20-26

1. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006): A stark and realistic portrait of the World War II battle for the island of Iwo Jima, as told from the point of view of the Japanese. In Japanese with English subtitles. Starring Ken Watanabe. Nominated for 4 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director -- Clint Eastwood.

It seems that few, if any, modern-day movies glorify war, and this one is no different. Battles are shown in their bloody, gory, often sickening intensity, but the movies never loses its main focus --it presents the Japanese soldiers as human beings with the same desires, hopes, and fears as soldiers from any other nation, a distinction not previously made by an American moviemaker. It's often so easy to forget that an enemy is no different on an individual level from ourselves, and Mr. Eastwood makes this point well. I can't say that I enjoyed this movie, as the subject is fairly depressing and the movie dark and dreary, but it was well done and beautifully shot.

2. Becket (1964): A look at life and death of Thomas Becket, close friend and advisor to King Henry II of England. Becket eventually became Archbishop of Canterbury and put the Catholic Church ahead of his friendship with the king, which ultimately lead to his death. Starring Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. Nominated for 12 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director -- Peter Glenville, Best Actor -- Richard Burton, Best Actor -- Peter O'Toole, and Best Supporting Actor -- John Gielgud.

An excellent movie, stupendous acting by both Burton and O'Toole. Both my husband and I majored in history in college, and as far as we can remember, the story seems to follow the real-life events very well. Very highly recommended.

3. Smash-Up--The Story of a Woman (1947): A woman turns to alcohol as her husband climbs the ladder of success. Starring Susan Hayward. Nominated for 2 Oscars, including Best Actress -- Susan Hayward.

A moving portrait of one woman's slide into addiction based on her feelings of worthlessness. Recommended.

4. Z (1969): The events preceding the assassination of a left-wing political leader. Based on a true story. In French with English subtitles. Nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Directing -- Costa-Gavras, and Best Foreign Language Film (France/Algeria). Winner for Best Foreign Language Film.

Very good movie, a crisp telling of a politically important story. Recommended.

5. Hondo (1953): An Army dispatch rider befriends a woman and her young son in the Old West. The group must face both the Apaches and the U.S. Army. Starring John Wayne and Geraldine Page. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress -- Geraldine Page.

A typical but enjoyable John Wayne western. It was somewhat obvious that this was Ms. Page's first role, but overall a good job. Worth the time for fans of westerns or John Wayne.

TAMMY'S TRIVIA: Did you know that films nominated for Best Foreign Film are submitted by the country of origin? The Oscar is awarded to the winning film's director, but is considered an award for the country. How is a film nominated for this award? Each country is invited to submit a film for consideration. A jury in that country selects what they consider to be that country's best non-English film of the year and submits it to the Academy. Each country is limited to 1 submission. The Academy then nominates 5 of the submissions for the Best Foreign Language Film category. Oscars have been given for Best Foreign Language Film since 1947.

Answer to last week's trivia: Peter O'Toole was nominated twice for playing the role of King Henry II of England. The films in which he played this role are Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968). He did not win for either performance.

It's also interesting to note that, although the two films were made within 4 years of one another, there is a difference of 13 years in the time periods in which the two films are set. Peter O'Toole was 32 at the time he starred in Becket, in which King Henry would have been 37. Four years later at the age of 36, he played the King at the age of 50.