The Hurt Locker (Best Picture 2009)

The Hurt Locker is a gray, depressing film about three men in a bomb disposal unit stationed in Iraq in 2004. Filmed in Jordan, close to the actual Iraqi border, its extras were predominantly Iraqi refugees.

Slumdog Millionaire (Best Picture 2008)

I don't know anything about game shows in general, or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in particular, and I don't know anything specifically about India and its culture. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire.

No Country For Old Men (Best Picture 2007)

I'm not sure why I never got around to watching this film when it first came out. Maybe it's reputation of ultra-violence turned me off. Maybe the "look" of Javier Bardem, with his emotionless glaze and his awful Seventies haircut, turned me off. And then maybe I just forgot about it. I mean, I have been a fan of the Coen Brothers for years, ever since Blood Simple (1984). They were born and grew up in Minnesota, and I was in school in that state at the time of that film's release. So it was around a lot and I think I saw it three or four times. I have seen most of their films since, so maybe I just forgot to get around to watching this one.

The Departed (Best Picture 2006)

The Departed is a violent, brash, and complicated film. It stars Jack Nicholson as a gangster in Boston and Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio as the police officers who are either trying to catch him, or to keep him free. The theme of the film is "identity," as everyone plays a different character depending on the audience. And it is the film that finally won director Martin Scorcese his first Academy Award for Best Director.

Crash (Best Picture 2005)

Crash is one of those films that you either love or hate. You either enjoy the way it weaves people's lives together into a rich tapestry, or you see a slew of coincidences and a conclusion that is obvious. But you know what? You have to actually see it in order to have an opinion. I definitely recommend this film.

A quick glance at the DVD cover above will tell you that there are atleast twelve "stars" in this film. However, the real "star" of this film is the city of Los Angeles. The story is about the city, and how people living in it do not connect, even when they crash into each other.