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Nicholas Vargo · 11-22-2005, 03:01 PM

Last week, I saw a double feature of "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang" and "Good Night, and Good Luck." Although I think both film rank among the best of the year, I thought that this one was not only better, but I think it is hands down the best film of the year.

This film is so wonderfully told and told with such realism that it seems like we're actually there with Murrow and the CBS executives. I also felt that using the McCarthy footage was also interesting as well, since I have actually never seen it myself.

I think what sets this film apart from other films of this nature is the fact that it tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Nothing in this film seems Hollywodized or fake. It all seems so real. In fact, at times, I was reminded of the TV movie remake of "Fail Safe", which was all in balck & white and had a feeling of being like a documentary. Sure, GN&GL doesn't exactly have the feel of a true documentary, but with it entirely in black & white, it really does seem like it.

I also think that the film has Oscar written all over it. In a year where it seems like every studio film looks like an Oscar film, this one actually feels like one, since it is not a wannabe. I think David Stratharan's performance of Murrow is highly Oscar worthy, as is I think Robert Elswit's cinematography, which I think will be nominated and win. It's a long overdue moment for Elswit, who has been passed over far too much.

Still, the focus is on the movie, and everyone is absolutely and uniformally excellent. Even Robert Downey Jr. and Patricia Clarkson are excellent as well in a subplot that only added to the chaos and confusion that the network was going into at the time. Even Alex Borstein, who is the voice of Lois on the animated TV show "Family Guy" gets small moments to shine on the screen as one of the secretaries.

It's Clooney's direction though that propels the film into greatness. He knows the subject matter well and handles it in a mannar that is perect and bittersweet at the same time. Sure, the movie has a couple of flaws, and one of them is that at times, the film does threaten to be boring, but there is always some kind of action happening that redeems it.

If you can't at least like this film, then you should at least appreciate the time period that it is set in. This story is true, and by watching the film, it does feel like we are back in the 1950s, when it was more innocent and more restricted. It's a film that I think everyone should be required to see this film at least once in their lives so that way they can learn something about history that is not embellished into lies or things that never actually happened.

It simply put the best film of the year, and if you haven't seen it yet, then I quote the New York Times, "See it now!"

My rating: **** out ****

11-22-2005, 03:01 PM	#10 of 17
Nicholas Vargo Member Location: Laveen, Arizona Join Date: Oct 2001 Local Time: 04:03 PM Local Date: 10-12-2008 Posts: 384	Last week, I saw a double feature of "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang" and "Good Night, and Good Luck." Although I think both film rank among the best of the year, I thought that this one was not only better, but I think it is hands down the best film of the year. This film is so wonderfully told and told with such realism that it seems like we're actually there with Murrow and the CBS executives. I also felt that using the McCarthy footage was also interesting as well, since I have actually never seen it myself. I think what sets this film apart from other films of this nature is the fact that it tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Nothing in this film seems Hollywodized or fake. It all seems so real. In fact, at times, I was reminded of the TV movie remake of "Fail Safe", which was all in balck & white and had a feeling of being like a documentary. Sure, GN&GL doesn't exactly have the feel of a true documentary, but with it entirely in black & white, it really does seem like it. I also think that the film has Oscar written all over it. In a year where it seems like every studio film looks like an Oscar film, this one actually feels like one, since it is not a wannabe. I think David Stratharan's performance of Murrow is highly Oscar worthy, as is I think Robert Elswit's cinematography, which I think will be nominated and win. It's a long overdue moment for Elswit, who has been passed over far too much. Still, the focus is on the movie, and everyone is absolutely and uniformally excellent. Even Robert Downey Jr. and Patricia Clarkson are excellent as well in a subplot that only added to the chaos and confusion that the network was going into at the time. Even Alex Borstein, who is the voice of Lois on the animated TV show "Family Guy" gets small moments to shine on the screen as one of the secretaries. It's Clooney's direction though that propels the film into greatness. He knows the subject matter well and handles it in a mannar that is perect and bittersweet at the same time. Sure, the movie has a couple of flaws, and one of them is that at times, the film does threaten to be boring, but there is always some kind of action happening that redeems it. If you can't at least like this film, then you should at least appreciate the time period that it is set in. This story is true, and by watching the film, it does feel like we are back in the 1950s, when it was more innocent and more restricted. It's a film that I think everyone should be required to see this film at least once in their lives so that way they can learn something about history that is not embellished into lies or things that never actually happened. It simply put the best film of the year, and if you haven't seen it yet, then I quote the New York Times, "See it now!" My rating: ** out ** "...so here we go." --"Punch-Drunk Love" Last 5 DVDs Purchased: Matinee (1993), Demolition Man (1993), Spaced: The Complete Series (1999-2001), Go (1999), Clerks II (2006) # of DVDs in my Collection: 754