'Seraphine'
The year’s most enriching movie, “Seraphine” lingered around Los Angeles for weeks but barely stayed in Santa Barbara long enough for a cup of tea. Don’t let its dated subject deter you: Marvin Provost’s chronicle of real-life artist Seraphine Louis, set in France a century ago, proves immaculate – airtight without being stuffy. Themes of passion, faith and perseverance will seep into your pores. It’s a credit to the filmmaker, who nourishes the work with priceless sights and sounds of the great outdoors, and to his unsurpassed crew – foremost Yolande Moreau. There’s no hint of melodrama, no trace of insincerity, from the lead actress; Moreau embodies the painter with astonishing grace and authenticity. A stirring journey, gorgeously rendered.'The Hurt Locker'
Released in July but hardly forgotten, director Kathryn Bigelow’s depiction of an Army bomb squad in Iraq burns with authenticity at every rocky, dusty turn. As the spotlighted diffuser, a superb Jeremy Renner sports a devil-may-care attitude to complement his protective gear. The film’s peculiar name, slang for a place of pain, signals audiences to the personal struggles of our hero and his dedicated compatriots. A gutsy, tension-tinged venture that chills to the core.'Inglourious Basterds'
Quentin Tarantino’s latest spectacle and most accomplished work to date boasts a vengeful take on the Holocaust, with Brad Pitt as a lieutenant hungry for Nazi scalps. The writer-director navigates with steady hands and a keen eye for detail, placing his unique stamp on World War II. The sharp cast’s centerpiece is Christoph Waltz, as the “Jew hunter” who establishes his presence at a French farmhouse in the mesmerizing, expertly acted opening scene. Destined to take home an Academy Award, Waltz moves with unnerving precision.'Moon'
This science-fiction gem, bursting at the seams with austerity and creativity, revolves around Sam Rockwell (“Everybody’s Fine”) as a moon colonist. The astronaut eyes his pending return to Earth until an ailment keeps him moonstruck. What appears to be the hero’s clone soon arrives, raising the curiosity and intensity to another level. Rockwell nails his career-defining role; Kevin Spacey, heard but never seen, voices the creepy HAL-like computer. British filmmaker Duncan Jones – son of David Bowie – makes a name for himself by overseeing the project with assurance and ingenuity.'Public Enemies'
Johnny Depp, as the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, strolls with panache through this gritty, conventional corker from Michael Mann (who turned up the “Heat” in 1995). Marquee names abound – Christian Bale as the ringleader’s nemesis; Billy Crudup as J. Edgar Hoover; and love interest Marion Cotillard – but it’s Stephen Lang as the savvy gumshoe who earns attention. The director, no stranger to shootouts, deftly balances the array of action with style and confidence. And its narrative takes very few missteps while striding toward the 140-minute mark.'Precious'
Arguably this year’s most memorable character, the titular teen couldn’t have it much worse: An obese, illiterate and pregnant girl raped by her father and abused by her mother. Gabby Sidibe cuts a striking and noble figure as the heroine mired in misery, while Mo’Nique (as the ferocious mom) delivers an extraordinary performance – at once terrifying and poignant – that should earn the real-life comedienne an Oscar prize. A disturbing drama that’s never easy to endure, but ultimately worth the trouble.'A Serious Man'
Leave it to the incomparable Coen brothers to turn a purported “personal” film based on their Jewish upbringing in 1960s Minnesota into this year’s best comedy. The unrivaled pair has shown, once again, they can tackle just about any topic and emerge triumphant. This time, a lesser-known cast – featuring Michael Stuhlbarg as a teacher in the throes of despair – gets the job done proficiently. The entertaining story’s themes are rich and resonant, and its pace rarely flags.'District 9'
Those moviegoers who aren’t fans of science-fiction (present company included), should take note of this well-written, engaging and – above all – wholly unique thriller set in South Africa. Director Neill Blomkamp, with an assist to producer Peter Jackson, jumpstarts it all in documentary-style fashion, paying mind to characterization and plot strands along the way. This ambitious project has plenty to say about sensory and media overload, and does so with spectacular imagery, especially haunting shots of a stalled mothership hovering over Johannesburg.'Julie & Julia'
A fresh, lively true tale about the late Julia Child and one of her devotees (Amy Adams) who attempts to whip up every recipe in “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Meryl Streep was, as the saying goes, born to play the heralded chef and she delivers the goods; Stanley Tucci hits all the right notes as her supportive husband. By and large, writer-director Nora Ephron keeps it brisk and breezy, leavening the formulaic script with equal measures of sorrow, humor and delight.'Brothers'
Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan (“My Left Foot”) seizes what could’ve dissolved into soap-opera slush and shapes it into a bristling, heartfelt drama with a sense of purpose. This touching chronicle of a dysfunctional family focuses on Jake Gyllenhaal, recently let out of prison; Tobey Maguire as his brother who can’t get enough of the Army; and the latter’s wife, Natalie Portman at her most appealing. There’s conflict, and intrigue for audiences, at every turn.Honorable mention: Up in the Air, The Road, Summer Hours, The Blind Side, Avatar, The Song of Sparrows and Invictus.
jluksic@syvjournal.com