Masters of War

Inside of my review of Alex Garland's new movie Civil War it didn't really feel like the right place to go on about how sexy Wagner Moura is in the movie, so let me do it right here -- hubba hubba y'all. He's always struck me as a truly transformative actor who doesn't often rely on the sexy, but when he wants to be our man Wagner can bring it and he brings it to Civil War a hefty amount. Garland shoots the hell out of the strange and surprising planes of his face and I just wanted to slide down them like a disgruntled wall climber. Anyway that said yes indeed I reviewed Civil War today and you can read my thoughts over at Pajiba. The movie is a thrilling watch that I nevertheless wish had been a little more bold and courageous about its specifics. In the interest of both sides (which is what the film wants) I did read a very fine piece on the film right here that argues the movie doesn't need to be specific, but I still don't entirely buy that argument, nor have I ever bought the argument that journalists should strain for total objectivity. As a person who's had the foundations of my life politicized I have just never felt the roominess to make that case and it will always feel like a cop-out to me. Yes war is hell, but we're in it! So somebody better check and see who the fucking devils are poking us in the ass with their pitchforks. But anyway the movie's still a thrill and I do recommend seeing it; I hope that comes across in my review, mixed though it might be. Here is the trailer if you missed it when I posted it before: