A to Z Challenge 2020 - I

Idiocracy (2006)
Director: Mike Judge
Starring: Luke Wilson, Dax Shepard, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Justin Long
Brief Thoughts: Office Space became an instant cult classic and one of my all-time favorites, so it was always going to be a tough act for Mike Judge to follow. Idiocracy is basically the Terry Gilliam version of Office Space, and a somewhat, surprisingly accurate vision of the future about a decade ahead. Still waiting to be embraced as another Judge classic.

The Illusionist (2006)
Director: Neil Burger
Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
Brief Thoughts: Even though Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige was released the same year, I continue to prefer The Illusionist. Edward Norton has a complex history, and while he’s apparently difficult to work with (which matters not at all to the audience), he delivers reliably excellent results. His ability to star in major releases, though, ended around this time, so that’s another reason to celebrate this film. Also, Paul Giamatti was coincidentally cooling as an attraction after American Splendor made him leading man material. But he remains fascinating no matter the size of his role. With apologies to Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, this is a truly irresistible one-two punch for me.

In the Valley of Elah (2007)
Director: Paul Haggis
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, James Franco, Susan Sarandon, Josh Brolin
Brief Thoughts: The movie itself immediately resonated with me as a sober meditation of the times, but what continues to interest me about it (other than “Elah” leaving an imprint on my poetry) is the fact that it’s one of several supporting roles from Josh Brolin that littered the period. I still can’t account for why Brolin was suddenly such a hot commodity after toiling for years in relative obscurity (other than having a famous dad), but the happy result was, a few years later a highly visible career and, of course, Thanos. (I mean, it was probably No Country for Old Men, but it’s more fun to make it sound mysterious.)

Instinct (1999)
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Maura Tierney, Donald Sutherland
Brief Thoughts: Dipping below the millennium divide for a moment, in honor of one of my favorite obscure movies, at the time dismissed as Anthony Hopkins playing another prisoner of questionable character. But Ethan Powell is a far cry from Hannibal Lecter. This is one of the most deeply affecting human dramas I’ve ever seen. It also features Cuba Gooding Jr. in his second best role (Jerry Maguire), and Maura Tierney in her best movie (second best: Liar Liar).

Isle of Dogs (2018)
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Dogs
Brief Thoughts: Obligatory listing.

It Comes At Night (2017)
Director: Trey Edward Shults
Starring: Joel Edgerton
Brief Thoughts: I’ve never gotten around to catching A Quiet Place, since I caught It Comes At Night first. They’re both horror movies about desperately trying to remain silent. This one’s about a self-isolating family (perfect for the pandemic era!) and filled with moody atmosphere and, well, Joel Edgerton.