The 2010 Academy Award winner for Best Film, Director, Screenplay and Editing.
This war zone thriller follows three members of the Army's elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad as they search for and disarm a series of roadside bombs on the streets of Baghdad.
The story, a look at the psychology of bomb technicians and the effects of risk and danger on the human psyche, is a fictional tale inspired by real events experienced by journalist and screenwriter Mark Boal, who followed a special bomb unit in Iraq. The title refers to the soldier vernacular to speak of explosions as sending you to the 'hurt locker'.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
It certainly didn't hurt The Hurt Locker that this war story had a war story of its own. Director Kathryn Bigelow fought on the cinematic frontline with her ex-husband James Cameron, whose Avatar lost to the Locker at the Oscars. Regardless, Bigelow's all-too-real account of life for an army bomb disposal unit in the Iraq war was deserving of the win, combining white- knuckle tension, sizzling dialogue and poignant insight into the lives of the bravest guys in Baghdad.
That Bigelow keeps the focus on the bomb squad's relentless duties means she never strays into emotive battle- fantasy territory, nor does she take political sides. But that doesn't mean this isn't brimming with intensity, and while there are plenty of explosions and moments of intense gunfire, there are also periods of eerie silence.
The workmanlike way these men carry out their life and death duties is awe-inspiring, the pressure not to make a mistake only exacerbated by the searing temperatures. A scene in which the bomb disposal unit let off steam like overgrown kids pumped with brawn and booze is just one of many that show these guys are only human. Especially with characters such as the fearless and frequently reckless Sgt. William James (Jeremy Renner).
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Enough said!
Disappointed in Hurt Locker, eagerly waited for the release but we all found it a bit boring. Which might be because we watched Green Zone two nights before, Green Zone wins hands down.
An intense, tightly directed and well acted war film. Succesfully puts you as an audience member in amongst the carnage with these characters. An intense, tightly directed and well acted war film. Succesfully puts you as an audience member in amongst the carnage with these characters. clear rating
But well worth going to. Another spin perhaps showing another side of that seemingly everlasting war.
soldiers killing sand monkeys. where can you go wrong.
A great film, an intelligent film, a film shot clearly so that we know exactly who everybody is and where they are and what they’re doing and why.
The most literally exciting film you will see this year. Forget the off-putting banner of another Iraq movie -- go, watch, marvel, endure and book in the palliative of a stiff drink afterwards.
Tensely action-packed and muscularly directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this tale of an elite U.S. army bomb disposal unit in Baghdad is a familiar story in new clothes, targeted at the young male demographic.
Stretched both timewise and for plausibility.
The best nondocumentary American feature made yet about the war in Iraq.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 1st Apr 2010.
Release date: April 1st 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
