Harsh Times
Directed by David Ayer

By Travis Mackenzie Hoover

Times, hell, most of the harshness in this overheated epic comes from the supremely messed-up protagonist as he deals excessive punishment to characters and audience alike. Christian Bale plays the psycho in question, an Iraq veteran who doubles as an alpha-male brute who hopes to get a job in law enforcement despite his propensity for getting high and selling stolen guns. He spends most of his time getting buddy Freddy Rodriguez into trouble when the latter ought to be looking for a job — his idea of helping is phoning in phoney interview offers to Freddy’s wife (Eva Longoria) — and is generally prone to violence and antisocial conduct. This means only one thing: the Feds want him to work in Columbia. Seriously. Buried in this movie is an indictment about one man’s pathetic attraction to macho entitlement but it’s hard to tell what writer/director David Ayer wants to tell us — aside from giving us the tired stereotype of the bat-shit crazy veteran it’s up in the air as to how we’re supposed to take the hero and his gangsta affectations. On the one hand, he’s clearly a menace to society; on the other hand, we’re trapped in his point of view. But the film self-destructs long before you have to make that particular choice, as Ayer (writer of the equally ludicrous Training Day) goes completely over the top and beyond the bounds of credulity while Bale spirals ever more out of control. For his part, the actor knocks it out of the park with his best performance in an American role, but it’s all for nought as the film is all about nastiness and has nothing to do with perspective, analysis or simple observance of human behaviour. Extras include a vivid commentary by director David Ayer and seven deleted scenes. (Alliance Atlantis)

Casino Royale - Dir. by Martin Campbell
Though he looks more like Jack the Lad, with his tussled “blonde” hair, firm brow and ripped physique, Daniel Craig silenced the harsh and irrational critics when Casino Royale debuted last December. Giving the Bond series a much-needed fresh start (let’s face it, Brosnan wasn’t going to), Casino Ro ...Read More
13 Tzameti - Dir. by Gela Babluani
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints - Dir. by Dito Monteil
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan - Dir. by Larry Charles
Confetti - Dir. by Debbie Isitt
Curse of the Golden Flower - Dir. by Zhang Yimou
Factotum - Dir. by Bent Hamer
Fast Food Nation - Dir. by Richard Linklater
Flushed Away - Dir. by David Bowers and Sam Fell
George Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing - Dir. by Rocco Urbisci
Highway 61 - Dir. by Bruce McDonald
Hollywoodland - Dir. by Allen Coulter
Into Great Silence - Dir. by Philip Groning
Land of Plenty - Dir. by Wim Wenders
Let’s Go to Prison: Unrated - Dir. by Bob Odenkirk
Manufactured Landscapes - Dir. by Jennifer Baichwal
Mind of Mencia: Uncensored Season 2
Re-Animator - Dir. by Stuart Gordon
Reno 911!: Reno's Most Wanted
Revenge of the Nerds: Panty Raid Edition - Dir. by Jeff Kanew
Rocky Balboa - Dir. by Sylvester Stallone
School For Scoundrels - Dir. by Todd Phillips
Shortbus - Dir. by John Cameron Mitchell
South Park: The Complete Ninth Season
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny - Dir. by Liam Lynch
The Holiday - Dir. by Nancy Meyers
The Last King of Scotland - Dir. by Kevin MacDonald
The Nativity Story - Dir. by Catherine Hardwicke
Tideland - Dir. by Terry Gilliam
Tom Hanks Comedy Favourites Collection
Twin Peaks: The Second Season
Gurpreet "The Tabla Guy" Chana combines a deep knowledge of Indian classical music and a lifetime of Canadian musical experiences into a unique approach to percussion. He is both a spellbinding solo performer and a consummate collaborator. Raised in Hamilton, now residing in Toronto, Chana's tabla education began at age three. He relates a time-honoured musical starting point, albeit with specific cultural resonance.... Read More
"Slayer!" Second only to pleas for Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird," virtually every concert-goer of the past quarter-century has heard this passionate cry unleashed during a show, metal or otherwise. There's a reason. The Huntington, California metal quartet is hands-down one of the boldest, most agile, impassioned bands in the history of recorded music. There's no mistaking Slayer.... Read More
The consistency of the recorded output of hardcore giants Converge is unparalleled ― there isn't another band in aggressive music functioning today that manage to push out into new sonic directions with each album they release without making some painful miscalculations. For over a decade, Con... Full Review
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the April 2007 Issue: Contents PageNewsClick Hear • Articles --> On the Cover  •  Front Five  •  Points  •  Questionnaire  •  Research  •  Technology  •  Timeline  •  Videogames • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Frequencies  •  Groove  •  No Future  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews  •  CMW Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews  •  Videogame Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Meet & Greet  •  Need to Know  •  What I Play Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue Browse Issues