Movie Reviews: Wendy and Lucy, War, Inc.

Recently, on Thom Hartmann's radio program I heard about the 2009 Progie Awards. 
The Progies recognize features, documentaries and filmmakers for their outstanding achievement in promoting human rights and providing a voice for people of color, women, the working class, immigrants, gays, the environment and against war, censorship and political repression.
In other words, these are the most progressive movies of 2008. So, in the months to come I will be providing reviews of some of these movies. 

Wendy and Lucy
The first movie I watched was Wendy and Lucy - a story about a homeless woman, Wendy, and her dog, Lucy. This wasn't a great movie, but not bad. It's really about a few days in the life of a homeless person, who is trying to move on with her life. But one minor misdeed leads to a major setback in all her plans. If anything this movie deserves to be watched over all the escapist "blockbusters" that come out of Hollywood.

War, Inc.
Image a world where corporations superseded nations. Where all political and economic decisions are resolved through the envoys and armies owned by corporations. No, this is not about Halliburton or Bush & Co. - at least not directly. But it is vision of a possible future. War, Inc. is much in the vein of such movies as Catch 22, Brazil and 1984, all of which deserve more attention and viewership than they receive. I have to also add that I was happy to see John Cusack as a hit man - his erstwhile 'attractive' dark side is finally permitted to find true expression. 



For your information here is a list of the nominees for the Progie:

The nominees for THE TRUMBO, The Progie Award for BEST PROGRESSIVE PICTURE, are: MILK; CHE; BATTLE IN SEATTLE; THE VISITOR; WALTZ WITH BASHIR; WENDY AND LUCY.

The nominees for THE GARFIELD, The Progie Award for BEST ACTOR, are: SEAN PENN (MILK); FRANK LANGELLA (FROST/NIXON); BENICIO DEL TORO (CHE); JOSH BROLIN (W.); RICHARD JENKINS (THE VISITOR).

The nominees for THE KAREN MORLEY, The Progie Award for BEST ACTRESS, are: ANGELINA JOLIE (CHANGELING); MICHELLE WILLIAMS (WENDY AND LUCY); SALLY HAWKINS (HAPPY-GO-LUCKY); KATE WINSLET (REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, THE READER); MELISSA LEO (FROZEN RIVER).

The nominees for THE RENOIR, The Progie Award for BEST ANTI-WAR FILM, are: STOP-LOSS; WALTZ WITH BASHIR; WAR, INC.; BODY OF WAR; THE LUCKY ONES.

The nominees for THE GILLO, The Progie Award for BEST PROGRESSIVE FOREIGN FILM, are: WALTZ WITH BASHIR; CHE; THE EDGE OF HEAVEN.

The nominees for THE DZIGA, The Progie Award for BEST PROGRESSIVE DOCUMENTARY, are: BODY OF WAR; TROUBLE THE WATER; TRUMBO; STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE; RELIGULOUS.

The nominees for THE BRANDO, The Progie Award for BEST PROGRESSIVE FILM ACTIVIST, are: SEAN PENN; DANNY GLOVER; JOHN CUSACK; SPIKE LEE; ROBERT GREENWALD.

The nominees for THE SERGEI, The Progie Award for Best Progressive LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT, are: PAUL NEWMAN; JEAN-LUC GODARD; KEN LOACH; HARRY BELAFONTE; DANNY GLOVER.