By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘The Book of Eli’
Directed by The Hughes Brothers
Rated R, 118 minutes
“The Book Of Eli” is in my top five films of 2010 so far, as the western wasteland vibe the Hughes Brothers (Albert and Allen) created is cool and desolate. A lone man named Eli (Denzel Washington) wanders the earth without direction but with a purpose — delivering a powerful book. Scavengers and cannibals try to take it from him, but with a swift swing of his blade, limbs are severed and heads roll. Once he enters a town ran by Carnegie (Gary Oldman, crazy as ever) things become interesting because Carnegie has been searching for the book Eli carries. Denzel has created memorable characters since the ’80s, but Eli is one of the toughest and smartest he’s ever played. His performance alone makes “The Book of Eli” worth seeing but the twist ending raises the film to a higher level. CV
‘Dead Presidents’
Directed by The Hughes Brothers
1995, Rated R, 119 minutes
Directors Albert and Allen Hughes burst on the scene with the 1993 gritty, hood story “Menace II Society.” But none of their following films reached the pinnacle they created with “Dead Presidents,” a stylish film that follows Anthony (Larenz Tate) a Vietnam Vet adjusting to life after returning from war. Upon his return, Anthony tries to be legit, taking care of and providing for his family, but it doesn’t work out. He is drinking heavily, and his best friend, Skip (Chris Tucker), is a heroin junky and criminal. Along with Jose (Freddy Rodriguez), a demolition expert, and Kirby (Keith David), a local hustler, the four decide the best way to make money is to rob an armored car. The funky, soulful soundtrack easily entices viewers to watch, but it’s Tate and Tucker who turn “Dead Presidents” into one of the better films of the ’90s. CV
