Nightcrawler

Well, damn. Jake Gyllenhaal just gets better and better, even better than he was in Enemy. It's not just that he's terrific, but his choices of movies have been so terrific lately (such as the aforementioned indie thriller). Nightcrawler fits into that mold in that it isn't just the acting that makes it an amazing movie, but it's ability to be intense without losing sight of its social commentary, and even being oddly fun considering how dark the material is. The fact that the main character teeters between being an antihero and practically an antagonist, yet is strangely interesting and almost likable, is a testament to Gyllenhaal's performance. He essentially plays a sociopath but his wit and disturbing determination is oddly intriguing. He's not all there, but never becomes a characterture. The direction injects very brief yet effective comedic bits, giving a sense of occasional and effective satire without coming off as jarring, which ties in with the script. It's written by the director which helps explain the film's cohesion as well as the social commentary that never feels forced. After living in the twenty-first century where domestic abuse cases, homicides, and mass shootings populate news outlets, the film's portrayal of the media is somewhat unnerving in its accuracy. Producers and anchors make conscious efforts to accentuate the brutality what they're reporting for the sake of drawing in viewers, trying to get what's the most shocking and intriguing, not necessarily helpful or informative. We don't see audiences, though; we just see the people behind the reports and a disturbed man desperate to make a living and the lengths he goes to. This is one of the best movies of 2014, being smart and sleek. The music is distracting, but that's about it. Gyllenhaal and his bulging eyes are bound to be nominated for an Oscar, and the film itself probably deserves more than that. And to think that this is from a first-time director. It's also one of the extremely rare times where a filmmaker casts a spouse or family member who actually elevates the movie. Yeah, Rene Russo, you're great at being despicable. 9/10, amazing, two thumbs, up, far above average, etc.