January 13, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 19 Suspenseful war drama heads January releases face, he is completely convincing as his character goes about his business with a frightening coolness. The viewer admires his courage, fears for him and his men, and is fascinated by his determination. Renner’s is one of the best film performances of 2009. The film’s title refers to a box James keeps under his bunk containing bomb parts that could have killed him. Director Kathryn Bigelow provides an extremely suspenseful, riveting portrait of a man whose day-to-day work could end in death in a split second while establishing the environment in which the soldiers operate: sun-baked streets and buildings filled with onlookers, some innocent locals, others who may be waiting to detonate a bomb. She knows how to build suspense, cutting from James as he approaches dangerous sites to reaction shots of his men, shots of suspicious-looking observers, and closeups of James methodically examining detonators, snipping wires, and employing his experience and instincts to defuse bombs. The film avoids commenting on the political aspects of the war, concentrating instead on the grim realities. Available in Blu-ray and DVD formats, “The Hurt Locker” is fairly light on extras considering the high quality of the film. There are interviews with director Bigelow, writer Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner, left) and Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) are part of a unit assigned to defuse bombs in Iraq in ‘The Hurt Locker.’ by Dennis Seuling “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) is a gripping portrait of the constant stress and threat of death faced by soldiers in wartime. Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) is in charge of a unit assigned to one of the most dangerous jobs: locating and defusing roadside bombs. James knows these bombs can explode at any second, yet moves in with an almost contemptuous regard for his personal safety. This causes conflict with his men, who feel their own lives are compromised by what they perceive as James’ recklessness. Sergeant Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) comes in repeated conflict with James over his methods, offering a moral voice about the value of life. Renner is superb. Not a familiar movie Mark Boal and cast members; a making-of featurette; and an image gallery. “Ten Things I Hate about You” (Walt Disney Home Entertainment) is available in a tenth-anniversary, two-disc edition. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” this is the movie that launched the careers of Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. Padua High School sophomore Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) has two invitations to the prom and one big problem: Her father (Larry Miller) won’t let her go unless her elder sister, Kat (Stiles), agrees to attend as well. It looks as if both girls are staying home, since independent, unconventional Kat has no interest in going -- until she meets the school’s mysterious new bad boy, Patrick Verona (Ledger). What Kat does not know is that her sister’s suitors (Joseph GordonLevitt and Andrew Keegan) have chipped in $300 to persuade Patrick to woo Kat. Just as Patrick realizes he has unexpectedly fallen for his “assignment,” Kat finds out about the scheme and Patrick has to launch an all-out campaign to win her back. The film has great charm because of Ledger and Stiles, who have undeniable chemistry, which likely accounts for the enduring popularity of the film. Allison Janney, in all her imperious glory, co-stars (continued on Crossword page) �� ����������������� ��������� Authentic Cuisine from Spain ����������������� OPEN 7 DAYS • LUNCH • DINNER • COCKTAILS ������������ Available Sunday thru Thursday Noon-10pm, Friday until 5:30pm � (Served with Spanish Potatoes) Choice of Appetizer Soup or Salad • Entree �� �� ���������� ������ No Substitutions • Both Parties Must Order From This Menu • Not Available On Holidays Open 7 Days a Week • Mon-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri 11:30-11, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10 ������������������������������������������ Only $12.00 TUESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL Served 6pm - 8pm Our Top “Six” Entrees KIRKERS Regular Menu Also Available SAUERBRATEN with Red Cabbage & Potato Pancake WIENER SCHNITZEL Plain Veal Schnitzel served with Red Cabbage & Potato Pancake “WURSTS” Combination of “3” Bavarian Sausages, Knockwurst, Wiesswurst and Bratwurst with Saurkraut and Hot Potato Salad STUFFED SHRIMP with Crabmeat BROILED or FRIED SEAFOOD COMBO Filet of Sole, Shrimp, Scallops and our Signature Crab Cake PRIME RIB Slow Roasted for maximum flavor (while supplies last) ~ Served with choice of Soup or Salad, Potato & Vegetable ~ www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards • Open Mon. - Sat 11:30 - Midnight • Closed Sunday 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700