The Curt Critic featured in the Wisconsin State Journal

The Curt Critic in the news: This recent Wisconsin State Journal article is validation that Liz Zélandais' quest to see all 53 Oscar-nominated films for 2013 is a fascinating enterprise worthy of public interest, rather than merely nuts.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Hell and Back Again - 2012 Oscar Nominee for Best Feature Documentary

Embedded with US Marines Echo Company in Afghanistan in 2009, photojournalist Danfung Dennis interweaves scenes of combat missions with the recovery of wounded Marine Sgt. Nathan Harris after his return home. A noble subject, but the film is overwhelmed by a slow and ponderous delivery. The Oscar-nominated documentary short "Incident in New Baghdad" covered parallel subject matter in a far more riveting manner in 22 minutes, compared to Hell's 1:28 running time. Hell and Back again wasn't a bad movie. It simply was not compelling.

In addition, I could not bring myself to like Harris. I wanted to. He has served our country. He was seriously wounded. My heart goes out to him, and I wish him speedy recovery and every VA benefit for his service. But he's an asshole. That is not an asset to the movie.

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