I watched the first part of Spike Lee's 4-part "When the Levees Broke". Depressing as hell, honestly, which was why I stopped after the first part. I'll watch the rest a part at a time over the next week.

It's truly disgusting to see what appears to be a third world country smack in the middle of the richest country in the world. There are scenes that look like they were filmed in Calcutta.

Ooh, I disagree. Before 2007 or so he was just a drug addicted has-been, and his career resurgence as of late has yielded movies that have been spotty at best. Iron Man was good, but I found his character in Tropic Thunder absolutely terrible. And The Soloist... god that was a bad movie. I've yet to see Holmes though, so we'll see.

I agree, Downey Jr. can do just about any role that is put in front of him, I thought he was great in Tropical Thunder. He really came back after the media tore him apart for alcohol/drug abuse.

Hmm.... well Iron Man for me at least was pretty much made by his character, so we agree there. I thought he was funny in Tropic Thunder, and while the Soloist was bad it's not as if his performance was bad. In fact the reason I didn't like the film wasn't because of any bad acting, it was because it tried to be far too artsy and deep, which made it boring as hell.

I think it's just that he's so cool. Especially in Iron Man and Holmes, to a slightly lesser extent.

I'm with Rickenbacker on this one, I really don't think Downey is that great - there have been roles he's had that I just thought weren't good at all.

But in Holmes he does a really great job, brilliant roles by both him and Jude Law in my opinion.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is another more recent Downey film thats at least worth watching.

Although, it wasn't a big role he was good in Zodiac which is one of my favorite movies of the last decade.

I don't know, Zodiac kind of bored me. It was really slow moving while it seems like it was an exciting story I don't think the movie really captured that.

http://avalgal.files.wordpress.com/2...lieutenant.jpg

Well, it's been quite a long time since I've seen Nick do a role that tested his mettle, and he delivered in an outstanding fashion here as a cop who is both degenerative and likable all at once. Absolutely fantastic direction from Herzog too, though that goes without saying really. This might be my favorite 2009 film!

^ I was afraid the film would disappoint me as I always have high expectations for a Werner Herzog movie, good to see that wouldn't be the case.