A good film in a year full of duds

Rating: Null/10 (28 March 2010)

An intense study on how war effects its soldiers, "Hurt Locker" is never cheesy or melodramatic (like many war movies tend to be at times), always believable in character and dialog, and unbearably nerve racking most of the time.
I really liked how extremely great and famous world actors show up for a few minutes and then they're gone. In fact, two appearances were so brief that I thought it was only someone who looked like that famous actor. Surely someone of their screen strength would get more time. Not so. That really was Guy Pierce and Ralph Fiennes and David Morse. Look closely, but don't blink, and you'll see them!
The "newer" actors in this film were top notch as well. Jeremy Renner deserves his nomination for best actor as does Kathryn Bigelow for directing (I'll be upset if she doesn't win). Those his work was top notch, Renner will probably lose to Jeff Bridges.
I think this film deserves best picture and director of the year. I don't think it'll win, but it's the best, most solid film I've seen in 2009.