Movies

The 5 Hardest Hitting Movies of 2008 and 2009 on Satellite TV

While many film lovers enjoy their share of romantic comedies and light action movies, there comes a time when everyone needs a film that sends a message, or at least packs a punch you will not soon forget.  They may be especially relevant (see W.), especially graphic (Gomorrah) or just especially compelling (see any of the other films below), but this type of film keeps movie lovers satisfied, tiding them over while the normal films get their time on screen.  In 2008 and 2009, there was a periodic dose of this hard-hitting style coming out on the big screen.  Here are the top five, now playing on satellite TV.

5. Gran Torino.  Clint Eastwood has been doing quality work from behind the camera in recent years, but his most impressive film found him back in the leading role.  Viewers will initially be shocked by his ultra-gruff and unpleasant persona, but the story that follows rounds out the character and shows the good side underneath.  It took a lot of courage on the part of Eastwood to portray such a character.  See this film on HBO in high definition.

4. Public Enemies.  Michael Mann's tale of Dillinger on the lam stars Johnny Depp as Public Enemy #1 and Christian Bale as the lawman who wants above all to bring him in.  Depp is no angel in this film, which finds his normally genial personality quite ruthless at times.  This film is coming soon to satellite networks.

3. W.  It's rare to see film critiques of a presidency while in the midst of that president's term, but George W. Bush had to absorb several while in office.  W. is the work of Oliver Stone, a filmmaker not ashamed of bending reality for dramatic effect.  Seeing the president in the midst of an alcoholic romp ' and as a failure in general throughout the film ' is certainly shocking in the way protest films should be.  See this bold statement on satellite TV premium film channels.

2. State of Play. We've known Russell Crowe to portray characters who don't always play by the rules (see American Gangster), and Crowe's reporter in State of Play is no different.  Viewers are treated to a thriller that shows the underbelly of Washington, D.C. and how politicians (like one played by Ben Affleck) can lose their way.  On top of that, the influence of the Military Industrial Complex is given a frightening treatment.  See this film with satellite TV On-Demand services.

1. Gomorrah.  As the work of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino has dominated the scene for a generation, there are few mafia tales which have the ability to shock film audiences.  Gomorrah does just that.  Examining the Neapolitan organized crime scene from a number of different levels ' waste removal, fashion, and teenagers among them ' the film shows a side of crime most never dreamed existed.  See this film uncut on satellite TV premium networks.