Released: 9/30/05

Viewed: 4:45pm 9/228/05

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Ashton Holmes

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Can you believe this is based on a comic? It's true. In these times when comic book movies are big business, everything has been optioned and scripted. On one hand, It's bad because an Ant-man movie is in the works. No one wants to see that happen. But at the same time, little known masterpieces are getting a chance to hit the big screen. Great stories that never would have been given a second look are now being developed. Thanks, Spider-Man.

The most notable "Holy-crap-that's-a-comic!?" movie that's come out is Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. A brilliant movie about revenge that got Oscar respect. Deservedly so. History of Violence is a different kind of movie, but very much of the same caliber, if not better.

I loved this movie. It was brilliant. It's slow and haunting and constantly engaging. It's the sort of movie where you wait for the bad stuff to happen, and the waiting freaks you out. You know it's coming. And you want it to happen just so you can relax. "Show me the bloody corpse so I can rest comfortably, you bastards!" It's like that the whole time. That steady balance of anticipation and reaction are what keep you going.

The anticipation involves some of the best acting I've seen this year. Mortensen as quiet diner owner Tom Stall plays this part brilliantly. He's quiet, and subtle. You never know what secrets he's keeping just under his tongue. Even with all this secrecy and suspicion (Is he a liar? Is he telling the truth? Homer was right.) he's still a genuinely nice guy. Maria Bello who plays his wife also does a superb job. Her face in the closing scene is unforgettable, and even though she spends most of the movie setting up the talent around her, it's still clear that she's one of the most natural, and appealing actresses working right now.

Ed Harris and William Hurt clearly had the most fun with their parts. It's a given that both are fine actors, but you can tell each had a blast figuring out who these characters were, and how they'd behaved. It's great to see such seasoned vets really enjoying themselves.

The payoff after waiting is the best part. You wait for it, and when the violence rears it's ugly head you'll cringe and squirm with delight. It's spontaneous and quick, as action should be. Very graphic and very extreme, but really cool. Rarely do you see a movie with justifiable credibility and acting talent that is willing to push this far violently. The two rarely share the screen, so it's an interesting marriage. I love a good violent romp and I can appreciate when an actor is acting their ass off, so, for me, this coupling is very welcome.

Some may complain that the wait for the violence is too much. I say to embrace that anxious desire. You know it will come. The waiting is what makes it so good.

As graphic as the violence is, it does seem extreme. If someone did this in real life, would it really look that cool? It would, more likely, be a lot sloppier. Few people fight with such grace and flair. More often than not, people end up flopping on the ground wailing their arms in a general direction. I don't know, maybe I haven't been in enough fights. And maybe the ones I've been in I've been doing it all wrong. But what they did get right were the sex scenes. Knowing that even beautiful people look ridiculous when they're doing it is very comforting.

I don't want to say much more because the movie is good, and everyone that can appreciate good violence, and good acting will really enjoy it. 8.5 out of 10. Loses points because it is long, and that can be hard to take. I also could have used a little more violence, but - I loves me some action. To be fair, the action that's in there is fantastic.

DVD worthy?: I think so. It's certainly a worthy movie, but I'm not sure how often I would watch it. If the price were right, I would pick it up.

If you liked this movie check out: Man on Fire

Man on Fire is one of my favorite movies from last year. It stars Denzel Washington as a tortured soul who finds something to live for. When that purpose is taken away from him, he gets ridiculously brutal. In truth, the movie is really two movies practically split down the middle. It's an hour and a half of set-up and character development followed by an hour and a half of utter brutality. You'll be in awe of the on-screen acting as much as you're in awe of how far this guy will go to get what he needs.

Like History, Man of War is a legitimate, quality, well-acted movie that is ruthless and unapologetic in its violence. It is long, but it's worth the trip.

Trailer Hitch: Brokeback Mountain

This one looks a little intense. But when Ang Lee does a period piece about two cowboys on the down low? people sit up and listen. The movie looks to be a close study on the struggle to be a homosexual in a close-minded era and a close-minded region. Looks like they both reject it, but are still drawn to it. An interesting topic that will give both Ledger and Gyllenhaal some room to show what they can do. Between this, Proof, and Jarhead, Gyllenhaal has set up a hell of a year. Ledger needs this one though after a disappointing Brother's Grimm and the painfully weak-looking Casanova. The movie could be potentially uncomfortable to watch, but a lot of good movies are.

If you vote today, you'll see my weapon of choice. So, vote at your own risk! OOOOooooOOOO?

Edited for the web by Brandon J. Carr Hells yeah.