Mark Metcalf, co-owner of Libby Montana restaurant in Mequon, is an actor known for his work in movies, TV and on the stage. He is best known for his work in "Animal House," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Seinfeld."

In addition to his work on screen, Metcalf is involved with the Milwaukee International Film Festival, First Stage Children's Theater and a number of other projects.

He also finds time to write about movies for OnMilwaukee.com.

This week, Metcalfe weighs in on "Once Were Warriors," "Snatch" and "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

"ONCE WERE WARRIORS" (1994)
This is an extraordinary New Zealand film about a Maori family living in the city enduring the racism that many aboriginal peoples suffer and the poverty that often goes with it.

You don't witness overt racism, but rather the result of being enticed to abandon your culture, to try to function in the modern world.

This is a very powerful film with lots of very human brutality and intolerance. Someone once said that the great thing about film is, as with books, you get a chance to travel and experience places and people you might never get a chance to actually visit. The opening image of the physical beauty of the natural landscape of New Zealand, as we got to see in "Lord of the Rings," transforms by simply panning away and down to the city streets of the New Zealand version of a slum, which is not much different from a Milwaukee slum.

The Maori, who refer to themselves as black, have all the problems of the poor everywhere: too much alcohol and drugs dull the senses and the mind; crime and brutal fights are the vehicle used to strike back at what must be an enemy.

The beauty shot is a billboard. Just a way of selling something, of making people think there is something they don't have but they must have to be, what ... happy? It starts slow and you worry that it may be a little sloppy, but it gathers strength and power like life and becomes a beautiful and tragic statement about the human condition.

SNATCH (2000)
It may be my new favorite movie. Certainly more so than "The Contender." I mean, I like Joan Allen, but I don't think it gets on anybody's top five lists except Annie Schimmel's, but she can do anything she wants.

Anyway, "Snatch," is a Guy Ritchie film. He directed "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and is married to Madonna, which seems to be a big thing in his life (and why shouldn't it be?) He works with Jason Stratham a lot. "Snatch" is a real boys' film -- tough, English hoods having fun making a movie. It probably wouldn't exist if it weren't for "Reservoir Dogs."

It has all the toughness and the threat of Tarantino, most of the mayhem, and a lot more fun. Good storytelling with music video or commercial style editing. Pacing is furious.

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Posted by brunocarlson on March 24, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (report)

Snatch got me hooked on quirky British movies. It was a great movie and the fact that a lot of American cinema cannot mirror that is a shame. I loved the intertwined comedy and action in the film. Natalie Portman is a great actor. I agree that she carried "Anakin" in the Star Wars Prequels. As a fan of Star Wars he was a bad choice for the role. She was also great in "V for Vendetta" she carried an excellent accent and truly made me feel like she morphed into a person without fear. Great movie choices and great reviews.