Emotional thriller exposes criminals

Monster's Ball - R\nStarring: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry\nDirected by: Marc Forster\nShowing: Showplace East 11\nThe slang term for the last meal a death row prisoner receives while waiting for them to warm up the chair is called a 'monster's ball,' and one can just imagine the emotional rollercoaster that must be going through the mind of the recipient of this 'ball' while waiting for his/her death to come. Obviously the only way to know the emotions they must feel is to be put in their shoes, but if you just want an emotional up and down thrill, "Monster's Ball" is a must-see.\nThe actors in this incredible film turn in some of the most amazing performances to grace the screen in awhile. The racist prison correctional officer torn between family life. The widow of the recently executed with her continuous struggles. The son who strives for his father's love but ends up with nothing. They all get inside your heart and make you feel with them. \nBilly Bob Thornton, the correctional officer, and Halle Berry, the widow, put on the best performances of their careers with their criss-crossed paths in this saddening and moving film. This isn't a surprise from these great actors. But Heath Ledger throws away his "look at my cute Aussie smile and charm" and really digs deep into the troubled youth looking for acceptance.\nThe film does run slow at parts, but that just adds to the drama as well as the numerous other techniques the filmmakers put into thias great visual story. The close-up shots get in your mind, the blurry focusing makes your eyes water at depressing scenes and the sound gets inside your chest and makes you breathe faster. During tense moments there is even a slight background thump of a heartbeat added to the soundtrack that makes you question whether what you're hearing is from the actors or yourself.\nAn amazing cast, an incredible story and astonishing use of cinematography and sound make this film one of the best of the year. \n

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