This past week I saw two excellent flicks: Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers and Phillip Noyce's Catch a Fire.

Flags of Our Fathers tells the story behind the famous photo depicting American victory at the battle of Iwo Jima. It cuts back and forth between pretty gruesome fight scenes and the dog and pony show back on American soil as the flag bearers were paraded around the country to help lift the country's spirit and raise money to support war efforts.

I was so juiced by the film I now can't wait to see the story from the Japanese perspective, told by Eastwood in Letters from Iwo Jima. The film stars Ken Wanatabe and will be released in Japan in December. (Watch the trailer)

Catch a Fire is also based on a true story, depicting the life of South African Patrick Chamusso and the brutal injustices he faced at the hands of Afrikaner security agents. Derek Luke is in the lead role and is totally convincing in his portrayal of Chamusso's transformation from a non political foreman and soccer coach to a devoted member of the African National Congress.

Both movies are currently playing at the Rainbow Market Square across from the St. Lawrence Market where tickets top out at $7.50 making it all the more doable to settle in for a double bill this weekend.