“In Bruges” (In theaters now) 3.5/5
In a film year marked thus far by action and drama more than anything else, “In Bruges” offers film fans a rare treat—a film both funny and thoughtful. Picking up where “Juno” left off, In Bruges deals with a much different subject matter than Juno did-- Irish hit men and their ability to deal with the after effects of their craft; however, the film’s effectiveness draws from the same strengths that Juno relied on—an ability to interweave whit and thought into something that transcends the modern one note comedy.
In Bruges stars a two man hit men team of Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) who are forced to travel to the Belgian town of Bruges in an attempt to hide out from their most recent murder. While in Bruges, the two men are forced to put up with the other’s biting sense of humor while they gradually come to terms with their violent craft. The two hit men are contracted by Harry (Ralph Fiennes) and they eventually come face to face with him in a hilarious confrontation that somehow makes a blood-soaked gun fight a light and humorous affair. The seriousness of the film is not always at the forefront of the film and is often lost in a storm of one-liners but small snapshots throughout the movie give us glimpses of the struggles that the characters, especially Ray, face.
All of this mixes with a splash of drugs, midgets, and sex to produce a movie that will keep you guessing, and most likely laughing, for its duration.
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
The "Diving Bell" Strikes Just the Right Note
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" 5/5, In Theaters Now.
It is rare in this day and age for a movie to have the ability to change your way of thinking not only for the period that you are watching it but for a lifetime; however, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is such a movie.
Based on the book with the same name, The Diving Bell remarkably captures the true story of magazine editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after suffering a stroke is left with full mental capacity but little other physical ability. Bauby is forced to communicate through his ability to blink and in this fashion he is able to use his one functioning eye to slowly express himself. This French language film follows Bauby from the time of his stroke through his recovery. It captures Bauby’s past through a series of flashbacks and follows him all the way through the finish of his autobiography that is dictated blink-by-blink to his oh-so-patient occupational therapist.
The Diving Bell is a tale of loss and recovery; a tale of frustration and eventual appreciation. More than this, it is a story that will leave you off a better person. And it is the best movie I’ve witnessed in recent memory.
It is rare in this day and age for a movie to have the ability to change your way of thinking not only for the period that you are watching it but for a lifetime; however, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is such a movie.
Based on the book with the same name, The Diving Bell remarkably captures the true story of magazine editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after suffering a stroke is left with full mental capacity but little other physical ability. Bauby is forced to communicate through his ability to blink and in this fashion he is able to use his one functioning eye to slowly express himself. This French language film follows Bauby from the time of his stroke through his recovery. It captures Bauby’s past through a series of flashbacks and follows him all the way through the finish of his autobiography that is dictated blink-by-blink to his oh-so-patient occupational therapist.
The Diving Bell is a tale of loss and recovery; a tale of frustration and eventual appreciation. More than this, it is a story that will leave you off a better person. And it is the best movie I’ve witnessed in recent memory.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Juno Jolts Viewers to Both Laugh and Think
Juno (In theatres now) 4/5
Fox Searchlight Pictures is pitching its newest theater release, Juno, as being a “comedy about growing up...and the bumps along the way.” And while the “bumps” Juno addresses are becoming more and more familiar to modern America, its focus, teen pregnancy, will seem unfamiliar as a central plot to the average movie-goer.
It is this dilemma, the struggle between staying true to its comedic nature while honestly and credibly addressing the emerging issue of teen pregnancy that Juno is forced to skillfully weave itself between. And its success is unquestionable.
Juno MacGuff, an ironic, quick-tongued, high school junior, is played to perfection by Ellen Page. Juno is impregnated by her best friend and on-again-off-again boyfriend, Paulie Bleeker, played by Michael Cera. The question for Juno quickly becomes whether or not to keep her impending new born. Juno’s subsequent decision to offer the child for adoption is quickly answered by Vanessa and Mark Loring, played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.
It is the contrast that these two couples as well as Mr. and Mrs. MacGuff played by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney make amongst the three couples that this movie derives its greatest strength. The contrasts drawn from the spectrum of relationships stretching from the teenage couple, to the newly weds, all the way to the seasoned duo of Mr. and Mrs. MacGuff, carry with them many comedic moments and poignant scenes that are most populated by Janney’s portrayal of Mrs. MacGuff. Janney, most well known for her role as White House Press Secretary, C.J., on the hit NBC drama, The West Wing, brilliantly pulls off the role of step-mom turned pregnancy coach with alternating moments of sincerity and lightness.
Juno is an original, funny, and thoughtful comedy for the New Year. It is at the very least fully deserving of its three Golden Globe nominations—if not more.
Fox Searchlight Pictures is pitching its newest theater release, Juno, as being a “comedy about growing up...and the bumps along the way.” And while the “bumps” Juno addresses are becoming more and more familiar to modern America, its focus, teen pregnancy, will seem unfamiliar as a central plot to the average movie-goer.
It is this dilemma, the struggle between staying true to its comedic nature while honestly and credibly addressing the emerging issue of teen pregnancy that Juno is forced to skillfully weave itself between. And its success is unquestionable.
Juno MacGuff, an ironic, quick-tongued, high school junior, is played to perfection by Ellen Page. Juno is impregnated by her best friend and on-again-off-again boyfriend, Paulie Bleeker, played by Michael Cera. The question for Juno quickly becomes whether or not to keep her impending new born. Juno’s subsequent decision to offer the child for adoption is quickly answered by Vanessa and Mark Loring, played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.
It is the contrast that these two couples as well as Mr. and Mrs. MacGuff played by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney make amongst the three couples that this movie derives its greatest strength. The contrasts drawn from the spectrum of relationships stretching from the teenage couple, to the newly weds, all the way to the seasoned duo of Mr. and Mrs. MacGuff, carry with them many comedic moments and poignant scenes that are most populated by Janney’s portrayal of Mrs. MacGuff. Janney, most well known for her role as White House Press Secretary, C.J., on the hit NBC drama, The West Wing, brilliantly pulls off the role of step-mom turned pregnancy coach with alternating moments of sincerity and lightness.
Juno is an original, funny, and thoughtful comedy for the New Year. It is at the very least fully deserving of its three Golden Globe nominations—if not more.
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