A lot of people love the television show, The Office. I don't know how many people realize this comedy started off as a British tv show, thanks mainly to Ricky Gervais. I think one of the best things that could've happened to him finally did: landing a leading role in a film (although how funny was he in Night at the Museum).
A delightful, poignant, surprising yet not so surprising romantic comedy, Ghost Town was enjoyable from the very beginning to the lovely John Mayer laced closing credits. It was very well cast, and although Gervais certainly stole the screen with his hilarious seriousness and British snobbery as an antisocial dentist named Pincus, supporting characters played by Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni were just as fantastic. Kinnear makes an excellent rich, self-absorbed New York ghost, and Leoni, who plays his widow is sweet, endearing and charming.
Like most RomComs, the storyline itself was somewhat predictable, but this was disregarded by the perfect moments of surprise. Nothing was overdone, nothing was boring. I admit the title is somewhat inappropriate for the story. Because it indicates the movie's about a man who can see ghosts, and the ghosts are what makes the story what it is, when really it's Gervais' and Leoni's characters that are the essentials and the ghosts are just supporting. That being said, the subplot of the various ghost characters are wonderful, and at one point had me fogging up when you realize how much Pincus has truly been changed for the better. It was directed and written well. It was a beautiful story that most people could enjoy.
Grade: A-.
Cuz 2>1
Martin and Julie as little tykes, getting an early start on lifelong friendship
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Burn After Reading
I finally got to see the latest installment by the Coen Brothers, Burn After Reading this weekend. Good lord, was my main reaction. Where to even begin this review?
Ok, so as usual, the brothers provided wit and dark comedy (with the exception of No Country for Old Men). Their story was cleverly intertwined with broken rules of filmmaking. For one thing, the entire plot was based on pretty much a non-event, which sent all the characters to their doom. And perhaps this was the whole point they were trying to make, because it worked so well. At first, I thougt it started off slow and somewhat scattered, but soon realized this was the whole point of the movie. When the head of the CIA has to say, "Let me know when it all makes sense," you know that the entire thing is just a big farce. I came to realize that this was the Coen brothers way of making fun of the government.
Now, my favorite thing about this movie was Brad Pitt, and that really has nothing to do with the fact he's Brad Pitt. Unlike a lot of his brooding romantic roles, Pitt was an upbeat gym trainer, who seemed incredulously naive to the rest of the world. He was so stupid which made him so likeable. And of course I just about crapped myself at the closet scene with George Clooney. It was just like that moment in Fargo with the woodchipper, when you know it's just so horribly wrong, yet you're laughing uncontrollably. The rest of the characters were also well-cast, from Clooney to Frances McDormand, who really is the main character. If it weren't for her desire to "reinvent" herself, no one would have ended up in a coma or holding cell or dead. And of course, no one swears like John Malkovich.
I think I was glad for the movie being as short as it was. Had the stupidity of everyone dragged out a little longer I would've had enough, but I think the Coen Brothers did well on this one. Although it was no Big Lebowski. And where was John Turturro?
Grade: B+
Oh, and Roger Ebert's review of this movie is great too: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080911/REVIEWS/809119995/1023
Ok, so as usual, the brothers provided wit and dark comedy (with the exception of No Country for Old Men). Their story was cleverly intertwined with broken rules of filmmaking. For one thing, the entire plot was based on pretty much a non-event, which sent all the characters to their doom. And perhaps this was the whole point they were trying to make, because it worked so well. At first, I thougt it started off slow and somewhat scattered, but soon realized this was the whole point of the movie. When the head of the CIA has to say, "Let me know when it all makes sense," you know that the entire thing is just a big farce. I came to realize that this was the Coen brothers way of making fun of the government.
Now, my favorite thing about this movie was Brad Pitt, and that really has nothing to do with the fact he's Brad Pitt. Unlike a lot of his brooding romantic roles, Pitt was an upbeat gym trainer, who seemed incredulously naive to the rest of the world. He was so stupid which made him so likeable. And of course I just about crapped myself at the closet scene with George Clooney. It was just like that moment in Fargo with the woodchipper, when you know it's just so horribly wrong, yet you're laughing uncontrollably. The rest of the characters were also well-cast, from Clooney to Frances McDormand, who really is the main character. If it weren't for her desire to "reinvent" herself, no one would have ended up in a coma or holding cell or dead. And of course, no one swears like John Malkovich.
I think I was glad for the movie being as short as it was. Had the stupidity of everyone dragged out a little longer I would've had enough, but I think the Coen Brothers did well on this one. Although it was no Big Lebowski. And where was John Turturro?
Grade: B+
Oh, and Roger Ebert's review of this movie is great too: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080911/REVIEWS/809119995/1023
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