Cuz 2>1

Cuz 2>1
Martin and Julie as little tykes, getting an early start on lifelong friendship

About the Contributors

Since we can remember, movies have been a big part of our lives. It's a way that connects our family, and brings back a lot of memories. As cousins who spent a couple formative years in high school together, Julie and Martin discovered a great friendship in sharing movies. Comedies helped us laugh when our hearts were broken, and action flicks allowed us to fantasize about fast cars we would never drive (well, maybe Martin would). Over ten years after high school, we still call each other up and laugh about our favorite lines or ask about a movie song we can't quite remember.

Julie lives in Southern Oregon and works in Administration and Graphic Design. She's published a book of poetry, designs websites, and enjoys listening to records while playing pool in her garage. Almost every night after she's put her two sons to bed, she usually watches a movie with her husband.

Martin lives in the Atlanta area with his wife and their two hyper-active dogs. He is an account executive for a telecommunications company, but off the job Martin is often found administrating his Lotus forum or outside running with his dogs. Movies are his great escape from the chaos, and life-long passion.

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
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