Juno

© Fox Searchlight Pictures

It's not often that a film can change how you feel about film. It's not often a teen comedy provides more insight than most acclaimed dramas. It's not often a movie is so special that as you're in the theatre, you actually take notice, and thank the movie heavens for such a miracle. It's not often you enter a movie with such high hopes and are still surprised. It's rare. Juno is such an experience.

The magnificent, Canadian Ellen Page plays Juno, a 16 year old who suddenly finds herself pregnant. The father to be, Paulie Bleeker, played by the magnificent, Canadian Micheal Cera, isn't even her boyfriend. Paulie is a good friend, who, one night and one night only, was something more. Rather then beginning with the act that leaves Juno in such a difficult situation. We begin with that difficult situation. We get to follow and observe every consequence and lesson learned.

The film presents itself in four parts, Autumn, Winter, Spring and finally Summer. First with an abortion clinic, then a change of mind, and then a search for adopting parents. Every bump along the way is executed brilliantly. The wonderful cast of characters, from Juno, her parents, best friend, and the (seemingly) aspiring parents is pitch perfect. In fact, this may be my favourite portrayal of people I have ever seen. Honest, fair and wise, never has a comedy been so insightful.

It's quite amazing, when, in a year with the classics "Knocked Up", an excellent tale of a unexpected pregnancy, and "Superbad", a superb high school movie (both delivered from the film Gods Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow), that one movie can surpass both in nearly every way. It's quite ironic that the film in question is a masterpiece about an unexpected pregnancy in high school.

The script is perfect, the acting is phenomenal, the soundtrack is charming, the characters are endearing. The magnificent, Canadian director, Jason Reitman creates another winner. There are a couple promising titles still on the horizon in 2007, such as P. T. Anderson's There Will Be Blood. But unless they truly are something rare, surprising and special, then they don't stand a chance. The film of the year has arrived.

I Am Legend

I Am Legend is the story of the last man on earth, survivor of a world-wide airborne virus. Robert Neville, alone except for his beloved dog Samantha (a surprisingly effective character) is still trying to save humanity. Before the infection hit, he was the leading scientist dealing with the problem, but failed. Still at ground zero in NYC, he will not give up. Legend is part silly blockbuster and part intelligent sci-fi drama. As I watched the film i could feel each half tugging at each other. Strong acting and fairly developed emotional resonance combating with poorly used CGI and action movie cliches.
Will Smith is captivating and heartbreaking throughout what I consider to be his best performance (even far superior to his acclaimed role in "The Pursuit of Happyness"). Unfortunately the writing, which at times seems like it is going to be great, never quite matches his performance. It leaves me to believe that had the material been better, Smith could have raised his game further, perhaps to Oscar heights. I found it interesting to discover that the screenplay was written by those with these films in their collective resume': "A Beautiful Mind", "Lost In Space", "Batman & Robin" and "The Cell". Two intelligent films and two very not.
Ultimately, the good or even great side of this film never is completely absent, allowing Legend to never be too far gone. Simply, it is never bad, but rarely great. However, when it is great, it hints at overwhelming potential and unexplored depth. One wonders if the film was in the hands of a worthy director (mind you, "Constantine's" Francis Lawrence occasionally succeeds) such as Danny Boyle, Alfonso Cuaron or at the very, very, very least an inspired Spielberg a' la "Minority Report" that this would have been a considerable cinematic achievement.
One of the areas where Legend thrives is in being suspenseful. At times the tension reaches points movies don't often approach. Of course this is then ruined by close up CGI moments of the "dark seekers" or infected humans. At the boring, unimpressive view of their faces, the realism and effectiveness is at once lost. I can't help but complain that human actors were not used where it's quite obvious they should have. In the great "28 Days Later", the sight of a once human, now infected monster was not only frightening but sorrowful. The creatures in Legend are so far removed from reality and plausibility that it is impossible to feel that despair and sadness in what has become of our race.
It sounds like I am just complaining but that is only because I caught wind of what could have been. Overall, this is a movie that could have been a masterpiece but falls short. But thanks to a strong performance from Smith and a story and character(s) so engrossing it helps carry the weight of this treatment's flaws, the movie is good. I Am Legend isn't brilliant, but it isn't dumb either, and on entertainment value alone, it's worth the price of admission.



image © Warner Bros

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

"May you spend half an hour in heaven...Before the Devil knows you're dead"

This quote is shown near the beginning of the movie, and besides just being cool, it actually does ring true later in the final act. At first glance, this is the story of a heist gone wrong. Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Andy) and Ethan Hawke (Hank) play brothers, both desperate for money, who decide to rip off their parent's jewellery store. Not too far into the film we discover that it's more about how an act of betrayal tears a family apart. In fact each of the main characters belonging to this family are slowly destroyed from the inside. Their morals begin to slide. And we get to watch as Andy simply becomes unravelled. Hawke is outstanding and proves once again he is better suited for a supporting role alongside a great actor, it seems to raise his game (think Training Day with Denzel's Oscar winning role). The great actor in this case is of course Hoffman, who actually has one of his very best performances here. The character of Andy at one point explains how he isn't "the sum of his parts" and that he doesn't "add up". We actually get to see this in action in various scenes where something is certainly wrong beneath the surface. Albert Finney is great as the father, who's role becomes very important in the film's second half. From the opening moments to the end credits, "Before the Devil..." sets an indescribable tone. It leaves you feeling hollow and disappointed (not in the movie itself but with the character's actions). In fact, although not in a traditional or enjoyable way, this may be the most emotionally affecting movie this year. It's very hard to explain unless you see it yourself. Which you should. Immediately. Directed by 83 year old Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon), "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" is an expertly shot, superbly acted powerhouse of a film.


image © ThinkFilm

All Apologies

I just posted a bunch of reviews in like 10 minutes. They suck. I'm sorry. I felt like I was getting behind.

check out my flickster profile at www.flickster.com, my username is adamcook82

By the way, I don't think I have ever been as excited for a movie as I am for the upcoming There Will Be Blood.

No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men is a brilliant film from the famous Coen bros. From start to finish, No Country's excellent writing stands out and sets the tone for this dark thriller. The plot starts off fairly simple, but further on, the movie reveals unexpected themes. Featuring a great cast led by a never better Tommy Lee Jones, the film is deservedly creating some early Academy Award buzz. The movie has some good twists, and is cinemtically perfect. Definitely one of the best this year.