Category: movies

When I first saw the trailer – no, when I first heard of this Diablo Cody writing project, I thought it was going to suck. Although yes, I have to admit I thought it was interesting (and brave?) for Cody to go dark and B-movie-ish after going adorable and Oscar winner-ry in Juno.

But no, I did not watch Jennifer’s Body when it came out in the theaters. And no, I wasn’t surprised when the film was declared a genuine flop. Even Megan Fox wasn’t able to save this horror flick, so yeah, it must really suck then, I thought.

So I watched it today. So I was wrong.

I enjoyed it. A fun watch. ;) To quote Ebert: “It’s not art, it’s not ‘Juno,’ it’s not ‘Girlfight,’ for that matter, but as a movie about a flesh-eating cheerleader, it’s better than it has to be.”

photo from reelmovienews.com

Canon? What canon?

Watching this film is like watching Adrian Monk (character in a TV show also based on the Sherlock Holmes formula of brilliant detective – exasperated yet loyal assistant – unsolvable crime – “here’s what happened”) pick up a gun and shoot a criminal without experiencing a major OCD freakout.

In other words, if you’re a Sherlock purist, you’ll find Downey’s (and Guy Ritchie’s) take on this character infuriatingly unrecognizable. Slick, you say? Composed, you say? Fuck that shit, this Sherlock Holmes breaks bones, and explains what he does in slow-mo and Mastercard commercial-like VO. (“Priceless.”)

I’ve read perhaps two short stories, several excerpts, but I won’t say I know Sherlock and Dr. Watson all that well. So of course I enjoyed the show. To quote Roger Ebert: “The less I thought about Sherlock Holmes, the more I liked ‘Sherlock Holmes’… It’s likely to be enjoyed by today’s action fans. But block bookings are not likely from the Baker Street Irregulars.”

The film looks fantastic, and the score is A-plus. If you’re a “Baker Street Irregular”, calm down, leave what you know about the Sherlock Universe by the guard outside the cinema, and enjoy the dark and the grit of this Baker Street.

You’ll like this Sherlock. He’s a fun guy.

Also: gay subtext? What gay subtext? ;)

In Bruges – After a hit gone horribly wrong, two hired assassins – one experienced, one much too young – are sent to Bruges. Ray, the new guy, is not too pleased. “Ken,” he says, “I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn’t, so it doesn’t.”

I cannot think of a more delightful, more heartrending film. Colin Farrell should make more movies like this.

Also, Bruges looks lovely.

Punch-Drunk Love – Oh, you all know those Adam Sandler comedy films. Sweet, soft-spoken guy, then he goes all crazy on your ass. Barry Egan is like that, but his violence breaks your heart. He has seven sisters, people are on his case all the time, and there’s always this incessant fucking drum in the background. Barry just wants to have someone in his life to slow things down. Is that too much to ask?

Tres Dias (Before the Fall, Spanish) – Ten minutes into the film, we hear that a meteorite five times the size of the rock that fell to earth during the time of the dinosaurs will hit the planet soon. No one will survive. Now what? Do you confess your love to another person? Do you begin killing people and hanging children from trees? Do you eat ice cream? Closure comes in so many forms.