Mini Review: The Stylized bunch.

So. These are two movie that I figured were completely over-hyped and would not be gaining me as a true and loyal fan once I had set my peepers upon them. Well they did and now I must review them.

“No Country for Old Men”

"Anton Chigurh: And you know what's going to happen now. You should admit your situation. There would be more dignity in it.
Carson Wells: You go to hell.
Anton Chigurh: Let me ask you something. If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?
Carson Wells: Do you have any idea how goddamn crazy you are?
Anton Chigurh: You mean the nature of this conversation?
Carson Wells: I mean the nature of you. "


If I did not know Javier Bardem was a fantastic actor I would think him crazy. He is walks through this film as Anton Chigurh killing people at a whim, but not in a "wow that guy is so cool" way. But in something much darker, more terrifying and utterly evil.

With Anton and the way he kills it seems the cruder the method the more he enjoys it.
The crazy happy gleam in his eye as he takes out a police officer with his handcuff chains is one of the most unnerving things I have watched on film for some time.

He plays this so perfectly, so inhuman that you understand why he is such a huge front runner this awards season. He is Hannibal Lector good.

The story, conceived by novelist Cormac McCarthy has been brought to the screen by Ethan and Joel Coen, in a movie that crosses the Coens' patented stark, cold precision with a fatalism. However, unlike “Fargo" this is not a funny piece. There are a few sparks of wit but the death and mayhem brought on by Chigurh is nothing that can be laughed away.

The Story is based around an ordinary guy (Llewellyn Moss played by the brooding Josh Brolin) who stumbles upon a cache of drug money and tries to make off with it, only to find that the folks who misplaced it will do the most brutal things to get it back. Moss is a simple man a low time con man with an loving wife (the completely underrated Kelly MacDonald). However he is far too stupid, and caring to play this game and get out of it alive. When he is able to escape for his pursuer, it is pure luck, not skill.

Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones in an iconic performance that has all but been forgotten due to Bardem’s crazed killer is a weary fellow who reckons he's seen it all, Bell knows that Moss is in trouble but he isn't sure how deep until he starts to fathom the nature of Chigurh by sweeping up after his savage deeds. That is when he begins to re-evaluate his life. With his job he sees just how awful the world can be and it breaks his heart.

The impressive cinematography, the skill in direction (for a movie that seems to be telling it’s story slowly the tension is almost unbearable) and the amazing cast make this one of the best films I have seen in 2007. It is a stylistic triumph for the Coens with plenty of thrills and shock (thanks to Bardem) but this is not without a deep moral centre (Jones) to remind the audience that things like this should not happen in the world so movies like this be made. A –



“Juno”

"Leah: Yo Yo Yiggady Yo.
Juno MacGuff: I'm pregnant.
Leah: What? Honest to blog? Are you sure it's not a food baby? Did you eat a big lunch?
Juno MacGuff: This is not a food baby all right? I've taken like three pregnancy tests, and I'm forshizz up the spout.
Leah: How did you even generate enough pee for three pregnancy tests?
Juno MacGuff: T don't know, I drank like, ten gallons of Sunny D... I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly caviler.
Leah: Is this for real?
Juno MacGuff: Unfortunately, yes.
Leah: Oh my GOD. Shit! Phuket, Thailand! "

The title character in Juno, a pregnant 16-year-old played with impressively natural verbal dexterity and heart by Ellen Page, speaks in smart ass quips and geeky pop culture references.
She seems to be completely carelessness by getting pregnant (after all she gives off the impression of being a smart girl).
When she breaks the news to her parents (wonderfully played by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney), that first impression turns out to be entirely false. She is a typical teenager. Not sure of herself and completely vulnerable.
Diablo Cody will get a lot of attention for her sparky witty dialogue, which is at times could drown the movie if lesser actors were cast. With the trio of Cody, Page and director Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking) the film never becomes too precious for it’s own good. It is constantly grounded so that the emotions can filter through.

Juno initially considers an abortion, but instead decides to give the baby up for adoption, with the consent of its perpetually thunderstruck father (a wonderful Michael Cera.) Page finds a willing couple in yuppies Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman). She is desperate to be a mother, and he it along for the ride.
Cracks in the marriage start to show as Juno (against her step moms advice) makes visits to the parents to be (Mark works from home and Vanessa is out)
Garner and Bateman's characters are appear to be broad caricature (she's the overeager super mom-to-be; he's the whipped sellout who still dreams of being a rock star) but the actors do a great job at adding extra depth.
Garner, in particular seems to be drawing from her recent motherhood. She is able to show this hyper excitement over being a mother, which would be overbearing if it weren't also so heartbreakingly sincere.
This is what makes the film as a whole work. For all it’s stylized set ups and dialogue the film brims over with heart. Sure you want to slap Juno across the face a few time, then hold her while she cries, but this is the same of all teenagers. Infuriating one moment, vulnerable the next. B +

The Best Supporting Actress Race

Looks good on paper!

Only last weekish I talked about “State of Play” the sausage fest with Brad Pitt, Jason Bateman and Edward Norton. Well it seems the adaptation of the British mini series is having the testosterone diluted.
Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Dame Helen Mirren have been added to the mix.

McAdams will play a newspaper reporter investigating the death of the mistress of a fast-rising congressman. Mirren will play the newspaper's editor, (in a nice sex change as the role was played by Bill Nighy in the British series).
Wright Penn will play the congressman's estranged wife who becomes romantically involved with the politician's former campaign manager (Pitt), who leads the newspaper's investigative team. Norton plays the congressman, and Bateman plays the other lead reporter.

Now, ‘State of Play’ is on my Love Film list to rent (like Net Flix, but with a British accent) so I cannot judge it by the source material yet, but this does sound like a doozy.
We also have Kevin Macdonald directing from a script written by Matthew Michael Carnahan (hmmmmm). We all know Macdonald can get some meaty performances out of his cast, so this is one of those films that will high on awards watchers radars.
Judging by this clip I am very very curious......my only gripe is I wish they coulc have found some room for Kelly Macdonald.



The film is due in 2008.

The little movies that matter

”We have a pair of unfortunate situations here. A man who has nothing in his life except his work, that is unfortunate. And then by a stroke of bizarre chance, he finds someone who makes that not true for a day or two. But then, suddenly, it seems as though the price that has to be paid for that ray of light is some kind of... disgrace. It doesn't seem quite fair.”

I wanted to write a review of “The Girl in the Café” but it seems that in doing so, I will give far too much away. If you decide, out of curiosity, to rent this movie you will be rewarded. If I were to write a full review it would rob you of the chance of discovering this beautiful and funny story, from writer Richard Curtis , as it unfolds.
This romantic comedy unfolds with ease into a political drama. Lawrence ( a hysterically reserved, and awkward Bill Nighy ), a spindly, self-effacing civil servant, is a senior researcher for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, preparing for a G-8 summit that will determine the scope of the world's effort to reduce extreme poverty. In a crowded café, he chats awkwardly with Gina (The luminous and amazing Kelly MacDonald ), a young Scot with time on her hands.
They share a couple of meals, and he invites her to accompany him to the summit in Reykjavík. Once there, as romance blooms, Gina's past, Lawrence's work and proclivity to compromise, and the presence of ministers and presidents spur her to act.
Kelly MacDonald has been around forever. From her debut as the spunky school girl who seduces Ewan McGregor in “ Trainspotting ” to her lead role as the new maid to Maggie Smith in Robert Alman’s upstairs downstairs comedy “ Gosford Park ”.
She is one of those actresses that can easily fade into the background as she is so unassuming. In ‘The Girl in the Café” she uses ability so that when she takes action, it is all the more powerful. I hope her Emmy win for this will lead to a lot more work for her as I think she has real staying power in this industry.