Monday Morning Quarterback Part II
By BOP Staff
December 13, 2011
Edwin Davies: There weren't any posters, adverts or trailers out there to promote this, and of the few people who did manage to see them, most of them thought that they made the movie look terrible. The reviews bear that impression out. Everything about the advertising for this felt confused; the adverts played up the kids and the softer-edged humour, yet it's R-rated, so it seemed to be aiming itself at an audience that would never be allowed to watch it. It also can't help that David Gordon Green is still tainted by the fetid stink of Your Highness, which ate up a lot of the goodwill he had earned from Pineapple Express. Seriously, that guy needs to get back to making heartbreaking and beautiful art, not whatever this thing is.
David Mumpower: I remember the look I exchanged with my wife when we heard that this film was rated R. I found myself envisioning the type of filthy lyrics Elisabeth Shue would have had to sing in Adventures in Babysitting to make that possible. Candidly speaking, this project always reminded me of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead and if ever there were a movie that does not make for a good comparison, it's that one (other than the still quotable "The dishes are DONE!" I'm the only one who remembers that, aren't I?). I'm happy for Jonah Hill that he's prioritized his health and is interested in moving up from plucky comic relief since that shtick was old and tired years ago. Still, I am not sure what else he can bring to the table if he doesn't have fat jokes. Thus far, it's his distinguishing characteristic. As an aside, is it still acceptable to ask him about his wiener or is that tacky now that he's thin?
Hey everybody, it's movie time!
Kim Hollis: What movies did you see the past few weekends, and what did you think?
Edwin Davies: I saw The Artist at a screening last week and it is, hands down, one of the best films I've seen this year. It's a funny, moving and gorgeous tribute to silent cinema that is filled with such a joyous sense of fun and adventure that I had a massive grin on my face the whole time, with the possible exception of one almost unbearable sweet and moving scene (for those who have seen it, it's the moment with the roll of film) that I was on the verge of tears. It's a really splendid piece of work that deserves a big audience since, despite the affected style, it's primarily a hugely entertaining and uplifting work.
I also saw Moneyball which, even as someone who doesn't care for baseball (I'm English, it's allowed) and hates math, I found to be very, very entertaining. It manages to impart a lot of complex information in a way which is accessible and fun whilst also working as a fun caper, of sorts. My one problem is that, a few stunning sequences aside (specifically the 20th game the A's play in their streak), the direction is kind of lackluster. It does the job, but Bennett Miller doesn't manage to match the dynamism of the script. Apart from that, it's a real pleasure.
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