I'm gonna take a little break from the political commentary to finally get around to something that's been on my mind, which is how bad the current cinema is. My first bit of evidence is Juno. This film has been almost universally praised and I'm not sure why. Yes, it's clever and Ellen Page delivers the witty, snappy dialogue with aplomb. But, seriously, isn't it a bit glib, considering. Juno makes teenage pregnancy seem like the greatest thing ever -- like a trip to Disney World. Teenage pregnancy, through this film's eyes is the happiest place on earth. Actually, that's not quite right, because in Juno teenage pregnancy is way cooler than Disney World -- it's the new skinny jeans. All good if this were a farce, but it's not.
The annoying, cloying, too-cute soundtrack doesn't help any, either. This is take on the situation that could only happen in the very privileged suburbs, and not even there. And am I the only one who finds Michael Cera, the go-to-geek for feel-good-geek cinema annoying? I don't know if this guy has any talent whatsoever except for looking awkward (or cute if that's how you see it) in overly-contrived geek trappings, like his short running shorts and track jersey in Juno and his supernerd gear in Superbad.
Speaking of Superbad...what exactly was funny about that? The scene where the fat guy gets menstrual blood on his jeans? Yeah, that was a riot. The writing was dull, the jokes came from a mile away and were delivered so lackadaisically that they almost weren't there, except for the cops played by Seth Rogen and Bill Hader who went so far over the top with their mediocre material that they only highlighted its mediocrity. Maybe Judd Apatow isn't that funny -- have you tried watching The 40-Year-Old Virgin a second time?
And speaking of Judd Apatow and Seth Rogan, I have to say I thought Knocked Up was another completely overrated film. Again, the writing was not very sharp and Rogen's child-man wasn't nearly as charming to me as he seemed to be to everybody else. Is whether or not to put down the bong and be a dad really an existential crisis?
Other films in what was supposedly a banner year that I thought were very much overrated:
1. No Country For Old Men
--no heart, no point, and about half an hour too long. But well executed and well-performed, except, in my mind, for Javier Bardem, whose villain was was acted the with an oddness that wasn't compelling but simply not engaging and fairly implausible.
2. The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
--boring, about an hour too long, and Brad Pitt's beauty doesn't hold like it used to.
3. American Gangster
--except for the every-watchable Russell Crowe, equally as boring and equally too long
4. Zodiac
--more boring and more overly-long than any of the above
5. Ratatouille
--just boring
6. Once
-- cute, but that guy's caterwauling singing drove me crazy
7. Rescue Dawn
--atonal and an almost bizarre performance by Christian Bale
8. Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
--relentlessly and pointlessly bleak and with zero redeeming qualities, seems like it was made by someone, Sidney Lumet, who's been asleep for 25 years and... Ethan Hawke?
9. Atonement
--just awful
10. Breach
--incredibly, excruciatingly boring.
There were some good ones. 3:10 to Yuma, Michael Clayton, Into The Wild, Hot Fuzz, Across the Universe, Water Heart: Legend of the Deep and A Mighty Heart come to mind. But the disconnect between the quality of the films mentioned above and the amount of praise heaped on them reconfirms to me how hard it must be, after all the bullshit a film has to go through to get made, for a good one to come out the other end. And also how hard it must be for film critics, who have to base their identities and careers on dissecting this stuff, to justify their existences. They are challenged, week after week, to have much ado about almost nothing.
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There are 10 comments posted for this article.
his name is michael cera, not john, and yes, you are the only one who finds him annoying.
Posted on January 19, 2008 12:12 AM by ajke barker
actually, I have to agree with most of your points. I've been very disappointed with several movies this year after believing the hype. The Simpsons Movie was completely un-funny.. no one in the theater was laughing when I saw it, it wasn't just me. There Will Be Blood was just dreary and dull.
Posted on January 19, 2008 2:11 PM by Sarah Farmer Earll
If Scott Foundas wrote about politics, do you think he'd pen things like:
Obama: Seems boring to me.
Hillary: Don't like the look of her. Dull
Huckabee: Was fat, now thin. Don't get it.
Ron Paul: What's with all that talking?
Posted on January 19, 2008 3:58 PM by Scott
You might want to stick to the political commentary... When it comes to movie criticism, "I hate everything! everybody's stupid except me!" is not really a very useful point of view.
Posted on January 19, 2008 10:34 PM by Brad
To ajke barker: Who said anything about John? Pay attention.
Posted on January 20, 2008 1:21 AM by Mel
To Mel,
In Joe Donnelly's original blog, he referred to Michael Cera as "John Cera." Mr. Donnelly has since corrected this error, which, of course, now makes Ajke Barker seem like the confused idiot. I could make some kind of comment about Orwell at this point, but I will refrain.
Posted on January 20, 2008 10:05 AM by Scott Bailey
Heh - I either completely agree with you or strongly disagree. I'm with you on the Judd Apatow thing, although I think in every movie he has done, there are one or two storylines that are really well written and entertaining. Don't get the Michael Cera either, although he is the poster child of that stereotype. Superbad was aptly titled.
Strongly disagree about No Country For Old Men having no heart. I thought Tommy Lee Jones' character conveyed that quite remarkably, and I also thought Javier's performance was bone-chilling.
I liked American Gangster, Ratatouille, and Zodiac, but agree that two of the three were too long. And Once was interesting, but agreed on the guy's caterwauling - passionate, yes, but ultimately grating.
Michael Clayton was probably my favorite of last year, if only for perfect delivery of the line "you are so fucked" and Tilda Swanson's performance.
Posted on January 21, 2008 1:58 PM by Kari
You are right that "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" was a waste of celluloid. I think the critics were blinded by Marisa Tomei's high beams on that one.
Posted on January 21, 2008 3:50 PM by Lisa Tsering
You gotta stop talking during the movie, Joe. In my opinion, with movies it's all in the details. Pay close attention and you just might find moments of greatness.
Posted on January 22, 2008 6:05 PM by Chris
I m in south america and i do agree with the writer. Those movies are so overrated i m really glad i didn t paid a cent to waltch any of those.
Posted on January 31, 2008 7:42 PM by eushie