Hello, my name is BdMd and I'm Kevin Smith's devotee. He's like a god of Geekniverse (wait, that’s mean I’m…..never mind). For what it’s worth, he’s like my own personal sensei who helps me explore world of movies. I’ve first watched Chasing Amy exactly 10 years ago, which is the third movie under his belt (first two are his break-out, Clerks, and a big mess yet hysterical flick, Mallrats).
Well, needless to say, that movie changed my perspective in life forever. It is the most simplistic yet complicate love story ever. It’s a kind of movie that you know exactly what it should be, but then it’ll go the opposite way every time. And it achieved by having only characters talk to each other all the time. Hate to say it, but I think he is Woody Allen of MY generation.
I can keep talking about his other flicks all day long, but this is a review of his latest film, so I'm gonna go back on that. I think you guys will know that the pitch of this film just read the title. Yes, it’s about a slacker named Zack and his platonic friend, Miri, decide to make a porno together. And it's going to be vulgar, completely down N' dirty. You guys might love what Judd Apatow does nowadays, with his usual shtick to bombard us with F-words. Well, this is the motherload of vulgarity; the one that will make your religion-obsessed neighbor freak out.
This maybe close to Kevin Smith‘s funniest movie. A reunion scene in the beginning might be one of most memorable scene in this flick, with killer cameos by Justin Long and Brandon Routh as Gay couple in porn industry?!?! Dialogs came fast and furious (as usual), which you have to listen carefully to find out that they’re so hysterical. They’re jokes that sounded like coming from adolescence’s mind, but I think this kind of approach is so rare these days, which the genre nowadays dominated by idiotic slapstick and mundane situation comedy.
It seemed Kevin Smith want to reach out to broader audience by borrowing Seth Rogen from Apatow's troop, which I think it improved this flick immensely. Because almost of his flicks, our protagonist often fell into the category of “straight man”. It’s nothing wrong about that at all, since he surrounded by such a memorable supporting characters. But imagine if he has ideal lead, what would it be? I think Seth filled that blank perfectly. He fully capable to deliver those cracked up dialogs and still able to make this film on his own with his usual earnest and likable persona.
What about our own Miri? I’m kind of disappointed to find out that Rosario Dawson turned down this role (and did Eagle Eye?!). But right now, I can’t think of anybody will play this role better than Elizabeth Banks. She’s beautiful woman and did not afraid to act silly occasionally. Her comic timing is surprisingly good (watch her in reunion scene, and you’ll know what I mean). And when the film require her to be more dramatic, she’s just nails it like a piece of cake. In fact, she did it even better!
Watching Zack and Miri Make a Porno is pure entertainment, but in dramatic part, it’s still no match with Chasing Amy (which is amusing AND touching). Maybe the movie just didn’t give enough time for its two leads to go through various phases of relationship. We’re fully aware what’s going on in their mind, but it's just damn shame that we didn’t have a chance to see them bare all emotion on the plate (only a scene in preparation room toward in end that I found myself stunned with a result). In my opinion, Kevin might want to keep his movie energetic, so when the movie started to slow things down, he decided to inject a new joke immediately.
Beside Zack and Miri, the rest of the crew consisted of former porn star, Traci Lord (nothing to see here, guys), up-and-coming porn star, Katie Morgan who was surprisingly decent in first non-porn role, Apatow’s alumni (Craig Robinson), cameraman (played by Jeff “Randal” Anderson) who receive the most disgusting (and hilarious....for certain kind of people) thing ever put on the history of mainstream cinema and...Lester (played Jason "Jay" Mewes) who went "Full Monty" for your own viewing pleasure (he even bend over in front of the camera...urg!!)
As I said in fifth paragraph, supporting characters are essential to Kevin Smith’s films. But they’re also poorly used in this film. The great character like Banky in Chasing Amy or Jay & Silent Bob in almost every Kevin's films is nowhere to be found. In my opinion, even though they’re quite funny in their own right, but I really don't feel attached like most of characters in Kevin’s previous flicks. It didn’t make me want to see them more in the future like Chasing Amy or Clerks I & II.
Many people complain why he keeps making the same film over and over and over again. He needs to grow up. He needs to change. He needs to blah blah... I think anyone who said that might think Jersey Girl is his best flick (haha+ of course I’m kidding).
Well, I don’t really have an explanation for it. But I think making diverse kind of films doesn’t count as grown up (they can be all suck if that filmmaker is no talent hack). Kevin Smith is indeed talented filmmaker and he’s in the zone that he feels belong to. If he wants to keep on making these kinds of films, you can count me in any time. But if he wants to reach out for something different, I’ll be delight to see them all as well.
อ๋อ จำที่คุณไปเมนต์สรุปเกม Shadow of the Colossus ที่บ้านผมได้ไหมครับ (นานแล้ว) ที่คุณบอกว่าเห็นพระเอกของหนังเรื่อง Reign Over Me (อดัม แซนเลอร์)นั่งเล่นเกมนี้บ่อยๆ ผมเพิ่งคิดได้ ว่าเกมนี้มันมีเนื้อหาถึงชายหนุ่มที่ออกไปสู้กับยักษ์ 16 ตัวเพื่อแลกกับการชุบชีวิตคนรักครับ คล้องจองกับชีวิตของพระเอกในหนังเลยที่ลูกเมียตายไป เลยเล่นเกมนี้แล้วอิน
เราชอบโปสเตอร์คนก้างปลาน่ะ ดูมันล้ำๆดี มันให้ความรู้สึกแบบ เด็กป.3กลับมาบ้าน แล้วอวดแม่ว่า "แม่ๆ วันนี้คุณครูให้หนูวาดโปส์เตอร์หนังเรื่อง Zack and Miri Make a Porno ด้วยล่ะ" 555+
My Declaration (Original Soundtrack INKHEART) - Eliza Bennett
I'm gonna be someone, I'm gonna give something, I'm taking it on, I'm taking it on, It's gonna be my life, so I'm gonna live each day and each night, Taking it on, I'm taking it on
'cause I can't keep hiding, no I can't keep hiding, and I can't keep running away So I'm gonna be stronger, I'm gonna be better made, I'm gonna give everything, Just to bring me back again.
I'm gonna be a braver soul than this, I'm gonna jump at all those many chances that i've missed, I'm gonna live my life beyond all these fears and forms of cowardice that keep leading me on. I'm gonna shine out like a beacon in the night, I'm gonna wrap my fingers around the stars tonight, 'cause i'm taking it on, 'cause i'm taking it on...
No I can't keep hiding, no I can't keep hiding, no I can't keep running away So I'm gonna be stronger, and I'm gonna be better made, and I'm gonna give everything, Just to bring me back again. So I'm gonna be stronger, I'm gonna be understood, and I'm gonna give everything Just to bring me back again!
'cause I can't keep hiding, no I can't keep hiding, and I can't keep running away.
You could have brain tumor by watching this contaminated turd. Nothing in Gentlemen Broncos pays off, it’s incoherent mess, and chock-full of incredibly annoying characters. You will not only loath this movie, but it also makes you want to punch someone who responsible for this abomination in the face.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Imagine if Akira got Live-Action treatment by... say Alfonso Cuarón, you know how awesome it might be? That’s what happened to "Fantastic Mr. Fox". Wes Anderson's auteur perfectly captured the quirkiness and blissful tone of the material. Its stop-motion technique might be a little crude and... somewhat unsophisticated, but that's the charm of it. You’ll feel like pop-up book unveiled before your eyes. This is an exceptional animation of the year.
Up in the Air is a blockbuster movie for people who think blockbuster movies are dumb, as it chock full of brilliantly written dialogue, and acting showcase for three talented actors (especially star-making turn by Anna Kendrick). But in the end, there's little to love, not so much story to chew on (plus disappointing third act), and no real connection to the meaning of human interaction as it intended to be.
BloodyMonday Rating:
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
Cliché-ridden plot about a bunch of annoying characters get together in one idiotic circumstance, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is shameless exploitation & biggest insult to 80s teen flicks. It's like memorizing magic trick from internet, hoping to perform like David Copperfield. Neither sense of wonder nor magic flare happens here. Only good thing is, it makes me wanna cleanse my soul with genuine 80s teen movie night marathon.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Everybody's Fine (2009)
Meh. The movie serious lack of originality & characters development. Only Robert De Niro comes out fine in this schmaltzy, "Lifetime" movie-of-the-week plot.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Paper Heart (2009)
Twee delight... That's only two words I can think of right now.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Adam (2009)
A perfect companion to Mary & Max (one of the best animation of 2009), Adam is star-crossed love story (pun intended) between Adam, Asperger's Syndrome bearer, and Beth, free spirit woman. The picture wouldn’t be this intimate without stunning performance by Hugh Dancy. On the other hand, the lack of depth on why Beth would love someone like Adam, preventing me from wholeheartedly embraces her choice in the end (which is nice & perfect but requires a leap of faith). Otherwise, this is touching romantic film, which putting its feet firmly on the ground, making the world full of hope and seems nicer place to live.
BloodyMonday Rating:
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Expected to be like “Click” or “Yes Man”, where high-concept plot turned into endless gags, with moral lesson (forcefully) shoving down your throat. But "The Invention of Lying" is thinking man’s film. The whole concept is not seeing how first lying man exploits the ability. But it's about him finding the way not to lie, in order to find genuine happiness. Great stuff.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Give ‘Em Hell Malone (2009)
This is one damn frustrating experience. It’s like watching an infant trying to stand up and walk. They would take a few steps then fall their asses. In fact, kiddie film like “Bugsy Malone” has done better job paying a tribute to film noir than this borefest.
BloodyMonday Rating:
Zombieland (2009)
ถ้าอังกฤษมีหนังซอมบี้ฮาแตกอย่าง Shaun of the Dead แล้ว ทำไมอเมริกาจะมีบ้างไม่ได้... Zombieland คือการผสมผสานระหว่างบรรดาหนังซอมบี้เก่าๆ เข้ากับทัศนคติของคนสร้างที่อาจดูหนังแนวนี้มากเกินความจำเป็น จนสามารถสร้างหนังซอมบี้ที่เข้าใจสิ่งที่ตัวเองเป็น และเล่นสนุกไปกับกฏพื้นฐานของซอมบี้ได้อย่างเต็มที่ ทั้งนี้ทั้งนั้นต้องยกความดีให้สี่นักแสดงนำ โดยเฉพาะ วู้ดดี้ ฮาเรลสัน (เขาเกิดมาเพื่อบทนี้) ที่ช่วยกันสร้างมนต์เสน่ห์ ให้กับการเดินทางในโลกไร้มนุษย์ได้อย่างเต็มที่
หนังมีไอเดียกิ๊บเก๋ ทำออกมาได้สนุกสนานสไตล์ซิตคอมอังกฤษ โดยเฉพาะการนำกฏเหล็กต่างๆจากหนังที่เกี่ยวกับการท่องเวลา (ดูเหมือนว่า Back to the Future จะเป็นแรงบรรดาลใจหลัก) มาปู้ยี้ปู้ยำอย่างเมามัน ถึงแม้ว่าตลอดเวลาการรับชมจะให้ความรู้สึก เหมือนตัวเองกำลังดูซีรี่ย์ทางโทรทัศน์ แต่มันก็คือตอนที่ฮาที่สุดของซีซั่น แถมเอฟเฟ็คที่ใช้ก็มีคุณภาพจนคาดไม่ถึง
BloodyMonday Rating:
Looking for Eric (2009)
มีความรู้สึกว่าหนังเรื่องนี้มองโลกในแง่ดีเกินบรรยากาศโดยรวม จริงอยู่ว่าทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างที่ลงเอยด้วยดีในตอนสุดท้ายนั้น สามารถสร้างความสุขและรอยยิ้มให้กับคนดู แต่จากสถานการณ์ในเรื่องและบริบทที่เกิดขึ้นก่อนหน้านี้ มันยากที่จะทำใจเชื่อในสิ่งที่เห็น โดยเฉพาะพล็อตรองเกี่ยวกับปืน ซึ่งถ้าถูกตัดออกไปและหนังยังดำเนินเรื่องอย่างที่เป็นอยู่ Looking for Eric ก็น่าจะเป็นหนังฟีลกู้ดที่อบอุ่นที่สุดเรื่องหนึ่งของปีเลยทีเดียว
)
and oh!? they got real porn stars in this movie too?!
ฝากข้อความหลังไมค์
Rss Feed
ผู้ติดตามบล็อก : 1 คน [
อย่างไรก็ดี ต้องขอชมว่า ทีมงานโฆษณาของเรื่องนี้หัวไวใช้ได้ โดยพวกเขาได้ออกแบบโปสเตอร์ใหม่มาอีกสองเวอร์ชั่น ซึ่งก็ยิ่งทำให้คนดูรู้สึกว่า เรื่องนี้มันจะต้องออกมา "บะละหึ่ม" อย่างแน่นอน...