Bernie

“I’d never seen a movie told from the perspective of a group of gossips, but in this case it seemed like the proper narrative technique that would reveal everything you could ever really know about the town and the people involved… It was also this unconventional storytelling device that almost kept the movie from ever getting made” – Richard Linklater (Director)

Well, I for one, am very glad that this subtle (Jack) black comedy got made, Richard.  Yes, as you can tell by the picture, this is no doubt a Jack Black driven vehicle, but trust me, it can be enjoyed by even those who have grown tired of Mr. Black’s Shtick, myself included.

Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunset) tells the true story of Bernie, the beloved  mortician of Eastern Texas who did a naughty thing.  Told in part faux documentary and part re-enactment, the entire affair felt like a more extravagant episode of Rescue 911. This is the type of comedy where I’m sure I’ll catch more jokes upon repeat viewings. Read More…

Are you a fast reader?  I know this is a funny question to pose toward film-goers, but it’s an important one.  Not your typical action movie, Jiang Wen‘s Let The Bullets Fly presents more conversational contention than literal bloodshed.  While there is a fair amount of people getting shot, the real action comes in the dialogue between legendary bandit “Pocky” Zhang Muzhi (Jiang Wen) and wealthy crime lord Master Huang Fox (Chow Yun-Fat.)  The rate at which these two fire proposals and rebuttals will challenge your sub-title reading speed.

The plot consists of Pocky and his gang (all given numbers 1-7 as aliases) robbing a train transporting a governor on his way to Goose Town and instead of taking the governors’ money, Pocky essentially steals the governorship and begins his reign.  From here it’s very Robin Hood-esque; Pocky and his gang steal from the rich and spread the wealth among the poor, meanwhile planting seeds of discontent among the citizens in hopes that they will rise against their ruler Huang Fox.  There are lots of characters and it can be easy to get lost if you don’t pay attention. Read More…