Bernie

directed by Richard Linklater (2011)

I went into this cold, knowing only that it starred Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey and I think that is the BEST way to see this movie - knowing nothing about it AT ALL.  It will suprise you and isn't that one of the greatest things in life - when something surprises you?  When a movie can do that, it's like a present you weren't even expecting.

So don't read anymore if you ain't seen it yet, because now I'm gonna head into spoiler territory.  (Don't watch the trailer - it pretty much tells you everything that happens.)

It's a based on a true story of a 1996 murder in Texas.  I thought it was a regular old made up story, and when I realized at the end, that it really happened, and that those townspeople were the actual spectators to the incident talking about a real person and a real murder, well I was just delighted.  Not that this awful crime took place - it was a terrible thing Bernie did -  more that this movie was made ya know?  The best most genius part was having how the interviews with the townspeople were intermingled with the recreations of the relationship between Bernie and Marjorie.

It's such a great story too, like they tagline says, "A story so unbelievable it must be true."  And I thought it was so appropriate how it was structured, starting off showcasing Bernie's unbelievable goodness.  You can't help but like and root for Bernie.  Even though he shot an old lady 4 times IN THE BACK, then stuffed her in a freezer, you still want to forgive him.  It shine's a light on this peculiar aspect of the human condition - how prejudiced we all are, and how easily we can be swayed to forgive when we like a person.   With our friends, or people who are likeable, we'll want to cut them slack,  and give them a break, but for people we don't like, or who we can't relate to?  All those wrongdoers?? Well they can go to hell.

It's the American way, well acually it's the way most people are the world over.  Unfortunately, as a people, we are highly and irrationally prejudicial.

It's a good flick.  Well worth your time.  I really enjoyed it. I also thought Jack Black's role would have been great for Zach Galifianakis.

Before Sunset

poster design Joshua Hooper

directed by Richard Linklater (2004)

I found this to be a completely unnecessary sequel.  I didn't need to know what happened to the couple in the first flick. Before Sunrise was a lovely romantic story,  showing the spark and birth of a relationship, and I was happy imagining a future where they ended up happily ever after.

Instead there's this business, and remember, movies is business first and art second, mostly always.  There must have been enough people saying hey what happened to that couple anyhow? to get this funded right?  It's not terrible - it's got some pretty choice scenes and dialogue - but I just didn't care about the evolution of their relationship.  I liked seeing Paris, but thats merely the pretty backdrop for the jibberjabber where they do a show and tell of the baggage and compromises they've accumulated through the years.  Hohum.  Actually, I was surprised how much older Ethan Hawke looked, since I watched the movies back to back.  That was probably a mistake because I was satisfied with the first flick, and the sequel negated the good romantic glow that I got after watching their initial love connection.  They were poised at the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and learning what happened to them after that wasn't nearly as interesting or compelling as I thought it would be.

It reminded me of Woody Allen, except it wasn't funny.

I think I would have liked a sequel more along the lines of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.  Give me some DRAMA baby!  This was kinda boring.