It is rare in the last 15 years that I’ve seen a movie that doesn’t treat you like you’re a drooling dummy. As my past movie reviews have made clear, I love a popcorn movie more than the average guy. But I can appreciate one that is also written for a high school graduate.
The worst example of this was the otherwise good Bond movie, Casino Royale, during the card game sequence where one character explained to the other how the game was progressing and operating. Even if you don’t know how to play the card game (like me), the sequence would have been a lot better without the guy saying “OK, JAMES BOND NEEDS A JACK OR A KING TO WIN, OR HE LOSES THE WHOLE THING, OK, CUE THE DRAMATIC TENSION”.
I liked Michael Clayton a lot, and it could have done with a little trimming, but the sophistication of the writing and plot makes up for that: 4/5
Syriana is another one (also starring Clooney), although that one might suffer a tad bit from sophistication overload.
There have been a few movies lately that I highly recommend. Babel, The Lives Of Others, Pan’s Labyrinth, Children of Men to name just a few really smart “adult” dramas of the past couple of years.
And I love a good popcorn flick probably more than the next guy. Transformers was one of my favorite films of last year. But these other films are nice change of pace. Definitely check out The Lives of Others if you haven’t seen it. A fantastic movie.
Good call. I loved this movie and am still thinking about it a week later. Tom Wilkinson’s opening monologue is just killer.
the otherwise good Bond movie, Casino Royale, during the card game sequence where one character explained to the other how the game was progressing and operating.
What was it, Baccarat? My dad explained it to me thusly.
Pick a card.
You lose.
Play again?
Baccarat was the original. In the new film they were playing Hold’em.
And I agree, it was obnoxious to have the scene color-commented.
Yes baccarat was the original movie title. I like it a lot.