Review: Bernie (film)

Check out the Wiki Link Here

Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine)

Hi everyone! It's been a spell since I last wrote anything.  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Mine was really good.  It only got better since I had extra time to read comics and watch movies! Bernie was one recommended to me by my friend Lee.  That, along with the fact Jack Black was in it only made me more anxious to watch it.  It was recently available as instant stream on Netflix.  I seized the opportunity and decided to finally see what this story was about.

Bernie follows Bernie, a local mortician in a small town.  Bernie seemingly came out of nowhere.  He had an amazing knack for connecting to people, taking the time to show people someone still cared.  In the small town of Carthage TX, it didn't take long to gain a revered reputation of being a kind man.  One such lady he came across was Majorie Nugent.  Marjorie was known for her cruel, mean streak.  No one had any desire to be near her in any capacity. At the death of her husband, Bernie began an interesting relationship with Marjorie.  A relationship no one had the bravery, or some might say stupidity, to initiate. A relationship which would lead to her untimely death.

McConaughey being douche-y. 

Likes - Bernie plays off as a mockumentray.  The majority of the film is based on interviews of the local townsfolk.  I haven't confirmed if they are true towns' members but they do an amazing enough job that I was convinced they were.   Jack Black does a great job playing the unique character of Bernie. Bernie is very much not the typical Jack Black role, but still, is something Black can easily handle. Bernie was a man willing to help anyone in any capacity, sometimes to his own detriment.
Matthew McConaughey also did a great job of playing Danny Buck, the D.A. trying to convict Bernie of this crime, a very unenviable task.  The town was so in love with Bernie, no one would be willing to hold him to any crime he committed.
Ultimately, the story is the real star.  This was such a strange story and knowing it was true only adds to the weight.

Click here for the IMDB Link

Dislikes - I would have liked to seen more of Black, but thats only because I love him so much.  I felt that the lack of screen time for him was a great choice of restraint and ultimately serves the story.

Bernie (Jack Black) being the kind man he naturally is.

Overall - I really enjoyed this film.  As a Jack Black fan and as a movie fan, this was very unique and interesting tale.  I am glad I didn't see it in theatre because I don't think it would be worth the ticket price.  Still, it was worth seeing and I may even watch it again soon.  For those looking for something quirky and not entirely deep, this is a great find.  A great way to spend a Sunday evening even.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Similar too: Stranger then Fiction, Louie

Review: Exit Through the Gift Shop (film)

In an attempt to kill time and avoid some real work that needed to to be done, I decided to watch yet another film.  I had already seen Our Idiot Brother earlier today.  It was good but not worth writing.  After avoiding Exit Through the Gift Shop for awhile, feeling I was never in the mood, I decided to stop being a wuss and jump into this story.  Man, was I putting off a nice payoff.

Exit Through the Gift Shop is a strange and interesting tale, encompassing Theirry Guetta and his obsession with street art.  Things begin with how Thierry needed to film his whole life.  Soon, he become exposed to the world of street art. Two obsessions, now crashed together, created an experience for Theirry no one else had.  Documenting art that wouldn't last for a day, Thierry was the historian for a modern movement.  Events progress into a strange twist as Thierry soon becomes the artist he had been obsessed with for so long. 

Likes - The first thing I really enjoyed about this film is the initial documenting of the street art movement.  You are exposed to an amazing underground world, focused on pure expression and avoiding capture to paint another day.  You see some amazing pieces and the efforts made to put them up.  

Another great aspect of the film are the people in it.  Theirry, Banksy, and Fairey all are interesting, honest people with interesting takes on art.  Banksy and Fairey are at it from the beginning, before money was ever in the picture and fame was a consideration.  Eventually Thierry comes in and does the art and is loved for it.  Yet, he earns no respect from the street art community.  Much like most celebrities, he gives people what they want and expects people to make up for his shortcomings and poor planning.  Exit Through the Gift Shop is as much about credibly and fame as it is about art.

The last major facet I enjoyed is the dry humor in the film.  Though touted as a documentary, it is anything but.  The moments you wanna laugh, feel free too.  That was the point!

Dislikes -  I didn't dislike anything with this film.  It was subtle, informative, and overall entertaining.  I wouldn't sit in a theater or watch this with a group. For my desire to kill time and have a laugh though, this was perfect.

Overall - This was a very good, fun film thought nothing outstanding or ground breaking.  Still, it was a perfect introduction to street art and an overall movement that needs to be under the radar to exist.  Look up Mr Brainwash in Wikipedia too.  It'll make you really think about what Exit Through the Gift Shop was really about.