Cyrus is a smart romantic comedy that steers clear of the recent pitfalls of the genre. It’s a funny love story for grown ups and a showcase for great acting. The real suprise here is Jonah Hill, who show previously unforeseen dramatic chops, and aptly holds his own with co-stars John C. Reilly, Catherine Keener and Marisa Tomei. Hill stars as the title character, Tomei’s oedipally agressive son. Read more »
Based on the pulp classic by Jim Thompson, The Killer Inside Me finds Casey Affleck in the role of 50’s small town sheriff Lou Ford. His polite manners and boyish looks camouflage a rotten, corrupted mind. Given the assignment of running a prostitute (Jessica Alba) out of town, he instead decides to start sleeping with her, and as a result has kill half about the town. Read more »
Starz has just announced that they are not renewing the excellent “Party Down” for a third season. Perhaps it is fitting that a show that dryly observes failure amidst success would become critically acclaimed, only to be summarily canceled. I tried to describe it in my previous post on the show, but “Party Down” had a unique tone, one born from seeing the character with their dreams of fame and success, confront constant reminders of their shortcomings.
Jane Lynch, who returns for the last episode of the second season, has the closest thing to a catch-line on the show (besides the main character’s career stifling light-beer ad jingle). Feeding off of her character’s eternal optimism, she spouts “It’s like a miracle!” at ironic, if not totally depressing, moments. Rather than mock her and her quasi-delusional worldview, however, “Party Down” celebrates it. In a town where everyone is trying to make it, “Party Down” is about foot soldiers, minor victories, and maintaining your dream in a world of assholes.
alexandrathesister
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illwatchanything
Jared Parmenter
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Timothy Parfitt