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Reviews
The Ladykillers (2004)
Classic Coen Brothers-- return to form
First things first: if you liked "Fargo", that doesn't make you a Coen Brothers fan. If you liked "O Brother, Where Art Thou", that doesn't make you a Coen Brothers fan. If you have consistently seen and enjoyed their films, THEN you are a Coen Brothers fan. And any Coen Brothers fan will delight in watching "The Ladykillers", a return to form after the very good, but not great, "Intolerable Cruelty". While it is certainly one of their lesser films, that's not saying much considering all of their movies except one (Intolerable) are fantastic. While Marlon Wayans almost kills the movie, Hanks gives a wonderfully strange performance, one of the best of his career, a character who uses about 50 words when 5 would suffice. The movie builds and builds to a brilliant darkly comic ending that is completely fitting with the tone of the movie. With masterful comic performances, great one-liners, and classic Coen direction, either Coen fans or those who enjoy offbeat comedies will love "The Ladykillers" as I do. And only J.K. Simmons could make me laugh as hard as I did just by the way he uses the term "that f***in cat"
Thirteen (2003)
over-rated, fair
weeeelll I thought "thirteen" was just okay. The main reason I found it just okay, was that it just wasn't that interesting and believable to me. Before you start bashing me for the 'believable' comment, I'd like to address something. Unlike many detractors of 'thirteen', I won't say the things portrayed in the movie dont happen. They do. However, what I found INCREDIBLY unbelievable was how Tracy transformed into a bad ass, selfish, mean bitch instantly immediately after meeting Evie. She didn't evolve into a badass, selfish, mean bitch. She immediately became one in the scene right after meeting Evie. One scene she was the sweet, smart 'nerdy' girl, the VERY NEXT SCENE she was the selfish angry bitch. The transformation just wasn't shown. Also, I felt the bulk of the movie was trying to shock us by constantly one-upping the stakes and shocking us. The two things that show the movie's true intentions of shocking us is (1)the movie's opening scene which has absolutely NO reason to open the movie and (2) the provocative poster showing the girls' tongue rings. However, I thought it was a promising performance by Evan Rachel Wood. While it is impressive that she co-wrote a screenplay at such a young age, Nikki Reed's performance is nothing special. On the other hand, Holly Hunter gives perhaps her best performance ever as Tracey's mother. And I thought the final few minutes were very true and heartfelt- it almost made me think I liked the entire movie. I know no-one will agree with me, because it seems like everyone either LOVES the movie or HATES it, but I thought 'thirteen' was a fair movie with a few very good aspects.
Shallow Hal (2001)
Incredibly sweet, charming movie
I know many complain it wasnt as funny as past farelly movies such as "Something about Mary" or "Kingpin". But it wasnt supposed to be. It was intended to be a comedy, and it was extremely successful, and it was very funny, however it wasnt supposed to be non-stop, grossout laughs like their past efforts. I always liked the Farelly Brothers's movies because while hilarious, they always had an underlying sweetness to them. I think this one prevailed the most in that department- I think 'Shallow Hal' is an incredibly sweet, and even more upon second viewing, just a charming, great movie-watching experience. I think if people give it another chance and cut it some slack in the non-stop jokes department, they will see it for the great, enjoyable movie with a message that it really is.