Brick (2005), The Brothers Bloom (2008), Looper (2012)

[cinematixyz]

Hello everyone, R here with what is likely going to be a bit of a word-vomit about these three movies by director Rian Johnson. Bear with me! I have wanted to review these three movies as a loose trilogy of sorts since I came on board here at cinematixyz First because I loved Brick so very much, really enjoyed Looper, and thought this would be good impetus to

Comments

[barush]

I'm biased, because both Brick and Looper are in my Top 10 movies of all time, so I won't attempt some deep analysis and just say that I love Rian Johnson :D And JGL too, I love their bromance :P I wasn't so much into The Brothers Bloom for some reason, even though I tried to love it. Oh well.

Although I will say that I love what Joe once said about the characters in Brick, that they're not children, but archetypes.

Comment By Zuz

[cinematixyz]

I haven't seen the other two..I only saw Looper (STOP THROWING TOMATOES!!!!) but my issue was literally 1/3 the way through "Looper", I asked Y. "I thought Joseph Gordon Levitt starred as the younger B.W." and Y pointed out that was him, but had to look it up to double check. His acting and mannerisms were good enough...he obviously studied the guy, especially his younger materiel/work

Re: Comment By Zuz

[barush]

Again, I have seen this movie many, many times and I'm pretty sure I've seen and read every interview with Joe and/or Rian about this movie, so I'm unable to discuss it objectively anymore lol That said, the purpose of the make up was always for Joe to disappear. He didn't want to shine, he wanted to disappear so much that people would forget it's JGL and believe it's someone who could grow up into Bruce Willis. And I think it worked. But I get the make up might be distracting for some people. I knew what they were doing before I went to see the movie, so I was prepared for Joe's changed face and could focus on the movie only.

Also, I haven't seen Django, but I doubt I'd like it more than Looper :D

Re: Comment By Zuz

[cinematixyz]

Honestly, as a timey wimey film lover, it was distracting and I COULDN'T get into it because of the crappy make up. It was unnecessary. JGL (OMG, those are the initials of two family members...CREE-PY) was doing a great job without it. As SNL says "It's called Acting!!" LOL

[cinematixyz]

I can see being distracted by the makeup/prosthetics, but for me, when someone has such a well-known face, I look to see them disappear into a role any way they can. Its one of the reasons why I think Heath Ledger's Joker was so very compelling (and ultimately awardwinning). Its one of the reasons why even when I love a big name actor, its hard not to see THEM instead of the character (Will Smith comes to mind, as does Leo DiCaprio, but he did better in Gatsby than I've seen in a while).

I'll just wait over here for your thoughts on Brick and The Brothers Bloom *whistles*

~R

to r from z

[cinematixyz]

I will get cracking on them for sure... let you know as soon as we get copies!!

Z.

(P.S. R, as a Fitzgerald Geek, I am REALLY scared to see Leo as Gatsby. Are you saying take a dive??)

Zu

Re: to r from z

[cinematixyz]

I'm saying as a non-Leo fan and as a Luhrmann geek, definitely see it. He really captures a naivete as Gatsby I never thought possible. (Managed to not read Gatsby, gasp)

Also, gorgeous everything and addictive soundtrack :)

~R

Re: to r from z

[cinematixyz]

Ok..if you liked it, it must be pretty special. Thanks, ~ R. !!

Zu

[cinematixyz]

Excellent point about Brick. With some characters known by nicknames that reflect their personality (and I can't shake feeling like Tugger came from Rum Tum Tugger, sorry for the absurd image!) it definitely lends itself to how the story was told - there's no B-plot in the narrative, every action, reaction and scene goes towards the main plot of solving the murder.

~R