Friday Forecast & Burn After Reading: MSS No.2 #cinephiles #film #review

Highlighting interviewees, guest posters, my standard weekly posts, and whatever else I can think of, going into the next week.

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So, here what’s happening next week:

Sunday | Sample Sunday: EC: Battleground

Monday | Top 5- vacation spots. Over on You Tube I’ll post Pop Quiz Pressure.

Tuesday | Character Files: Leo’s opinion of the Eternal Curse followed by an interview with author Juliann Troi.

Wednesday | A Post from the Past: about characters.

Thursday | Tea and Conversation: age followed by Wars do not start in a day.

Friday | Friday Forecast followed by a review of Mercury Falls.

Saturday |Weekly Recap possibly followed by a guest post or an Author Insight post.

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Later today | Nothing. I’m taking a break, but check out the movie review below.  🙂

Tomorrow |Not sure.

Burn After Reading Review – Mock Squid Soup #2

 Please note, this review contains mature themes.

This review will consist of me asking myself 10 questions and answering them to the best of my ability.

1. What is this film about?

This film is about a whole lot of something that doesn’t really make sense. It’s a bit outrageous and ridiculous so, of course, it’s hilarious. To sum thing up as best as possible, I’d say this is the story of opportunism and it’s great downfall.

More on the specifics of these characters later, but here’s a quick example of why I think this story is all about, selfishly and dangerously, reaching for opportunities.

Osborne gets demoted and uses it as an opportunity to walk away from a job he doesn’t like.

Since Osborne leaves his job, his wife uses this as an opportunity to file for divorce and then some.

Linda and Chad find information that might be valuable and take the opportunity to exploit it without knowing what it is.

Katie’s on the prowl so Harry uses it as an opportunity to have more adulterous sex with her.

Harry’s wife goes out of town and Katie is a busy woman, so he has a perfect excuse to take on another “lover” in Linda…

Seriously people, this just goes on and on.

2. What did I think of the title, poster, and or trailer?

I’ve seen several posters for this movie, but the one I found on Wikipedia was new to me. It makes it seem almost as though this might actually be a serious spy thriller if it weren’t for the wild and “loud” font used. My favorite poster for this film shows a close-up of Brad Pit sipping from his Jamba Juice straw. After seeing that, you know this movie is either going to funny, weird, or both. Listed as a black comedy (I think the term dark comedy is a better fit), it’s easy to image that there may be moments of laughter mixed in with moments of unease and even terror.

3. What did I think of the main character(s) and how the actors performed them?

I could seriously go on for days talking about this cast. I pretty much like everything I’ve seen John Malkovich, but I know I haven’t seen all his films. As for the rest of the cast, what’s not to like. I mean really.

George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, J. K. Simmons, Elizabeth Marvel, David Rasche (not sure of this pronunciation) all make this movie something special.

Don’t quote me on this, but I seriously think it must be some kind of law that says you can’t make a Coen Brothers film without Frances McDormand. In any case, it’s always a comfort to see her playing a role written just for her.

4. What did I think of the direction and cinematography?

Well, there’s no secret about the style in which Joel and Ethan make their movies. There’s always a sense of danger, something odd or off kilter, and even subtle bits of humor in the most inappropriate or importune times. Now don’t let me give you the wrong impression here, but this is one of the milder of their films in terms of violence. There are still two scenes shot with that special Coen precision, this will deliver a bit of shock and dismay upon seeing. No one else in Hollywood seem to handle violence the way they do; whether that’s a good or not, I’m not sure, but it is a fact.

5. What did I think of the soundtrack and score?

To be perfectly honest, I paid no attention to the score of this film and I don’t even think it has a soundtrack. I’m too lazy, at this point, to research it just for this review. I have a feeling, though, that there was a bit of something quirking playing in the back to set the mood for the unexpected or unpredictable.

6. What did I like about the story as a whole?

I guess what I liked most about the film was the realistic absurdity of it all. The people in this film weren’t very likable, but I didn’t really dislike any of them either. I felt like everyone except for Ted kinda got what they deserved. Even when Linda finally gets what she’s been scheming for, she’ll still be unhappy and alone. It’s almost sad, but ironic enough to be funny and satisfying…

Does that make me weird?

7. What did I not like about the story?

I didn’t care much for Ted’s sex device and Linda’s easy going acceptance of it. I get it; people are into different things, but it didn’t seem to me that they knew enough about each other to “go there”. Even if I was into something, let say, adventurous like that, I’d be appalled that some guy would automatically assume that I was after, what, one or two “hook ups”. Let’s just be real. Those weren’t exactly dates they were going on.

8. Would I recommend this movie to others?

I think I would recommend this movie but I’d be selective about it. I make a point to know what my friends, family, and associates lean towards. I would be cautious to recommend it to someone who doesn’t share my inquisitive taste in films. However, I would have no problem letting other people know that, “I personally enjoyed it.”

9. If yes, who? What would I rate this movie?

This is strictly an adult experience. Even if the sexual themes and violence were removed from the movie, I still think it would require a more mature mind to comprehend and appreciate all that this film has to offer.

On a scale of 1 to 5 movie reels, I give this film 5 reels.

 

 

10. Was there anything in this movie that could be related to me or anything I have written?

I don’t think I’ve written anything like this, although some people find my story Legend of the Boy disturbing. I admit that I love comedy and wish I could write it, but alas, that is not my talent.

It’s cool that Osborne is trying to write his memoir, but I think he has two things going against him. 1. He has no plan of attack. He’s just talking aimlessly into a recorder. 2. He’s not really interested in the project. Yes, it’s a good distraction for him, but I don’t think it’s making him happy as he’s doing it.

I have been known to write gruesome and scary villains, and though Harry isn’t quite a villain he is a super sleaze. Why bother being married if you’re still trying to hump any passing female on two legs?

Sorry, there I go again. I almost started a rant.

Watch, rent, or buy this movie here.

Mock Squid Soup – Film Society

MOCK! and The Armchair Squid are proud to introduce Mock Squid Soup: A Film Society. Each month, on the second Friday, we shall host a bloghop devoted to a particular movie. We invite others to watch the same film and post their own reviews…Don’t be shy; come join the fun! 😀

Click here to see other reviews of this movie.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords