his comments always just hit home with me... i'm really happy to have found Mark... all because i wanted to see how much other people liked Transformers 3 like me on YOutube.. I found mark and he ripped the movie to shreds. but i still had to agree with him because he speaks truth, no matter how hard it is to hear
I love The Big Bebowski, Raising Arizona and Burn After Reading. I also love Mark Kermode's reviews and respect that he has a different opinion to me.
The movie's got American humour. Only people who can understand that will enjoy the movie. I saw it in the cinema, laughing loudly, and rented when it came out on DVD. To laugh again.
Say what you want about us seppos but we do some things right.
Yep...he kind of missed the point that it wasn't supposed to be a coherent story...it just IS. These people are stupid in everything they do that's the point! J.K. Simmons' character pretty much sums that up at the end. He's just as lost about how and why everything happened the way it did as the audience. That's why I like the film....
I think that the Kermode-meister missed the point a bit.
These kind of ridiculous, farcical, directionless things happen within the intelligence community.
I see this film as a bit of an antidote to the Bourne/Bond films, satirically showing the intelligence community up as the bumbling buffoons that they sometimes are.
Kermode's characterisation of the Coen Brothers' career reminds me of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, in Jay and Silent Bob. "You gotta do the safe picture, THEN you do the art picture!"
I didn't really think much of Big Lebowski either, I thought of turning it off when watching it, out of boredom. It's alright, all my friends like it. But I don't think Kermode's being contrarian just because he doesn't rate that movie.
@ChristopherDone You might wanna give The Big Lebowski another go. I think you have to be in that 'whimsical' (as Mr Kermode puts it) frame of mind, to really enjoy it.
The first time I tried watching it, it didnt do anything for me either...it's somewhat of an acquired taste.
It's the same with Burn After Reading, it isnt nearly as hard hitting as 'No Country..' But I think it's still really enjoyable if you're in the right frame of mind...and maybe if you see it as a bit of a satirical film
I don't know if Kermode cared about the ending or not, but I think Simmons' character sums it up well. "What do we learn from it all?" "I don't know sir."
I came away from Burn After Reading thinking the whole point of the story was about misinterpretations.
Nobody knew what anyone else was doing, so everything got taken out of context, which is why everything was mismatched. The main reason I found the film so funny, was the way in which there was a portrayal of significant events happening, when really they were menial tasks. The lack of subtlety is my only issue, like the Coen brothers are saying "ooh, look at us, we can use irony."
The first time I saw Big Lebowski, I quite like it despite misunderstanding the cult success of it. However, I recently saw it on DVD and enjoyed it a hell of a lot more and can say that The Big Lebowski is absolutely brilliant, particularly the fantastic dream bowling scene.
The Big Lebowski is a modern classic. It is one of the greatest comedies of all time. It is that rare example of a film that contains great one liners and a plot that is actually interesting.
However, Burn After Reading is just lame. Sure, it has some funny moments; the Coens will always be able to make us laugh, no matter what they do.
But the movie is just cheap and unpleasant. Unlike Kermode's early suggestion, I think they made this movie because they HAD to, not because they WANTED to.
Everything Brad Pitt did was hilarious. The last three minutes were also very funny. Unfortunately that leaves about an hour and a half in the middle which isn't funny.
It is like Mark Kermode is inside my head. Only on the rarest occasions do he and I disagree on films. I only wish I could be so articulate. "Burn After Reading" was a smug piece of trash.
he's totally fucking right, but i don't see a point in fucking with a movie like this for over 5 minutes, when everybody with a brain understands that after 5 minutes into the movie. but the can aswell accept it, being how it is.
i guess being a movie critic just is a crappy job.
A brilliant film but, as Kermode demonstrates here in spades, it probably isn't a good movie for film critics. Anyone who takes themselves far too seriously (and considers their own opinion to be especially valid) will not understand what they're watching. It's pretty funny that he didn't get it.
ugly? george clooney's character is dumb yes, but ugly? no... brad pitt stupid, bad haircut, but ugly? no i mean his character is supposed to be some idiot who works in a gym. where is kermode getting this from the subtext?
The Big Lebowsky is my favorite Coen Brothers film and Burn After Reading is not just a bag of bits. There's a coherent whole, and all the pieces fit well.
I've expressed my thoughts about kermode's sense of self-importance but he is spot on here. This movie is utter shite! Waste of talent all around. Who, out of all the actors involved would cry if this were expunged from their CVs? I've pulled more interesting tagnuts out of my arse.
I think Kermode needs to accept that, rather than the Coens having a "peculiar dual strand to their career", he just likes some films more than others. Personally, I love all their films. Aside from The Ladykillers, obviously. That was a stinker.
Mark is a funny guy but when it comes to movies he seems to not have a sense of humor. Apparently, humor in film is just "quirkiness" when not coupled with existential darkness. Or maybe the kind of humor in The Big Lebowski is too American culturally for him. I don't know.
Anyway, The Big Lebowski is a whole lot more than just a zany comedy.
I liked this film, but I've gotta say he's right about the ending, that did feel a bit of a cop out. Like it was all building up to a point, a character gaining some sort of insight to the events of the film and then... nothingy ending. I think what would have elevated this picture is having a conclusive ending that made all the "bits" seem a tad more coherent.
Burn After Reading was actually a very intelligent film.
I really hate how Kermode makes up his mind before he sees films. This film has some of the most insightful commentary on idiocy, which also manages to be funny. such as the fake romantic comedy with claire danes and dermot mulroney 'Coming Up Daisy' which is right on the mark of stupid, crowd pleasing humor. And the relationship between clooney and mcdormand, who are both failures, but feel a hip outlook on life can cure everything.
@BunnyMan456 Yeah it does but if you've seen Raising Arizona or Fargo, i think that those movies really do the whole "idocy" theme better than Burn after reading
I love this film! Mark always makes a fair point but not everyones gonna like the zany stuff I guess. Can't understand the dislike of o brother where art thou and the big lobowski.
Glad to see someone else feeling the same way as me about the Coen's. There's usually as much humour to their serious films anyway, just subtler and less goofy. To me the Coen films that have a story to tell, a point to make AND a sense of humour, just has to be the better films, why the whole internet disagress, I have no idea.
well, I love the Coens, but what does that mean? If they were making an installation for the tate modern then maybe your comment would make sense. What was the films "Point" because you're surely just insulting it in your own eyes by even acknowledging that it has or needs one
@phantomdoodler I'm pretty sure I just said it didn't have a point. Of course, not having a point is itself making the point that not all stories need to have a point... *disappears into own navel*
Be "zaney intolerant" all you want...doesn't make it a bad movie. I also don't think any of them looked like "stupid, ugly people" (maybe just stupid though). Ya know....it's ok to be silly sometimes.
i did think half way through the movie it died and was going nowhere, i did enjoy the first part of the movie and there where some really funny moments but i thought it lost plot half way
@5eurocups2005 Exactly! It's like these people want critics to say "yeah, it was alright... y'know, not bad. I mean, there were a few problems with it but it's not like I could do any better" - really useful advice to someone choosing which movie to see.
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what kind of douche bag would not like raising arizona or the big labowski? mark kermode is a fucking cunt, ive only seen two of his reveiws and i alresdy want him dead
I enjoyed the movie for exactly the reasons Kermode mentions; respected actors are playing complete morons. I love Kermode's reviews and I get his point on this one; "zaney" is just not his kind of movie.
Also, I think the Coens deserve to make this kind of movie occasionally; their new movie A Serious Man turned out to be a perfect mix of the two kinds they make; crazy stuff happening to someone you actually feel sorry for.
you fucking morons....dont watch the film as though its any other film...the film had its own genre, its own style....its a fucking beautiful film, a fucking piece of art....it had no point but itself....funny as fuck as well
One person IM/ Pm'd me and said it was Brad and George playing parodies of themselves - INCORRECT. The storyline was dumb, and the writing was even worse, for the characters were not really developed with their own personalities. Also it seems absurb that with no real indication that Malkovich is unstable - all of a sudden becomes unstable in the last 20 minutes of the movie. And you can't really even tell who shot Brad - bad visual bad editing. Brad did best with what had to work with.
Brilliant Brilliant review.. just took everything i was thinking and put it in words which i have struggled to do. I've had to settle for "it sucks" which of course no one takes seriously but this review describes justhow bad the movie is and why. Its incredible that so many people liked it.
Usually I do not agree with Mark Kermode, but this time he is right. This movie is strange. Malkovich is not horrible, but falls so easily back into the SAME ol' characters he always plays; George Clooney - a womanizer- not much of a stretch - since he's never had a real relationship for any length of time. And the idea that someone (played by Francis McDormand) would try and sell supposed CIA secrets in order to get money for plastic surgery is ludacrist. Movie was overrated, and dumb.
I thought Malkovich was horrible. His acting was actually quite good, but in the context of a the movie.. which is a comedy.. he was absolutely horrible. When he out on his angry face and started shouting there was nothing comical about it and it didn't help the movie in any way. Horrible movie.
Ah Kermode, so close to the truth, especially about the absence of cumulative power in Burn After Reading, and yet so far.
I mean, to think that Raizing Arizona, Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers (basically the worst Coens' films by a long way, IMHO) are *in any way* equivalent to the glorious Hudsucker Proxy or to the Shining-Light-On-The-Hill that is The Big Lebowski...
I like Kermode and I enjoy his reviews immensely but he's so off the mark on this one. His argument about Pitt, Clooney and Malkovich playing different flavoured idiots is such a non point, why did he bring that up? Looks to me like he has no idea what he's talking about.
You missed the point totally (toppermost). He has identified the zany, quirky parts of the movie, and the roles of two recent sex icons playing "stupid, ugly people" as the intended selling points. He views these as aspects people are supposed to love, but by his recognition, are aspects not so loveable. I personally agree. The runthrough of the plot, is low on impact and almost indulgent.
*I* have not missed the point at all. I actually get the idea that both Clooney and Pitt were supposed to be playing parodies of themselves through the format of average Joe's. I understand this, and would not be surprised if Kermode picked up upon this specificable trait himself. He is a movie reviewer and hasn't time to reach these specific points.
I was picking up on your fallacious diatribe against him that isolated one of his criticisms and ignored the rest.
Well, just as Mark Kermode has travel reports, sports news and time segmentation that cuts up his time available for meaningful, radio film reviews; I have little comment space in which to explain this point in without cluttering the page with an extra comment.
I sort of assumed you might guess why Mark would be short of time to review this on air. I presume you are indeed a UK citizen who is acutely aware that he executes these reviews in a constrained broadcasting enviroment every week?
I'm sorry, but you can't say that 'Burn After Reading' "just stops". It has one of the best endings to any movie ever. (Unlike "No Country For Old Men". That really does 'just stop'. I don't consider the bad guy getting away with a bullet wound to be an ending.)
This guy is a PRICK. THis is the problem with typical film critics. They must pick the film apart and analyze the structure to such extents that they'd make fuckin Pulp Fiction look like an aimless pile of garbage with no plot. He OBVIOUSLY misses the satire of the film and he jumps at the chance to simplify anything he doesn't like into a bunch of *clever* observations which you can spin whichever way you want, which is in this case negatively. WHAT AN ASSHOLE
I guess this guy has no idea about how to keep an open mind watching a movie. It's all his speculation and opinion about movies, there is no reviewing the movie, I hate this guy.
his dislike dislike of the big lebowski and o brother, where art thou? made me lose confidence in his opinions right from the start. i certainly don't think that it's fair to say that "whenever they do something great they have to do something lame to loosen up afterwards".
he does make an interesting point, but i don't think that it is entirely justified and he seems to just be looking for the elements of the film that back up his claims and ignoring the ones that don't.
This dude is an utter dorkwad. But i do agree with his dislike of this movie. The whole movie was pointless and just not funny! it was awkward and bumbling and just not really my cup of tea
I've found myself agreeing with Kermode with just about single one of his reviews. But I have no idea what the heck he is talking about here. Burn after reading was is one of the most interesting movies of the decade.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
how the fuck can you not like the big lebowsksi !! it's dynamite,he's a prick with a wee poofy quif and getting paid for it!! he's a middle class wanker who can't relate with anything outside of his wee class of thinking that some film are just meant to be enjoyed for what they are!! by the way he does'nt like the simpsons.. enough said he's a fucking prick!!
i thought Burn After Reading was a fantastic film. even going so far as to say its a classic! i love it, it is funny and the violence in it very much shocked me. John Malkovich is just brilliant too
how you lot follow this review i have no idea, especially since he got 2 of he facts WRONG about the movie, if he can't remember what happend in it how can he review it?? pathetic really
this guy looks and sounds like a guy who will give shit to you, and when you beat the shit out of him, he sues you for everything you got. pretentious cunt!
Nah sorry, Burn After Reading had absolutely no depth whatsoever, and had no laughs in it at all. I don't know why you lot get angry at Kermode for stating his opinion in a passionate way: it's his job you know.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This suppose to be a review on the MOVIE not on the previous Coen brothers production. Before U carry out your shit analyse it. If U don't see trough the commedy outfit that this movie is a critical probe of American society, irresposibility, money grabing, reaction of people when scared the modern U.S.politics, the patriotism that is for sale? and many many underlying messages that reflecting the reality of everyday life.
TO all those who didn' like it.... I lived in U.S. for enough time to get my own objective view on that country.
All those who have different opinion I can respect and I am not going into any personal shit .. you like it OK .. u don't OK .... I guess those who didn't like it either don't understand the movie it self or are those who are represented by the characters
Not every movie have to end up with happy end ... not everything have to be served to you on silver plate...
i didnt like the movie but i understood it, it was low quality comedy
and yes i have seen more than 2 movies in my life to know not everything **has** to be served on a silver **platter**
from your comments alone, i can tell you are poorly educated, and low class and have not been privileged enough to appreciate and recognize good and bad qualities of work in film, along with comedy
Oh Kermode, give me a break. This is too much of mental masturbation.... seems that he has trespassed the line where he doesn't like to be entertained anymore. But being as hyper as he is, maybe that's why he can't enjoy humor of laid back people.
Finally, someone who didn't like Big Lebowski. I loved the characters, but the story was meh, and I thought it would have more bowling considering its full of that imagery.
The Hudsucker Proxy and Oh Brother' are the most overrated Coen films.Intolerable Cruelty,which does have it's moments,is so average its like a Coen rip-off.
I love Mark Kermode and you have to love his passion for films but how he cant like Lebowski, O brother where art though or Burn after Reading is Beyond me all 3 were hysterical and brilliant films, i think Kermode really has a problem with comedy films, i mean he even hates National Lampoons Christmas Vacation! WTF ?????????????
I didn't like Big Lebowski or O Brother, thanks to their inconsistent tones. I love the characters in all of them, but they never go anywhere. Most people tell me Coen movies are just about stupid people getting into stupid situations. Yeah, sure, and I don't like that, at least that concept made sense in No Country or Fargo.
I agree with him that this film didn't have much substance, and was just a big 'in' joke which wasn't funny. And I thought it was a bit of a Tarrantino-Grindhouse situation where filmmakers try too hard to be themselves.
My problem is though that this guy is ranking this film in with The Hudsucker Proxy, Intolerable Cruelty, Oh brother where art thou which are all brilliant films. It like he believes if it's not a serious film, it can't be taken seriously as a film, bollox
I think you've hit on it - Kermode pontificating as if he were a great genius is grating, not so much for his arrogance but because he is such an absolute dimwit. He certainly does think he's witty though.
Perhaps that's the big problem he has with this film. The performances in this movie - especially that of Brad Pitt - strikes far too close to home for the man. Kermode's psychologically a dead ringer for Chad Feldheimer.
I enjoyed burn after reading. I didn't find it that funny, but its story was strangely captivating. I do agree with him that it ended abruptly, but i can't think of any other way it could have ended.
I said I despise "reviewers"..I'm not a movie reviewer,& I'm certainly not arrogant enough to presume that Directors who won BEST PICTURE last yr made scenes that were 'inconsequential' as this reviewer said.For him to sum up Brads character as 'having stupid hair & you're an idiot' is not looking deep enough,& sounds like very lazy character study.The bible says that GOD reveals things to the simple.I'm a simple person,simply pointing out a cynical fool
so they won best picture...that gives them the right to make shitty movies? you bloody idiot. and i can tell you're an idiot by the way you even reference god on a youtube page. religion is so stupid and its followers love spreading their god bullshit wherever they go. NOBODY GIVES A FUCK. god doesn't exist, get an education. secondly, i love the coen brothers but even i can admit their latest was weak.
I despise movie reviewers who think they are smarter than everyone else.
...Burn After Reading was a joke within a joke. It was a movie about nothing. It was making a point that dangerous things happen to stupid people when the 'perfect storm' of disfunction,greed, infedelity, misunderstandings,secrets and corruption take hold.....and it can also be quite entertaining and funny.Brad Pitts character seemed quite innocent to me.Too bad the quality of the film was lost on these high-brow fools.
And I suppose you're being deliberately "ironic" by saying that you despise reviewers saying theyre smarter than everyone else, and then going on to say that they dont get it because theyre fools.
Either thats very clever "irony" or you've tied yourself up a bit there...
"Burn After Reading" is a nice film, and a lot of fun. Mark Kermode, as usual, doesn't know a thing about what he's talking about.
BaileysM: That's exactly correct. Kermode is adittedly something of a cretin, but watching him say increasingly stupid things can be quite a trip. In being so self-absorbed he managed to be zany without realizing it at all, which I think is the joke behind why he's still employed.
Just watched Mark Kermode's interview with Angelina Jolie. I think he's losing the plot, so to speak. He talked about himself and his thoughts as much as anything else. My instinct tells me he is reaching a personal-crisis point.
sounds like mark is a little... zanophobic... YYYEAAAAAAAR
hunkyzombie 1 month ago
his comments always just hit home with me... i'm really happy to have found Mark... all because i wanted to see how much other people liked Transformers 3 like me on YOutube.. I found mark and he ripped the movie to shreds. but i still had to agree with him because he speaks truth, no matter how hard it is to hear
TankMacnamara81 2 months ago
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TankMacnamara81 2 months ago
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TankMacnamara81 2 months ago
haha, nailed it.
bigswellmusic 2 months ago
I love The Big Bebowski, Raising Arizona and Burn After Reading. I also love Mark Kermode's reviews and respect that he has a different opinion to me.
KieronM48 2 months ago
The movie's got American humour. Only people who can understand that will enjoy the movie. I saw it in the cinema, laughing loudly, and rented when it came out on DVD. To laugh again.
Say what you want about us seppos but we do some things right.
Seishi41 2 months ago
Yep...he kind of missed the point that it wasn't supposed to be a coherent story...it just IS. These people are stupid in everything they do that's the point! J.K. Simmons' character pretty much sums that up at the end. He's just as lost about how and why everything happened the way it did as the audience. That's why I like the film....
kieralinn 3 months ago
Brad pitt is fucking brilliant in this film
Jefersonstelflx 3 months ago 3
I think that the Kermode-meister missed the point a bit.
These kind of ridiculous, farcical, directionless things happen within the intelligence community.
I see this film as a bit of an antidote to the Bourne/Bond films, satirically showing the intelligence community up as the bumbling buffoons that they sometimes are.
comanchio1976 3 months ago
Kermode is the Simon Cowell of film criticism. No one agrees, ever.
Nanaman12345 4 months ago
Kermode's characterisation of the Coen Brothers' career reminds me of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, in Jay and Silent Bob. "You gotta do the safe picture, THEN you do the art picture!"
sabalos 4 months ago
I didn't really think much of Big Lebowski either, I thought of turning it off when watching it, out of boredom. It's alright, all my friends like it. But I don't think Kermode's being contrarian just because he doesn't rate that movie.
ChristopherDone 4 months ago
@ChristopherDone You might wanna give The Big Lebowski another go. I think you have to be in that 'whimsical' (as Mr Kermode puts it) frame of mind, to really enjoy it.
The first time I tried watching it, it didnt do anything for me either...it's somewhat of an acquired taste.
It's the same with Burn After Reading, it isnt nearly as hard hitting as 'No Country..' But I think it's still really enjoyable if you're in the right frame of mind...and maybe if you see it as a bit of a satirical film
comanchio1976 3 months ago
I don't know if Kermode cared about the ending or not, but I think Simmons' character sums it up well. "What do we learn from it all?" "I don't know sir."
bloodwrage 4 months ago
oooo im Mr Kermode i dont like o brother where art thou and big libowski because i have an original opinion. No ur just a moron
guitarreilly 4 months ago
Kermode gives himself away with his exclusion of Lebowski in their best movies. Says it all.
MrHarrylime79 5 months ago
I came away from Burn After Reading thinking the whole point of the story was about misinterpretations.
Nobody knew what anyone else was doing, so everything got taken out of context, which is why everything was mismatched. The main reason I found the film so funny, was the way in which there was a portrayal of significant events happening, when really they were menial tasks. The lack of subtlety is my only issue, like the Coen brothers are saying "ooh, look at us, we can use irony."
MrShadyJeff 6 months ago 3
Raising Arizona is amazing.
Burn After Reading is good, just a little hard to follow. You leave thinking, "Okay....." But still happy.
Zowds 6 months ago
The first time I saw Big Lebowski, I quite like it despite misunderstanding the cult success of it. However, I recently saw it on DVD and enjoyed it a hell of a lot more and can say that The Big Lebowski is absolutely brilliant, particularly the fantastic dream bowling scene.
filmotel 7 months ago
how can you not like rasing arizona?! one my favourite films
ZAFARCAKE 7 months ago
I think Kermode just doesn't get absurdist humor. It just goes over his head.
hobowithashotgun48 7 months ago
I hate this man!!! He has this infuriating tendency to completely misinterpret great films!!
SIngli6 8 months ago
Having disliked it the first five times i watched it, Lebowski is begining to grow on me.
I hate a serious man though. Barton Fink is their best work to date.
Filmzie 9 months ago
A bag of Brad Pitt's bits.
coasterman16 9 months ago
The Big Lebowski is a modern classic. It is one of the greatest comedies of all time. It is that rare example of a film that contains great one liners and a plot that is actually interesting.
However, Burn After Reading is just lame. Sure, it has some funny moments; the Coens will always be able to make us laugh, no matter what they do.
But the movie is just cheap and unpleasant. Unlike Kermode's early suggestion, I think they made this movie because they HAD to, not because they WANTED to.
terratrema 9 months ago
Everything Brad Pitt did was hilarious. The last three minutes were also very funny. Unfortunately that leaves about an hour and a half in the middle which isn't funny.
damselwithadulcimer 9 months ago
The Big Lebowski is a masterpiece. Burn After Reading is a hilarious interesting film.
ewanmcfadyen 10 months ago 2
@ewanmcfadyen
For me 'Burn After Reading' is the masterpiece, and 'The Big Lebowski' is the hilarious and interesting film.
SIngli6 8 months ago
I can't trust a man who doesn't like the dude.
amjams 10 months ago
It is like Mark Kermode is inside my head. Only on the rarest occasions do he and I disagree on films. I only wish I could be so articulate. "Burn After Reading" was a smug piece of trash.
jkenney2 10 months ago
Kermode summed up everything what I hated about this film.
Hyman74Roth 10 months ago
I HATED Burn after Reading, but like The Big Lebowski because it is a million times funnier and cleverer than Burn.
Hyman74Roth 10 months ago
@Hyman74Roth
No it's not. 'The Big Lebowski' is far more relaxed and humanistic than 'Burn', not to mention less witty and well-written.
SIngli6 8 months ago
i didn't like burn after reading but i love big lebowski, o brother where art thou and a serious man.
starcraft108 11 months ago
he's totally fucking right, but i don't see a point in fucking with a movie like this for over 5 minutes, when everybody with a brain understands that after 5 minutes into the movie. but the can aswell accept it, being how it is.
i guess being a movie critic just is a crappy job.
JustNoise 11 months ago
Marking this video zero.
dsriggs 1 year ago
A brilliant film but, as Kermode demonstrates here in spades, it probably isn't a good movie for film critics. Anyone who takes themselves far too seriously (and considers their own opinion to be especially valid) will not understand what they're watching. It's pretty funny that he didn't get it.
FriedHarpy 1 year ago
Burn after watching!!
Gamergigabyte 1 year ago
i thought this film was crap
tristanoutlaw86 1 year ago
I watched the film yesterday and thought it was brilliant
stevenoc 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He's just a pretentious English fuck
SuperRichardNixon 1 year ago
"i don't do zany"....
what a dick
avzeolla 1 year ago
ugly? george clooney's character is dumb yes, but ugly? no... brad pitt stupid, bad haircut, but ugly? no i mean his character is supposed to be some idiot who works in a gym. where is kermode getting this from the subtext?
glitchesandglitter 1 year ago
Mark Kermode is stupid and ugly.
VinnieG690 1 year ago
The Big Lebowsky is my favorite Coen Brothers film and Burn After Reading is not just a bag of bits. There's a coherent whole, and all the pieces fit well.
BrideAndGroomFilmsHD 1 year ago
burn after reading is WAY better than no country
wachiinn 1 year ago
@wachiinn
Hahahaha
ehmazin 1 year ago
mmm kermode and Mayo(naise)
bluewhale75able 1 year ago
kermode is out of his element here...
MrJediGovna 1 year ago
I've expressed my thoughts about kermode's sense of self-importance but he is spot on here. This movie is utter shite! Waste of talent all around. Who, out of all the actors involved would cry if this were expunged from their CVs? I've pulled more interesting tagnuts out of my arse.
Beestroker 1 year ago
this kermode is a moron
flarez 1 year ago
I thought the movie was pretty cool just because it refused to abide structure.
Any movie that stops at the end, and sums itself up as being meaningless is great by me.
Jcolinsol 1 year ago
I think Kermode needs to accept that, rather than the Coens having a "peculiar dual strand to their career", he just likes some films more than others. Personally, I love all their films. Aside from The Ladykillers, obviously. That was a stinker.
neonatalpenguin 1 year ago
Raising Arisona and Big Lebowski are excellent films.
IDante1Savage 1 year ago 18
@IDante1Savage So's The Hudsucker Proxy
neonatalpenguin 1 year ago
I couldnt stand this movie. It was 90 mins of famous actors pulling faces and wasnt funny in the slightest
Wezzipooh 1 year ago
Mark is a funny guy but when it comes to movies he seems to not have a sense of humor. Apparently, humor in film is just "quirkiness" when not coupled with existential darkness. Or maybe the kind of humor in The Big Lebowski is too American culturally for him. I don't know.
Anyway, The Big Lebowski is a whole lot more than just a zany comedy.
shrunkard 1 year ago 2
@shrunkard I loved The Big Lebowski, often considered buying a copy. Great social satire, with a twist of lemon.
"I ain't movin'. I'm just gonna sit here and enjoy my coffee!"
"I'll suck your cock for a thousand dollars!"
Fuck, that was funny.
terrycharnley 1 year ago
@shrunkard I loved The Big Lebowski, often considered buying a copy. Great social satire. John Goodman was brilliant in support.
"I ain't movin'. I'm just gonna sit here and enjoy my coffee!"
"I'll suck your cock for a thousand dollars!"
Fuck, that was funny.
terrycharnley 1 year ago
@shrunkard I loved The Big Lebowski, often considered buying a copy. Great social satire. John Goodman was brilliant in support.
"I ain't movin'. I'm just gonna sit here and enjoy my coffee!"
"I'll suck your cock for a thousand dollars!" (Lebowksi's daughter)
Fuck, that was funny.
terrycharnley 1 year ago
@terrycharnley* Lebowki's wife.*
bizzmarky76 1 year ago
They based the Brad Pitt characters looks were based on Kermode after the jews (Coens) met him at cannes! hahaha
bashthebandello 1 year ago
how the hell can mark not like the big lebowski??!!!
GoinDownToJunkieTown 1 year ago 19
this guy is so stupid ......
smokethedirt 1 year ago
I liked this film, but I've gotta say he's right about the ending, that did feel a bit of a cop out. Like it was all building up to a point, a character gaining some sort of insight to the events of the film and then... nothingy ending. I think what would have elevated this picture is having a conclusive ending that made all the "bits" seem a tad more coherent.
PompamooseMagique 1 year ago
@PompamooseMagique
What a cluster fuck...
Jcolinsol 1 year ago
Funniest part of the whole movie........Clooney shoots Pitt........ha.
83phatman 1 year ago
I thought The Big Lebowski was pretty boring. The Hudsucker Proxy however was a great movie.
trooperJac 1 year ago
the big lebowski is amazing, come on mark !!!!!!!!! oh brother where art thou is great ........... still, cant agree with him on everything
TheHappydead 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The reason why Kermode dislikes The Big Lebowski: He didn't mark it zero.
The reason why he doesn't like O' Brother Where Art Thou?: The Soggy Bottom Boys stole No.1 in the charts.
Needham90 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The reason why Kermode dislikes The Big Lebowski: He didn't mark it zero.
The reason why he doesn't like O' Brother Where Art Thou?: The Soggy Bottom Boys stole No.1 in the charts.
Needham90 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The reason why Kermode dislikes The Big Lebowski: He didn't mark it zero.
The reason why he doesn't like O' Brother Where Art Thou?: The Soggy Bottom Boys stole No.1 in the charts.
Needham90 1 year ago
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Needham90 1 year ago
Kermode didn't get a movie in which the central theme is nothing we do actually matters, I really like the guy but that's pretty funny.
TheFatRedCat 1 year ago
He doesn't like The Big Lebowski? I'm not watching the rest of this review.
BigBoss7777777 1 year ago
Burn After Reading was actually a very intelligent film.
I really hate how Kermode makes up his mind before he sees films. This film has some of the most insightful commentary on idiocy, which also manages to be funny. such as the fake romantic comedy with claire danes and dermot mulroney 'Coming Up Daisy' which is right on the mark of stupid, crowd pleasing humor. And the relationship between clooney and mcdormand, who are both failures, but feel a hip outlook on life can cure everything.
BunnyMan456 1 year ago
....film film film film film
BunnyMan456 1 year ago
@BunnyMan456 Yeah it does but if you've seen Raising Arizona or Fargo, i think that those movies really do the whole "idocy" theme better than Burn after reading
epiphoneaddict 1 year ago
@epiphoneaddict
I think 'Burn After Reading' does the whole "idiocy" thing than both of those films combined.
SIngli6 8 months ago
I love this film! Mark always makes a fair point but not everyones gonna like the zany stuff I guess. Can't understand the dislike of o brother where art thou and the big lobowski.
magical72 1 year ago
Zainy like purposely having a 50s haircut ? kermode is great but sometimes infuriating lebowski is a fucking masterpiece
TheHappydead 1 year ago
"The Man With No Name"
Huh? He probably means "The Man Who Wasn't There" (one of my personal favourites of the Coens).
welshfilmbuff 1 year ago
it was an awful movie wasnt it.
EllSiefilms 1 year ago
Glad to see someone else feeling the same way as me about the Coen's. There's usually as much humour to their serious films anyway, just subtler and less goofy. To me the Coen films that have a story to tell, a point to make AND a sense of humour, just has to be the better films, why the whole internet disagress, I have no idea.
Hargiwald 1 year ago
raising arizona and big lebowski are good. critic's a deuche.
todossomosanimales 1 year ago
Complaining that Burn After Reading had no coherent plot is missing the point by several miles...
johnnye87 1 year ago
well, I love the Coens, but what does that mean? If they were making an installation for the tate modern then maybe your comment would make sense. What was the films "Point" because you're surely just insulting it in your own eyes by even acknowledging that it has or needs one
phantomdoodler 1 year ago
@phantomdoodler I'm pretty sure I just said it didn't have a point. Of course, not having a point is itself making the point that not all stories need to have a point... *disappears into own navel*
johnnye87 1 year ago
Be "zaney intolerant" all you want...doesn't make it a bad movie. I also don't think any of them looked like "stupid, ugly people" (maybe just stupid though). Ya know....it's ok to be silly sometimes.
alyx8101 1 year ago
i did think half way through the movie it died and was going nowhere, i did enjoy the first part of the movie and there where some really funny moments but i thought it lost plot half way
5eurocups2005 1 year ago
This guy takes himself far too seriously
willsl321 1 year ago
He has got to take himself seriously when he reviews movies, it's his job
5eurocups2005 1 year ago
@5eurocups2005 Exactly! It's like these people want critics to say "yeah, it was alright... y'know, not bad. I mean, there were a few problems with it but it's not like I could do any better" - really useful advice to someone choosing which movie to see.
johnnye87 1 year ago
Burn After Reading was great, it was hilarious
willsl321 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
what kind of douche bag would not like raising arizona or the big labowski? mark kermode is a fucking cunt, ive only seen two of his reveiws and i alresdy want him dead
devinlane256 1 year ago
@devinlane256 I've only read one of your Youtube comments-- You know what, I don't wish death on other people for being idiots.
Hargiwald 1 year ago
I enjoyed the movie for exactly the reasons Kermode mentions; respected actors are playing complete morons. I love Kermode's reviews and I get his point on this one; "zaney" is just not his kind of movie.
Also, I think the Coens deserve to make this kind of movie occasionally; their new movie A Serious Man turned out to be a perfect mix of the two kinds they make; crazy stuff happening to someone you actually feel sorry for.
meinderd80 2 years ago
A good movie but quite mediocre compared to the other Coen movies.
WWAAK 2 years ago
'Bored After Watching'?
'Burn Script Before Reading'?
etc.
philbo459 2 years ago
I liked Burn After Reading....thought it was a good film.
philiparroyo25 2 years ago
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you fucking morons....dont watch the film as though its any other film...the film had its own genre, its own style....its a fucking beautiful film, a fucking piece of art....it had no point but itself....funny as fuck as well
icezfist 2 years ago
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icezfist 2 years ago
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icezfist 2 years ago
"The Man with No Name" ? It's The Man Who Wasn't There. FAIL.
curbyourwife 2 years ago
It is a hilarious movie, but only really from the perspective of someone who has worked in Government agencies - or are civil servants.
eddie8080 2 years ago
One person IM/ Pm'd me and said it was Brad and George playing parodies of themselves - INCORRECT. The storyline was dumb, and the writing was even worse, for the characters were not really developed with their own personalities. Also it seems absurb that with no real indication that Malkovich is unstable - all of a sudden becomes unstable in the last 20 minutes of the movie. And you can't really even tell who shot Brad - bad visual bad editing. Brad did best with what had to work with.
babsinva 2 years ago
Brilliant Brilliant review.. just took everything i was thinking and put it in words which i have struggled to do. I've had to settle for "it sucks" which of course no one takes seriously but this review describes justhow bad the movie is and why. Its incredible that so many people liked it.
Sirwastealot 2 years ago 3
Usually I do not agree with Mark Kermode, but this time he is right. This movie is strange. Malkovich is not horrible, but falls so easily back into the SAME ol' characters he always plays; George Clooney - a womanizer- not much of a stretch - since he's never had a real relationship for any length of time. And the idea that someone (played by Francis McDormand) would try and sell supposed CIA secrets in order to get money for plastic surgery is ludacrist. Movie was overrated, and dumb.
babsinva 2 years ago
I thought Malkovich was horrible. His acting was actually quite good, but in the context of a the movie.. which is a comedy.. he was absolutely horrible. When he out on his angry face and started shouting there was nothing comical about it and it didn't help the movie in any way. Horrible movie.
Sirwastealot 2 years ago
Sorry Mark, you are talking complete nonsense.
bmclaughlin01 2 years ago
Does he ever like anything?
303bassline 2 years ago
talk about glass houses kermode attacking weird quiff hairdos??
jcrockett67 2 years ago 2
lol!
MackTheKnife12 2 years ago
I think you just didn't get it Dr K. Love your reviews normally. But maybe watch this one again
kevycanavan 2 years ago
Ah Kermode, so close to the truth, especially about the absence of cumulative power in Burn After Reading, and yet so far.
I mean, to think that Raizing Arizona, Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers (basically the worst Coens' films by a long way, IMHO) are *in any way* equivalent to the glorious Hudsucker Proxy or to the Shining-Light-On-The-Hill that is The Big Lebowski...
Please.
thehumantide 2 years ago
This guy clearly thinks through his idiotic ideas, I'll give him that.
AufferPotts 2 years ago
you don't have to agree with him
madammao 2 years ago
How can he not like Raising Arizona? And what's with calling The Man Who Wasnt There, The Man With No Name??
4gearkier 2 years ago 2
I like Kermode and I enjoy his reviews immensely but he's so off the mark on this one. His argument about Pitt, Clooney and Malkovich playing different flavoured idiots is such a non point, why did he bring that up? Looks to me like he has no idea what he's talking about.
hippotoast 2 years ago
Comment removed
toppermost1 2 years ago
You missed the point totally (toppermost). He has identified the zany, quirky parts of the movie, and the roles of two recent sex icons playing "stupid, ugly people" as the intended selling points. He views these as aspects people are supposed to love, but by his recognition, are aspects not so loveable. I personally agree. The runthrough of the plot, is low on impact and almost indulgent.
owenhunt 2 years ago
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toppermost1 2 years ago
*I* have not missed the point at all. I actually get the idea that both Clooney and Pitt were supposed to be playing parodies of themselves through the format of average Joe's. I understand this, and would not be surprised if Kermode picked up upon this specificable trait himself. He is a movie reviewer and hasn't time to reach these specific points.
I was picking up on your fallacious diatribe against him that isolated one of his criticisms and ignored the rest.
owenhunt 2 years ago
Comment removed
toppermost1 2 years ago
Well, just as Mark Kermode has travel reports, sports news and time segmentation that cuts up his time available for meaningful, radio film reviews; I have little comment space in which to explain this point in without cluttering the page with an extra comment.
I sort of assumed you might guess why Mark would be short of time to review this on air. I presume you are indeed a UK citizen who is acutely aware that he executes these reviews in a constrained broadcasting enviroment every week?
owenhunt 2 years ago
No no no no no no no.
I'm sorry, but you can't say that 'Burn After Reading' "just stops". It has one of the best endings to any movie ever. (Unlike "No Country For Old Men". That really does 'just stop'. I don't consider the bad guy getting away with a bullet wound to be an ending.)
Fatpie42 2 years ago 2
The movie was an absolute pile of shite.
Lilja124 2 years ago
This guy is a PRICK. THis is the problem with typical film critics. They must pick the film apart and analyze the structure to such extents that they'd make fuckin Pulp Fiction look like an aimless pile of garbage with no plot. He OBVIOUSLY misses the satire of the film and he jumps at the chance to simplify anything he doesn't like into a bunch of *clever* observations which you can spin whichever way you want, which is in this case negatively. WHAT AN ASSHOLE
Freewheelin9 2 years ago
I guess this guy has no idea about how to keep an open mind watching a movie. It's all his speculation and opinion about movies, there is no reviewing the movie, I hate this guy.
abrushett 2 years ago
if you don't like the big lebowski you don't like nothin'
millerbiz 2 years ago 33
his dislike dislike of the big lebowski and o brother, where art thou? made me lose confidence in his opinions right from the start. i certainly don't think that it's fair to say that "whenever they do something great they have to do something lame to loosen up afterwards".
he does make an interesting point, but i don't think that it is entirely justified and he seems to just be looking for the elements of the film that back up his claims and ignoring the ones that don't.
iloveken222 2 years ago 3
big lebowski is a great film! irony rather than quirkiness, existential fate - synchronicty something derived from film noir (which the coens love).
iamtheblackcrowking 2 years ago 2
what's with all the the famous faces behind mayo?
liamdhardy 2 years ago
masks
YouDickwod 2 years ago
ha kermode hates brads hair. WHICH IS THE SAME AS KERMODES!
quavercheese 2 years ago 47
This dude is an utter dorkwad. But i do agree with his dislike of this movie. The whole movie was pointless and just not funny! it was awkward and bumbling and just not really my cup of tea
MyCrownOfThorns 2 years ago
Er... We watch his reviews because he often make good predictions. So I know what to get. Thats the point of a review...
GnosticAtheist 2 years ago 3
I've found myself agreeing with Kermode with just about single one of his reviews. But I have no idea what the heck he is talking about here. Burn after reading was is one of the most interesting movies of the decade.
hippotoast 2 years ago
WHAT?!!!
He really doesnt like The Simpsons?
How dares he?!
Burn that heretic!
;)
ElDuderinov 2 years ago
Love the Big Lebowski so disagree with him on that but he makes a very good point about Burn After Reading...
jelu95 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
how the fuck can you not like the big lebowsksi !! it's dynamite,he's a prick with a wee poofy quif and getting paid for it!! he's a middle class wanker who can't relate with anything outside of his wee class of thinking that some film are just meant to be enjoyed for what they are!! by the way he does'nt like the simpsons.. enough said he's a fucking prick!!
hollowtin 2 years ago
i thought Burn After Reading was a fantastic film. even going so far as to say its a classic! i love it, it is funny and the violence in it very much shocked me. John Malkovich is just brilliant too
gothicgeezer333 2 years ago
how you lot follow this review i have no idea, especially since he got 2 of he facts WRONG about the movie, if he can't remember what happend in it how can he review it?? pathetic really
c0nram 2 years ago
this guy looks and sounds like a guy who will give shit to you, and when you beat the shit out of him, he sues you for everything you got. pretentious cunt!
milicbul 2 years ago
Nah sorry, Burn After Reading had absolutely no depth whatsoever, and had no laughs in it at all. I don't know why you lot get angry at Kermode for stating his opinion in a passionate way: it's his job you know.
KShacklebolt 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this guy is a blathering idiot. so much of that was irrelevant. the movie WAS awful, but this guy has a stick up his ass if didn't like O brother.
doctherooster 2 years ago
that man really knows what he is talking about.
FazlokAaAaAaA 2 years ago 2
I agree with the review wholeheartedly, BUT not on his opinion on the Coen brothers' career.
jackstypewriter 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This suppose to be a review on the MOVIE not on the previous Coen brothers production. Before U carry out your shit analyse it. If U don't see trough the commedy outfit that this movie is a critical probe of American society, irresposibility, money grabing, reaction of people when scared the modern U.S.politics, the patriotism that is for sale? and many many underlying messages that reflecting the reality of everyday life.
This review represent the IDIOCY of today
vvvezir 3 years ago
Go away, you idiot...
jimmyhvac 2 years ago 2
i think you're thinking more of what the movie intends
i think sesame street has more relevance on american society than this movie does
liu11 2 years ago
TO all those who didn' like it.... I lived in U.S. for enough time to get my own objective view on that country.
All those who have different opinion I can respect and I am not going into any personal shit .. you like it OK .. u don't OK .... I guess those who didn't like it either don't understand the movie it self or are those who are represented by the characters
Not every movie have to end up with happy end ... not everything have to be served to you on silver plate...
vvvezir 2 years ago
i didnt like the movie but i understood it, it was low quality comedy
and yes i have seen more than 2 movies in my life to know not everything **has** to be served on a silver **platter**
from your comments alone, i can tell you are poorly educated, and low class and have not been privileged enough to appreciate and recognize good and bad qualities of work in film, along with comedy
good day
liu11 2 years ago
Kermode exemplifies the saying....
...Those who can, DO!........THOSE WHO CANT, ARE CRITICS!!!!! lol.
thequeenlives 3 years ago
willy
jimmyhvac 2 years ago 2
Oh Kermode, give me a break. This is too much of mental masturbation.... seems that he has trespassed the line where he doesn't like to be entertained anymore. But being as hyper as he is, maybe that's why he can't enjoy humor of laid back people.
Robert85435 3 years ago
Finally, someone who didn't like Big Lebowski. I loved the characters, but the story was meh, and I thought it would have more bowling considering its full of that imagery.
moeezS 3 years ago
The Hudsucker Proxy and Oh Brother' are the most overrated Coen films.Intolerable Cruelty,which does have it's moments,is so average its like a Coen rip-off.
garpsgirl7 3 years ago
god dam you smart britiish people that watch movies
pimpinspartan 3 years ago 4
I love Mark Kermode and you have to love his passion for films but how he cant like Lebowski, O brother where art though or Burn after Reading is Beyond me all 3 were hysterical and brilliant films, i think Kermode really has a problem with comedy films, i mean he even hates National Lampoons Christmas Vacation! WTF ?????????????
bluth78 3 years ago
I didn't like Big Lebowski or O Brother, thanks to their inconsistent tones. I love the characters in all of them, but they never go anywhere. Most people tell me Coen movies are just about stupid people getting into stupid situations. Yeah, sure, and I don't like that, at least that concept made sense in No Country or Fargo.
moeezS 3 years ago
The Problem is I agree with the review but I somehow still loved it, although I dont think it was that 'kooky' unlike lebowski.
6Jill9 3 years ago
I agree with him that this film didn't have much substance, and was just a big 'in' joke which wasn't funny. And I thought it was a bit of a Tarrantino-Grindhouse situation where filmmakers try too hard to be themselves.
My problem is though that this guy is ranking this film in with The Hudsucker Proxy, Intolerable Cruelty, Oh brother where art thou which are all brilliant films. It like he believes if it's not a serious film, it can't be taken seriously as a film, bollox
tomes55moon 3 years ago
I think you've hit on it - Kermode pontificating as if he were a great genius is grating, not so much for his arrogance but because he is such an absolute dimwit. He certainly does think he's witty though.
Perhaps that's the big problem he has with this film. The performances in this movie - especially that of Brad Pitt - strikes far too close to home for the man. Kermode's psychologically a dead ringer for Chad Feldheimer.
DrCruel 3 years ago
There was humour in this film? Is this the same humour to be found in the Big Lebowski?
apsr90 3 years ago
are there any films he likes??
bicycleghost41 3 years ago
I enjoyed burn after reading. I didn't find it that funny, but its story was strangely captivating. I do agree with him that it ended abruptly, but i can't think of any other way it could have ended.
Darkarium 3 years ago
thequeenlives you have just contradicted yourself my love
FredLavender 3 years ago
Fred,thanks comments,but I disagree.
I said I despise "reviewers"..I'm not a movie reviewer,& I'm certainly not arrogant enough to presume that Directors who won BEST PICTURE last yr made scenes that were 'inconsequential' as this reviewer said.For him to sum up Brads character as 'having stupid hair & you're an idiot' is not looking deep enough,& sounds like very lazy character study.The bible says that GOD reveals things to the simple.I'm a simple person,simply pointing out a cynical fool
thequeenlives 3 years ago
so they won best picture...that gives them the right to make shitty movies? you bloody idiot. and i can tell you're an idiot by the way you even reference god on a youtube page. religion is so stupid and its followers love spreading their god bullshit wherever they go. NOBODY GIVES A FUCK. god doesn't exist, get an education. secondly, i love the coen brothers but even i can admit their latest was weak.
biglebowski123 3 years ago 3
You lost me at 'Big Lebowski which everybody but me likes'.
I love this guy otherwise...
pekoe67 3 years ago
I despise movie reviewers who think they are smarter than everyone else.
...Burn After Reading was a joke within a joke. It was a movie about nothing. It was making a point that dangerous things happen to stupid people when the 'perfect storm' of disfunction,greed, infedelity, misunderstandings,secrets and corruption take hold.....and it can also be quite entertaining and funny.Brad Pitts character seemed quite innocent to me.Too bad the quality of the film was lost on these high-brow fools.
thequeenlives 3 years ago
And I suppose you're being deliberately "ironic" by saying that you despise reviewers saying theyre smarter than everyone else, and then going on to say that they dont get it because theyre fools.
Either thats very clever "irony" or you've tied yourself up a bit there...
Stratovarion 3 years ago
I appreciated this reviewer's interview with Angelina Jolie, but he totally missed the mark with this movie...
Perhaps the humour doesnt translate to Pompous, humorless brits!
thequeenlives 3 years ago
"Burn After Reading" is a nice film, and a lot of fun. Mark Kermode, as usual, doesn't know a thing about what he's talking about.
BaileysM: That's exactly correct. Kermode is adittedly something of a cretin, but watching him say increasingly stupid things can be quite a trip. In being so self-absorbed he managed to be zany without realizing it at all, which I think is the joke behind why he's still employed.
DrCruel 3 years ago
Just watched Mark Kermode's interview with Angelina Jolie. I think he's losing the plot, so to speak. He talked about himself and his thoughts as much as anything else. My instinct tells me he is reaching a personal-crisis point.
ZenBarracuda 3 years ago