Reel Geezers- Burn After Reading

[dtstrain]

I think he's got a point about wanting the value in the movie to be solely inside the movie, and not because of some external knowledge you have about the actors and their careers. But I'd like it anyway I think.

Also, I don't look at this as a snub on the CIA, or even really so much about the CIA. It's more a story about how so much happens in life that is random and we all just have one pieces of the puzzle and it doesn't always make sense. The CIA being a part of the story was incidental.

[MrMoneyclips]

It stopped being funny for me when clooney and pitt "met" for the first time (those who have seen the movie know what I'm talking about). The scene itself made me shit myself in a love/hate way.

[ginsengjin]

I agree.. Brad pitt was the only character I liked in the movie and who wasn't a douche bag. But you gotta admit the story is still funny.

[joegibbskins]

except they handled all of that like it was a three stooges scene. to take violence that far and treat as nothing more than pie in the face is hilarious

[lookingglassedge]

The Coen Brothers are geniuses and they bring their best to every film they do.

Just about every movie of theirs is a masterpiece.

[6Baby6]

It's not satirizing the CIA! It's mocking people like Brad Pitt's character and McDormand's character.

[Rambleredhead]

I thought this movie was horrible - great actors in this movie but overall I was disappointed in this - expected so much and received little in return.

[keflar5]

the CIA isn't nearly as evil in films as it acctualy fucking is, thats WELLL wrong, this film is quite boring but saved by the actors to an extent, the CIA parts are the best bits by far so hes wrong again on that, about three times you will laugh or smile

[nosleepthx]

Pardon me, The "Coen" brothers. I should spell the name right.

[nosleepthx]

Lorenzo is right, it is a satire regarding the follies within the CIA, naive individuals and its more or less a Cohen film of comedic proportions. I thought it was hilarious when Clooney opened the closet and shot Brad Pitt in the head. The look on Pitts face was priceless. All in all I'd say it was a filler film for them. Next they're gonna bang out another high intensity movie like No Country.

[Spo8]

"All in all I'd say it was a filler film for them."

Speaking of that, what really left me feeling a little disappointed was how familiar it felt by the end to Intolerable Cruelty. Complete with someone getting shot in the head mistakenly.

[nosleepthx]

I've never actually seen that one. I'll have to check it out. I'm always objective when it comes to everything with substantial proof. I'll definitely watch it.

[okonh0wp]

lorenzo is wrong. they're not stupid, they're lazy. they're smart becuase they can track everyone really well.

[TemplarReturns]

This movie was so cool. Funny how mostly everybody says Fuck in it, great stuff. Wonderfully shot by Emmanuel Lubezki for a dark comedy, and of course the Coens being dark and twisted as usual, thats how we like them. Awesome movie.

[kevman5]

Lorenzo said that he didn't like seeing Brad Pitt making fun of himself then later said he didn't like her bringing "All these things" to the movie including Brad Pitt when he was comparing him just before. I personally loved the movie.

[simon1944]

Great Movie - the lady is absolutely right - and the man is a good foil for her by being absolutely wrong.

[Kidzilla99]

Summary: Whiney old man complains about movie he didn't see. Old lady gets it right.

[farc300]

After i saw this i thought, "this is the worst movie i have ever seen." I couldnt believe it is nominated for so many awards. I bet if no one knew that the Coen brothers made this movie, then it wouldnt have gotten any respect or as many positive review.

[JayAre561]

@ farc: Are you kidding? That movie was smart comedy. Bottom line.

[ImmaNuisance]

I totally agree.

[brazdamnit]

Its Art! When a Art its made people can get alot of impressions.

I loved the movie, loved, because it has memorable scenes, scenes that will stay allmost forever in the cinema history.

Spoilers

Chad shot, Harry Running, John Malkovich saying fuck 100 times, This is a good floor hehe, The scene in the car, the end was incredible.

[greenatom]

Marcia is right; Lorenzo is commenting on something he hasn't seen enough of to have a fully informed opinion on.

People (including Marcia) are assuming that this is a satire of the CIA. It is not. It is a great satire of CIA movies. Actually, the agency is not ridiculed at all. They are represented as being quite reasonable, although confused by the events. The "sinister" firing of Malkovich's character at the beginning of the film is revealed to be completely justified.

[kyuutube]

Don't review a film you haven't watched. The Mrs is right.

[RaoulDuKe313]

These two have no idea what they're talking about. Mind you they called NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN cartoonish(?) and they totally don't understand that this is a film that satarizes movies like SYRIANA.

[inayity]

Lorenzo is RIGHT. I just saw Three days of the Condor. Much better movie. Actually tells a story. BTW, the fight scene in these is probably one of the best-choreographed fights I've ever seen. The story is top notch, the tension is unbearable. While you can't compare the movies because of wildly-different plots, at least TDotC tells some sort of coherent story.

[SpringSauce23]

wooow again you are wrong with the plot, john malkovich didn't drop his what you say "dvd disc"... you miss pretty simple details in so many reviews =/

[keflar5]

the CIA and FBI (scum) are lauded in most Hollywood films, Lorenzo is well off there. He is still very funny but i usually agree with the good lady

[tweetermkyman]

Being a fan of the Coen Brothers I knew what I was getting into when I went to see it. The film in a way doesn't make very much sense and the thread of story line gets cut away mid way through it yet the gags, dialogue and acting made it unbelievably funny.

[tby262]

Lorenzo the whole point of the movie is to be cliche, that's what makes the film so genius. This film's point was to poke fun at the CIA's stupidity.

[dantiger]

That is what Lorenzo is saying tby. He is saying poking fun at the CIA has been overdone and he is tired of that.

[haleighf]

this movie was really awesome.

[dex2345]

you two present both sides!

Bravo!

[fredrika27]

I love Marcia's comment about if one hasn't seen the movie, then one can't make a comment on it. Bravo! I'm so glad to hear someone say this. I'm tired of people who haven't looked at movies making off the wall comments. To bad not all Academy members apply this rule when they are casting their ballots. If they did, they'd realised that many films that get voted an Oscar are not Oscar quality.

[chinchliff]

Lorenzo, of course we know the feet shot is a cliche. The audience isn't stupid. What makes it good is the use of cliche. They are poking fun at themselves as well as the CIA.

[xrm1996]

Walking out, the first remark made in our crew was "I can't believe that movie got made". That was a nice as it got.

[JensAddictions]

Marcia Im with you on this one.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney are not only good looking they are also great actors. In my book, its enough reasons to watch the movie. The fact that it was made by two of my cinematic gods, Joel and Ethan Coen, makes the experience even better, much better.

The movie is great, its not as good as Big Lebowski but than again no comedy will ever be :)

[daratheexplara]

I did not fall asleep during this movie, but I sort of wish I had.

I really wanted to like this film - it looked great from the trailers. I, however, left it very disappointed. To quote Lorenzo: "terminally unfunny."

On the bright side, you guys are too much fun to watch.

[maymaerg]

I think Lorenzo has a valid point. So, he fell asleep; that's alright, it did not keep him awake-- big deal. I really liked the film but I think I liked Lorenzo's review more.

[idonotknowhowtotype]

Great review! Haven't seen the movie, but I definitely don't think you should be able to review a movie that you didn't see all the way through..

Also, saying that only savvy insiders would understand that the shot of feet walking down a corridor is cliche is somewhat condescending. Anyone who's watched any amount of spy films would recognize that shot. From lowbrow to high brow.

[Big333223]

Effinay, Marcia! I'm 100% with her. It's kind of a sad little tale that is utterly hilarious and the performances are absolutely great, Pitt especially.

[McKennahLane]

I didn't expect much (in going to see this movie) - I heard from only a few that it wasn't as good as Fargo.

But I liked it a LOT! Cohen Bros. keep the audience on their feet with their twist and turns, as well as their quirky characters.

I say...GO SEE IT!

[chickendijon]

Lorenzo, you can no more review a movie you slept through, than I can review the dreams you dreamt while you slept through the movie.

Thusly, I'd like to say that your dream about winning an Oscar and announcing your candicacy for President was a bit far-fetched for my liking, and far too heavily nuanced.

[maymaerg]

This was Wonderful!

[RarewareLover]

Never Say Never again was terrible

[SonomaDave1]

I pictured Lorenzo entering the theater sound asleep with Marcia leading him (in his stupor) by the cane to his seat.

These two are my alltime favorite reviewers. But I do agree with Lorenzo that a good movie will NOT put you to sleep. A bad movie might. "There Will Be Blood" was a "film" that put me and my date to sleep almost immediately. So I do understand.

[abadami87]

brilliant analysis

[hoz49]

If they seldom see a movie together this makes me wonder how many other films they reviewed has Lorenzo slept through?

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I will. I see nothing wrong with going to watch good actors clown around to make me laugh. Not every film has to be serious or make a statement. Sometimes I'd just like to escape for two hours.

[Soulnik]

Do you guys pay money to watch and review movies or do

you see them for free as a courtesy from the film industry?

[banoboman]

Marcia and Lorenzo are my favorite reviewers since Siskel and Ebert.

[alphanumeric1971]

Yes! get rid of those two losers we currently have trying to replace Siskel and Ebert....

I would rather listen to these two than those empty headed pretty boys!

[Rondaria]

I agree with Lorenzo that the CIA (substitute any government agency or official here) as villain has become a cliche (though Three Days of the Condor was a good one).

[ivanisavich]

Hahah these two are just wonderful :)

Looks like Marcia was quite upset with Lorenzo though!

[justsumdude899]

I'm in a state of depression about politics lately, too.

[filmfunforever]

I love this review!!! These guys are hilarious and always bring something new to the table!

[lonelydork15]

How can Lorenzo critique a movie he didn't watch fully? Lorenzo claiming the Cohen brothers rip him off with bumbling CIA guys is absurd. Had he watched the movie, he would have realized the CIA guys were the only intelligent people in the movie. Here's a man that wrote Batman TV episodes in the 60s, the cheesiest series to ever be on TV and his only memorable "success".

This movie was not written to earn an academy award; it was written to be entertaining funny. It succeeded. Good Job!

[annveal5353]

LOL

[toronstganymede]

... actors in nyc used to spend their days going to workshops and reading and memorizing plays * now in hollywood they're in the gym all day and once a month have a "power lunch " with their agent - gteat review - stanislavsky said : "you cannot play beneath your intelligence" ...