The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Steve46]

Burn After Reading (2008)
Comedy, Crime, Drama, 96 minutes
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton



Do you remember the first Blu-ray you ever bought? Mine was Burn After Reading on the same day that I purchased my first Blu-ray player. It's a title that receives very little recognition and it regularly features in sales. Why is that the case?

The movie is directed by the Coen brothers and stars Clooney, Pitt, McDormand, Malkovich and Swinton. What's not to like?

I'm hard to please when it comes to humor, but several Coen brothers films hit the spot. It's clever dialogue rather than slapstick physical humor, and some of it is unpredictable. I can't laugh when I see a joke coming from a mile away wearing a T-shirt with "This is funny, laugh now" written on it. I like to be surprised.

So what is surprising about Burn After Reading?

Harry Pfarrer (Clooney) has no redeeming features. He's married, but sees other women at every opportunity. He's having an affair with Katie Cox (Swinton). Harry is shallow, paranoid and somewhat stupid and Clooney plays the character with his usual charm and good humor.

If there is anyone dumber than Harry, it has to be Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), who works in a gym. Chad is a complete idiot in every way. His friend at the gym is Linda Litzke (McDormand), who is obsessed with undergoing cosmetic surgery to improve her appearance.

Osborne Cox (Malkovich) is married to Katie and works as an analyst for the CIA. Most of his sentences include at least one profanity and he's borderline alcoholic. The story begins with a meeting in which Osborne is told that he will be demoted, but instead of accepting the situation, he quits. Katie is not pleased, even though she's on the verge of leaving him for Harry.

There's not much of a plot. Chad acquires a CD containing the beginning of Osborne's memoir and believes it to be secrets of national importance. He thinks that Osborne is sure to give him a reward if he returns it and that leads to an amusing phone call. Linda decides that the Russians may be interested in the worthless CD and that they might reward her for the useless information.

Everybody seems to be sleeping with everyone else and what could go wrong does go wrong. This is not a serious story in any way.

There's a great cameo by J. K. Simmons who plays a CIA boss. He's utterly clueless about the significance of the events we witness because they are all meaningless. Watch his reaction at the end of the movie when he makes a decision about what further action to take.

Burn After Reading is a good way to spend an hour-and-a-half. No analysis is necessary. All of the characters have funny moments. Ignore the negative reviews and see it for yourself. You can pick it up for under $10 if you like it.

Overall score 4.5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Own 51/100. Comments next to each.

I would bet that your personal top 100 would change a LOT after you see the ones you noted as "Havent seen". There are a bunch in there that have your name/taste written all over them.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I would bet that your personal top 100 would change a LOT after you see the ones you noted as "Havent seen". There are a bunch in there that have your name/taste written all over them.

Yes, I am still very ignorant, despite cramming since I discovered film five years ago.

Half of my current 100 weren't released or were things I hadn't seen five years ago.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rental: "Unknown."

No, my next greatest rental is not unknown, "Unknown" is the actual title of the film.

For the first half of the movie, it felt like a "Twilight Zone" style freak-out. It sets up a very interesting situation that has the viewer second-guessing everything alongside with the main character. In the second half, when everything gets fully revealed, it kinda sinks back into normal action-movie territory. It is interesting and well-made, but I prefer the mystery of the first half (at which point I wondered if this would be something supernatural; I guess I was a little disappointed that it wasn't) over the second half.

So, the story is pretty decent and thoughtfully constructed. Characters are not bad.

The film has quality photography and editing. Fine acting and writing. Production value is good.

Yep, I have very few complaints.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Sure, why not?

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4.5/5

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest rental: "Unknown."

No, my next greatest rental is not unknown, "Unknown" is the actual title of the film.

For the first half of the movie, it felt like a "Twilight Zone" style freak-out. It sets up a very interesting situation that has the viewer second-guessing everything alongside with the main character. In the second half, when everything gets fully revealed, it kinda sinks back into normal action-movie territory. It is interesting and well-made, but I prefer the mystery of the first half (at which point I wondered if this would be something supernatural; I guess I was a little disappointed that it wasn't) over the second half.

So, the story is pretty decent and thoughtfully constructed. Characters are not bad.

The film has quality photography and editing. Fine acting and writing. Production value is good.

Yep, I have very few complaints.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Sure, why not?

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4.5/5

I was hoping that with his condition after the incident, we would venture into Mulholland Dr. territory and that his point of view was totally unreliable.

Loved the Bruno Ganz cameo.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rental: "Phone Booth."

As expected, this is one of those thrillers that takes a very simple idea and expands it as much as possible. Even though the whole movie focuses on one guy stuck in a phone booth, it maintains interest and enough suspense to keep it engaging all the way through. And it's a pretty darn short ride too.

In a way, this movie feels very Hitchcockian at times. Especially with its montage-style opening, and its commentary on telecommunications (although it also felt a bit like a glorified phone commercial ). As mentioned, the story is simple, but it is a very interesting concept, and the film does its best to extrapolate all it can out of the main character.

The film is stylish as heck, with good photography and some wild (but not erratic) editing. Acting and writing are fun. Production value is not bad. Music is cool.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Sure, why not?

This Blu-Ray looks nice and sharp, with some iffy color/contrast. Sound quality is alright.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I was hoping that with his condition after the incident, we would venture into Mulholland Dr. territory and that his point of view was totally unreliable.

Loved the Bruno Ganz cameo.

Yeah, I was wondering if it would go that route. I'm just a little disappointed that it didn't; it feels pretty standard otherwise.

At least the film's explanation made sense.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest rental: "Phone Booth."

As expected, this is one of those thrillers that takes a very simple idea and expands it as much as possible. Even though the whole movie focuses on one guy stuck in a phone booth, it maintains interest and enough suspense to keep it engaging all the way through. And it's a pretty darn short ride too.

In a way, this movie feels very Hitchcockian at times. Especially with its montage-style opening, and its commentary on telecommunications (although it also felt a bit like a glorified phone commercial ). As mentioned, the story is simple, but it is a very interesting concept, and the film does its best to extrapolate all it can out of the main character.

The film is stylish as heck, with good photography and some wild (but not erratic) editing. Acting and writing are fun. Production value is not bad. Music is cool.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Sure, why not?

This Blu-Ray looks nice and sharp, with some iffy color/contrast. Sound quality is alright.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

I thought it worked extremely well at keeping the tension and suspense high.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Yeah, I was wondering if it would go that route. I'm just a little disappointed that it didn't; it feels pretty standard otherwise.

At least the film's explanation made sense.

I was surprised that my action-freak friends liked it, but they do want to have Neeson's babies.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jvince

But seriously, you guys must check out Cabin, especially if you love the horror genre.

I am not a huge horror fan, but I am looking forward to seeing The Cabin in the Woods. Not in the theater since I hardly see anything there, but I do plan on blind buying it when it comes out on Blu-ray.

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Luftslottet som sprängdes (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest) - 2009

[Show spoiler]The third and final movie in this trilogy. I was honestly expecting something better than what I watched. The first half was slow, boring, had uneven pacing, and lacked excitement. The second half of the movie was much better; specifically the court room scenes. I was happy with the outcome of the ruling in court, but I was NOT happy with how the movie ended. I just don't get how someone could write an epic story like "Dragon Tattoo" and finish the trilogy off with no real closure with the two main characters. It was kind of just like.... uhhhhhh ok, see ya around. That's not how you end this story. And that really bugs me.

Am I the only one who thinks that "Hornet's Nest" was the weakest of all three movies? Anyway, I'm glad I watched the trilogy, but was really let down with the third film. I went from originally thinking that I'd buy the trilogy on blu-ray, to now thinking I'll just buy The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo on blu-ray. The first film can hold it's own very well, without the two sequels.

Netflix streaming

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

3/5

I still liked Hornet's Nest, but I was somewhat let down by it as well.

[Show spoiler]There was plenty there to be liked (Lisbeth's trial and the suspense of some of the scenes of them trying to get Mikael and company to not publish the story), but it seemed to lack something. Some of that has to do with...

I didn't much care for the ending either. Like you said, a trilogy like this deserved a better ending than what was there. My reaction right after the movie was "wow, that's it?" I'm not sure if the ending is any better in the book or not.

[Show spoiler]I know it ends with them reconciling because I looked it up, but I'm not sure if it is more satisfying than the movie ending or not.

[Steve46]

That does it, I'm going to re-watch The Girl Who Played With Fire.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

That does it, I'm going to re-watch The Girl Who Played With Fire.

You do that.

You'll be happy to know that I am going to finally watch The Descendants tomorrow.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

You do that.

You'll be happy to know that I am going to finally watch The Descendants tomorrow.

Never heard of it

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Luftslottet som sprängdes (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest) - 2009

The third and final movie in this trilogy. I was honestly expecting something better than what I watched. The first half was slow, boring, had uneven pacing, and lacked excitement. The second half of the movie was much better; specifically the court room scenes. I was happy with the outcome of the ruling in court, but I was NOT happy with how the movie ended. I just don't get how someone could write an epic story like "Dragon Tattoo" and finish the trilogy off with no real closure with the two main characters. It was kind of just like.... uhhhhhh ok, see ya around. That's not how you end this story. And that really bugs me.

Am I the only one who thinks that "Hornet's Nest" was the weakest of all three movies? Anyway, I'm glad I watched the trilogy, but was really let down with the third film. I went from originally thinking that I'd buy the trilogy on blu-ray, to now thinking I'll just buy The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo on blu-ray. The first film can hold it's own very well, without the two sequels.

Netflix streaming

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

3/5

I agree it's the weakest film in the series, as well as the weakest book (although it's still an excellent book). As for the ending, I have no issues with the ending at all. Keep in mind that the author intended there to be several more books in the series and was more than halfway through the next book when he died, which had Lisbeth and Blomkvist off on an investigation together.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Seen 67/100
Own 54/100
Rated 25/100 a darn good score
Disliked 1/100 (well, I need to give that "Army of Shadows" another try, see if it grows on me)

I didn't expect to like your list that much but it's actually pretty darn solid.

haha glad you liked it!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

see comments. great list!!!

I haven't seen a LOT on your list

Thanks! I went through my list and tried to narrow down the ones you haven't seen that I think you'd most like:

M: it's considered one of the greatest films of all-time and the first serial killer movie. I think you'd like it for the concluding monologue. It also utilizes black and white very well, much like The Third Man which I know you like.

Judgment at Nuremberg: I could be wrong but I suspect part of your reluctance in seeing it is the same as other legal films, in that it's nice to be able to escape with something outside what you deal with on a daily basis. Imo, this has one of the greatest scripts ever, if not the best. It's very dialogue driven and it's a long film but I was glued to the screen.

The Return: I've tried unsuccessfully to get people to watch this film. There's an endless amount to talk about due to the open-ended conclusion. One of my top 15 favorite films, from the director that many critics consider the modern Tarkovsky.

The Killing Fields: one of the most moving films of all-time and one of the few that can bring a tear to my eye.

Solaris (2002): very thematically rich that could lead to great discussion.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Never heard of it

You know you want to say the title...

[lDlisturb3d]

Wrath of the Titans..

Im not even gonna go there....

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (reboot)

I enjoyed the movie quite a bit, but there was really nothing about it that blew me away. I felt bad for her at the end but i know there's 2 more to come so hopefully she'll find salvation...

4/5

[menaceuk]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Burn After Reading (2008)
Comedy, Crime, Drama, 96 minutes
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton

[Show spoiler]

Do you remember the first Blu-ray you ever bought? Mine was Burn After Reading on the same day that I purchased my first Blu-ray player. It's a title that receives very little recognition and it regularly features in sales. Why is that the case?

The movie is directed by the Coen brothers and stars Clooney, Pitt, McDormand, Malkovich and Swinton. What's not to like?

I'm hard to please when it comes to humor, but several Coen brothers films hit the spot. It's clever dialogue rather than slapstick physical humor, and some of it is unpredictable. I can't laugh when I see a joke coming from a mile away wearing a T-shirt with "This is funny, laugh now" written on it. I like to be surprised.

So what is surprising about Burn After Reading?

Harry Pfarrer (Clooney) has no redeeming features. He's married, but sees other women at every opportunity. He's having an affair with Katie Cox (Swinton). Harry is shallow, paranoid and somewhat stupid and Clooney plays the character with his usual charm and good humor.

If there is anyone dumber than Harry, it has to be Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), who works in a gym. Chad is a complete idiot in every way. His friend at the gym is Linda Litzke (McDormand), who is obsessed with undergoing cosmetic surgery to improve her appearance.

Osborne Cox (Malkovich) is married to Katie and works as an analyst for the CIA. Most of his sentences include at least one profanity and he's borderline alcoholic. The story begins with a meeting in which Osborne is told that he will be demoted, but instead of accepting the situation, he quits. Katie is not pleased, even though she's on the verge of leaving him for Harry.

There's not much of a plot. Chad acquires a CD containing the beginning of Osborne's memoir and believes it to be secrets of national importance. He thinks that Osborne is sure to give him a reward if he returns it and that leads to an amusing phone call. Linda decides that the Russians may be interested in the worthless CD and that they might reward her for the useless information.

Everybody seems to be sleeping with everyone else and what could go wrong does go wrong. This is not a serious story in any way.

There's a great cameo by J. K. Simmons who plays a CIA boss. He's utterly clueless about the significance of the events we witness because they are all meaningless. Watch his reaction at the end of the movie when he makes a decision about what further action to take.

Burn After Reading is a good way to spend an hour-and-a-half. No analysis is necessary. All of the characters have funny moments. Ignore the negative reviews and see it for yourself. You can pick it up for under $10 if you like it.

Overall score 4.5/5

This was pretty fun and I enjoyed it. How ever, for me,

[Show spoiler] It goes down hill once Brad Pitt's character dies

just seems to lose most of it's comedy .

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by menaceuk

This was pretty fun and I enjoyed it. How ever, for me,

[Show spoiler] It goes down hill once Brad Pitt's character dies

just seems to lose most of it's comedy .

We might not always agree on things, but I agree there about your spoiler. I'd go even further and say that I actually thought

[Show spoiler]George Clooney's character killing him was stupid and unnecessary, but oh well.