Barney's Version (2010)

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By: Oberst von Berauscht (A Toast)

Paul Giamatti is Barney Panofsky, a Jewish film producer working in Montreal, where he is famous for his company “Totally Unnecessary Productions”, which is responsible for churning out low budget soap operas. Barney’s Version explores thirty years of his life, his three failed marriages, and endless regrets.

A Toast

Based on the 1997 novel of the same name, Barney’s Version is a textbook example of how to capture the feel of a book on film. Told in a non-linear fashion, the film poses questions for you early on that will catch you off guard, but draw you deeper into the story as it unfolds. At times the mood is often sardonic, other times poignant, sometimes both, such as the second wedding scene where Barney defends his vulgar but well meaning father (Dustin Hoffman, in a tremendous comedic turn).

Eventually, a murder plot develops that serves as the film’s MacGuffin.

The sandwich that that everyone wants, but is ultimately meaningless…

This b-plot serves to drive the events of the second act and ultimately enriches the story so as to distinguish it from recent “quirky dramedies” that have been released. When the mystery is finally solved, it is a moment of darkly humorous catharsis that has to be seen to be believed.

Paul Giamatti gives yet another stunning performance as Barney, who might be one of the more fully formed characters in recent films. He is a flawed personality, though he often takes the moral high-ground in his own mind. He is often being selfish, even if he doesn’t know it. Barney is a man who is capable of great love, but also prone to inopportune jealousy, which can cloud his otherwise logical mind.

Some have criticized the film for making Barney unlikable, but I don’t understand that conclusion. I would hazard a guess that everyone would appear less than sympathetic if their life story was told, warts and all. To me, it makes his character more real, and given his life experience his character flaws are understandable, if sometimes unforgivable. It is a shame this film didn’t get more notice from the academy (though the nomination for makeup effects is more than deserved; it features some of the most convincing ageing makeup I’ve seen). I wanted to find an excuse for another beer, but couldn’t. The more I think about Barney’s Version, the more I realize how masterful a work it is.

Verdict

Pour your glass with pride, and toast the first great film of 2011 (well, hitting most theaters in 2011, anyway).

Trailer Reviews, Week 5

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Drive Angry 3D

So this is Nic Cage’s latest “Sure I’ll take the role- I’m broke” role.

The IRS can put that fear into anyone’s eyes

The difference here is that the director knows how to make irreverent, T & A + gore 3D B-movies (My Bloody Valentine 3D) and that could easily play up to Nic Cage’s strengths.

The trailer has hot cars, hot girls, and plenty of explosions. This is not going to be high art, but I’m expecting a pretty good time at the movies.

Beer Prediction

I’m especially looking forward to the interplay between “the devil’s right hand man” William Fichtner and Cage. There’ll be plenty of nits to pick with this one, but the important thing is that it looks like a lot of ridiculous fun.

Hall Pass

The Farrelly Brothers have been in a freefall arguably all the way since There’s Something About Mary (which is the only film of theirs referenced in the publicity, as usual). They’re trying to recapture the magic with a film that doesn’t look much like their style.

Although the only unifying theme I can find is “odd”

The trailer does have some promising moments, and the concept itself seems like something you could ride Hangover-style to glory. Judging by Owen Wilson’s strange awkwardness and the fact that most of the laughs in the trailer don’t hold up over repeat viewings (meaning they’ll get a chuckle when you watch the actual movie if they’re lucky) I kind of doubt it, though. Oh, and I’m glad Richard Jenkins is still doing whatever the fuck he wants…

Beer Prediction

I’m holding out hope that it surprises, but judging by the recent track records of most everyone involved, I’m going to have to predict the lower end of the spectrum.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)

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By: SG2 (5 Beers)

Malcolm (Martin Lawrence) aka Big Momma returns to the big screen, finding yet again a motive to go undercover as a grossly obese tranny to solve yet another case! Only this time, his stepson, Trent (Brandon T. Jackson), witnesses a murder and must also go into disguise by tucking in his penis and putting on a fat suit to stay off the killer’s radar!

Like Father Like Stepson is more accurate, but who cares?

A Toast

Big Momma’s House (BMH) was always a guilty pleasure of mine. There is indeed a Fat Suit Comedy Genre, and some people love or hate it. I personally find these movies entertaining, in a B-Movie sort of way. And by B-Movie I mean Beer-Movie! It gives me an excuse to really sit back and break out a few cool ones. I raise my first glass to Martin Lawrence for keeping the fat suit genre alive. For when the Big Momma’s House 4 movie is announced, I can raise my arms, point to the air, and say, “YES! BEER WILL BE DRANK!”

Like a suppository: relax and let it slide in!

Beer Two

The plot of the film is worthy of my second beer. Malcolm is in the FBI, and his son Trent is an aspiring rap-star. Trent wants his father to sign a contract that would release him to begin his rap career, while Malcolm would prefer Trent go to college. Trent decides to stalk his father while he’s working on a case in an effort to change his mind and ends up seeing Malcolm’s informant being killed.

From there they flee into hiding at an all girls art school because of a tip the informant said in his dying breath. Now, disguised in fat suits, they are searching the school for a memory stick that can put all of the suspects away for good. Just in case you didn’t know what was going on, the Malcolm and Trent will start a dialogue that would recap everything that just happened and what it must mean, which I thought was kind of Scooby-Dooish.

Trent: Let me get this straight… this is a murder investigation?!

Malcolm: I’m part of the FBI, aren’t I?

Trent: True… true…

Me: REALLY?!

Beer Three

I recommend you shotgun two beers immediately after the high school musical-esque song and dance scene. The school the two trannys are investigating is an all girls performance and art school with students of questionable talents in singing, dancing, and musical arts. Trent, who goes by Charmaine, is asked to show off her talent, which she claims is rapping. Charmaine begins to rap.

At first, no one is impressed except for one girl, Haley (Jessica Lucas), whose own talent is singing and playing the piano. This snowballs into synchronized dance and Big Momma hoping on a table doing the washer-machine arms tucked in fist up dance that we now associate with chubby armed fat women everywhere.

Not the best description, but painful.

Beer Four

I think the photo below explains it all, but let me give it a shot. Charmaine, acting as a student, goes to her figure drawing class. There, a beautiful black woman is about to disrobe when Big Momma comes in and objects. The fuck!? She then goes on explaining why a skinny girl shouldn’t be drawn because it’s an unfair representation of the women in America today. Sad, but true! You see this joke coming a mile away, as Big Momma is asked to pose for the figure class.

A strong breeze can be dangerous in a scene like this.

Beer Five

The duet between Charmaine and Haley was ooh-oh-oh-oh lame. So, Charmaine convinces Haley to go on a date with her cousin, Trent. The date starts off rocky, but then ends up in a piano room where they improvise a song that Haley is nervous about performing the next day. They come up with a duet and Trent promises to show up for it. But, because he’s under cover, he can’t show up. Instead, Charmaine appears on the stage and takes Trent’s part, blowing his cover. Ahhh, beer me!

“Now, that’s the high C I’m looking for.”

Verdict

Take it from me, as a person who usually enjoys these flicks, this one is not worth your time. I decided to give it one short of a 6 Pack because it has a couple of really funny jokes, so it wasn’t an entire waste of time.

I would like to see Big Momma redeem herself, but judging by the effort made from this movie and its opening weekend revenues, I don’t think they will pump money into another. That would probably be for the best.

Oscar Short Films (Documentary Short Subject)

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Killing in the Name

This documents the quest of Ashraf Al-Khaled’s quest to stamp out Muslim-on-Muslim terrorism after his wedding was suicide bombed.

For It (A Little Toast)

Al-Khaled does a stunning job getting a wide array of people to talk about terrorism, including the father of a suicide bomber, the Al Qaeda leader who recruited him, and the wives of other bombers. What they have to say is some f the most illuminating and frightening footage on the subject I’ve ever seen.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

There’s an awful lot of talk about ho wit’s inherently wrong for a Muslim to kill a Muslim, and some show a genuine remorse on that front. Eventually you begin to realize a bone isn’t really being picked with killing everyone else. This is somewhat less than a hopeful sign.

Sun Come Up

Billed as a documentary about the world’s first environmental refugees, this short follows a group of Carteret Islanders as they try to secure a home on a nearby larger Island to escape a home that is sinking beneath the waves.

For it (A Little Toast)

Well, I think I figured out where Don Cheadle’s parents come from… The subject is one that we may unfortunately see more of in coming years, and the islanders have remarkable composure in the face of this, especially considering most of them had never left their island before. This is also the documentary short nominated with the most technical skill employed, especially the cinematography.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

Even at 38 minutes, there’s only so many village meetings where they ask for land you can watch before you mind starts to wander a bit.

Warriors of Qiugang

This shows the battle of a small rural Chinese town to curb the rampant industrial pollution that is ruining the lives of them and their children.

For It (A Little Toast)

Documentaries like Gasland show the environmental abuses of American companies, but China makes them look like boy scouts. Anybody arguing against environmental regulations should take a look at what a world without them looks like. The “warriors” in question also show amazing moxie, especially their leader Zhang Gongli, a farmer with a middle-school education who teaches himself the intricacies of Chinese law.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

The documentary itself doesn’t do a great job of portraying the obstacles these people had to overcome. Most of the information is second-hand, and no matter how compelling it can be hard to keep the mind from wandering.

Poster Girl

An all-American girl who enlisted to fight in Iraq copes with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a sometimes less than sympathetic system upon returning home.

For It (A Little Toast)

If you’ve ever met a young Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who got into the line of fire, this’ll look familiar. Her statement about how she wants to tell Iraqi mothers that she’s sorry that she’s the nightmare for their children is one of the most heartfelt and poignant put to film this year.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

Unfortunately, heavy-handed direction saps some of this short’s impact and verges on exploitation, especially the intercutting of grisly wartime images with her story. One scene in particular, when she’s punching a wall, was a little too convenient and somebody should have known to nix the cheesy freeze frame it ends with.

Strangers No More

This short gives a peek into a fascinating school in Tel Aviv, Israel, which boasts students from 48 different countries, many of them refugees from conflicts all across the globe.

For It (A Little Toast)

The cynic in me was a little skeptical about the Oscar-baity, “inspirational” story, but I was won all the way over. These people do genuinely good work, helping immigrant and refugee children adjust to their new lives and in some cases enjoy the first semblance of an education they’ve ever had. Their stories are heartbreaking and their ability to overcome and passion to learn is, dare I say it, inspirational.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

There are some slight Christian undertones that might hurt it in some circles, but that would be a shame.

Oscar Short Films (Animated)

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Day and Night

This is a classically Pixar short about Night and Day facing off and bragging about their respective qualities, before becoming friends after they realize the value of different perspectives.

For It (A Little Toast)

It’s Pixar! An odd concept gets a little heart, a little comedy, and some technical wow effects all while sneaking in a little lesson. Pixar is usually seen as the frontrunner in animated categories, although they’ve slipped a bit in this one recently.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

It’s hard to say too much against the Pixar product, at least until Cars 2 debuts. This one’s right in line with the quality we’ve come to expect, but doesn’t exceed it to any great degree, which is the only knock you can really give it.

The Lost Thing

A young resident of a bizarre, almost dystopian universe finds an odd, lost “thing” at the beach. He befriends it and then tries to find where it could possibly belong.

For It (A Little Toast)

The creators of this short certainly have impressive imaginations. The array of strange, uncategorized “things” they come up with is pretty out there, and as always there’s a moral everybody can agree with.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

The animation is one of the least impressive of all the nominees, although it’s far from bad. Also, the steampunk-style animation trend has never done anything past scoring nominations here and there.

The Gruffalo

A mouse walks through the woods in search of his next meal. He encounters various predators along the way, but discourages them with made-up tales of a fearsome “Gruffalo” which turn out to have more truth than he suspected.

For It (A Little Toast)

Beloved children’s book, polished British production, recognizable voice cast… this one’s got all the hallmarks that Oscar likes. I particularly liked its goofy humor.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

Measured against its competition this year it’s kind of on the slight side. It’s also by far the longest, meaning that maybe some voters just won’t bother.

Let’s Pollute

This short uses the style of 50’s educational films to inform us about our rich heritage as polluters and instruct us how to become the best consumers we can be.

For It (A Little Toast)

It’s tongue-in-cheek, dripping with sarcasm… and hilarious. Its scores some pretty strong bull’s-eyes with its wry social commentary and packs more punch in six minutes than most shorts do in twice that time.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

The animation isn’t great, although it does work well with the educational film style. It might be too sharp for the tastes of some.

Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage

This short uses all of the tricks in an animator’s bag to document a trip to modern-day Madagascar, showing everything from airborne tours of the scenery to religious customs.

For It (A Little Toast)

The animators use a dazzling mix of different animation styles, often changing several times in a matter of seconds. It does a great job of creating 3-D environments with 2-D tools and is particularly impressive when viewing landscapes. It’s spot-on in capturing the foibles of third world transportation and celebration.

Against It (Sip and Wince)

All of the animating tricks are pretty impressive, but sometimes the side-effect is some pretty bizarre looking people. Some people just have a problem with subtitles, no matter how unwarranted.