Stranger Than Fiction (+)

Stranger Than Fiction is a really good movie. It's witty. It's smart. It's insightful. It's cute. I liked it, a lot. Having said that, there are things that people won't like.

It moves a little slowly. The jokes are subtle. This is not a laugh-a-minute movie like some other Will Ferrel movies. This movie is careful with its humor and doesn't let it encroach on its plot. At times the film delves into the dramatic, which isn't its strongest suit.

Despite all that. I love this movie. I like Will Ferrel and I love Maggie Gyllenhaal. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman are brilliant as well.

The movie balances on the issue of fate. What is fated? What can be changed and what can't? Should things be changed? Sometimes these are explored adequately, other times they are left dangling most likely to let the viewer decide for themselves. Some people will like that, others will not.

It's a good movie. I recommend it.

Pros: Witty, Interesting, Maggie
Cons: Long?

Borat (+)

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was funny, but...it wasn't that funny. It is by no means the funniest film of the year. I think it got way over-hyped.

On one hand you have a man exposing people's ignorance and own bigotry by presenting them with an aloof outsider. The bits in the movie where Borat was interacting with real people was hilarious. It is amazing to see what people will say or do. The scripted bits were on the other hand a bit forced and often focused on gross out or shock humor. I think the film would have been better had it not relied on these moments so heavily, but it does.

I still cannot believe this got nominated for best screenplay. I mean come on. It's a series of bizarre vignettes strung together. That's part of its charm, but it's certainly not Oscar worthy. That's a slap in the face of every writer out there.

Anyway I enjoyed the film. It was amusing, enlightening and really, really stupid all at the same time. Will I revisit? No. This comedy is best viewed once.

Pros: Really funny bits with real people
Cons: The other stuff, plot?

Amateur Hour by Beabo