Zach and Miri Make a Porno
Directed by Kevin Smith
Written by Kevin Smith
Released October 31, 2008
Quantum of Solace
Directed by Marc Forster
Written by Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade
Released November 14, 2008
I know, I know: what the hell am I doing pitting these two movies against each other? Really, the main reason for this is the fact that I saw the two movies back to back a few nights ago with a couple of friends.
But I guess if there's a motif to my pairing these two movies, it's the simple fact that one surprisingly exceeded my expectations, and the other disappointingly failed them in a miserable way.
First, let's discuss the redemption of Kevin Smith. Zach and Miri Make a Porno is easily his funniest, best movie since Clerks. Granted, leaping over such a low bar is no amazing feat, but this most recent film taps into the same mixture of profanity and sentimentality that made his debut movie so charming.
Sure, Zach and Miri is nothing you'd want to watch with your mother. EVER. It's about as filthy as an R rated move can get these days, with one particularly unfortunate scatological scene that really stands out as probably taking things too far. It continues the Kevin Smith tradition of juvenile fascination with sex and absurd use of bad language, but unlike with Clerks 2, it actually works to serve a story rather than appease the dick & pussy joke crowd.
The lion's share of the credit should probably go to the cast of the movie. Smith wisely steps outside his comfort zone, combining a few of his own "stars" like Jason Mewes while undeniably snatching from the Judd Apatow casting pool with actors like Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson. The actress who absolutely makes the movie work, however, is Elizabeth Banks as Miriam Linky. If her take on Miri didn't work, the entire premise -- including the potential for a believable love store -- would collapse.
There's one brief moment in particular, with Banks shot from above as she lies on her back in the backroom of a coffee shop, where her facial expression in reaction to something that has just happened absolutely seals the deal on making the audience believe in the romantic aspect of the movie. It's a little piece of acting that is so sincere and believable, you might literally blush because it feels like you're watching something you're not supposed to be seeing. Banks's Miri is the first realistic female character to ever appear in a Kevin Smith movie.
I also applaud Smith for adding a little variety to his directing. He's still no auteur and his camera still remains relatively still, but he does a good job here of using varying angles that show that he's putting thought into his shot composition. If you turned the volume off, you might not even know that you were watching a Kevin Smith movie.
In the same vein, I think if no one in Quantum of Solace uttered the name "James Bond," you also wouldn't know you were watching a Bond movie. Sure, there's the beautiful women and breathtaking locales, but the main thing this chapter in the Bond saga lacks is the simple element of fun. Its exclusion is almost criminal.
I'm not asking for anything that would ruin the more serious, and true to the novel, characterization of Bond as performed by Daniel Craig. I'm not asking for the campy Roger Moore raising of the eyebrows, or to put Bond in space ala Moonraker. I'm just asking that maybe the new Bond movie not need to take itself so goddamned seriously. Give us a bad guy who is actually shown doing bad things (or at least worse things than stockpiling water, for God's sake). Give us a stand-alone movie with its own plot, like all previous Bonds before this one, so I don't have to sit in my seat and think, "What the fuck is going on here?". And I saw Casino Royale!
I wouldn't say Quantum, on its own merits, is a bad movie. It looks and feels like a decent Bourne knock-off. The problem is, as a part of this massive franchise, it's easily one of the most punishing, least fun entries in the series. I've always thought that an action movie that you can watch more than once is a true sign that it's a damn good movie. I've probably seen Die Hard at least 20 times; I can't imagine wanting to watch Quantum of Solace again.
The best thing about Quantum of Solace is unquestionably the hypnotic post-car chase opening credits sequence, designed by MK12, a fantastic design company based out of Kansas City, MO. I would rather have watched another 90 minutes of their work than the movie that followed.
One of the biggest sins in the creation of Quantum is the insane use of quick-cut editing. There is virtually no camera shot in the film that lasts over 4 seconds. Seriously, watch a few minutes of the movie and count "one one thousand, two one thousand" every time there is an edit. You'll go insane. Even some scenes of dialogue and exposition (which you will find yourself longing for) are cut like a fight scene.
If you're going to film in a half dozen exotic locations, give the audience a moment to take in the scenery. That doesn't just go for the locations, though. Seduce us! We're supposed to want to be James Bond, or at the very least, want to be one of his conquests. With Quantum of Solace, the dude is just a damn bummer.
For more on Zach and Miri Make a Porno:
- Movie information at IMDB and Wikipedia.
- The official movie site.
For more on Quantum of Solace:
- Movie information at IMDB and Wikipedia.
- The official movie site.
The Zach and Miri Make a Porno trailer:
The Quantum of Solace trailer:
No comments:
Post a Comment