Notes from a Genius

"Bad Words" starring: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Rohan Chand, Philip Baker Hall, Allison Janney directed by: Jason Bateman written by: Andrew Dodge This film is Jason Bateman's directorial debut. He understands his own strengths, as a newly discovered comedic actor. It's a great showcase for his comedic timing, and it allows him to play a character that's nastier than usual and should be allowed. It's a film that relies heavily on stressed-out exasperation, withering insults (especially towards unsuspecting and undeserving children), and a condescending smugness that is almost too perfect and natural. With all that being said, it is also a film that seems to suffer from a case of schizophrenia, because it wants to be many different things. It's a filthy comedy with outrageous behavior, but then it's a bittersweet, affecting story of a man playing against the odds, on a misguided quest of personal vindication. Unfortunately, the two sides of t...

"A Long Way Down" starring: Pierce Bronsan, Imogen Poots, Aaron Paul, Toni Collette, Sam Neill written by: Nick Hornby I love(d) Nick Hornby's books, about 10-12 years ago. Especially "High Fidelity" and it helped that the film adaptation was pretty spot on and perfect, thanks to great performances by John Cusack and Jack Black. I read this book, "A Long Way Down" quite a few years ago and I was surprised that they made a film out of it because it's a rather depressing subject to tackle- a group of down-and-outers create a suicide pact on New Year's Eve after finding each other on top of the same building one New Year's Eve. We get small glimpses at their reasons for wanting to die. Martin (Pierce Bronsan, rather unlikable in this role) is a disgraced TV talk show host, caught up in the aftermath of his underage sex scandal. Maureen (Toni Collette) is a single mother handling the home-care of her disabled teenage son. Jess (Imoge...

"The Citizen" starring: Agnes Bruckner, Khaled Nabawy, Rizwan Manji, Cary Elwes, William Atherton written and directed by: Sam Kadi Written and directed by the Syrian-born director, Sam Kadi,  The Citizen  sets out to highlight the hardships faced by Arab settlers in the US during the aftermath of 9/11. The story follows one man's fight for equality as he simultaneously tries to become a U.S. citizen, and by the end, while on trial, he uses the Constitution against the country he wants to become a part of, in order to win his favor.  After winning the green-card lottery, Lebanese immigrant, Ibrahim Jarrah (Nabawy), arrives in New York City on September 10, 2001.  Determined to leave his troubling past behind, he is ready to live the American Dream. But, exactly what those troubles are, we do not know- unless you are an educated film viewer and know the politics of Lebanon. A bit more back-story would have been great, especially if the filmmaker want...

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