Grade: B+
Rating: PG-13,
1 hour 45 minutes
In a Nutshell: Four-time Oscar winning brothers Joel and
Ethan Coen have created an extremely entertaining comedy that pokes fun at Hollywood’s Golden
Age, featuring a gigantic cast of today’s A-listers, including George Clooney, Channing
Tatum, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, Josh Brolin, Jonah Hill, Frances
McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and so many more.
Uplifting theme:
- “People
don’t want the facts. They want to
believe.” – Eddie Mannix
- “God
wants us to do what’s right. The
inner voice that tells us what’s right comes from God.” – priest in
confessional
Things I liked:
- I
liked the way the narrator told the story about telling stories. The Lockheed recruiter tells Eddie
Mannix, “The picture business is pretty silly” and yet we still love
movies. They move us, inspire us, make us laugh, make us cry, make us feel!
- The
film is filled with super funny sound effects, including a bird sound
every time someone said the line “On wings of eagles.” It reminded me of the running gag on
“Young Frankenstein”. A lot of the humor reminded me of the old Mel Brooks comedies.
- Funny
cowboy stunt scene. Alden
Ehrenreich does a great job as Hobie Doyle.
- There’s
a great dance scene with Channing Tatum in the “Swingin’ Dinghy” bar that will
remind you of the fun singing and dancing films featuring legendary Gene Kelly.
- There
is an amusing scene where Ralph Fiennes plays an eloquent director who
uses words that simpleton Hobie Doyle (and probably some people in the
audience) don’t know. You’ll be
ahead of the game when you already know these words: “mirthless” (without
laughter), “rueful” (sorrow, pity) , “trippingly” (light and quick)
- “Divine
presence to be shot.” Ha ha
- Wayne
knight from Seinfeld: The Complete Series
has a bit part. It was good to see him again, and funny to see him as a movie Extra.
- I
thought it was interesting that the main film they were filming during the
movie was the story of Christ from the perspective of a Roman soldier,
which is exactly what the movie Risen is about, which is also currently in
movie theaters.
- The
talented Tilda Swinton plays twins.
I’m happy to get as many doses of Tilda as we can get.
- I have
always adored Christopher Lambert ever since Mortal Kombat
and Highlander: The Movie
. Here he has a tiny part as a German director. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him too. Look close or you’ll miss him.
- My
husband and I watched every episode of Numb3rs: The Complete Series
, so it was fun to see David Krumholtz, who plays a Communist writer. The Communist “club” scenes were funny and filled with familiar faces.
- Religious
characters in movies are usually made fun of, but not in this one. Josh
Brolin’s character is sincere, religious, talented, yet flawed in an
endearing way.
- I
thought George Clooney’s speech at the cross was both sweet and funny at
just the right moment.
- It looked like they filmed on the actual Universal Studios lot. I was just there a few months ago! It’s such a fun theme park.
Things I didn’t like:
- One
shot allows you to see right up George Clooney’s nose, hairs and all.
- Anyone
over 50 should be able to remember some of the original stars and movies
that are being alluded to in this film.
Those younger may not appreciate all of the inside jokes.
- Some gags go on for a little too long.
Funny lines:
- “I need some petty cash. Do you have $100,000?” - Mannix
- “You worship
a God who doesn’t love anyone.” – Protestant Clergyman (Allan Havey)
“Not true. He loves Jews.” – Rabbi (Robert Picardo)
Interesting lines:
- “Same
thing…history and economics, isn’t it?” – Head Communist Writer (Max
Baker)
- “The
picture has worth and you have worth as long as you serve the picture.” – Mannix
Tips for
parents:
- Some
“real” profanity, as well as harmless words like “Nuts!”
- Young
kids may not get some of the humor or pop culture references.
- Some subtle
sexual innuendo, but young kids will probably not catch it.
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