Juno (Single-Disc Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Juno (Single-Disc Edition)
Movie Review: A Perfect Film?
Summary: 5 Stars
Coming-of-age films have become something of a joke in the American mindset. If one were to look at the films of the past few years about teenagers, most are either cutesy tweener stories made for children thought to be too young to comprehend the struggles of real life, or are raunchy comedies meant for horny pre-teen boys that may or may not contain clichéd messages.
Juno, therefore, is a wonderful breath of fresh air. Written by Diablo Cody, who is sure to become a sought after property, and directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking), Juno's teenage cast wonderfully balances teenage immaturity with intelligent and witty dialogue.
Sixteen-year-old Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page, Hard Candy) learns that she is pregnant and that her best friend, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera, Arrested Development), is the father. Needing emotional support, she turns to her popular (and conversational) friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby, United 93). Right away, we learn from their phone conversation that these two girls alone won't be able to deal with Juno's problem. Despite their good intentions, the two of them cannot appreciate how serious the problem really is. Leah suggests that maybe Juno merely has a "food baby" from a huge lunch, and they nonchalantly kick around the idea of abortion.
At the clinic, a chance encounter with a pro-life classmate combined with the stress of the waiting room causes Juno to change her mind. Now believing that adoption is the best route, she and Leah set about looking for the "perfect" couple to take her baby. Using the local Pennysaver, Juno finds Mark and Vanessa Lohring (Jason Bateman, Arrested Development and Jennifer Garner, Alias), a rich couple who appear to be the perfect pair for Juno to hand off her baby. Vanessa comes off as borderline obsessive about having a baby, which freaks Juno out a little, but she is offset by Mark, who seems like the coolest 30-something around. He and Juno both play guitar and have similar ideas about music. Of course, Juno initially sees the couple through her own eyes, and judges their character the way she usually does. However, part of her journey towards maturity is learning that what may be best for her may not be what's good for her child.
At ninety minutes, the movie tells its story in a concise manner, but it never sacrifices character development for plot. Every actor does a wonderful job bringing their character to life in a believable manner. Juno's father, Mac MacGuff (J.K. Simmons, Thank You For Smoking) and stepmother, Bren (Allison Janney, Finding Nemo) react to Juno's announcement of pregnancy in a way that most parents (hopefully) would. They are obviously upset, but they don't disown her or throw her out. They know that what's done is done and try to make her pregnancy as easy as possible.
Page and Thirlby act like teenagers of the digital age should behave. With access to the internet, they believe that they know everything, and in one sense, they do. It is likely that they are aware of everything that happens during pregnancy, they just don't know the real-life effects. This is hilariously illustrated in Leah and Juno's exchange about what pregnancy does to female anatomy while eating lunch. They also use instant messenger slang like "Honest to blog".
Then there's Cera, who plays the same character he always plays. However, he does his job so well that he remains funny during his third outing as a timid, soft-spoken geek. He does Juno's homework for her, follows Juno's half-suggestion of dating one of the more popular girls at school, and claims that the night they conceived the child, Juno had to force him to have sex with her, when all he wanted to do was watch a movie.
Juno is fortunate to have so many wonderful elements working together to create something extraordinary. Cody's honest script is brought to life through the work of a fantastic ensemble cast (none of whom, by the way, can be considered big name stars), while the indie soundtrack sounds like it comes from Juno and Mark's CD collections. Hopefully, we will begin to see much more from this group of artists, especially Reitman, Cody, and Page. The director, writer, and lead actress have all proven that they are ready to be the next big things.
Movie Review: Juno - Surprising, Well Executed, Worth the Hype, Get it!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Juno is a great movie that has gotten a lot of hype, and deserves it ALL!!! Yes, it's about a high school girl who gets pregnant. But don't get confused, this movie is not so easily classified. It's not an after school special. It's not "pro" or "anti" anything. It's just a really well written and well executed film about a unique girl dealing with an all too common situation.
There's a lot of plot elements to explore. How will her friends and family react? What will she do? How will the experience change her? No spoilers here: watch the movie and see it unfold. :)
First things first. Everybody can't love every movie. Some will under-rate this movie just because it has been SOOOOO hyped. Believe me, I understand. All I can say is this: see the movie twice, THEN make up your own mind.
The way that mainstream movies get made, it's hard to have a script survive the teams of experts who want to appeal to this and that audience. I could only detect a handful of planted lines. The writing is SUPERB and very well presented with front to back execution - directing, acting, editing. The dialogue is funny and original, like a much more literate Pulp Fiction. That's what makes this movie special. It has SOOO much going for it. Diablo Cody has opened my eyes, and I'm anxiously awaiting her new project currently in pre-production, "The United States of Tara."
The acting of Ellen Page really is TOP NOTCH. Is it Oscar worthy? YES! Without a doubt. If Julia Roberts can win for Erin Brokovich, they should give Ellen Page her Oscar RIGHT NOW. Once again, some will say it's overhyped. Some only think that top notch acting occurs when characters are dying or demented. I say real acting is good acting. I walked into a screening before I saw a single review. I watched the movie twice to confirm it - this performance needs to be seen and studied.
The cast is chock full of big names who do very well in some good roles. Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, and Michael Cera all have good performances. But Ellen Page IS this movie. She steals every scene, hits every mark and nails every line.
And of course, the music ROCKS! Those who are into indie rock, alternative and punk rock will recognize most of the music here. Those who aren't will want to buy the soundtrack, because this is a great introduction. There is a great mix of new and old, from Velvet Underground and the Kinks to Cat Power and Kimya Dawson. The songs are used well and you will find at least one new favorite if you don't know this music already.
Juno
The camera work is also very good. High quality camera and film equipment has either dropped in price by a lot, or films like this are finally starting to get decent budgets. Either way, this is not epic filming, but it is flawless and effective. Good directing by Jason Reitman is no surprise to me.
Now here's the hard question with 2 honest answers: Is this a movie best seen in theatres, or can it "wait" for DVD?
Answer #1: There's no special effects that make the movie visually different when seen in a theatre. So some might say wait. Still, it was worth it for me just to see how the crowd reacted to Juno's phrases, the music, everything. So that's an honest, qualified YES.
Answer #2: This is really the best overall movie I've seen in a LONG time. I saw it twice in the theatre. If you like really good movies, and good acting, SEE IT NOW. YES, it's definitely worth seeing sooner than later. You will still want to buy the DVD if you're like me.
I really hope you'll check this one out. This is something special.
Enjoy!!!
Movie Review: Juno - Surprising, Well Executed, Worth the Hype, See it Twice!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Juno is a great movie that has gotten a lot of hype, and deserves it ALL!!! Yes, it's about a high school girl who gets pregnant. But don't get confused, this movie is not so easily classified. It's not an after school special. It's not "pro" or "anti" anything. It's just a really well written and well executed film about a unique girl dealing with an all too common situation.
There's a lot of plot elements to explore. How will her friends and family react? What will she do? How will the experience change her? No spoilers here: watch the movie and see it unfold. :)
First things first. Everybody can't love every movie. Some will under-rate this movie just because it has been SOOOOO hyped. Believe me, I understand. All I can say is this: see the movie twice, THEN make up your own mind.
The way that mainstream movies get made, it's hard to have a script survive the teams of experts who want to appeal to this and that audience. I could only detect a handful of planted lines. The writing is SUPERB and very well presented with front to back execution - directing, acting, editing. The dialogue is funny and original, like a much more literate Pulp Fiction. That's what makes this movie special. It has SOOO much going for it. Diablo Cody has opened my eyes, and I'm anxiously awaiting her new project currently in pre-production, "The United States of Tara.
The acting of Ellen Page really is TOP NOTCH. Is it Oscar worthy? YES! Without a doubt. If Julia Roberts can win for Erin Brokovich, they should give Ellen Page her Oscar RIGHT NOW. Once again, some will say it's overhyped. Some only think that top notch acting occurs when characters are dying or demented. I say real acting is good acting. I walked into a screening before I saw a single review. I watched the movie twice to confirm it - this performance needs to be seen and studied.
The cast is chock full of big names who do very well in some good roles. Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, and Michael Cera all have good performances. But Ellen Page IS this movie. She steals every scene, hits every mark and nails every line.
And of course, the music ROCKS! Those who are into indie rock, alternative and punk rock will recognize most of the music here. Those who aren't will want to buy the soundtrack, because this is a great introduction. There is a great mix of new and old, from Velvet Underground and the Kinks to Cat Power and Kimya Dawson. The songs are used well and you will find at least one new favorite if you don't know this music already.
Juno
The camera work is also very good. High quality camera and film equipment has either dropped in price by a lot, or films like this are finally starting to get decent budgets. Either way, this is not epic filming, but it is flawless and effective. Good directing by Jason Reitman is no surprise to me.
Now here's the hard question with 2 honest answers: Is this a movie best seen in theatres, or can it "wait" for DVD?
Answer #1: There's no special effects that make the movie visually different when seen in a theatre. So some might say wait. Still, it was worth it for me just to see how the crowd reacted to Juno's phrases, the music, everything. So that's an honest, qualified YES.
Answer #2: This is really the best overall movie I've seen in a LONG time. I saw it twice in the theatre. If you like really good movies, and good acting, SEE IT NOW. YES, it's definitely worth seeing sooner than later. You will still want to buy the DVD if you're like me.
I really hope you'll check this one out. This is something special.
Enjoy!!!
Movie Review: Uniquely Eccentric Tale of Teen Pregnancy Elevated by a Sharp Script and a Strong Ensemble
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit that when I see a preview for a movie about a pregnant teenager, my first thought always goes back to conventional Lifetime TV soapers like Fifteen and Pregnant and Mom at Sixteen. However, director Jason Reitman (who proved to have a wry, ironic eye with Thank You for Smoking) and first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody, who previously worked as a stripper and phone sex operator, have concocted a genuinely quirky, surprisingly tender dramedy that takes the cliché-ridden story idea and fleshes it out with so many recognizable idiosyncrasies and so much insightful wit that the subgenre feels reborn.
The plot centers on a suburban Minneapolis sixteen-year old named Juno MacGuff, who finds herself pregnant after an experiment in chair-bound seduction with her shy classmate, a geeky, Tic-Tac-popping runner named Paulie Bleeker. Instead of focusing on dramatic confrontations with the parents or morphing into a diatribe on the right-to-life-or-choose debate, Reitman and Cody follow Juno's natural emotional impulses as she awkwardly attempts to figure out the best course of action to take. Things start to look promising when Juno finds a young upscale couple to adopt her baby - Vanessa is a controlling professional with perfectionist tendencies, while her husband Mark is an easy-going composer of commercial jingles, an aging Peter Pan-type whom Juno sees as a kindred spirit with a mutual fondness for rock music, slasher movies and comic books.
What I particularly like about the movie is how it portrays Juno as someone who holds no illusion of becoming a mother and yet discovers the emotional intelligence to match her maddeningly clever smart-mouthing. In fact, I had concerns about the persistence of the slang-heavy dialogue at the outset but was relieved to find the movie settle into sharp bantering exchanges that make way for more human dimensions. As proven with Little Miss Sunshine and Lars and the Real Girl, a perfectly compatible ensemble can make all the difference with a movie as character-rich as this one. Fortunately, the cast is terrific starting with Ellen Page's prodigious turn in the title role. As a follow-up to her knockout work in Hard Candy, she is impressive in revealing a fearless vulnerability under her character's disconcerting self-possession. As Bleeker, Michael Cera nicely provides a quiet gravity in response to Juno's volatility.
There is great work by J.K. Simmons as Juno's no-nonsense dad and especially Allison Janney as her acid-tongued, dog-loving stepmother (her verbal teardown of the patronizing ultrasound technician is classic). The surprise comes from the sturdy work by Jason Bateman, bringing palpable, almost wistful regret to Mark, and the gorgeous Jennifer Garner truly affecting in conveying Vanessa's unfulfilled state. More predictable are Olivia Thirlby as Juno's teacher-obsessed best friend Leah and Rainn Wilson in a cameo as a smart-alecky convenience store clerk. Indie folk singer Kimya Dawson composed and performs the amusing songs that bridge the seasonal changes in the story. This film is a genuine winner strongly recommended.
Movie Review: "What Other Kind Of Shenanigans Could I Get Into?"
Summary: 5 Stars
At first, I didn't think this movie would be my cup of tea. Never really thought about it much. Then, it came out, did surprisingly well at the box office, and the reviews were thru the roof. Not just reviews, but word of mouth was catching on and it was strong and it was growing. I finally ended up seeing the movie, and I am so glad I did. It was such a wonderful experience. Very rarely do I catch on to these little films, nor do I jump on the bandwagon whenever the critics fall all over themselves. But this time, I'm glad I did.
Juno(Ellen Page)is a 16 year old high schooler who finds out that she is pregnant. The father?. Her friend Beeker(Michael Cera, from "Arrested Development and "Superbad"). At first, Juno just plans on having an abortion, but decides to have the baby and give to a deserving couple. She ends up finding the seemingly perfect couple(played by the great Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, another "Arrested Development" alumni), but things are not always easy for Juno.
The script, by newcomer Diablo Cody, is a little uncertain when the firm first starts. The first few minutes of the movie, where we are instantly pushed into Juno's world, felt a little forced and in your face. We are so imeediatley thrown into this universe, that the language and the way she speaks seemed a bit much. It was as if they were saying "Ha ha, listen to our hip and edgey dialogue. Aren't we clever?". Thankfully, it doesn't take long for you to get settled in Juno's world, and the dialogue and way of speaking really comes into it's own, and it is brilliant and absolutely hysterical. For a newcomer, Diablo Cody has a real future as a screenwriter. Her script really found itself and quick. It stayed tru to itself and it's characters, and made them all real and believeable people.
The cast and performances here are all wonderful. Ellen Page is a star. There is no question. She comes out of nowhere, carries this little movie on her own, and just shoots it out of the park. She is wise beyond her years and, at 20, really seems like a 16 year old girl. There are people in their 20's playing high schoolers, and it just doesn't work. She pulls it off. She so rightfully deserved her Golden Globe nomination, and she certainly deserves her more recent Oscar nomination. Elsewhere, Allison Janney and JK Simmons plays her parents. They are real and honest people. They look like they could be your parents. Janney shines, and Simmons is a standout. Jennifer Garner is brilliant in her role of Vanessa. She really had some hard and interesting places to go with her character, and she was just so wonderful. You felt for her. You really did. And Jason Bateman?. I've always liked him, and he is so well suited here. His scenes alone with Page are wonderful. The rest of the supporting cast all shine, and just make the movie.
"Juno" is a rare comedy that is actually gut busting funny, but has real people in real, honest situations, that all rings true. The audience I saw it with were howling and having a good time. You believe this movie and it's characters, and that helps it. With some of the dramatic aspects of the movie, the script could of so easily of been obvious, but it saves itself from the predictable and the saccharine. Thank god for that. It's a movie that hits you in the brain and the heart, while being funny, real, sad, honest, and heartfelt. What more could you ask for?. In the end, "Juno" is a treat. Plain and simple. It's so deserving of it's 4 Oscar nominations in such major categories.