Four of Them

Since I haven't really reviewed anything lately, here be a million short ones.

MOVIES

Smiley Face (2007)--Directed by Mysterious Skin's Greg Arraki, and I guess he wanted something really light to compensate for the misery incarnate of Skin. And light it is. About a stoner/struggling actress named Jane who accidentally eats all of her roommate's special brownies (played by Danny Masterson--figure that reference out), and ends up on a half-thought-out journey across LA, that involves her dreadlocked dealer Adam Brody, a nerdy John Krasinski, and the Communist Manifesto. Featuring John Cho, Jane Lynch, and Danny Trejo. Jane's exploits are fucking hilarious to watch. She's so innocent in her state, she just can't help herself, and Anna Faris is right in her element as a ditzy girl, even when she isn't wasted, but who sometimes shows surprising bouts of intelligence. Funny and light.


Romeo + Juliet (1996)--Directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Romeo and Juliet for the MTV age, where the opening lines are spoken, first by a TV anchorwoman, then by an epic voiceover. Pretty much the original dialogue put in modern mouths, which can get pretty ridiculous. Some innovative modernizations, like the swords being remade as guns with brand names like 'Rapier" and 'Dagger'. The performances are fine enough. Overall, more of a gimmick that just barely keeps you interested it's feature length.

Wished on Mabel (1915)--Directed by Mack Sennet, starring Fatty Arbuckle. Watched in my film class, and my teacher was deadset against it and Fatty Arbuckle. And I see why--it's not very funny, even by the standards then, and I don't know why Arbuckle was the star...he really didn't do any of the physical comedy. Ever.

BOOKS:

CHERUB: The Recruit--I can see why people like it better than Alex Rider-it shows the actual kid aspects of teen-spies-but as an Alex Rider devotee, I just found the constant redirects to personal bidniz annoying, and the adult-trying-to-sound-like-an-eleven-year-old very noticeable.