War, Inc.

There is an awful lot to NOT like about this movie. But when added all up they still don't equal a bad movie. This is political satire in a very high form. No doubt in many countries this sort of thing would be banned or outlawed, and the makers flogged and banished. But, this is America and we hold some truths to be self-evident. One of those is the right of fools and scholars alike to to behave badly in the name of art.

Stepping down from MY soapbox now, let me address the soapbox that is this film. If you are from a "red state" you may not like this movie much. If you voted for Bush or McCain, you probably won't like it either. If however, you can accept and digest some very sharp barbs pointed at the current, and soon to be future, administration's perceived policies and relationships, you may have a very good time watching it.

Here are a few of the minor things I didn't like about the movie:
John Cusack in an action, tough-guy role
Ben Kingsley with a strong southern accent
Joan Cusack as herself (yes editorial liberties taken here)
American soldiers portrayed as confused and addicted, trigger-happy idiots

Here are a few things that make those other things insignificant:
Marisa Tomei - full stop - enough said
Hillary Duff as the exploited pop-singer who I didn't even recognize
Joan Cusak as herself (yes, this counts twice because she is so funny)
The soundtrack is diverse and wonderful

Add to the above items that I truly enjoy good satire even about things I hold dear. Some say it is the lowest form of comedy. Maybe that's true, but I laughed plenty in this movie.

Watch it with someone who gets whats right and wrong about this movie.

Get Smart

Is anyone NOT in this movie? What a cast. And what an intentionally goofy movie.

As a kid I was a huge fan of the TV series. I was Maxwell Smart for Halloween a couple years there in the 60's. So, I had very high expectations for this movie. I was not disappointed. It had everything from the TV series plus 100 other things TV never attempted. Like Agent 23 and Agent 86 kissing. Welcome to the 21st century.

Smart's catch phrase "Missed it by thaaaat much" cannot be be applied to this movie. They got it - just right.

This is a very fun, very dumb, very inappropriate movie. If you like the TV series there will be plenty for you to recognize. If you never saw the series, it's a shame. But if you like movies like the Pink Panther series, the Police Academy series, the Naked Gun series, and so on, you will like this movie too.

Watch it with your secret friend.