War, Inc. (2008)

...wow ... !

... OK, we finally get to hear Hilary Duff talk trashy ... and she does it really well ...

What is a bit awkward is a jarring contrast between the seriously dangerous character played mostly straight by John Cusack (way darker than Grosse Pointe Blank) and the utterly outrageous satire in everything else. It's interesting that his character comes across straight even when the conversation is satire ... i.e., with Dan Aykroy ... OK ... the VP ...

Also striking is, that except for a gag on the character's last name at the beginning and the "strike a pose" at the end of the film, Marisa Tomei's character is also played mostly straight.

It's very difficult to put a finger on analogies with this film. The first thing that came to mind was the film version of MASH. Then the tongue in cheek, gags, and word plays sweep it into its own category.

Almost none of this is given away in the Trailers.

This is a jaw dropping experience. July 12, 2008

Comedy from today's headlines

I almost skipped this one as a political annoyance until I saw the star power supporting it: Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei (a personal favorite), John Cusack, Joan Cusack, and more. That cast simply won't let a movie be bad. They couldn't if they tried.

Despite an apparent attempt to be ordinary entertainment, this one rises above all the usual categories. Do you want a cynical mockumentary of Haliburton-style war profiteering? Got it. Do you want pointed jabs at operations funded by Congress's "black budget?" Check. Do you want satirical assaults on simplistic sloganeering from every possible direction? It's there. Add in a babe like a pre-meltdown Britney but with hotter hotpants and a bucket of slapstick, and you're headed in the right direction. For example, a major character's name is "Uckmee Fay." Speakers of pig-Latin, please take note.

They set the tone from the very first scene. Chevy Chase delivers a "Mission Impossible" style of assignment to a high-class assassin, via video, while seated on American Standard's finest. Later, Joan Cusack shows up in the role that she has perfected - the prim, cheery, and murderous psychopath. There's a lot more, too. I laughed all through, even (maybe especially) when I knew that outrage would have been the "appropriate" response.

This one really grows on me the more I think about it. It doesn't whap you upside the head with humor, politics, or even its sappy moments. Instead, it tickles you with not-quite-too-much of social commentary, current events, goofy jokes, visual gags, and enough more to hold it all together. I liked it more a few hours later than when I walked out the door, and lots of movies have the opposite effect on me.

-- wiredweird, reviewing the theatrical release

PS: See it some time soon. The topical humor in this one might age badly unless the The Powers That Be keep providing background to preserve its freshness. June 20, 2008

Not good, but not horrible either.

As I was I watching this film, I couldn't really say whether I liked it or not. It certainly packed jab after satiric jab, but they only sometimes hit their mark. The movie suffered from a non-cohesive script, and jumbled storyline, but certain performances stand out. Marisa Tomei is well-cast and effective as a left-wing journalist. John Cusack is always likeable. Joan Cusack gives a funny performance as John's bizarre secretary.

The strongest performance is by Hilary Duff. Her over the top accent and antics were perfect for the cartoonish character she played. Her pop songs were hilarious, especially "I Want To Blow You (Up)." These delightful two minutes were easily the best in the film. Too bad the filmmakers couldn't sustain this inspiration. The last half of the movie is much less enjoyable, having used their best gags already, and devolving into typical plot-line cliches.

There were some good moments, but too fleeting and far between. Some of the advertisement gags were clever. The poster for "Democracy Light" cigarettes featuring a rugged construction worker smoking and grinning, the rampaging tanks with "Golden Palace Casino" advertising. The costuming was impeccable. Many of the jokes meant to provoke laughter, felt a little hollow and contrived.

Troops (in the film they are hired mercenaries, but the intent is obviously to equate them with Americans) wantonly and enthusiasticly slaughter civilians. Look, I'm no fan of the war in Iraq, but come on! Instead of smart satire, the director smears it in our face. The exchange towards the end between Cusack and the president of Turaqistan ended a little awkwardly. {Maybe I missed something there}.The storyline featuring Hilary Duff slackened when they Disney-fied her character, there having to be a sad girl underneath. Ben Kingsley was flagrantly wasted in a thin, ridiculous role.

They attempted a "Non-Hollywood" ending, but to me it just felt unneccesary. For a movie that occasionally was, and is clearly supposed to be, cutting (and funny), it sometimes felt compromised and diluted, not venturing too deep. It's politics were very transparent seeing as how no liberals were satirized. Oh, well. Many people apparently loved this movie. Maybe I'm the one who's wrong. June 14, 2008

Name names, no games

If I say what I think Amazon won't publish it?
These times summed up without naming names.

Obscene profits on death by American corporations
with political ties to well known public officials.
I actually don't think it is all that funny
or I'd give it five stars.
June 12, 2008

WAR, Inc.

Based on the previews and interviews I have seen for Cusack's WAR, Inc., I expect this to be one of the best and most important movies of the entire millennium (so far!). Looking forward to seeing it !!!

I think it'll be up there with Pirates of the Caribbean!! At least in my book. June 9, 2008

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