Movie #390 - The Italian Job

The Italian Job
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 51 min
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def, Scott Adsit

I've never seen the original, so I can't compare. And I can't give my typical spiel about remakes either, since there's nothing for me to be upset about.  Regardless of its predecessor, I like this movie.  Revisiting it, I was surprised how much, in fact.  There's a great cast of young actors here and an Ed Norton baddie that's kinda fun to see.

A good balance of action scenes, humor, and drama keeps this movie going for me.  It doesn't get too caught up in the heist piece to tell you a decent storyline and the concept of avenging a friend's (or father's) death is much more stomachable than just a group of people out to steal some gold.  It works, it feels like a fresh reboot, and it makes me want to rent the original just to compare.

Movie #389 - The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying
2009 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 40 min
Director: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Lowe, Tina Fey
Cameos by: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton

To be fair, this movie seems to take a gimmick (a world where no one can lie) and really run with it.  Squeezing an entire plot out of one man's sudden discovery that he can, in fact, tell lies.  Oops!

The saving grace is that the movie resists the temptation to dissolve into a series of scenes where said lying character goes totally off the deep end and lies all over the place just to get what he wants -- the girl included. Where would be the fun in that? I guess of all the people who could've learned to lie, he's the least abusive of the new skill. Kinda.

See, he accidentally creates religion.  I don't have a problem with the implication that there's no religion in a world where no one lies because there aren't any lies, but we start hitting on territory that's off-centered from what's really happening here.  It's funny, it's good for a laugh, but I feel like it detracts from the main character's journey and, ultimately, the romantic aspect of the movie.  Other opinions?

Movie #305 - The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 52 min
Director: Louis Letterier
Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, Christina Cabot, Lou Ferrigno

First thing's first. This Hulk movie isn't as bad as the Eric Bana one.  I mean, Stan Lee shows up with a cameo in this one, so it's the officially endorsed version.  But Edward Norton, of all people, steps into Ferrigno's shoes?  Riiiiiiight.

But it's not so bad, because they frame the character around Norton's slighter build.  He's a nerdy scientist who falls victim to his own work.  Tortured, troubled, and struggling to either cure himself or learn to control it.  I mean, he can't even make out with Liv Tyler, so it's gotta be tough on him.

In other news, the dad from Modern Family (Ty Burrell) plays Tyler's other beau.  Hey, Phil!

So it's not great but it could be worse.  That's the best I got.

Movie #297 - The Illusionist

The Illusionist
2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Neil Burger
Starring: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell

A little bit of misdirection goes a long way, as illustrated by this film about an illusionist.  The love story at the center (Norton and Biel) is strong and drives the whole plot, even without you realizing it at first.  I won't give too much away, but all the magic stuff is just gravy.  Fun to watch, sure, but this is really a story about love.

Rufus Sewell doesn't add much more than his usual sinisterness.  And Paul Giamatti does well as the main investigator and narrator.  The Austrian accents really get me down, since no one seems to be able to do them very well.  It doesn't enhance the story, just makes it harder to understand the dialogue.  Overall, this isn't the strongest movie based on magic nor is it the strongest performance given by any of the four main actors.  But for its originality, I like it.

Movie #203 - Fight Club

Fight Club
1999 - Rated R - 2 hr 19 min
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf

This is one of the best movies on this damn wall, I'm telling you.  I've read the book as well, which differs a bit from the movie, but both stories are so well done, it's nuts.  I still remember the first time I watched this movie and go to the end, and how mad I was that I didn't figure out the twist earlier. And how excited I was that I picked up on it just before they spell it out.

Of course, when you watch the movie again, knowing the end, there's always new clues to discover.  This is one movie you can watch over and over, always picking up something you didn't notice before.  All three main actors give some of their best performances. I'm pretty sure this is my favorite of Brad Pitt's roles, by far.  And for Helena Bonham Carter, this was an important movie for her - it was her first major role in a US (non Merchant Ivory) film.  World, meet Helena. I've loved her since the first time I saw this.

All right, enough gushing. You get the idea. I love this damn movie.

Movie #155 - Death to Smoochy

Death to Smoochy
2002 - Rated R - 1 hr 49 min
Director: Danny DeVito
Starring: Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, Danny DeVito, Jon Stewart, Pam Ferris, Danny Woodburn, Harvey Fierstein

I saw this movie in the theater, loved it, and was promptly disappointed with its lack-luster reviews.  It's a dark comedy. It's an "expose" on the seedy underbelly of kids TV programs.  It's comedic genius, is what it is.

In my opinion, Williams and Norton and Keener give their best performances in this movie.  Rainbow Randolph is Williams's best character, by far.  Edward Norton is refreshing as a kids show host/purple rhino with a history of anger management problems and a penchant for organics.  And Keener's dry wit is perfectly timed.  For me, the cast is what makes this movie so good.  When all three are in the same scene, I'm laughing the whole time.

This might not make you feel great about what your kids are watching, but it will make you laugh. Highly recommended.