Paul Plus Two!

Ok, trying to stick to a January 1st deadline, I am finalizing my honorable mention picks. I saw Once; this glorified jam session ain't making the cut. Although the leads were adorable and if "Falling Slowly" doesn't win an Oscar for Best Song, I am officially over what could be an awesome Oscar category! (Yes, I did just use the term 'awesome Oscar category', followed by an exclamation point.) I may still get in Margot, Kite Runner, and There Will Be Blood. I may have high hopes for Eastern Promises, new on DVD, and lately I am reading wonderful things (Ebert) about Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. Sorry, Roger, you were kinda wrong about Atonement though. I think I wanted to write off Before the Devil as a middling caper, but maybe I shouldn't.

In any event, I am giving Honorable Mention recognition to Sweeney Todd and Superbad. In alphabetical order, let's start with Superbad.

Ok, this movie is hilarious. HI-LARIOUS. I didn't want to like gross Jonah Hill, but I did. Michael Cera is officially the new Bill Murrary. There I said it; I was hoping I would be the first, but apparently not. And McLovin simply rocks my socks off. Whip-smart dialogue, raunchy, yet smart at the same time. I gladly saw it twice in the theater, and both times marveled at the deeper sadness of this premise which superficially seems like a raucous teen romp, and I also marvel at how Jules turns out to be so much more righteous than Becca! With such glowing reviews, why did it not make my official top 10, you might ask? I will tell you: Seth Rogen and Bill Hader. The two most annoying characters of the year, who only proved more annoying because of their desperate refusal to go away and leave the all real fun to the kids. Sure, Seth Rogen wrote the script, but his character warranted 10 minutes and no more. I will mention that I had a hard time choosing among this, Knocked Up, and The Simpsons Movie, as they all kind of fall into that same category of low-brow humor. Although, clearly the Simpsons is not, and therefore, it won out.

Sweeney Todd! This is Burton at his best since Edward Scissorhands, there I said it. The material was just creepy and weird, but with a necessary purpose, and Burton eats everything up. Here, it makes sense, unlike Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc. Everyone is having fun being gory and devilish, and thus, so are we the audience. The songs are staged quite impressively and as Grandma R. put it so well, "this modern day opera" succeeds perfectly. What is against it? Well, the singing is weakish. Depp is fine, don't get me wrong, and while not overly stupendous as a singer per se, he is more about presence, which is wonderful. Bonham Carter, has not been as lovable and likable since Howard's End, but a singer she ain't. She does grow on you though which I am still piecing together, and I will support her nom in the Best Actress category. More on that, and I am sure Burton and Depp's Oscar hopes in later posts. "Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd" is sorely missed here.