Jason Cenzano (cenzano38)

A Serious Man R

I don't know what happened. I wanted to like A Serious Man. The previews were good, and it's the Coen brothers, for Christ sake.

A Serious Man is a flat out..... well..... flat movie. The Coen brothers have had such success making movies that aren't overly flashy, or flashy at all, come to think of it, and it usually works. Not here. My wife fell asleep, and I didn't bother trying to wake her up. With the pace of this film, she would have fallen right back to sleep. The fantastic characters that are the norm for the Coen's to create were stymied by the script. The few really funny scenes were drowned by the many lame, disinteresting one's.

There are some things to like about A Serious Man. There were some funny scenes. The Coen's do a great job at creating an awkward tension that can be seen in this movie as well. Casting was great. Simon Helberg is in it (Howard Wolowitz from Big Bang Theory). He's a funny guy. Everyone made the most of their opportunities. The movie had a point, as they like to put in their movies. And the sudden stop to the movie ending is in place. I've always liked them. Cinematography was very good.

This is, by far, my least favorite movie from these two. The Big Lebowski is, by far, my favorite. If you can't sleep, I'd strongly recommend A Serious Man. Otherwise I wouldn't tell anyone they need to see it.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day R

If you liked Boondock Saints, you'll like the sequel. If you don't, or you've never heard of Boondock Saints, don't waste your time. The second one is just like the first. Stylish, lots of profanity, and overall not very good.

The story was about as good as a Saw movie's. They sacrificed story to bring you something cool. Slick, pointless dialogue flows through Boondock Saints 2 without much thought as to where the movie is going. Nothing special happens, and it's just as bland as the first. Even the action sequences are poorly done.

There are a few moments when it's fun listening to the brothers have some back and forth, and their new sidekick is especially entertaining. None of it really has to do with the plot though.

They incorporate a few recognizable faces to push this thing along, but no one really big. Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus are small time actors who have done a few movies. Clifton Collins Jr., Billy Connolly and Judd Nelson are some of the more familiar faces who's names you're probably not too familiar with (Save Judd Nelson). Clifton Collins Jr. is a good actor, and although you've never heard his name, chances are you've seen a movie he's been in. Julie Benz (Rita Morgan, Dexter's wife on Dexter) is sexy, sexy, sexy. She's an entertaining actress, but doesn't contribute much to this film. Her character is forced into the tiring dialogue, and I don't know any actress who could do a better job with what she was given to work with. Luckily the director, Troy Duffy is limited to Boondock Saints 1 and 2. And for good reason. He's also the writer. We really don't need more of this.

If you want a real cool movie with great dialogue, Way Of The Gun has a strong story and fantastic actors. You'd also be better served digging into the Guy Ritchie collection of British gangster films. Boondock Saints 2 is nothing to really waste your time on.