Mini-Reviews of a Whole Lotta Underrated Movies

The holidays have ended and I'm back at school, but with all that spare time - that I'll no longer have - I watched a whole lot of underrated gems (I saw a couple of these movies way back at the start of December). So in alphabetical order, I'll serve up a few words on Richard Linklater's Bernie, Ralph Fiennes' Coriolanus, Tony Kaye's Detachment, Lee Tamahori's The Devil's Double, David Ayer's End of Watch, and Amy Heckerling's Vamps.

Bernie (2011) / US / Out on DVD now / Directed by Richard Linklater / Written by Richard Linklater and Skip Hollandsworth / Starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Brady Coleman / 104 mins

I've already said a lot about Jack Black's performance as convicted murderer with a heart of gold, Bernie Tiede. And there won't be a point for a very long time where I don't champion that performance. Everything just clicks, and usually Black annoys the heck out of me. The movie itself is just wonderful - and I saw it twice in the holidays. I wouldn't say I'm an expert on Richard Linklater's films, but I feel like he is one of the best working directors and no one really realises it. He's just so consistent in his work. This film, all about the Bernie Tiede case where he kills a woman he's been living with (Shirley MacLaine) coz he's had it with her, is mostly told mockumentary style, with real people who were around during the whole ordeal relaying the events for the camera. It feels so real, in a bizarrely unreal way. To be honest, this is the Matthew McConaughey performance from 2012 that I have no trouble going back to again and again. I mean, who really wants to brave Killer Joe a second time? And yeah, Magic Mike wasn't my favourite.
Why see it? The performances. And it is damn entertaining.

DVD--She's Out of My League

or: Guys who don't believe in themselves.

One word to sum it up: Cute.

On the surface, you may think that this film has already been done...countless times. While She's Out of My League is no where near original, you may find that it is at least honest. And in no way was it sterotypical. So, sure, it may not be a great movie, but it's at least a bit better then other romantic comedies.

Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is an average Joe who works as a TSA agent at the Pittsburgh airport with his friends. The status quo of his fairly monotonous life ends when he meets Molly (Alice Eve), a smart, kind and gorgeous blonde. Because she's way out of his league (she's a hard 10 and he is but a 5), Kirk knows there's no way on earth she's ever going to fall for him. Or is there...?

I was kinda expecting a raunchy comedy that is similar to other frat-pack films, but it just wasn't there. The film is barely offensive enough to have it's place up with ther comedies like Knocked Up or 40 Year Old Virgin. However, it's kinda good that this film sold itself as a cheap comedy, because had it gone fully romantic then this would have lost all of it's charm.

This could be the first romantic comedy that I have semi-liked this year, because it really isn't that bad. It steers away from stereotypes and instead gives an honest look at love. And flaws. That's what makes it so much better than other films who tackle this topic. Jay Baruchel is good as the lead and is able to make the 5 a lot more loveable than he gives himself credit for. Alice Eve is gorgeous as Molly, and should definitely be getting a few more lead roles coming her way, she's one to watch for the future. Krysten Ritter, last seen in Confessions of a Shopaholic, once again steals the show playing a short-tempered bitch to absolute perfection.



THE VERDICT: It may not be as fun or offensive as it's predecessors, but She's Out of My League knows how to tell love how it sees it, and we all believe.

6/10