The Men Who Stare at Goats
Movie 1
Day 1
Well, its the first film, and the first day, which means this challenge will end in... 100 days (although I am unsure at this time what day that actually is.) Logistics aside lets get to the meat of the matter, which is our first film: The Men Who Stare at Goats
Expectations:
I wanted to see this movie when I first saw the trailer. It looked like an amuzing film aimed to make fun of those supposed psychics, who are more insane than actually useful.
When the movie first came out it was met with so so reviews and mixed 53% on the rottentomatoes.com . That being the case I looked at it with a raised brow and then promptly forgot about it. Until tonight, when looking for movies to watch with a friend it caught my eye.
The Plot:
"The film follows Ann Arbor Daily Telegram reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), who one day interviews Gus Lacey, a man who claims to have psychic abilities." (Wikipedia)
That is the basic premise, which leads to an off the beaten path story that feels more Hollywood than its 'based on a true story' title would leave one to believe. Even then, with the notion of Hollywood playing with the story, it lags in the middle.
The humor makes up for this for the most part, stabbing at the military while making Star Wars references. There are a couple great scenes, carried by the ridiculousness of the plot and some well done direction. Other times the humor seems forced.
In the end the plot gains an almost convoluted air to it, tying together the two story lines in what feels just too ridiculous to be true. This leads to some of the greatest moments in the movie, but bogs down the overall show.
Complaints aside, there were no deal breakers, no ridiculous plot holes, and not enough bad to overshadow the good.
A Critical Look:
Heslov does not aim very high when it comes to the motifs and themes of the film. He paints a portrait of Americans being idiots, most especially those in the military. He cannot come to the conclusion on whether or not you should believe the psychics story and instead feeds us with a kind of 'believe what you want to believe' message.
My Thoughts:
The Men Who Stare at Goats is an enjoyable, but forgettable movie. It does not take many risks. It will not change cinema. It will not lead to any Oscars. It is a middle of the pack, feel good movie aiming for a reasonable profit and a reasonable following. It has good moments. It has bad moments. There is not much more to say about it.
I do not regret the 10$ I spent to watch The Men Who Stare at Goats, but I am left to wonder if I would have enjoyed myself more had I had gone to see Fantastic Mr. Fox.
If you enjoy George Clooney, silly off the beaten path comedies or watching psychics make a fool of themselves I would recommend it. If not, I would wait for it to come out on netflicks, or on television or something.
Movie 1
Day 1
Well, its the first film, and the first day, which means this challenge will end in... 100 days (although I am unsure at this time what day that actually is.) Logistics aside lets get to the meat of the matter, which is our first film: The Men Who Stare at Goats
Expectations:
I wanted to see this movie when I first saw the trailer. It looked like an amuzing film aimed to make fun of those supposed psychics, who are more insane than actually useful.
When the movie first came out it was met with so so reviews and mixed 53% on the rottentomatoes.com . That being the case I looked at it with a raised brow and then promptly forgot about it. Until tonight, when looking for movies to watch with a friend it caught my eye.
The Plot:
"The film follows Ann Arbor Daily Telegram reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), who one day interviews Gus Lacey, a man who claims to have psychic abilities." (Wikipedia)
That is the basic premise, which leads to an off the beaten path story that feels more Hollywood than its 'based on a true story' title would leave one to believe. Even then, with the notion of Hollywood playing with the story, it lags in the middle.
The humor makes up for this for the most part, stabbing at the military while making Star Wars references. There are a couple great scenes, carried by the ridiculousness of the plot and some well done direction. Other times the humor seems forced.
In the end the plot gains an almost convoluted air to it, tying together the two story lines in what feels just too ridiculous to be true. This leads to some of the greatest moments in the movie, but bogs down the overall show.
Complaints aside, there were no deal breakers, no ridiculous plot holes, and not enough bad to overshadow the good.
A Critical Look:
Heslov does not aim very high when it comes to the motifs and themes of the film. He paints a portrait of Americans being idiots, most especially those in the military. He cannot come to the conclusion on whether or not you should believe the psychics story and instead feeds us with a kind of 'believe what you want to believe' message.
My Thoughts:
The Men Who Stare at Goats is an enjoyable, but forgettable movie. It does not take many risks. It will not change cinema. It will not lead to any Oscars. It is a middle of the pack, feel good movie aiming for a reasonable profit and a reasonable following. It has good moments. It has bad moments. There is not much more to say about it.
I do not regret the 10$ I spent to watch The Men Who Stare at Goats, but I am left to wonder if I would have enjoyed myself more had I had gone to see Fantastic Mr. Fox.
If you enjoy George Clooney, silly off the beaten path comedies or watching psychics make a fool of themselves I would recommend it. If not, I would wait for it to come out on netflicks, or on television or something.
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