The Weekly Movie Watch Volume 25

This week I watched Synecdoche, New York; Toy Story; Juno; Hard Boiled.

I watch movies every week and then write down my thoughts. Read my previous reviews!
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it.

Synecdoche New York - The characters of Sammy, Tammy playing
Hazel, Hazel, Caden, and Sammy playing Caden.

Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Watch Synecdoche, New York
Written by: Charlie Kaufman
Directed by: Charlie Kaufman
Starring:  Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Tom Noonan
Rated: R

Plot:
A successful theater director embarks on a production of ever increasing scope. It becomes a play about his life, the line between fact and fiction slowly fading as actors play their parts besides the people upon which they are based.

Review:
It's pronounced sy-nek-doh-kee, a play on words with the city Schenectady. It's an odd movie that will take a couple of watches for the pieces to fall into place. People think everything is about them, this movie buys into that narcissism. I have to appreciate what this movie not only tries to do, but actually does. This metaphysical and existensial confluence of events that is surreal. The metaphors of life are compiled into a staggering concept, acting our way through life is brought to screen. Credit due to the writing and directing. "There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra. They're all the leads of their own stories. They have to be given their due. " It's so well put together with unfathomable depth. I'm only half aware of what I even just watched, and if it's not deep, then it's ingenious in making me think it is. It's definitely not for everyone.
Watch it.

Toy Story - A children's movie with enough depth for adults.

Toy Story (1995)
Watch Toy Story
Written by: John Lasseter & Pete Doctor & Andrew Stanton & Joe Ranft (original story), Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton and Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow (screenplay)
Directed by: John Lasseter
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles 
Rated: G

Plot:
Upon the arrival of the new space ranger toy, Buzz Lightyear, Woody becomes jealous, fearful of replacement.

Review:
A great story that is unique and involved with great characterization and depth. It wasn't the typical children's movie, because the story is compelling even for adults.
Watch it.

Juno - Great concept, dialog that totally makes me want to hurl bucket loads dude.

Juno (2007)
Watch Juno
Written by: Diablo Cody
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney
Rated: PG-13

Plot:
Juno, a high schooler faced with an unplanned pregnancy, tries to find a couple to adopt her child.

Review:
The dialog is incredibly annoying and obnoxious. It robs the movie of what it could be, making it juvenile. Juno is not a likable character because it seems she tries too hard. It's a great concept, wonderfully executed, but the dialog is a fault.
It depends.

Hard Boiled - An essential action movie.

Lat Sau San Taam aka Hard Boiled (1992)
Watch Hard Boiled
Written by: John Woo (story), Barry Wong (screenplay), Gordon Chan (screenplay, uncredited)
Directed by: John Woo
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Teresa Mo
Rated: R

Plot:
Inspector Tequila Yuen partners with an undercover cop to bring down a Triad mobster and his crew.

Review:
Hard Boiled is great action movie. It is a bit over the top, in part due to the time period. It's got great characters and sets the bar high for number of explosions. The editing is stylish with great sequences. Don't expect one liners like American buddy cop movies. The movie is serious with a high body count.
Watch it.