Flick Chick: Juno and The Bucket List

Two recent theater visits have enabled another multi-subject Chick Flick entry: Juno and The Bucket List.

I think the most appropriate word I can think of to describe Juno is quirky. It's just... offbeat. I really liked it, although I'm sticking with my rating of Decent. It didn't totally wow me, but I did laugh so hard I almost choked on a Mike and Ike at one point. It has a great smattering of truly hilarious moments. For an indie film, this was surprisingly star-studded and bemusing throughout; yes, a bit contrived in places, but overall a terrific reason to eat movie popcorn and partake of the blessed Ian-patented Theater Mix of 3/4 diet coke, 1/4 cherry coke.

This is definitely a movie for people still in touch with the teenagers of today, however. Be warned that the tempo of the dialogue and vernacular in general takes some getting used to, and may be more like a foreign language in places if you're not currently familiar with anyone in high school. The best thing about Juno is the performance by leading lady Ellen Page. She truly shines. Her portrayal is real, honest and smart. The relationship between her and her crush and also the prospective adoptive father Jason Bateman are not entirely believable--which I think is the main reason I hold back on my coveted (read: not coveted) Woo-hoo! rating-- but the performances, and relationships, kept me intrigued to say the least. I also liked the newer take on the subject matter of teen pregnancy. And the soundtrack was very cool. All in all this movie is quirky, witty, offbeat... and totally decent. And, since there's Oscar buzz, worth the trek to the video store at least.

We saw The Bucket List this weekend. I give it a Meh. Like so many Hollywood comedies fall victim, the funniest scenes are already in the previews, and that expected heart-wrenching emotional crescendo? Meh. I was waiting throughout the movie for that lump-in-my-throat moment that should be a given with two old men living out their final days in glory. But no, never happened. It's the same old stop-and-smell-the-roses meets don't-forget-to-say-I-love-you cliche after cliche. Plus,it's generally slow-paced, which had me checking the time during the film... Never a good sign since I'm pretty sure given the right circumstances (i.e. I didn't have to work for a living and movie popcorn suddenly became as healthy as broccoli) I could live in a theater forever. And while both actors are talented, their characters really aren't anything original. I was waiting for those moments where you think, "This is why Jack/Morgan is perfect for this..." and again, never happened. So much of this movie was simply generic and formulaic, it was hard to get past the resentment of knowing exactly what was going to happen (and that I spent my precious dolla-dolla bills, yo, to see it).

My favorite character was the assistant played by Sean Hayes, formerly Jack on the sitcom Will&Grace. His scenes were the best, and he added a nice respite from the somewhat tiring drawl of the two main players. There was one classic line, however, which I have quoted at least twice since viewing on Saturday, and will probably quote forever more, and for that, and that alone, will this movie be memorable.