Monday, March 05, 2007

Quick Review: Zodiac

Zodiac had everything going for it; A great cast, an amazing director (minus the useless Panic Room, Jodie Foster really sucks of late), and it matched all that with an interesting story of murder, obsession, and kookiness.

Zodiac is a breath of relief. A quality, interesting film released during the year and not just waiting for Oscar time. The movie has a few main characters that seem to take over adn then return the mantle to the other. Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal have the main plotlines but RObert Downey Jr. steals the show as a what else, but a zany beat reporter with affinities for the drink, the tobacco, and the nose candy. He is the go to guy for that. And if yo missed Kiss Kiss Bang BAng, I'd reccommend a run to the rental store ASAP.

At every turn there is just another excellent actor or character. Brian Cox shows up. From Fargo, the guy who played Norm, Marge's husband re-emerges with a strong performance. Minkus from "Boy Meets World" even shows up. The guy who played Gus in Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead is even in there. As well as Chloe Sevigny, Anthony Edwards (from ER), Elias Koteas, and even Dermot Mulroney has a decent showing. These names might not mean much to many but it was cool to see this kind of cast assembled.

Positive reviews and a very good overall movie. The only impediment for most is the length of the movie. It's 2 1/2 plus hours which is a lot for a film like this, and while it does drag at points, it's refreching the way the film unravels and is not cut short to fit the regular two hour popcorn session. So after all this, the movie will probably get crushed this weekend by Wild Hogs. And that is what is wrong with America.

Who is actually seeing Wild Hogs? Who thought this movie was a good idea? Why do people keep going and paying for movies with John Travolta? They should make another Saturday Night Fever like Rocky 6? This review didn't end up as short as I planned it.

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