'Burn After Reading' - High-Def Digest Review

[dmarvin]

Hmmm... I haven't seen it and still plan to Netflix it. If I like it, I will buy it. I guess the part of the review I disagree with is when Peter says the Coens haven't been particularly strong with comedy. The Big Lebowski and Raising Arizona are two of the funniest movies ever made.

[ben1080p]

hmm. This seems like awietf role for Malchovich. Seriously, he plays a lot of serious. Even in Johnny English he was serious as the villian. I'd like to see how've plays out his character in this one. Definitly a rental.

[knuckles]

I skipped Bracke's review of the film itself not because I disregard his opinion, I just don't read movie reviews here. By the time I'm considering purchasing a film on Blu, I've already informed myself on the title in other ways.

But...

I stopped reading his technical assessment after it began, "'Burn After Reading' isn't the kind of visual tour de force that usually screams great high-def."

While its only his opinion, it still befuddles me. Roger Deakins cinematography on this film is terrific: moody and vibrant, shadowed and colorful. Clearly we saw two different films.

[pdferguson]

Perhaps since it is a Coen Brothers film more is expected than something like The House Bunny, which is pretty much turned out was how it was intended to be. Peter seems to feel this is not one of their best efforts and from what I have read so do many more people. You can't fault him for that; It is not like he bashed Fargo.

Actually, I DO fault him for that. It is a poor reviewer who doesn't evaluate a movie on its own merits, but rather has different scales depending on who directed, produced, or starred in it. As others have pointed out, it seems unlikely The House Bunny deserves a higher rating on any sort of critical level than Burn After Reading. So if Bracke gave BAR a lower rating just because he expects more from a Coen brothers film, that says more about his competence as a film reviewer than it does about the film.

And his comment that he "never found the Coens quite as successful at comedy as they are at drama" is truly odd. I haven't been reading Bracke's reviews for long, but that tells me his sense of humor is completely different than mine--and than the majority of Coen fans, for that matter.

[Dr Kain]

Wow, I was expecting the review to give it another 5 stars just because it was the Coen Brothers. That is pretty much why NCFOM got 5 stars everywhere, and that movie was booooooooooooooooooooooooring.

[Brad1963]

Leave Peter alone already. Just say to yourself "I do not agree" and move on.

[reallyagi]

Leave Peter alone already. Just say to yourself "I do not agree" and move on.

Excuse me! What is the point of this forum? So we can all comment on the movie, the review, the reviewer, ect. Nobody here has been hostile toward anybody and nobody has disrespected Peter (I hope). Nobody is asking for his job, nor should they.

[chris619]

Excuse me! What is the point of this forum? So we can all comment on the movie, the review, the reviewer, ect. Nobody here has been hostile toward anybody and nobody has disrespected Peter (I hope). Nobody is asking for his job, nor why should they.

EXACTLY well said, reallyagi.

[dmarvin]

Wow, I was expecting the review to give it another 5 stars just because it was the Coen Brothers. That is pretty much why NCFOM got 5 stars everywhere, and that movie was booooooooooooooooooooooooring.

And...wrong.

[jus10 said]

i rented and watched this on blu-ray last night. I disagree with the reviewer's opinion on the film.. I found it to be a fun and entertaining story with good humor. I think I might buy it, since I could see myself watching this movie a few more times. And I also agree with the others in this thread who say the story gets better and better as the movie progresses.

[Windows V]

And...wrong.

Why wrong, because it won Best Picture Oscar and the critics loved it? I thought it was boring, too.

As others have pointed out, it seems unlikely The House Bunny deserves a higher rating on any sort of critical level than Burn After Reading.

Uh, have you seen both films? Because from the way you wrote that, seems to me you're just judging them by the cover. "hmmm, The House Bunny.......looks like another tired old dumb blonde flick, yawn...........what's this? Burn After Reading, by the COEN BROTHERS??? Wow, this must be sophisticated humour, no doubt it must be teh AWESOMEZ"

See, I don't care that 79% of critics who saw BAR loved it. I absolutely thought it was retarded. Same with NCFOM. Complete trash.

[oxbladder]

BAR was one of my favorites of the year. Laughed all the way through it. I will buy just for the two JK Simmons scenes, he is just brilliant on delivery. I found the film far more interesting and entertaining than NCFOM. NCFOM really got awards based on the fact that it was a pretty weak year for films. I think it was criminal that Javier got the best supporting actor award for a pretty "simple" performance while at least one or two of the other nominees were simply brilliant.

Anyway, BAR had great of beat black humor and the most odd collection of characters you will find in a film.

[Blu-News.com]

The House Bunny isn't a bad movie at all either, it's actually very very funny. I love the part where she has to take an alcohol test and the cop says 'Blow on this', so she gets on her knees lol.

[bembol]

I forgot all about this!

I could've gotten this for $11.58, 60% off at Columbia House, I placed my order last week (bought 3 BD's).

I love the Entire Cast, I haven't seen Malkovich in a long time.

[nickoakdl]

Leave Peter alone already.