WE OWN THE NIGHT

WE OWN THE NIGHT OWNS THE VIEWERS TOO
This is not an average "cop" movie. This is a powerful and intense drama about two brothers; neither living the life they wanted. Joe (played by Marky Mark Wahlberg) is his father's son and a cop. His father, Bert Grusinsky (Robert Duvall) is the Deputy Chief and is quite proud of his son... one of them anyway. The other son, Robert Green (Joaquin Phoenix) manages a disco/dance club and is fond of his Russian boss who treats him like family. Eva Mendes is Amanda, Bobbie's ubersexy girlfriend. Now this is where the train jumps the tracks. I'll not be specific so as not to ruin the twists and turns which usually only covers the ending. Not so here. The film is not a "typical" cop movie. There are no "dirty cops". There is no black or white, good or bad, right or wrong. This film is emotionally charged and driven which is a different place to go with a mostly all male cast. It's about emotion and sympathy and vengence and fear. The audience is challenged to forget what we think we know. I liked that, but would not have forseen it. Brothers who rival each other, and also love each other AND don't have a problem saying it outloud. Mendes, although ravishing, is more than an ornament. She doesn't hang off Phoenix like a cheap suit; she is a real and sincere person. This is the best I've seen from her thus far. Each character is individually well crafted and yet there is a connection between them that is implied, but not obvious. It is raw and vulnerable and tough all at the same time. Phoenix steers the ship, but Wahlberg, Duvall and Mendes are solidly rowing. Fantastic film all around.
Pick: Well crafted acting and solid script make a delicious and riveting film.

SUPERBAD

'SUPERBAD IS SUPERGOOD' is too obvious and cheesy as an introduction to my review... but that won't stop me from doing it anyway.
Preface: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH was released in 1982, fairly early in the high school movie genre. It was considered controversial at the time as it addressed serious issues such as premarital sex, abortion, drinking and drug use by minors; so introducing us to Cameron Crowe and some of today's most promising actors. The "teen movie" concept went high and low. Movies such as SAY ANYTHING were different and real and heartfelt while others such as PORKY'S offered the more crass and vulgar approach. Nonetheless, we began to see teenagers as people who had real feelings and experienced real pain. That being said, undoubtedly my review of this movie may blow my movie-cred (yeah, so?!)
SUPERBAD is a hilarious film. We are introduced to best buddies talking on their cell phones, Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) who complains about the lack of "production value" seen in amateur pornos; Seth quipping back that he was sorry that the Coen brothers were too busy to direct. This movie is typical in the three "B"s of this type of film: Boobies, Booze and Boys. It is crude, vulgar and outright nasty at times. The F-word is used 186 times in this movie; but not by the outcasts or the popular kids, these are "geeks" who are also in the eternal quest for babes and booze, but somehow this screenplay takes a bit of a spill. It is the most sophisticated yet disturbing movies I have seen. It is scary to think about "this generation" of messed up kids in high school, drinking, having sex, wearing provocative clothes... but whose generation hasn't had that? REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE... Hello!? This film is not for the faint of heart and at times I felt squeamish, however, at the core of it all we find two boys who value each other and are nervous about parting as they head off to separate colleges. The sub-plots are equally if not more funny. We have third-wheel friend, Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) better known as 'McLovin' who steals so much of this movie. He gets involved with two unusual police officers, Officers Slater ( Bill Hader) and Michaels (Seth Rogen; co-writer of the script) who at the least, are not your average stereotypical cops. In fact, there is no character in this film who is stereotypical. They all start out how we would expect, but by the end of the movie, you see the sometimes subtle, sometimes over-the-top-obvious nuances. I agree that this is a silly movie. It does not go unnoticed that it also has some very poignant and serious moments. However controversial and base this film is, I also think it clever, well written and on my list for one of the better "teen" movies made.
Rating: However crude and graphic (vocally more than visually) , it is also a silly and sophisticated comedy. Do see.