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Topic: Brick (2005) (Read 947 times) |
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Steve-O
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Brick (2005)
« Thread started on: Feb 6th, 2008, 9:52pm » |
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Clute and Edwards cover this great teen-aged film noir from a few years ago.
http://outofthepast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=304149
I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes the writing in classic film noir. Don't be scared by the fact that it's high school teens. It's a very nice tribute to movies like The Big Sleep.
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Dave
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #1 on: Feb 7th, 2008, 09:50am » |
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Hate to be a hater, but this is one experiment that didn't work for me. I'll take the
recent 'The Lookout' with the same lead actor instead.
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redwards7
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #2 on: Feb 8th, 2008, 08:28am » |
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I think Brick is an interesting film because it takes many risks, and like any film that takes risk, it can be hit and miss. But for me, it is mostly "hit."
The last time I watched Brick I was just fascinated with Johnson's use of language and I think he really finds a way to inject new life into neo-noir, with finding a different register of self-consciousness than other films like Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang. I love the neo-noir tradition, but it seems like Kiss, Kiss is the typical way the noir plays itself in the 2000s. What I like about Brick is that in many ways it is a throwback noir (going all the way back to Hammett in the 30s) while (in my opinion) finding a contemporary space where those type of noirish conventions can take place, like high school. And I'll take that kind of creativity any day over stale throwback attempts like the dead-on-arrival offering of De Palma's Black Dahlia.
Best, Rich
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Dave
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #3 on: Feb 8th, 2008, 2:55pm » |
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I liked the story and the characters, just not the use of decades-old hard-boiled
dialogue coming out of the mouths of teens. Too noticable for me to lose myself
in the flow.
For me, John Dahl is our current neo-master - making solid retro-reverent modern
noirs that owe much to the past without being too self-concious. 'Kill Me Again',
'Red Rock West', 'Rounders'(to some extent), and the current 'You Kill Me' are
all very strong, respectable works (imho).
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Steve-O
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Brick (2005)
« Reply #4 on: Feb 8th, 2008, 4:40pm » |
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Dave: I see what your saying about Brick but I just loved the teen speaking in 40s noir language. The whole film seemed like a riddle. And it really pointed out that no one ever spoke like they did in classic noirs like Double Indemnity - it's a movie language where everyone always says the right thing.
The Lookout: Yes! A very good film. Highly recommended (even though the kid from 3 Rock from the Sun is in it). Just a fantastic little film.
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Steve-O
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Re: Brick an The Lookout
« Reply #5 on: Feb 8th, 2008, 5:00pm » |
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[video width="425" height="355"]http://www.youtube.com/v/3cVzHeJ0Z3I&rel=1[/video]
[video width="425" height="355"]http://www.youtube.com/v/RFKRYBgjaYE&rel=1[/video]
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| « Last Edit: Feb 8th, 2008, 5:20pm by Steve-O » |
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redwards7
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #6 on: Feb 10th, 2008, 10:47pm » |
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This thread lead me to rent The Lookout this weekend, and I have to say I am very impressed with Joseph Gordon-Leavitt. In both Brick and The Lookout, Gordon-Leavitt is showing himself to be a strong actor for neo-noir. He is definitely shaking off any typecasting from Third Rock, and these roles are really challenging and showing his growth as an actor.
I prefer Brick to The Lookout, though. The Lookout is a refreshing take on the heist genre (one of my favorite genres) and it was fun to see Jeff Daniels as Gordon-Leavitt's blind roommate.
The Lookout reminded me that a lot of neo-noirs are playing with the theme of memory and time, and elements of The Lookout reminded me of Nolan's Memento done in a lower key. It was definitely worth checking out.
~Rich
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Please visit our two podcasts:
"Out of the Past: Investigating Film Noir"
http://outofthepast.libsyn.com
"Behind the Black Mask: Mystery Writers Revealed"
http://btbm.libsyn.com
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Raven
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #7 on: Mar 3rd, 2008, 7:29pm » |
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"Dave: I see what your saying about Brick but I just loved the teen speaking in 40s noir language."
Oh is that what they were speaking! I thought the whole cast was doing a Buddy Hacket shtick what with the constant mumbling. I tried in vane to understand the verbal exchanges by turning up the volume but it still sounding like a room full of kids gargling with a mouth full of marbles.
Another problem I had (trust me there were many others) was with the protagonist, Brenden getting the living cr@p beaten out of him every other hour and still running around like the Energizer bunny. I thought the whole thing had more holes in it than a piece of Swiss cheese.
For several months I’ve tried, really tried to be understanding of the enlightened takes of C&E but these two pinheads are no more objective than a couple of drunken sailors in a Chinese whorehouse as their constant gushing over Brick demonstrates.
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| « Last Edit: Mar 3rd, 2008, 7:30pm by Raven » |
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Mark
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #8 on: Mar 3rd, 2008, 8:44pm » |
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on Mar 3rd, 2008, 7:29pm, Bogeyman wrote:"Dave: I see what your saying about Brick but I just loved the teen speaking in 40s noir language."
Oh is that what they were speaking! I thought the whole cast was doing a Buddy Hacket shtick what with the constant mumbling. I tried in vane to understand the verbal exchanges by turning up the volume but it still sounding like a room full of kids gargling with a mouth full of marbles.
Another problem I had (trust me there were many others) was with the protagonist, Brenden getting the living cr@p beaten out of him every other hour and still running around like the Energizer bunny. I thought the whole thing had more holes in it than a piece of Swiss cheese.
For several months I’ve tried, really tried to be understanding of the enlightened takes of C&E but these two pinheads are no more objective than a couple of drunken sailors in a Chinese whorehouse as their constant gushing over Brick demonstrates.
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Here's Marks' five word review:
Just viewed, it totally reeked.
Mark
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Steve-O
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« Reply #9 on: Mar 3rd, 2008, 11:27pm » |
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Bogey's comments have me rolling... try not to hold back.
I guess I'm the only one who enjoyed it.
Mark: Thanks for keeping your five word review to five words.... wink wink.
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Raven
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Re: Brick (2005)
« Reply #10 on: Mar 4th, 2008, 08:18am » |
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Thanks boss. My take was (to paraphrase Nick in my favorite holiday noir it’s a Wonderful life)
“Hey look, mister - we serve hard drinks (NOTW’s) in here for men who want to get drunk fast, and we don't need any characters (like Brick) around to give the joint "atmosphere". Is that clear, or do I have to slip you my left for a convincer?”
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You are trying to make me go soft. Well, you can save it. I don't go soft for anybody.
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