Reviews
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Incredible Movie
I can't believe the lukewarm and negative reviews I've read of this movie. But I clicked on the rating (average of 7.2 at this point) to get the breakdown and saw that 43% of people gave it a perfect 10. I side with this large plurality of voters.
I just saw the movie and it was excellent. Some reviewers said that Napolean and his friends were caricatures. I wholeheartedly disagree. I went to school with these people. I can list the relatives that they remind me of. I couldn't believe how perfectly Jon Heder nailed the mannerisms of his character.
Another comment I saw (which leaves me dumbfounded) was that the movie was formulaic and predictable (this person thought La Fewanduh turning out to be a man would actually be less predictable... dumby). Untrue. You don't even feel the real conflict of the story before you hit the climax. That might not sound like a good thing, but believe me it is. The majority of the movie is spent wallowing in exquisitely uncomfortable situations until you're surprisingly met with the satisfying climax. How many other movies flout the movie formula so obviously and successfully? How often are you surprised at the movies? I hardly ever am.
The film is a celebration of the awkwardness of the untouchables in high school. You don't have to feel bad for Napolean, because he doesn't feel bad for himself, thank you very much. In fact, if you tried to give him a hug and console him, he'd probably tell you that you're retarded and go back to drawing a horsey.
The movie probably isn't for everybody. If you were the bitchy cheerleader in high school, you might not get it. If you grew up on either coast and don't understand middle-America, you might not get it. And if you're just too old to resonate with the pains of high school anymore, then forget about it. For the rest of you... I just can't recommend the movie highly enough. I expected to enjoy it, but I wound up loving it. I hope you do too. 10 out of 10.
Chuck & Buck (2000)
Not a renter or wait for cable. Avoid this entirely.
I get the feeling that movie critics and self-proclaimed cultural elite equate a small budget and unease with artistic merit. This movie was an exercise in how uncomfortable the audience could be made to feel.
I'll grant it a couple of positive points to give myself a little credibility here. There was some very good acting. The dialogue was believable. I'll spare going into detail, as you can read about that in a favorable review.
Now on to specific rants. This movie seemed like it lasted a week. Normally, I like a nice long movie I can sink my teeth into, but this one wouldn't end. Whenever I thought I could make it because it was almost over, it stubbornly evaded resolution. It felt like I was watching two bad movies. The plot hinted at a significant revalation that fizzled into nothing. The actual climax was unbelievable and inconsistent for the characters.
Everyone else on this site (and in critic-land) seems to be giving this movie a favorable review. Please bear in mind that out of several people I know who saw this movie, only one would disagree that this movie is in the running for worst of the year.
Beware.