Random Thoughts: Harold, Black Book, Napoleon

Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle - 5/10



Several funny scenes and appealing leads can't hide this film from what it really is: a series of sometimes-funny/sometimes-not sketches strung together at a predictable pace and formula. The stuff dealing with the races of both lead characters is inspired in the way it utilizes stereotypes as a way of transcending them. Sadly, both actors Kal Penn and Jon Cho will probably never get to play leads like this again and will be typecast to the roles they've been confined to for most of their careers. The rest of the movie is standard buddies-night-out cliches and "look there's " cameos. (Yes, some of you have made the comment that I "don't get pothead humor," but I did laugh several times during this. I, however, believe that films should be funny whether or not you are on substances. If you require some kind of drug to enjoy a film, then something is obviously wrong with you or the film.)



Little Black Book - 5/10



75% of this film was very well written. There are moments of clever satire of the television business and Holly Hunter is given some great lines to work with. The interview with Lulu is very funny. Unfortunately, the studio decided to give it to a director who clearly had no idea what to make of the material. Some of the scenes change tone so dramatically that it gives it an unpredictable feeling and not in the good way. Brittany Murphy is fully able for the film, but is one of those actresses who make better scene-stealers than film carriers. As far as scene-stealers, this film has two priceless assets: the aforementioned Hunter and Kevin Sussman. As Murphy's work colleagues, they create a lively environment and know what to do with the material even when the director has not a clue. The film's final twist is out of character and that's where the other 25% of the film takes over. It is a predictable set-up, but it screws over the film's brightest spot.



Napoleon Dynamite - 4/10

He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove. That's the tagline for the film, and it might as well describe Napoleon's film instead of himself. It plays like a hybrid of a Wes Anderson and Todd Solondz film, only PG-rated and not good. The film I kept thinking of while watching it was Welcome to the Dollhouse. If you have not seen that, skip Dynamite and check that out. It is actually about something. ND runs less than an hour and a half, but it is about an hour too long. What should have been just a short film has been stretched out and makes the characters dull and annoying after 20 minutes. There's a great sight gag early on involving a farmer shooting a cow as Napoleon watches that is priceless. I was distracted several times during the film by how much the people in the theatre were laughing at stuff that really isn't that funny. Whether or not they are laughing at the film or with it is up in the air. It is like they are the character at the beginning who mocks and laughs at Napoleon while talking to him. Is this really what audiences want for a film's protagonist?



Sidenote regarding Napoleon Dynamite: After seeing Gaby Hoffman in You Can Count on Me, and now Tina Majorina is this, I'm still wondering what exactly happened to Mara Wilson? Where did all the early 90's child actresses disappear to? I guess they can't all be Kirsten Dunst.