Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I wanted to warn you not to go see it. It's actually not a bad movie. But if you know what's good for you, wait for DVD. I don't mean to imply that I think the movie is worth paying $5 for but not $11. It's not a monetary thing. Its 3 HOURS l o n g. Rent it so you can pause it half way through, go pee, make a fuckin' sandwich, whatever. 3 hours. Too long Brad, too long.

I think I really would have liked this movie if it were an hour and a half long. They spend a lot of screen time on back story and build up, and I really think it takes away. The story itself is interesting. The basic premise is that Brad Pitt's character ages backwards. A friend of mine had someone ask her if it was based on a true story! Um....I'm going to have to go with no. Anyway, the special effects are pretty cool, so it might be worth it just for that. Neither main character is especially likeable, and I did not find their flaws of the endearing variety. More of the kind that make me want to shout "no, you're a moron!" at the screen. Maybe it's just me.

By the time the story built to the bits that the whole story revolves around, my attention was long gone. There kept being these lines that I related too a little more than I would have liked. for example, Cate Blanchett's character says: "I have to pee" (me too!), "what is taking so long?" (I don't know!) and "I don't know what I'm doing here" (me neither), all of which just seemed like taunts.

I admit, part of my frustration was that I was supposed to phone Kristin, and I thought I would be home at a reasonable hour. The movie started at 7:30 and it's a 15 minutes walk home from the theatre. How wrong I was.

The other good thing: I was able to take a large break on my popcorn, and then start again fresh two hours later. So good deal on the popcorn. :)

So consider yourself warned, and get an eisle seat if you decide to see it anyway!

ps. this is my 200th post.

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