Walk Hard - Dewey Cox Story; film review

SPOOFING IT UP: Jenna Fischer as Darlene Madison and John C Reilly as Dewey Cox in a scene from 'Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story'.
Image: Columbia Pictures


Pastiche Parody by Linh

'Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story' is a mocumentary with ironic pop culture references, and crass sexual humour. It's a parody on the musical biopics like 'Ray' and 'Walk The Line', with the lead character encompassing the musical and personality traits of Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.

The film follows the life of Dewey Cox who accidentally chops his brother in half with a machete, then becomes one the most successful musicians from the 1950s to 2007. Along the way to musical stardom, Dewey Cox experiences all the drugs, sex and rock 'n roll, with hysterical results and running gags.

Co-writer and producer Judd Apatow ('Knocked Up', 'Anchorman' and 'The 40 Year Old Virgin'), combines his flair for satirical absurdity with director Jake Kasdan's tongue in cheek approach to create a spoof which pokes fun at every element of Hollywood biopics, albeit with a serious tone.

John C Reilly shines and is convincing as he sings and plays guitar in his role as the hardworking and impressionable Dewey Cox.

Jenna Fischer plays the seductive and sprightly Darlene Madison and Fischer's interpretation of her character cleverly combines the passion of June Carter and the sex appeal of Marilyn Monroe.

Tim Meadows is hilarious as the drummer of Dewey's band whose delivery of one-liners are sharp and deadpan.

Raymond J Barry gives a solid performance as Pa Cox who's unwilling to forgive Dewey for killing his brother and effectively delivers the emotionally frustrating line "The wrong kid died!" throughout.

Guest appearances and cameos make the film a hoot with Jack Black as Paul McCartney who clashes with Paul Rudd as John Lennon; Jack White (lead singer of the rock band The White Stripes) plays Elvis Presley; 1960s soul and r'nb group The Temptations, Eddie Vedder, Jackson Browne, Jewel and Lyle Lovett appear as themselves.

The music and songs throughout 'Walk Hard' cleverly reflects the respective decades and pays homage to some of the industry's greatest musicians, while the lyrics are ridiculously funny. Highlights include the duet of Dewey Cox and Darlene Madison Let's Duet, Walk Hard, Hole In My Pants and Beautiful Ride.

'Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story' is a film filled with soul/blues and rock 'n roll, witty punchlines aimed at everything about the music industry and brilliant performances from a stellar ensemble cast.

Juno; comedy drama film review

FOETAL ATTRACTION: (From left) Kaaren de Zilva as the ultrasound technician, Ellen Page as Juno, Olivia Thirlby as Leah and Allison Janney as Brenda in a scene from 'Juno'.
Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures, www.movieweb.com

*Up The Duff For MacGuff by Linh

Following his highly successful satirical drama 'Thank You For Smoking', director Jason Reitman effectively brings Diablo Cody's brilliant screenwriting to cinematic perfection in 'Juno'.

'Juno' tells the story of sixteen year old Juno MacGuff who falls pregnant, considers abortion, opts for adoption and gains an understanding of being a woman despite her tender years.

The film's allure is in Diablo Cody's script which finds humour in the most serious and dire situations. The dialogue is sprinkled with impressive one-liners and phrases that are destined to become part of the everyday contemporary lexicon. The film's fantastic soundtrack adds to the scenes' nuances and reflects the characters' idiosyncrasies.

Ellen Page is exceptional as the impulsive and intelligent Juno MacGuff, whose naïveté and immaturity leads to her pregnancy. Page's portrayal of Juno deserves an Oscar, and she draws you into her character's world and makes you laugh, respect, admire and care about Juno.

Michael Cera is affable as the father of Juno's baby, Paulie Bleeker, but is downplayed and he is absent in the choices and decisions regarding the baby. Yet, this may point to Bleeker's childlike and trusting nature, who is happy to have Juno around on her terms and he would do anything for her.

Allison Janney gives a classy performance as Juno's stepmum Brenda MacGuff, who starts off as the typical overprotective parent with suspicions her children are messing with drugs, alcohol or being expelled from school. The clever script allows Brenda to evolve into a hip and sharp-tongued parent winning approval from Juno and the audience.

JK Simmons is superb as Juno's dad Mac MacGuff, who shows similar character evolution with his dialogue going from square to there. His father and daughter talk with Juno includes the hilarious line "Isn't that what the girls call it these days? Skanky? Skeezy? You know, tore up from the floor up?".

The adoption couple have a more complex character structure as a pair as well as individually.
Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman play Vanessa and Mark Loring, who at first seem like the happily married couple desperately wanting a child to complete their domestic bliss. Garner exudes plenty of maternal warmth and sincerity as Vanessa who gains a child despite losing a partner.
Jason Bateman's Mark is a child at heart and a man whose rock 'n roll dreams remain unfulfilled. Bateman is charming as Mark, and his character's mutual affection towards Juno reveals a yearning to be young again and live for his music.

Every teenage comedy drama needs a best friend for the hero/heroine and Olivia Thirlby exceeds beyond expectations as Leah. Thirlby gives her character Leah a vibrant and optimistic energy, with enough perkiness to enliven any gloomy situation, especially in helping Juno find adoptive parents, "You should look in the Penny Saver...Yeah, 'Desperately Seeking Spawn'."

The soundtrack to the film is eclectic with indie-pop and pseudo-folk songs which include Sonic Youth, Cat Power, Kimya Dawson and The Kinks. A duet is featured in the film with Ellen Page and Michael Cera performing Anyone Else But You.



*Up the duff - Australian slang meaning pregnant.(www.alldownunder.com)

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; musical film review

Johnny Depp as GORE GALORE: Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs Lovett in a scene from 'Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.
Image: Leah Gallo, Warner Brothers and Dreamworks.

Bleeding Blades by Linh

'Sweeney Todd' is Stephen Sondheim's musical brought to the big screen courtesy of director Tim Burton's eccentricity and the astounding talents of an ensemble cast led by Johnny Depp.

Director Tim Burton has cleverly re-created the dark, dingy and bustling streets of London to set his latest film 'Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', including the costumes and accents befitting the period.

The casting enables the film to be less theatrical with greater emphasis on cinematic qualities, employing actors who can sing rather than singers who can act. Most of the singing sounds rock-pop oriented and some songs have been shortened, while others have been omitted.

Versatile actor Johnny Depp extends his talents to greater lengths in accomplishing the characterisation of wrongly convicted barber Benjamin Barker, who returns as the gothic-looking and greying Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp's singing expresses the pain and loss in the heart of a ruined man after losing his wife and child, yet is filled with anger and vengeance. Not known for his singing skills, Johnny Depp surprises with his vocal prowess throughout, including his highlights Epiphany and Pretty Women with Alan Rickman.

Although pregnant during the filming of 'Sweeney Todd', Helena Bonham Carter manages to capture the quirkiness and minx-like temperament of Mrs Lovett, physically and vocally. Helena Bonham Carter is breathtaking as she sings and moves in syncopation to Sondheim's music, particularly in The Worst Pies In London. She has previously performed with Depp in 'Corpse Bride' and the pair's playful and extraordinary chemistry is evident onscreen.

Alan Rickman rises to the challenge of villainous heights as Judge Turpin whose self-indulgence and corruption stems Sweeney Todd's thirst for vengeance. Rickman's consummate performance captivates and his ability to draw audiences' reactions of hate and disdain towards his character is exceptional.

Timothy Spall gives a delightfully devious edge to Beadle Bamford, the brutal henchman of Judge Turpin. Spall's Beadle is the mini-me to Alan Rickman's Judge Turpin and Spall presents an equally satisfying performance.

Providing most of the comedic moments in the film is Sacha Baron Cohen as the fraudster Signor Adolfo Pirelli. Cohen's portrayal of Todd's former employee is hysterical as he flashes a cheesy grin while shaving a customer, and hitting a dazzling falsetto note in The Contest.

The impressive supporting cast adds spark to the film with Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony Hope whose polished tenor voice is sublime in Johanna; as the innocent and reserved Johanna, Jayne Wisener is lovely in voice for Green Finch and Linnet Bird; youngster Edward Sanders gives a brilliant performance as Toby and is definitely one to watch in the future; and Laura Michelle Kelly does well to evoke pity as the Beggarwoman, then educes sadness as Sweeney realises she is his wife Lucy.