More thoughts on Nick and Norah's infinite playlist (2008)

More thoughts on Nick and Norah's infinite playlist (2008)

For the ultimate review of this movie see Jan De Bakker's review below (apologies for the generation X style of that phrase. I am, by the way, proud to be too young to be a part of generation X).

I saw this movie too and had some thoughts on it as well. I also review the soundtrack, see below.

This is a highly anticipated movie, mainly because it stars Michael Cera. Cera is a Canadian actor who starred in the two biggest teenage movies of last year: Juno and Superbad. Cera is sort of on the verge of being an icon of his generation. Now that GenX is reaching their 40's, a new generation emerges. Cera is introverted, stable and good natured, which is the complete opposite the previous generation that celebrated "trash talking" and extremism of aggression.

So, the question is: will Nick and Nora follow in the tradition? Well, it sure tries.

You meet Cera who goes by the name Nick now. He is broken up with his girlfriend. You kinda wonder if the girlfriend is Ellen Page. He looks and dresses the same as in SuperBad, except that he is changed from green hoodie to a blue one. If you want one yourself, the one he wears in the movie is from American Apparel. His room looks just like Juno's room with the cut outs all over the wall. He lives in a house that looks like his house from Juno too.

He is met by his friend Thom, played by Aaron Yoo, who wants him to play in their band for a gig in New York City. We learn that the band members are gay except Nick. He tells him that it is "hard being straight" and Thom couldn't understand that. Yoo is an interesting actor. He represents a growing asian presence in films. Almost every teen orientated film seems to cast him. Always in a small role where he is gay or asexual. He not so much playing an asian stereotype like -Jackie Chan, but he is clearly subjugated. John Cho of Harold and Kumar fame makes an appearance later in this film. Ever notice that the only time you see an asian male actor being aggressive to another person in a non-racist stereotyped way is when they doing so to another ethnic?

Well, I am proud to say that this film is directed by Peter Scollett. Scollett is someone who was at NYU when I was there. Two of my good friends were in classes with him at Tisch.

Now with this in mind, the when the movie gets to New York from the safety of the close New Jersey suburbs, it is shot in all the NYU kids nightlife pallet. If fact is you are thinking of going to NYU, you should check out this movie for taste of your nightlife. Scollett got the look and feel of being out on a Thursday through Saturday night downtown. NYU students study on Sunday.

The girl in the film Norah is played by Kat Denning. Denning does a good job playing an introverted cold and stuck up girl with a lot of money who is highly troubled. Basically like many of the girls you would meet if you attended NYU.

The trouble is that Denning and Cera do not pair up well. Cera needs to be paired with a extremely lively and loud partner. Jonah Hill and Ellen Page had more personality than most people can handle. Cera seemed to absorb that, and it create a pleasing dynamic. When you pair two introverted people it is kinda boring. In fact, the most interesting chemistry was between Nora and Tal , played by Jay Baruchel (Canadian). Jay Baruchel has a lot a of presence in his bit role as the manipulative friends-with-benefits guy that Nora is involved with when she meets Nick. Baruchel standout very much when is away from his Judd Apatow brothers such as Seth Rogan.

The movie also makes a bad move by having Nick and Nora have sex or whatever they were doing. One thing that movie has going for was a kinda innocence to it that has been seen from Rushmore to Juno. Somehow, the way it is was done here has that sleazy feel that teenage sex had in the 1980's teenflicks.

Nevertheless, movie has it's moments. It greatest accomplishment is cinematography is the shot at the end. It ends with a kiss on the escalator in Madison Square Garden going to Penn Station. It is really ugly place in New York, but it is a very beautiful romantic shot. So, maybe there was beauty there after all.

At other times the movie is boring without a lot going on. I would say about 45 minutes could have been cut out There is not real conflict presented. Everything just seems too safe. Overall, it is a cute movie, and I would recommend it.

Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)

Can’t help feeling a little disappointed with this sequel. The first one was a classic. I am not saying that Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay wasn’t funny. You laugh through the whole movie, but the laughs seem hollow. It lacks focus and purpose, which might be hard to comprehend since the last one, an all-night odyssey to get to White Castle, seems noble somehow.

In this one, Kumar brings a bong into a plane and everyone thinks it’s a bomb on their flights to Amsterdam. (get it bong v. bomb) Both are mistaken for terrorists and sent to Guantanamo prison. They face real terrorists and prison abuse from the guards. They manage to escape and make it back to the U.S. then make their way to Texas in an effort to clear their name and stop the marriage of Kumar’s ex-girlfriend.

It’s this Kumar romance that kills it. It makes the movie boring, because the rest is great!
Actually, Kumar is lame in this one. He makes the same faces and delivers his lines in a tired manor. Something in the chemistry with Harold doesn’t fly either.

The movie takes place right after the first one finishes. Maybe too much time elapsed between the makings of both films; something of the sprit of the first one is missing.

Now, what really does work is the critique of our post 9/11 world. The film neither takes an all pro or all against stance. In fact, President Bush is the hero of the film. Somehow Bush is made fun of and honored at the same time.

In the film, Kumar is randomly stopped for a searched at the airport. Kumar makes it clear that it is not entirely random. When on the airplane an old woman sees him as an Islamic terrorist just because of the color of his skin. When Harold and Kumar are in custody, the government agents believe they are terrorists despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Rob Corddry is the best part of this movie. He brings the most life and energy into it. He plays the myopic Homeland Security agent. There is another agent played by Roger Bart, who represents a silent faction of American Society disagree with these tactics but keep their mouths shut for the most part.

The trail of two idiot stoners is a perfect vehicle to poke fun at the country. It makes it clear that white people view non-whites through lens that are often negative and are unable to lose their prejudices or see clearly. Of course, some people are cool, but they aren’t the ones who cause all the trouble for Harold and Kumar.

It is nevertheless refreshing as ever to see a Korean and Indian guy going through the world in a non-ethnic stereotyped portrayal. Neil Patrick Harris, no doubt, makes his appearance in the film, but, sadly, is shot to death in the end.

There are plenty of pot jokes and potty jokes. It seems like it would get better the more times you see it. So it will be true cable movie. Alas, it is no Harold and Kumar go to White Castle.