Short Cuts

Deception D
On DVD, Rated R, 107 Minutes
Talk about slumming, Michelle Williams, Hugh Jackman, and Ewan McGregor all three scrape the bottom of the barrel in this 2008 release. Theoretically a “suspense/thriller,” it’s really a convoluted mess of hackneyed plot pieces stolen from better fare. McGregor, in his most cloying, sweet, innocent mode, is a shy traveling CPA, checking the books for the business big wigs. Enter Hugh Jackman, a Princeton-trained ladies man who befriends McGregor and introduces him to a sex club where McGregor meets and falls for (in two days, mind you) Michelle Williams. Williams gets nabbed by Jackman and McGregor has to steal some serious cash to get her back. We were taking bets before the abduction as to whether Williams was in on the set-up and if she’d play the “but it wasn’t all acting” card (yes, and yes). What we didn’t see coming was how little we’d care. The director’s name is Marcel Langeneggar’s and this is his debut. Remember the name. Stay away from his movies. D

In Bruges A
On DVD, Rated R, 107 Minutes
The other two have already raved about this, but I’m a bit slow on the uptake. I loved everything about this film, from Colin Farrell’s self-loathing hitman Ray to Ralph Fiennes ruthless kingpin with an oddly concrete personal morality, but it’s Brendan Gleeson’s Ken, a journeymen killer who sees something worth dying for in Farrell, that held me spellbound. The images of Bruges are perfect, with the deep shadows of a town still beautiful hundreds of years past its prime just matching the dark, foreboding beauty of the emerging relationships between Ray and himself, Gleeson, and Clemence Poesy’s Chloe. The supporting cast is perfect and the dialogue is crisp and to the point. This is writer director Martin McDonagh’s second film (first, 2004’s Six Shooter). Remember his name as well. A

Forgetting Sarah Marshall A-
On DVD, Rated R, 112 Minutes
Already reviewed by the other two as well, this one really worked for me. Not as crude as the other offerings from Team Apatow (not counting guy parts), this is also my favorite. Jason Segel stars and also wrote this rom-com for guys. Still, it’s Mila Kunis that owns the movie, stealing every scene she’s in (no mean feat with Segel and British comedian Russell Brand in many of them). Kristen Bell also holds up nicely, as do Bill Hader (SNL), Jack McBrayer (still playing Kenny from 30 Rock), Paul Rudd (Clueless), and Jonah Hill (Superbad). Little known fact: the vampire puppet musical at the closing is real and written by Segel. A-