I absolutely agree with everything that you wrote.

The film is just so sweet and beautiful and it does such an amazing job at making the characters so lovable. Ellen Page is great and really has the best performance I've seen this year(or last), granted I haven't seen too many films yet.

Heh.

I really don't get the Garner hate a lot of people have.

I mean, there are a lot of people who seem to flat-out hate everything she does. I'm not sure I really get it.

I thought she was wonderful in Juno.

I thought she was really good in Juno. Outside 13 Going on 30, it's the only time I think she's given a truly good performance. But she definitely can act, it just isn't always obvious.

Jennifer Garner was excellent in Juno. Easily her best performance to date.

I enjoyed it, the last third is the best part.

I liked it. I really liked the film. It's very funny, heartfelt and for the most part smart. That saying, I highly believe this is the most overrated film entering the awards season. It's a very good film, it's just not great. I won't remember very much about the film until the DVD comes out. A few things bugged me. Let me start with the smallest.

The first five minutes reminded me way too much of Napoeleon Dynamite - Loyal said it himself a couple of posts ago. I kind of like that film, but it's another film that I find vastly overrated and I didn't want Juno to turn into another one of those films. Those first five minutes really bugged the shit out me. Thankfully in the long run, the film is much better than Dynamite, but it got off on the very wrong foot with me.

Second. Even though I said the film is smart, I don't think it's as smart as the film might want you to think it is. Or let me rephrase that. The film thinks it's witty in some places, when it's not really. The way Juno talks in some scenes made me just want to wring her fucking neck. It's not that she's unlikeable, it's just that in some of the words she says like with the slang, you can tell that it's not really Juno saying it, but the screenwriter Diablo Cody sitting back in her chair laughing at how good her dialogue is, thinking that it's smart and witty. That immediately took the effect out of it in some of the scenes in which we get to know Juno. The screenplay as a whole is very good, but people need to calm down when they say it's the smartest and most clever on the year. If you want that, look no further than Superbad.

Third. The Mark/Juno thing doesn't work at all. It gives the film a very creepy vibe that the film doesn't really need. Yes I know without that whole thing, it wouldn't make Mark a very interesting character at all, but it doesn't work.

Fourth. Juno's attitude about the whole pregnancy kind of bugged me. I did not feel for one second that she wanted the kid at all. Yes I understand the whole reasoning that she came up with for herself, and that proved that Juno is in fact a very mature girl who is only trying to do what's best for the child, but it's not like she went "Wait a minute, maybe I want it." She literally says in the film (and I'm paraphrasing) "If I had it my way, I'd give it to you right now, but we should probably wait until it doesn't look like a Sea Monkey". There are glimpses I guess that make you think she wants it, but she really doesn't. She's just eager to give it away and that never really fluxuates throughout the film. I wouldn't say as a whole, but I'd say in some parts it makes Juno kind of unlikeable.

However, the film's positives very much outway the negatives. The acting is about as great as you could ask for. I really enjoyed Ellen Page's performance. In this somewhat weak year when it comes to performances, she should easily win the Oscar. I haven't seen Atonement yet, but Kiera Knightley would have to come up with some pretty special in order to surpass Page, and based off of the commercials that's not going to happen. I also really liked Michael Cera. I think it's a slight problem that he kind of pops in and out throughout most of the time, but he gives another good performance here. J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney are the standouts for me. Every scene they're in they manage to steal it. The one-on-one conversation between Juno and her father is damn good and Simmons makes it work. And the scene with the ultrasound involving Janney is right on the money.

So on the whole, I don't think Juno is the film everyone is cracking it up to be. It's very good, but it's not special. The performances are special and they should be seen and the film is very funny, but I really think the screenplay lets the film down in some places.

A-

This is one of those films that I saw purely based on its hype, otherwise I'd have no interest in at all. And most of the time, it doesn't work out well (see Napoleon Dynamite). I heard that comparison thrown out a few times, too, so I was definitely concerned.

But, I actually really enjoyed it (and thank Godddd, it's nothing like Napoleon Dynamite).

The dialogue isn't really all that realistic, but yeah, I wasn't bothered. It's often hilarious. Ellen Page just nails this role, giving one of the best female performances of the year (it's been a weak year for the ladies, by the way). Michael Cera is perfect as well. Like, he doesn't even have to speak and he makes the whole audience giggle at his awkwardness. But he's also hilarious (the conversation between him and Juno at the locker = priceless). J.K. Simmons and Jason Bateman are also quite good. Jennifer Garner...is not. I'm sorry (and I know Michael's watching this thread like a hawk, waiting for another Garner attack), but she's just not good at all. She's creepy. And I don't think that's the point of her character; I understand she's supposed to be nervous and anxious and all, but creepy? Don't think so. Doesn't work at all. Otherwise, great performances all around (wish there was more Dwight, though!).

The film is really funny. Best comedy of the year? Nah, and that's just because we've had some strong teen comedies this year (Superbad and Knocked Up), but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's a great time. And it kicks Little Miss Sunshine's ass all over the place. And Sideways. Yeeeah. And it tackles the teen pregnancy topic pretty well, I thought. The final act really is quality, but everything leading up to it is still excellent. Definitely one of the better films I've seen this year.

***½

i felt the same way about the ultrasound lady's commentary.

me too, actually. it wasn't showy, and i'm thankful for it. very appropriate and well done.

Who cares if she didn't really want the kid herself? She knew it would be a bad idea. If I were a girl and got pregnant I'm sure I wouldn't want it, at least not at first. But then they say you eventually become attached to what is growing inside you, and Juno obviously did. That's why it ended up being kind of hard for her. She was just smart enough to know not to get too attached, especially since she already promised the baby to someone else. I was glad she didn't change her mind and decide to keep the kid, ruining her life. Plus it would have been sad had she done that to Garner's character. If I were a girl and got pregnant I'd probably just have an abortion. I'm mixed on abortions, but I wouldn't want a kid, and wouldn't even want to go through the labor part to give it up for adoption becase it would hurt like hell. Plus you'd risk getting attached. Thankfully I'm not a girl. If I were I'd just have had my tubes tied as soon as I could and then I wouldn't have to worry about it. Some people don't want kids. That doesn't mean they're a bad person. I think Juno did end up sort of wanting it, but knew she couldn't back out and that it wouldn't be in her best interest or her child's.

No. The ultra-sound lady totally over-stepped her bounds. She was asking for it.

Besides the scene where she was trying to get the baby to kick, I actually thought Garner did a fanatasitc job.

As for the film:

Like most, I was let done. It just seemed like nothing more special than your typical teen comedy, it was good, maybe even slightly great, but nothing close to outstanding like many critics have claimed it to be. The lead actress was easily the best part of the show, while felt the dad was the funniest.

A-

Bleeker: And Blair Witch Project was about to come on Starz, and you were like, "I haven't seen this in forever" and you wanted to watch it, but then you were like "Oh no, we should just make out instead. La la la."

To...what? Giving it an A- doesn't exactly constitute "coming around" to your "meh" opinion.

Personally, when I got to the end of Jmart007's review I was surprised to see he had given it an A-. His review sounded like a B or B+ tops to me.

She knew it'd be a bad idea to bring the kid into a loving environment with her parents, herself and Polly?



When? When did it become hard for her? In the car? See, I have a slight problem with that scene. The entire movie to this point makes Juno out to be a cavalier of sorts. She's committed to giving the kid to someone else because she feels she can't take care of it. So is she crying that she's seeing her surrogate family go up in flames now forcing herself to possibly take care of it? Or is she crying because she wants the kid? Personally, I'm not sure. The film though to that point makes it seem like she's thinking the former, which I believe isn't very realistic for the reason you just brought up.



Two things. Says who? Her mother at one point in the film reminds her that she doesn't know a lot about adults when she thinks she does. How does she know that once she gives birth, she'll want to give the kid away? How does she know it'll ruin her life, at that point? And second, it's her fault and Polly's fault. They were dumb enough not to have any birth control while having sex.



I never said I didn't like Juno. I only said that I found her to be unlikeable in spots, and only a little bit of it had to do with her feelings toward her pregnancy. The screenwriter took it in this direction and once that happens you kind of have to go with the rest of the film. That saying, it's her kid when all is said and done. Even though it would've broken the heart of Garner's character, it's Juno's kid in the long run. And with the way the film was shaping up down the stretch, it kind of seemed like the film betrayed itself. Yes she left the note, but the film's ending wasn't shaping up to go in that direction. Yes it sticks with how Juno felt from the beginning, but I think it betrays the viewer somewhat.



You know what's funny? Before I wrote what I did above, I was pretty content with the grade I had given it. I thought the problems I had with the film were kind of minor. Even though I went into detail over some of the things I didn't like, I didn't really have a major problem with them (the "wit", the Mark character, etc.) they were minor. But after writing what I just wrote, it's not an A- movie. I have more of a problem now, than I did after last night. The film (for me - remember, me, just my opinion) twisted itself all over the place too much. It seemed like it wanted to please everyone, and for me, even though I still think it's a good movie, it didn't work as well as I think it could've.

New Grade: B+ (Because it's very funny and the acting is extremely good)

Rainn Wilson: I know there was not much more his character could've brought to the film, but as soon as he appeared on screen, the film began to turn out of that Dynamite aspect, into the "it's a good film afterall", territory. His five minutes or so of screentime, are perfect.

Technically, The Kingdom pretty much trys that and fails a couple times. Making the characters comfort scared little brown kids, you know. As a matter of fact they try it with numerous characters numerous times, and it doesn't come close to working with any of them... It was truly one of the worst attempts at audience manipulation and "emotional depth!" I've ever seen. Especially when you have Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner as your actors. Just ouch.

I can't understand why people don't like Jennifer Garner.
It's not like i just decided to love her for a hobby.
And my other favourite actresses are all very talented and respected women within the film industry. So for me to like an actress without talent would be against what i stand for.

I just can't get why some of you guys on this site have always have had it in for her so much.
Shes just an actress in movies. Its not like shes giving you cancer, jesus.

And Shack, wasn't there a time you praised her as an actress too? Growing up doesn't mean being pretentious and looking down on thespians who don't constantly star in uppity bullshit.
Some people go to movies to be entertained rather than having their life-force sucked out by something about an 8 year old kid getting raped in afghanistan.

It annoys me to see some of the younger members on KJ growing up and moulding themselves based upon what this site dictates is good film. I have seen many movies applauded by this entire website and been entirely underwhelmed, I have watched many independent movies recommended by some influential people on this site only to find them ridiculously bad. I am not afraid to have mainstream tastes sometimes, and off kilter tastes other times. And call me crazy for not spending $600 going to the movies every year, but some of us can't afford to visit our cinema weekly, and if that means actually selecting movies i want to watch out of the pile of shit that comes out every year then so-be-it. I really feel sometimes like if you haven't seen a zillion movies a year and you haven't seen some really obscure releases then this website looks down on your film tastes a little. I do tend to look into arthouse fare every year, infact i have a stack of 07 arthouse releases to watch on dvd in my room, but i truly believe the best movies of the year have been mainstream and some of the best actors of our time star in broad comedies and big budget romance movies with regularity.

Just because an actress kicks butt in one movie does not mean she is ANY less deserving of acclaim for her work in another. So get over this Jennifer Garner hate and give her dues where she deserves it.

I've only ever seen it here. Almost everyone i know is a Jennifer Garner fan. Guys think shes hot, girls find her great for 13 Going on 30 - a movie which has a lot of goodwill towards it.

My friends in the states all speak very highly of Juno, and a resounding theme both from them and from other message board and communities im on is that Jennifer Garner really surprised them with her abilities in this movie. It's on the IMDB boards, it's on the ONTD site, it's on lots of major media and film sites, this woman has earned respect for her acting here, if you guys agree with it or not? Really not relevant.

I find it ridiculous that so many people here praise prestiegous actresses for lackluster perfomances, but cant bring themselves to praise a mainstream actress for earning a little prestiege and turning in a strong performance.

Other big actresses have faced this problem on this board including Sandra Bullock for Crash. Typical, a male orientated site is so quick to cut down the best paid actresses, and award the ones who seek prestiege.

I don't hate Jennifer Garner. She's reasonably attractive and seems to have a decent head on her shoulders. I just don't think she can act. At all. Like for serious.

WORTH IT

See thats what i have issue with. I don't know how you can actually write that phrase in seriousness. When you see the way she is in interviews and then the way she is in shows like Alias then you cannot tell me she can't act, shes a completely different person entirely.

I just find that notion that someone can actually think of her as a bad actress ridiculous, because whilst I believe there are a few actresses who outstrip her in acting abilities alive today, i certainly think she is one of the stronger actresses of her bracket.

The birth scene in Alias was probably one of the best i've seen on tv and it was hers alone.

That said, Halle Berry is an allegedly good actress and i'd argue she can't act her way out of a paper bag, so each to his own i guess.

Whoa whoa whoa

Half the movies in my top 10 are audience blockbusters Mike (Transformers, Knocked Up, I Am Legend, American Gangster, Ratatouille, Stardust if you count it) I'm not that snobby yet

And honestly... I'd like to think my taste is my own, there's been lots of cases where I'll end up feeling on the opposite side of the scale from everyone else and will say it. I'm not the kind of person that concentrates on internet perception and changes reviews or comments to fit them, I think people that do are fucking retarded. I see people like that, but me, personally, I don't care. Makes no difference to me.

For the record btw, I don't think I've ever been pro-Garner. If I have, I'd be surprised, I never watched Alias and I didn't like 13GOT. I actually haven't even seen Juno, I was just insulting her The Kingdom performance, which was... really bad. I couldn't resist a jab at the worst movie I've seen this year.