I saw Juno recently and thought Jennifer Garner's performance wasn't anything special. On top of that, her wax lips bother me. Really enjoyed the movie, despite that. It was my first time seeing Ellen Page's work, and she was enjoyable to watch in all her scenes, especially those with Michael Cera.

Michael, I get the feeling that a lot of the Jen Garner hate around here throughout the years has been a result of, basically, your strong, vocal love for her. And people find it a bit... strong. And a little too vocal.

You know I love Garner and Alias, but if we all just toned it down a bit, I think we'd all be a bit happier. Oh, and by the way, if anyone actually watched Alias, they'd know that Garner is, indeed, a fully capable actress. (Cue the naysayer.)

Very charming and funny movie with good performances from all involved.

***1/2

I know i can't contain my garner lovin. It's a problem. Like my lack of gastric control.

After a 2nd viewing at the theater, once again 100% sold out fo sho, Juno reinforces it's A+ status and concretes itself a spot in BJs top 20 of all time.

It's not a bad film, there is always whiplash for films that overperform and get overhwhelming praise, because they're never actually that good, but people feel like they need to compensate by completely bashing it. You're kidding yourself if you think this is a straight up "bad" movie. It's just not. But people are right in saying it is not as 'on the mark' about teenage life and their relationship with their parents. Juno is not the typical teenager. And no parent would ever respond as nonchalantly to her revelation as those two did. (I still think about those two parents just about every day I get yelled at by mine for doing something that not NEARLY as bad as that) But that's just kind of the spirit of the whole film. I don't think it's trying to be a documentary, it's aiming to be entertaining, heartwarming, funny, and new. And I think it succeeds on each one of the levels extraordinarily, which makes it a good movie to me.

I don't think we'll see an overload. I think we'll see more focus on movies that are aimed to hit all demographics though, which isn't a bad thing. It's not like Blair Witch spawned a ton of handheld camera movies, or My Big Fat Greek Wedding spawned...more....movies....like that?

The only thing LMS and Juno have in common is that they were heavily advertised indies. That's about it.

finally saw this last night. It was good but nothing great. The first half was awesome but the second half really fell apart.

B+

LMAO!

how so?

correct. It just didnt work.

The dramatic 2nd half rocked hard and turned what was a funny movie into the best movie of 07

I think it's the other way around. The movie worked best when it was trying to be sincere. I think it tried way too hard to be funny in at least the first third of the running time, and it just made the experience underwhelming.

Pretty good movie, but Oscar worthy? No. Ellen Page does a very nice job and deserves a nod, but that's it. Here's my brief review from Filmgasm:

In some ways, Juno lives up to the hype, but in other ways, it doesn't. Ellen Page really carries the film in the title role. Though she's 20 (which granted, isn't that much older than the character she's portraying), Page's Juno seems like the kind of person I'd expect to walk by in the hallway at my high school. The thing that really makes the performance work, however, is how Page plays up the vulnerability of the character. Seeing her doubt about the possibility of a relationship truly lasting forever seals the deal on a performance that is one of the best offered by a lead actress this year. As a film about relationships, Juno works very well most of the time, but has spots of slight challenge. Page and Michael Cera are great in their scenes together, particularly in their heartbreaking hallway scene. Cera did such a fantastic job that I really wish we'd seen more of his Paulie Bleeker character. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner are both good in their roles, but their story didn't really seem to have a lot of development to it despite being a major component of the film. The humor works a fairly good amount of the time, though there's probably been just a bit too much made of the script. At times, it seems like it's trying to be funny just for the sake of being funny, which weakens the production. The dialogue is good and has some bite to it, but it works best when it's not trying to be funny. It's when the focus is on the issues that define the characters that it really shines. All said, the film is an effective teen dramedy, and much of it comes from the touch of making the characters so relatable.

Grade: B+

The last 1/3 is decent stuff. The rest is contrived lazy bullshit. If this wins BP at the Oscars I'll cry.

Idendikit Indie comedy at its most clinical and soulless.

I knew I was in Election wannabe hell the moment I got the double wammy of Ellen Page talking about nice furnature and the shop clerk that sounded like a failed comedian.

Sigh, I really wanted to like this, but damn its so ordinary.

your opinion is 150% soulless

Ya right

the film is classic genius

and how was it an election wannabe, the films are nothing alike

I know Election was better

Don't worry BJ, I still respect you, despite how crazy you may be

A

Once Juno told her parents thats when the film went on the right path to recovery.

Dolce is gonna kill me, but I loved Juno, i really did. Page's performance is excellent and is worthy of an Oscar nod, and the win if she gets it.

I have to say Jennifer Garner is great here. I just don't understand why you guys don't like her performance. Is it because she plays the "controlling" wife a little too well. She's obsessed with having a child and she can't have one, meanwhile her husband is living in some fantasy that he's still in is high school years. I felt really sorry for her.

The third act is awesome, it seals the deal i think. The dialogue is great despite its absurdity.

I actually liked Garner's performance as well. Particularly like that scene when she runs into Juno at the mall.

I thought she was wonderfully low-key in this movie. Her sad delivery of the line "It's not moving for me" was really poignant, and I thought she did a much better job with Vanessa than other actresses might have.

OMG, I know. I nearly fucking lost it badly, the look on her face. it broke my heart.

Wow. I absolutely loved Juno. I'm inclined to say it's even better than Little Miss Sunshine (which is my Top 20 of all-time). The film is quirky, smart, superbly acted by the whole cast (especially Ellen Page, who deserves an oscar win) and simply fantastic. By far the best comedy of 2007. The film is never dumb or raunchy but sincere and honest. But it's also very funny and intelligent. I think I've found my new #1 of 2007.

A+

PS. I also think Garner's performance is very underrated. She was really excellent, I hope she gets an Oscar nod!

indeed the film is awesome and it gets better with repeats