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Though I wouldn't say that "The Curse of the Jade
Scorpion" is Woody's best work, nor is it laugh-out loud
funny, it was a treat. Last week I saw the horribly profane
comedy "Jay
and Silent Bob Strike Back." I hardly received a
single laugh out of that film, and worst of all it took nothing
but cheap shots with tons of profanity and crude humor. The
laughs in this film, though infrequent, are earned honestly via
Woody's intelligent writing. Yes, there's a lot of those
trademark zingers. In one scene Woody's character, C.W.
Briggs, is in the house with seductress Laura Kensington (Charlize
Theron) and she finds a pack of nude playing cards on his table.
He comments, "I used to date the six of spades."
The cast is superb. Helen Hunt is perfect as Woody's
nemesis. Their chemistry (or should I say non-chemistry?) is
terrific. Charlize Theron is also amusing. I enjoyed
the little sexual innuendos between her and Woody. They
provide some of the funniest moments.
Though
I didn't laugh as much as expected, I'm not going to call this one
of Woody's minor works. It is very intelligently written,
there are moments of great mystery (this is one comedy where
you're actually deeply involved in the plot) and the set designs
are great to look at. It gives us a realistic 1940's feel,
but since I wasn't around during that period of time I can't
scribble down all the inaccuracies. So for those who are 65
and over--you be the judge.
Maybe the film just happened to come out at the right time.
I'm a young person myself, and I'm getting tired of watching
brainless, immature comedies about my generation. I want to
see more adult comedies like this, and since the market is high
for teen comedies, adult comedies are becoming an endangered
species. I recommend "COJS" to anyone who feels
the same way I do. Anyone who wants to really have good,
clean fun. Anyone who wants to walk out the theater feeling
good. That proves Woody's integrity as a writer/director.
While all these other money-hungry filmmakers are more concerned
about appealing to a widespread demographic, Woody's simply
concerned with making "good" movies.
-- Matt
( 3 out of 4 pops )
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