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Monday, Oct 13, 2008
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Hysterical Juno a knocked-up knockout |
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| Hysterical Juno a knocked-up knockout | ||
| by Sara Michelle Fetters -
SGN Contributing Writer Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) is an original. Brightly articulate, bitingly intelligent and devastatingly sarcastic, she is a 16-year-old truly ahead of her time, her friends an odd assortment of the beautifully popular like Leah (Olivia Thirlby) and the nerdy and awkward like Paulie (Michael Cera). She's even got interesting parents, her repairman father Mac (J.K. Simmons) and his loving second wife Bren (Allison Janney) are more than just your typical tip of the familial iceberg. But just because they're open to listening to each and every one of their daughter's more idiosyncratic ramblings with an open heart doesn't mean they even remotely want to learn what she's about to tell them. It appears Juno managed to get herself pregnant during her first virginal ramblings with Paulie, and while she fully grasps she's not remotely ready to raise a child she's also just as sure she isn't going to be heading to Planned Parenthood for an abortion. Instead, she's going to give the child to another apparently loving couple looking to adopt a baby. Flipping through the Penny Saver, Juno knows in her heart of hearts that looking-to-adopt couple Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman) Loring are the ones to raise the child growing within her loins as their very own. Needless to say, things do not go exactly as planned, but Juno is one kid who looks at life's roadblocks and laughs, and isn't about to let a couple of hiccups like a potential divorce or the teenage love of her life going to the school dance without her deter from getting the happy ending she feels she deserves. If you were one of those who thought Thank You for Smoking was a fantastically entertaining comedic satire, hold on to your butts because Jason Reitman's followup Juno is even better. Written by newcomer Diablo Cody (who just might have the best name in all of Hollywood), this is one film where the laughs and the smarts don't just go hand-in-hand, they romp down the theater aisle like two long-lost lovebirds looking for a quiet corner to slovenly make out in. In other words, I loved this movie, and something tells me just about anyone lucky enough to get in line to see it will undoubtedly feel the same. Cody's script is both literate and hysterical, a corrosive gem burrowing deep inside your funny bone forcing you to laugh out loud even when every cell in your body tells you doing so just isn't right. Her observations of youth culture and how parents (and adults) retain bits and pieces of it as they grow older is just priceless, while the characters she three-dimensionally builds are as genuine and true as those living right next door. But the real sensation here is young Page. Already having made a hair-raising impression in 2005's Hard Candy (especially for guys), she becomes instantaneously unforgettable here. Juno MacGuff is as complicated and as dynamic as any teenage character ever put to screen, and like Ferris Bueller, Jim Stark, Tracy Flick, Jeff Spicoli or Frances "Baby" Houseman before her this is one girl no one in their right mind would ever put into a corner. With outstanding support from the entire cast (especially Simmons, Janney and Superbad star Cera) and magnificently assured direction from Reitman, Juno might just end up being this year's Little Miss Sunshine. Heck, it might even be worthy of an Oscar or two. All that aside, the only thing that really matters is whether or not it's any good and on that front, this one doesn't just score, it manages the comedic equivalent of a knockout. |
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| Feature Artist Interview - Simian Mobile Disco | ||
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| by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer Hottest Artists of the Year | Top Albums/CDs | Live Performances | Feature Artist Interview | Singles/Tracks | Worst Music of 2007 Two years ago, Death Cab for Cutie started a tradition of a "feature artist interview" for our best-of music issue. In 2006, We Are Scientists continued this annual marker. This year, British electronica act Simian Mobile Disco adds their name to the roster. The duo's "It's the Beat" made our "best singles" list. Wrapping up a busy twelve months of touring, this on-demand pair offered themselves exclusively to Seattle Gay News as a special year-end treat. In London, taking a short break, SMD member Jas Shaw sat down at his laptop to share these quick thoughts with all of us. Albert Rodriguez: 2007 is just about over, and what do remember most about it? Jas Shaw: Being on a tour bus. Rodriguez: Is there a single concert that sticks out for you this year? Shaw: Tokyo with Underworld was amazing. Rodriguez: Do you find big differences between your European and American live audiences? Shaw: We expected that no one would know our stuff in the States but the crowds were great. Rodriguez: What comes to mind when you see Seattle on your tour itinerary? Shaw: Donuts. Rodriguez: I gotta ask, what inspired the song "Hot Dog"? Shaw: It's based on the schoolyard rhyme. Rodriguez: This being a year-end issue, what albums or singles were your personal favorites of 2007? Shaw: Sound of Silver (LCD Soundsystem) is an amazing album. Rodriguez: How will you be spending the holidays this year? Shaw: As per usual we will be busy. DJ sets in the UK mainly. Some recording, too. Rodriguez: What's on your holiday wish list? New pair of Pumas, iPod, DVDs? Shaw: Clean socks and pants, the tour has been so long. Rodriguez: Artists are notorious for losing clothes and accessories when they're on tour. What do you often leave behind? Shaw: Phone chargers, why can't phone companies make all the chargers the same? Rodriguez: What would you like to say to your Seattle fans as the holiday season is upon us and a New Year is just days away? Shaw: See you next year in April. |
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