“The Men Who Stare at Goats” is a fun, tongue-in-cheek comedy with a cast of crazy and quirky characters.   Its a slick story filled with smiling sarcasm as the movie makes fun of itself while its telling the story.

For me it wasn’t too crazy or quirky, but it might be a little too much for some, which is why I’m giving the split suggestion: SEE IT if you saw the trailer, the poster, or a clip and thought it looked fun – you’ll probably enjoy it… but WAIT TO RENT if you haven’t heard of the movie/weren’t convinced it was worth your time at the theater… although you might like it.

(My spoiler-free review)

I know that some of those “critics” out there didn’t like this movie for whatever reason… but the more I think about it, the more I like this movie FOR WHAT IT WAS… not what you might have thought it was going to be or expected more from *before* seeing it.

This movie is plain and simply a funny and original story of a bunch of characters that you would think should be living on the Funny Farm if you met them in real life.  They are goofy, wierd, odd, crazy, and then you hear their story: they believe they are part of a special group of psychic spies.

Its okay, I didn’t spoil anything: you get that information early on.. or from the trailer… the cool thing is we, the audience, get to go along on this journey to discover the truth/absurdity of these claims with reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor).  And I love the disclaimer at the beginning of the movie: “More of this is true than you would believe”… which says a lot and nothing at the same time - setting the tone early, so does the scene that follows.. and the next scene and the next.

The exchange between Bob and Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) in the hotel room in Kuwait after they first meet is great: a guy that doesn’t believe and is trying to seriously want to understand and a guy who is totally convinced of what he is saying… Lyn even admits that its crazy/mind blowing stuff.   Clooney is great in this role as the leading man of this dry comedy adventure plays like a buddy road trip movie with several fun scenes in the desert…and beyond.

Jeff Bridges is perfect as hippie unit leader Bill Django: a cross between the dude in “The Big Lebowksi” (1998) and a “Shawman” as Bob refers to him… seriously commited to his spiritual military work.

The other supporting cast are also solid, including Kevin Spacey as the renegade of the group and Stephen Root who first tells Bob about the group.   Overall, the guys in the unit are oddballs that only feel like they fit in when after they join this group.

The movie’s tongue is firmly placed in its cheek while making numerous Star Wars references:  (more…)

If you haven’t seen “Burn After Reading” yet, you should soon before this “R” rated comedy-drama from the Academy Award Winning Cohen Brothers is no longer in theaters. 
(* BUT BE CAREFUL ABOUT TAKING KIDS TO THIS ONE: THIS MOVIE IS LOADED WITH ADULT THEMES AND BAD LANGUAGE *)

People like to throw around the term “cast of characters”… but “Burn After Reading” really is a GREAT group of quirky and clearly defined characters !!!!

“Burn After Reading”

(2008) (rated: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence) (1 hr, 35 min)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, J.K. Simmons, David Rasche

Genre: Comedy/Crime/Drama

The Plot: A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

MY TAKE (very minor spoilers):

There’s a reason why I went with my gut recommending this movie *before* I saw it …. all the makings were there (written and Directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen, a great cast, and a trailer that pulls you into the theater) and the audience is paid off !!!

I was captivated from the opening scene with Malkovich to the final scene with Simmons and Rasche.

This is one of the best ensemble casts I’ve seen in a long time… there were no wasted roles for any of the main speaking parts:
Brad Pitt is great as a goofy gym-trainer wanna-be spy…

George Clooney is right on as a charming ladies man, but gun shy treasury department employee…

Frances McDormand delivers as a gym employee tragically desperate for cosmetic surgery and a man who can make her laugh…

John Malkovich doesn’t disappoint as an intense, but alcoholic/psychotic CIA agent…

Tilda Swinton is perfect as a cold and direct wife and doctor…

Richard Jenkins is right on target as the timid gym manager…

and J.K. Simmons and David Rasche are great as CIA Officials with a perfect Abrahams-Zucker style of sarcastic seriousness that has you waiting for their next moment of wit trying steal each other’s scene.

With all these great characters and performances, it makes me think about the Academy Awards (more…)