J. Edgar- review

Hey! These things make everything look bigger!

I really love the movies that Clint Eastwood chooses to work with.  They are usually very bold and have the actors take on really unique challenges with a compelling story.  The cast is usually very strong and there is a lot that can be said about it when it all comes together well.  As for “J. Edgar,” I’m just going to say that every director is entitled to a bad movie now and again. 

Leonard DiCaprio as Phillip Seymour Hoffman

“J. Edgar” tells the story of J. Edgar Hoover as he creates the F.B.I and follows him through some of the biggest cases of his life.  As we follow this we see a different side of him as very paranoid man, who blackmails anyone that might go against the bureau and how he is a closeted homosexual.  The movie hop scotches through time and we see him as a young man and at his final days as an old man bearing the likeness of Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  The film lacks a lot of cohesiveness of an overall story arc which makes it seem like a long look at someone’s jumbled up photo album.

Why can't I quit you?

In the film’s defense the cast is really good.  Leonardo DiCaprio is really good at playing Hoover, and Naomi Watts is wonderful, though she seems underused.  Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson, Hoover’s lover, is a really good choice and somewhat steals the show sometimes.  Some might remember him playing both Winklevoss twins in “The Social Network” a fact that really impressed me when I discovered it was one guy playing both parts. He is going to go places.

Live from New York it's Saturday Night!

The movie can be subtle sometimes and an interesting character study of Hoover.  However, its plot structure criss crossing all over and not having a central story makes it a mix of unbearably dull at times and confusing at others. I just can’t help thinking that with all the material that there is on the man that we get this confusing and poorly put together movie. We should have gotten something much more interesting and linear.  Here was a man who was arguably one of the most powerful men in American at one time; and they made a movie about him where you couldn’t possibly give a shit.

Dinner with Celebrities

A long time ago I was asked what 5 celebrities living or dead I’d invite for dinner if I could.  I put that list on Facebook recently and was asked to elaborate a tad.  I think if you had the opportunity to defy time and space and have dinner with people it should be people from different aspects of life that you care about.  For me it was politics, music, movies, books, and someone that created something that is my geek obsession.

​For politics I choose FDR.  During three terms he had to face the great depression, World War II and putting together many of the programs we have to this to this day like social security.   He also suffered from polio so was confined to a wheelchair throughout his Presidency but since the media was different then they didn’t reveal it to the public for fear it would make him look weak.

​For music I choose John Lennon.  Not only one of the founders of the Beatles he was an amazing solo artist.  He was not a perfect man.  But as a whole his story is an interesting one since he seems to be aware of his imperfections.  His love story with Yoko One is a great one.

​For movies I choose Clint Eastwood.  I think he is one of the best actors around and he has proven himself time and time again as a director.  He has led an interesting life and I wonder what goes through his head to make such good movies as “Million Dollar Baby” and “Gran Torino”.   I wonder what movies he uses as inspiration.

​For books I choose Stephen King.   He has written so much in his life and in other genres besides horror.  He establishes entire towns of fabulous characters.   He’s got a condition where he is slowly going blind but he still continues to write.  I honestly don’t think he’ll ever stop as long as there are ideas in his head.  I love that about him.

​Finally, there is my geek obsession.  I would eat with Matt Groening, creator of “The Simpsons” and “Futurama”.  I would pick the hell out of his brain about what went into such an amazing show and what a ride it has been and what it has meant to me.  It’s the longest running show in television history and it openly mocks the FOX Corporation.  That’s wild.

​I’m sure some of you have been thinking of what 5 folks you’d invite.  I urge you to write me and tell me who they are.  Hopefully you enjoyed this little bit about me.  If not…well, back to the reviews soon.  Take care, gentle readers.