Quick Movie Reviews: Persepolis (2007), Adventureland (2009)

Persepolis (2007)

Bottomline: Excellent animated film that provides interesting insight into the life of a young girl growing up in a turbulent Iran.

Pros: Excellent hand-created animation. Loved Grandma (voiced by Danielle Darrieux). Surprisingly funny and poignant.

Cons: Yes, it's autobiographical but I found that, at times, the film became remarkably self-indulgent.

Notes: This is animated. It is in French. Turn on the sub-titles.

Where Can I See This? It is available on DVD.

QMR Opinion: Based on a graphic novel, Persepolis tells the story of Marjane Satrapi, who grows up in late '70s Iran during the overthrow of the Shah and the installtion of the religious establishment. The story begins when Marjane is 9 years old and the film is told almost completely from her point of view. My favorite parts of the film are when we get some behind-the-scenes look at Iran in upheaval. To say that Satrapi has led a remarkably interesting life is a tremendous understatement. It's amazing she is as sane as she is. What is particularly surprising, at least to me, is how funny this movie is.

Adventureland (2009)

Bottomline: What a great movie. It's funny. It's insightful.

Pros: Downright hilarious without being gross. Jesse Eisenberg is terrific. Martin Starr is phenomenal.

Cons: There's a weird sub-plot with Ryan Reynolds. I was not impressed with Kristen Stewart.

Where Can I See This? It is out on DVD.

QMR Opinion: This movie was billed as being "from the director that brought you Superbad." True. Greg Mottola did direct both films. But Adventureland is far, far superior to Superbad (2007), which was a gross-out teen comedy whose shining moment was McLovin. Adventureland tells the story (based on Mottola's own experience) of a young college graduate who must get a summer job and ends up getting one at the local amusement park (managed by Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig). The acting by the principals is spot on but I was particularly impressed with Jesse Eisenberg and Martin Starr. The one exception to that would be Kristen Stewart who I thought acted almost too nonchalant. Oh. . .and the setting is 1987 -- so you get great '80s styles and a terrific soundtrack. When you rent this, be sure to watch the special features -- especially the Adventureland commercials and training videos. Caveats: Not gross like Superbad but there is a lot of vomiting and a ton of drug use.

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