Taking Chances

Glad I Took a Chance
When I had heard that the guy who does the "Hi, I'm a Mac" t.v. commercial was in this film, my interest was piqued. Didn't know who the other actors were.... didn't matter: the story, a variation on the David vs Goliath theme, was compelling. It is unfortunate that the cover art of the DVD gives the impression of this being a teenage romantic comedy. The movie itself belies that image - it's a complex, textured story about good and evil, innocence and knowing, honesty and deceit. My only criticism: perhaps the movie tries to take on too many deep contradictions. Even so, "Taking Chances" is worth watching.

A surprisingly great watch!
I bought this film because I think Justin Long is funny and I thought it looked like a cute love story. Now, I was reticent because I thought the cover is cheesy, but I decided to get it anyway. It was so much better than I imagined! And it wasn't just a love story, more of a coming of age film about a young guy who is trying to figure out his place in his town and therefore the world. I laughed out loud, which I rarely do, and I was also really touched by it. It's quite witty, not big slapstick humor. I also thought it captured the current political climate of main street economic struggles and the corruption of government and big business. I strongly recommend it. Pleasant surprise!
Taking Chances

"History Is the Foundation Stone of Our Past"
While I have no shame in admitting that Justin Long is probably the longest crush I've suffered thus far, his latest vehicle TAKING CHANCES (2009) is a bit of a disappointing film to try to review fairly. Political satire is not easy, yet it is even harder to evaluate. Just ask Michael Moore.

Set in "Patriotville", South Carolina, TAKING CHANCES is about exactly that: taking a chance on better prospects. Director Talmage Cooley handles this fairly well, for his third-time outing.

The film, hinging around a poor, small, broken South Carolingian town that is about to get an Indian casino, is full of that rare repartee that is witty, near-slapstick (and often ad-lib) that makes these films such a treat. The Sasquatch Gang (see my review), another of Long's starring roles, came to mind as I watched this. Some knee-slapping, biting back-and-forth brought to mind some of the ridiculous political...

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