Genres

Visitors Review

Moira MacDonald 2012-05-24 12:21:37

Brick is a first feature for Johnson, and while it's not an unqualified success, it definitely marks him as a young filmmaker to watch.

kirksworks 2012-05-24 01:12:53

Sounded good on paper...

I suppose the idea for "Brick" was a good one - take a Dashiell Hammetttype crime fiction story and update it for a younger audience. A sortof Sam Spade-type with teen angst has a lot of merit. The problem isthe outcome. It seems forced. The level of corruption in a high schoolcombined with the Hammett-style dialog coming from the young cast justmakes them seem like a bunch of posturing teens, not unlike BazLuhrmann's updating of "Romeo & Juliet." "Brick," thankfully, isn'tquite as bad as R&J (and I do like ol' Baz - just not R&J). The leadactor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt looked good. He had moments that worked,but his performance was one note. We needed more back story on he andEmily. I really didn't care for the character, nor really anyone elsein the film with the possible exception of Lukas Haas' Pin, but hedidn't have much screen time. I mean, compare him to character actorSidney Greenstreet's character in the 1941 "The Maltese Falcon." Now,there was a character that was full of mystery. And Bogart's Sam Spadeis a guy you truly cared about what happened to. I at least have tohand it to the filmmakers of "Brick" for trying something different,and I did like Johnson and Seymour's music score. It felt kind of likeback up to Tom Waits. For once a youth film wasn't wall to wall popsongs. It's just that the basic idea comes off as extremely artificial.

thefilmguru-3 2012-05-16 15:53:16

thefilmguru reviews: Brick

Brick. Ahhh Brick. Brick Brick Brick Brick Brick. After watching thisfilm i still don't understand what the hell Brick actually is, but I'msure i heard it mentioned, and i think yo're actually meant to know,but thats not the point, this movie is great.I've got the sneaky feeling that someone told me that this film wasmade as a school project by these guys, and thats what made it a wholelot better for me. The dialogue is fresh and snappy, the acting is fantastic and i felt ireally grew with the character, the suspicion, and just the storyunfolding in itself, seemed to be happening to him and me. I felt areal connection.I just think this film is very good, not one to really watch again andagain, but its fresh. And fresh is good.

Jim Kobayashi 2012-05-16 05:38:35

One of a kind.

The movie was just fantastic. The actors/actresses are all good, andthe story line was definitely unique and interesting. If the movie isdefined, it probably would be "Amateur detective movie" or "High schooldetective movie", and whichever it is, one thing for sure is I've neverwatched the movie like this before.Although I felt weird when I found out that all drug dealers in themovie look not so scary or drug dealer-ish, it made the story morerealistic and made me realize how many Hollywood movies I've watcheddescribed the drug dealer as climinal-ish.The movie is absolutely worth to watch despite the fact that they usetoo many unfamiliar slangs that I couldn't understand without checkingmy dictionary. However, considering the fact that English is not myfirst language, it's not that big deal for you if you're a nativeEnglish speaker.Finally, if you are wondering watching this movie, go rent it!! Iguarantee that you're not gonna regret it.and just one thing, is it only me felt The Pin looks stupid through themovie?

brizl47-1 2012-05-14 04:25:11

A lot better film than anything else around right now

Looking for a more interesting movie experience? Try "Brick". The castis effective, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lukas Haas. (Themusic is all over the place, which keeps your attention fromwandering.) The story is well crafted and the language is, for ablissful change, smart and f-word free. Wow, teenagers really can talkin complete sentences! And some of those sentences made me laugh outloud. You may have to listen carefully, but it's worth it. And then youcan go for coffee later and try to think of all the old classics itbrings to mind. Or you can just go home and congratulate yourself onhaving chosen a good movie to see.Quite a nice experience and worthy of prizes won.

pez_man98 2012-05-13 12:30:19

Laura and Kara....who the F where they? * * SPOILER **

**SPOILER** Does anyone know what the deal was with Laura and Kara, interms of their involvement with Emily's murder? I was very confused bythe end. From what I understood...Laura stole the brick from Pin, cutit badly, then returned it to Pin. Yet when Pin's friend tried it, hedied. Pin was out for blood...Laura put the blame on her friend Emily,whom Laura felt was cutting in to her action (??). Was this it? How wasKara involved? Anyone know? And Tug killed Emily because she waspregnant with his child? Was Tug sent to kill Emily by the Pin? Why didTug turn on the Pin so fast? I loved the movie, yet I really felt lostas to what really went on....

Dean C 2012-05-13 03:57:02

Liked the premise, but this was insulting

Watching this movie was like watching a high school production of aShakespeare play set in a fraternity house or as a varsity sports team:you understand what they're trying to do, but the pretension, clumsyacting, and incongruousness of the project make it intolerable.Neo-noir is best done when it catches the viewers off-guard: in anideal world, we'd have gone into this movie thinking we were watching ahigh school thriller until it dawned on us that it had the aesthetics,plotting, and pacing of a film noir. Instead we are bashed over thehead with teenagers speaking in incomprehensible 1940s slang whilemaking decisions that don't make any sense, and it's nowhere near asamusing enough to work as parody.I can imagine if you haven't seen many movies that are modernadaptations, or you're the sort of person who saw a Shakespeare playwhere the actors wore business suits and you thought it wasmind-blowing, then you'll come away from this movie impressed. I wasexpecting something more-- this was a gimmick.

Brandon Fibbs 2012-05-12 14:41:24

Brick is a black-comic ballet through the peculiar terrors of suburban adolescence...

the_Poppuns 2012-05-10 00:22:58

Kinda silly

There is quirky dialogue, cool dialogue, fresh dialogue and while thismovie tried to have all of those things it just had odd dialogue. It'sobvious that this was supposed to be some sort of high school noir, butit had an Encyclopedia Brown vibe to it. The heavy is played by LukasHaas who seems to be attempting his best Mickey Rourke. Hil-larious.The femme fatale is terrible. I've never seen this actress before butshe wasn't mysterious, sexy, or cunning. All required of the noir femmefatale. And the other kids were just as bad or worse, save JosephGordon Levitt who isn't a kid anymore and should stop playing one now.He's too good for this nonsense.I'm giving this movie a 6. It's not a total loss there is some goodcinematography and lighting, and it's something different, and in myopinion that means a lot in the current era of remakes and regurgitatedplots. But if you want to see a movie with weird dialogue that worksand that's entertaining, you should check out 'Highway' starring JaredLeto and Jake Gyllenhaal.

nikforjen 2012-05-09 12:58:21

High school media student movie that got released as "real" movie by mistake?

This movie was one of those movies you are not just indifferent to- andbored by. It was TRYING so hard to be a cool, "special" movie, that theaccumulated pretentiousness literally made me bitter, sad and angry. It hurt me to watch it. I'd rather be bored by "Gone in 60 seconds" -at least it's honest about it's utter lack of artistic qualities...I wonder how it could receive worldwide distribution, so that even I,in little Denmark, could watch it! - To think that I have to go withoutmany Hal Hartley movies and movies like Ken Park and Bully because theydon't get Danish distribution - and then get movies like this instead...PS. the acting was not exactly Robert de Niro standard either...

2012-05-06 13:25:27

Brick - Awesometown

Film Noir set in a California High School. It's a detective movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt from "Third Rock from the Sun" plays Brendan, and after his ex-girlfriend winds up dead, he sets out to see who done it and get even. I loved this film, perhaps a little too much. The writing is incredibly tight and smarty pants. The characters are detailed, vivid, and lovable. Especially that Nora Zehetner who plays Laura. Rian Johnson did good by this one, and it took him almost a decade to get this film made for $500k on 35mm. This film isn't about the cinematography, it's about the story. It blew up at Sundance in 2005 winning the special jury prize for "originality of vision". You will see why.

nomadski 2012-05-06 01:45:15

Over-hyped Rubbish

Before i start, i enjoy my movies. That is, anything that i findentertaining. Doesn't matter whether its black and white, nor if it hassubtitles. I don't care, so long as the subject matter is interesting,the dialogue is intelligently written, the story moves thru interestingplaces to an even more interesting end.This film had none of this, and a whole lot less.Given the amazing reviews this had been received i sat down with a likeminded friend awaiting a contender for movie of the year.30 minutes of incomprehensible dialogue later (i say 30, i could onlyhear about 10 of it), smart-ass high schoolies doing that oh sooriginal adult thang (*cough* Bugsy Malone *cough*) around a story thatcould, when analysed, be written on half a sheet of A4 paper, irealised i had been duped into viewing an uncontrollably messy, badlyacted piece of angry-nerd noir-wannabe.We are supposed to recognise the pillars of this genre here, but do youreally relate to angry teenagers, or a femme fatale with all thecharisma of a postage stamp, or the "mob" bosses who relate no threatto anyone? All i could say at the end was meh. It sooooo wants you tothink its really clever and knowingly winks at the eyes wide open crowdbaying for more lines they cant fathom, or plot twists they secretlyknew was coming about 10 minutes ago, even without subtitles.In essence its an incredibly simple story, told in a badly writtenmanner, mistaking confusion, for intellect. I'm no brain surgeon, but iunderstand films, i enjoy films and i (often) like to relate to filmson one level or another.This movie left me cold, and baying for my DVD of Donnie Darko.

snooper-1 2012-05-04 11:35:02

Terrible

This movie is a huge waste of time. If you actually try to let theintricacies of this plot enter your brain and emotions, to gain anykind of importance, you're an idiot!! It's just so corny andpretentious, I cannot stand to watch.Pretty good acting by the lead though, but he mumbles his"Cagney-esque" lines quite a lot which adds to the irrelevance of whathe's saying. The Brain guy I will say is probably the best actor in themovie. I was most impressed by the way he pulled off his small role.Very natural and obviously very intelligent.4/10

Stella Papamichael 2012-05-04 09:37:43

Even with its shortcomings, Brick provides solid thrills for film noir fans.

2012-05-03 17:42:32

unsuccesful attempt at something different

**1/2You at least gotta give `em points for trying.That's about the best that can be said for the people who made "Brick," an ambitious, though ultimately misguided, attempt to set a film noir drama on a contemporary high school campus. Joseph Gordon-Levitt - who, in "Mysterious Skin," delivered one of the best film performances of 2005 - is here completely miscast as a tough-talking teen investigating the death of his beloved ex-girlfriend, most likely at the hands of some local drug dealers. In all fairness to Gordon-Levitt, however, it should be pointed out that in "Skin," he was called upon to play a real life person with real life feelings and emotions, which he did to perfection. In "Brick," the character is anything BUT real; rather, he is a deliberately artificial construct designed by writer/director Rian Johnson to move the plot along and to enhance the film noir atmosphere. Yet, there is something inherently ludicrous in having modern teens speaking in the clipped phrasing and arch wordiness typical of 1940's film noir characters. Actors like Bogart, Lancaster and Widmark didn't just have their tough-guy status conferred on them; they had to earn it, through the kind of wisdom and gravitas that come only with age and a life composed largely of hard knocks, both physical and psychological. We always understood that it was the baggage they brought with them from their previous lives that made them what they were today. Lacking this life experience, the characters in "Brick," on the other hand, go through the motions, but always eliciting the nagging impression in us that they are merely playing dress-up (if not literally, at least metaphorically), a fact which drains the film itself of vitality and relevance. To put it more bluntly and succinctly, we simply don't care.It doesn't help that the story itself is convoluted and not particularly compelling, or that the acting is stiff and deliberately one-note in nature (not the fault of the actors, I must add). Moreover, it's rather inexplicable as to why this high school seems strangely bereft of teachers and classrooms. On the positive side, Johnson and cinematographer Steve Yedlin do bring an appropriately stark and ominous look to the normally cheery, antiseptic Southern California suburban backdrop against which the drama takes place.Perhaps by the time they all get together for their 20th high school reunion, the characters will have grown into their roles. Till then, I'll stick with film noir dramas that are by, about and for grownups.

Polaris_DiB 2012-05-03 07:36:09

High school drama

Though showing elements of a "first film" in the sense that not allproduction values are 100%, Brick shows Rian Johnson is here to makeMOVIES and nobody's getting in his way. I can see why people wouldcriticize this movie for the device of setting it during high school,but frankly if they do so criticize, they are ultimately missing thepoint. Johnson is looking so far to be the next generations next tokenescapist, and here he wants to show that all that high school drama youused to care about has gotten grittier and darker. It also provides anentirely new element to the film noir genre, as teachers roam the edgesof vision as the law or cops would do in a regular film noir, while thelaw or cops take the place of God himself, wrecking unbiased vengeanceover the land.If you read that I wrote above and think, "Wow, that sounds absolutelyretarded," well you probably won't like this movie, and for all of thewrong reasons. But if you read above and your heart began to stammer alittle, then you will share in the enjoyment of a new cult classic thatreveals a filmmaker willing to have his cake and eat it too. RianJohnson so far seems to care about two things: ridiculous ideas, andmaking them work so that you believe it. He cranks his actors to thelimit and lets nary a self-aware smirk 'cross their face. He filmsduring the only overcast moments in SoCal. And he's willing to includea mother blissfully serve milk and cookies. In short, this movie ishardcore. If you ever wondered what The Breakfast Club would be like ifthey were all involved in the heroin racket and Anthony Michael Hallcould kick some ass, this is the movie for you.

2012-04-27 17:33:29

An instant classic

The best film of the year, with a powerful performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Anyone who has seen this movie will agree, Joseph Gordon-Levitt steals the screen, and you can be sure you will be seeing him in A LOT more movies.

oneguyrambling 2012-04-27 09:19:34

Brick is a "little" film that suggests "big things" for the future.

It isn't really the plot that makes Brick such a good and unnecessarilyoverlooked film – the film deals with a young man's search to uncoverthe real reasons behind the death of his ex-girlfriend – it is how theyplay the events out.When ex Emily is murdered for no known reason Brendan, a lank hairedslacker looking guy sets out to get to the bottom of things. He istough (but not muscly or strong), streetwise and fair, but nonethelessdetermined to get to the truth.The beauty of the film is that while it features a cast of almostentirely school aged teens (or at least school-aged looking) the eventsand dialogue are played out in a 50s noir style: hence we have thesmalltime kingpin called the Pin donning a ridiculous Count Duckulacape and carrying an elaborate cane, and the "dangerous to know" womanflutters her big eyes and always seems ready to lend a hand.I daresay if you watched certain sections without the sound up it wouldlook like skinny teens playing dress-ups, especially the Pin… Allclichés are represented, the muscle, the pin-up, the kingpin and thebrain – who is even called The Brain in case you get confused.Everyone is also happy to drink scotch from a decanter – neat. Speakingfor my teen years brandy and coke in a can or Southern Comfort put meon my arse, so straight scotch might've killed me.The dialogue is snappy and the wordplay clever, there are noconcessions to dumb here so if you can't keep up still with Vin Dieselfilms. Everyone talks in the same dispassionate and matter of factmanner with effortless cool, except that is, those that are there to bedangerous and menacing.The plot isn't especially labyrinthine and unfolds neatly along the wayso there is little point outlining it here aside from what is alreadysaid. Suffice to say we learn the significance of the title and exactlywho/what and where things happened, along with ultimately why.On second viewing I found Brick a little less impactful than when Ifirst watched it a few years ago, probably because it was so new andunexpected upon first viewing and this time I knew what I was in for.Regardless of that this is smart and effective filmmaking with abreakout performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and a few notable minorroles with no-one obviously out of their depth – even the possible onenote "muscle" guy named Tugger (natch) puts in a multi facetedperformance.I liked the film more for what it attempted than what it became, but Istill recommend checking out Brick to see someone taking a chance atdoing something different to the norm.Final Rating – 7.5 / 10. Brick is a "little" film that suggests "bigthings" for the future.

2012-04-25 10:49:22

"Lunch is Difficult"

Ever wonder what "The Maltese Falcon" would be like if it was set in high school? Well, I have. And even if you haven't, Rian Johnson's "Brick", an homage to classic film noirs, is well worth a look.While there's many parallels to Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon" (even the item the title refers to is sort of a modern equivalent of the "black bird"), as well as Raymond Chandler's mysteries and other stories of the genre, "Brick" has more than enough unique twists and turns of its own. The story begins when anti-social reject Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) accepts a phone call from his ex-girlfriend ("Lost"'s Emilie deRavin). She rambles off a series of slang terms and nicknames Brendan's never heard of. Brendan immediately sets out to meet her face to face by infiltrating one social clique after another, starting by getting himself invited to a party hosted by a wealthy cheerleader and her jock boyfriend. Two days later, Brendan discovers his ex's body. He hides the body so he can bring the people behind her death to justice himself, at the same time making himself a suspect in her murder.Several of the classic noir hallmarks are there. There's the well-informed sidekick (Matt O'Leary), the intimidating crime boss (college-aged drug-dealer "The Pin", played by Lukas Haas), his hired muscle (Noah Fleiss), the troublesome junkie (Noah Segan), the by-the-book authority figure (Richard "John Shaft" Roundtree) and not one but two drop-dead-gorgeous femme fatales, cheerleader Laura (Nora Zehetner) and drama club member Kara (Meagan Good). The hero dishes abuse, takes abuse, and cracks wise like a Humphrey Bogart character. But everyone delivers their lines (riddled with slang terms from the 30's, 40's, and 50's, as well as several invented by Johnson) and actions so casually and with such conviction that they seem natural and the movie never devolves into spoof. And, like any good film noir, the movie stays gritty without ever being crass or in bad taste. All this with just a dollop of high school angst in the mix.Nathan Johnson's score is one of the highlights of the film. Like the movie, the score has an Indie feel, a contemporary feel, and a retro feel, all at once, with a hint of jazz. Reoccuring character themes lend dramatic emphasis to the film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance will make you forget all about the role he played in the comedy series "3rd Rock from the Sun." But the true stand-out performance is by Nora Zehetner, who is glamorous in the best old-fashioned sense, and could definitely go places.

golpher987654321 2012-04-25 07:20:18

Crazy!!!!

There is actually a real brick in this movie which supposedly was madeby a company in Maryland called, Redland Brick. Check out the movie andsee if you can spot the brick. For clues to what it looks like, go tothe Redland website: www.redlandbrick.com and you'll find the cluesthat will help you.The "unique" brick was purposely placed in the movie and will revealsomething very interesting which the movie itself leaves out.Once you have found the brick, finish watching the movie to find somepieces of the puzzle and then start the movie over again to spot a fewmore pieces which will then make sense. Good luck! HB