Movie Monday: Bernie

This week for Movie Monday I’m back with a movie that might just be a must see. It’s Bernie!

Plot Synopsis: In small-town Carthage, Texas in 1996, local assistant mortician Bernie Tiede, a beloved member of the community, becomes the only friend of the wealthy, recently widowed Marjorie Nugent, who is widely considered cold and unpleasant by the other townsfolk…

Plot: let me get this out of the way, this is an actual true story and really happened. That being said the movie is pretty awesome, and incredibly accurate. It’s not exactly a documentary, but if you were to want a comedic documentary, this might be the closest thing you’d get to one of those. I won’t go into the story, but I will say it’s well done.

Casting: The entire cast is freaking awesome, with Jack Black as Bernie in probably one of his best film roles ever. Honestly the entire cast is amazing. Matthew McConaughey is the district attorney Davidson and also does an awesome role in this film. Shirley MacLain also does an admirable job as Marjorie. There are some actual people portraying themselves, which is a nice touch as well.

Cinematography: This film does an awesome job of portraying this story, with plenty of comments from town folk that make up for the nature of the story.

Music: I will admit I don’t remember much of the musical score, but it was fitting I will say that.

Overall: This is probably a must watch film, if only because it should be the base line for every documentary film made from now on.

For those who like: Dark Humor, True Stories, Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Documentaries.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, but do give this a try.

Movie Monday: School of Rock

This week for Movie Monday I’m back with a movie that was okay, and actually inspired a TV series. It’s School of Rock!

Plot Synopsis: No Vacancy, a rock band, performs at a nightclub three weeks before auditioning for the Battle of the Bands. Guitarist Dewey Finn creates on-stage antics, including a failed stage dive that abruptly ends the performance. The next morning, Dewey wakes in the apartment he lives in with Ned Schneebly and his girlfriend, Patty Di Marco. They inform him he must make up for his share of the rent or move out. When Dewey meets No Vacancy at a rehearsal session, he finds out that he has been replaced by another guitarist named Spider. Later, while attempting to sell some of his equipment for rent money, Dewey answers a phone call from Rosalie Mullins, the principal of the Horace Green prep school, inquiring for Ned about a short-term position as a substitute teacher. Desperate for money, Dewey impersonates Ned and is hired.

Plot: The plot is okay, but not super deep or amazing. It’s fun though and was a good film to watch for those younger.

Casting: The entire is cast is pretty awesome, with Jack Black portraying Dewey Finn. Dewey is the star of the show though and much of the film revolves around him a bit too much.

Cinematography: There is no amazing special effects along the lines of a Fantasy or Sci-Fi movie, but it’s not terribly shot either. Adequate would be the term I’d use to describe it in one word.

Music: Obviously being a major theme of the movie, the Music was pretty awesome. It’s got it’s own goofy spin on it, but it’s pretty good.

Overall: A fun movie, but not a must watch.

For those who like: Comedy, Jack Black, Music, Teaching, Redemption Stories?

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.