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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Gentlemen Broncos (2009) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
I get a lot of the disdain but honestly, this is pretty much the exact natural evolution of šš¢š±š°šš¦š°šÆ ššŗšÆš¢š®šŖšµš¦ - for better and for worse. Am I proving the (brilliant) point of this film - portraying the intrinsic merits of an original idea over that same idea bastardized by greedy agencies and/or people who claim to be supportive while in the same breath spitefully swearing 'their version' is inherently better - in suggesting that if Hess would have restrained his weird Hess-isms just a smidge, that this downright compelling premise would have built up a bit more crucial meat which would have made this the great film it deserves to be? Then again, if that were the case this would have also missed out on its deliriously kooky atmosphere which provides such unforgettable nuance. I don't get much out of the main characters here but the supporting ones are next-level delish - Sam Rockwell and Jemaine Clement are fully game for this ravishing surrealism and it shows. Has some funny fuckin' moments but - as with most of the director's work - I admit that it strains from time to time. It also happens to be both gorgeous design-fetishism *and* has a dope soundtrack - Jared Hess is essentially Wes Anderson if he was obsessed with gradeschool potty humor.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Napoleon Dynamite (2004) in Movies
Mar 18, 2020
A Movie That Succeeds With Truly Memorable Characters
The story follows the highs and lows of high schooler Napoleon Dynamite. This is one of those movies you canāt help but like as itās truly unlike anything youāve ever seen before. I have yet to run into someone that didnāt like the movie, but Iām sure theyāre out there.
Acting: 10
BeginnIng: 10
āWhat are you gonna do today, Napoleon?ā a kid on the bus asks.
āWhatever I feel like doing, gosh!ā
Napoleon responds.Itās hilarious because it totally comes out of left field and never fails to make me bust out laughing no matter how many times I watch this scene. It sets you up and the laughs keep coming!
Characters: 10
Napoleon (Josh Heder) is truly a man all his own. He moves about with a breathy nerdiness thatās both hilarious and a little endearing too. Again you canāt help but love him. Without him, there is no movie. Thatās not to say that you wonāt love all the other characters as well. His brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) canāt stop talking about his internet girlfriend LaFawnduh and is totally all in his on his rap career. Napoleonās friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez) talks in a low voice barely above a whisper and you wonder just how the hell he is going to have a shot at winning class president. And I havenāt even gotten to Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) yet! Yes, there is much to love about these memorable characters that truly stand out.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Director Jared Hess shoots this in a way thatās wonderfully confusing. You donāt really know what year it is or just where the hell the setting is located. Itās a beautiful hodgepodge of nowhere and I love it.
Conflict: 2
One of the weaker points of the movie. The movie seems to wander about aimlessly from scene to scene with no strong storyline to boot. Iām ok with it because itās so damn funny, but this movie would have hit the classic level for me had they given Napoleon some adversity to overcome.
Entertainment Value: 10
Despite the lack of conflict, the movie is entertaining from start to finish. I was cracking up the whole way through. I would be very surprised if someone watched this and couldnāt find at least a handful of parts they enjoyed.
Memorability: 10
Pace: 9
Plot: 1
Again, had there been more of a story, this movie easily makes my Top 100. Napoleon Dynamite is not so much a story as it is a journey. Itās like watching a number of funny sketches wedged between a beginning and an end.
Resolution: 10
There is no strong showdown where Napoleon conquers his demons or a moment where Napoleon finally finds that thing that heās looking for. But there is an unforgettable dance sequence followed by the most hilarious tetherball game ever. And, you know what? Thatās good enough for me.
Overall: 82
If you want to laugh your face off and originality like no other, look no further. Napoleon Dynamite is sure to make you at least crack a smile. Or, if youāre anything like me, it will make you split a rib.
Acting: 10
BeginnIng: 10
āWhat are you gonna do today, Napoleon?ā a kid on the bus asks.
āWhatever I feel like doing, gosh!ā
Napoleon responds.Itās hilarious because it totally comes out of left field and never fails to make me bust out laughing no matter how many times I watch this scene. It sets you up and the laughs keep coming!
Characters: 10
Napoleon (Josh Heder) is truly a man all his own. He moves about with a breathy nerdiness thatās both hilarious and a little endearing too. Again you canāt help but love him. Without him, there is no movie. Thatās not to say that you wonāt love all the other characters as well. His brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) canāt stop talking about his internet girlfriend LaFawnduh and is totally all in his on his rap career. Napoleonās friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez) talks in a low voice barely above a whisper and you wonder just how the hell he is going to have a shot at winning class president. And I havenāt even gotten to Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) yet! Yes, there is much to love about these memorable characters that truly stand out.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Director Jared Hess shoots this in a way thatās wonderfully confusing. You donāt really know what year it is or just where the hell the setting is located. Itās a beautiful hodgepodge of nowhere and I love it.
Conflict: 2
One of the weaker points of the movie. The movie seems to wander about aimlessly from scene to scene with no strong storyline to boot. Iām ok with it because itās so damn funny, but this movie would have hit the classic level for me had they given Napoleon some adversity to overcome.
Entertainment Value: 10
Despite the lack of conflict, the movie is entertaining from start to finish. I was cracking up the whole way through. I would be very surprised if someone watched this and couldnāt find at least a handful of parts they enjoyed.
Memorability: 10
Pace: 9
Plot: 1
Again, had there been more of a story, this movie easily makes my Top 100. Napoleon Dynamite is not so much a story as it is a journey. Itās like watching a number of funny sketches wedged between a beginning and an end.
Resolution: 10
There is no strong showdown where Napoleon conquers his demons or a moment where Napoleon finally finds that thing that heās looking for. But there is an unforgettable dance sequence followed by the most hilarious tetherball game ever. And, you know what? Thatās good enough for me.
Overall: 82
If you want to laugh your face off and originality like no other, look no further. Napoleon Dynamite is sure to make you at least crack a smile. Or, if youāre anything like me, it will make you split a rib.