brick.

really cool in a ‘debut filmmaker trying to show off his filmmaking chops’ kinda way, but also sucks a little in a ‘baby’s first mystery plot’ way. Johnson packs just about every formal trick he has up his sleeve into Brick in a fashion that perhaps could only be done through a debutant’s audacity. he’s always been a filmmaker who’s shamelessly a product of his influences—which i continue to find admirable, regardless of results—but it’s clearly on a different…

[this was an advance screening meant to start at 7:30, and i had tix to Full Metal Jacket at 9:50. i figured there’s plenty of time to make both. but nobody told me there’d be a long ass magic show before the screening, and i showed up at the carlton half an hour after doors closed. damn you magic! i want my 5 bucks back.]

also review embargo! can’t write ‘til tomorrow! fancy!

edit nov 11th: embargo is lifted and i…