Juno Rocks / Finals Are Over!!!

Well, here I am in post-finals bliss. (They explain the lack of posting, by the way.) In celebration, I’m kicking back old school with some goldfish and a glass of rootbeer.

I went to see Juno last night. Like any self-respecting 20-something film student who doesn’t have her head stuck in the sand of Neo-Realism, I thought this was a great indie flick with a strong script and some amazing performances. Most of what other reviewers have found as flaws (awkward moments, a few flat jokes, the feeling the audience gets of “I don’t remember being that cool when I was a dork in high school”) I have seen as amazing translations of the adolescent experience (awkward moments, a few flat jokes, the feeling you get of “Man, I may just be the coolest dork in high school”).

My itemized thoughts (hey, I’m too tired from papers to continue with this paragraph nonsense):

• OMFG!!!!!1 DWIGHT!
• “Hey, is that the lady from Drop Dead Gorgeous? I think it’s the lady from Drop Dead Gorgeous. OH MY GOD, SHE TOTALLY IS THE LADY FROM DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!” (stares from the crowd ensue)
• Mike Cera deserves a hug for his performance. Does the academy gives hugs? It sure would make the Oscar ceremonies a lot more warm and cozy.
• Ellen Page and J.K. Simmons had amazing comedic chemistry on screen. Their scenes together (especially when Drop Dead Gorgeous Lady – ok, ok, Allison Janney – was there) were some of the best in the film. I’ve always found Simmons to be the one redeeming part of all of the Spiderman films… He nails the vaudeville-esque banter perfectly.
• Of course, Ellen Page herself was amazingly dynamic for such a young actress. I don’t know how, but I believed both the snarkiness and the vulnerability her character exhibited even though they happened within seconds of each other.
• It’s about time The Moldy Peaches got some extensive screen time (and yes, I know that it was the female member’s solo stuff for most the movie… but the one TMP song was awesome). Their song (I won’t name for spoilers’ sakes) made the ending perfect.
• Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman’s relationship and on-screen dynamic was incredibly believable. Bateman didn’t beat the whole “I’m not ready to be a dad yet” thing to death from the first few scenes, but rather played it with such subtlety that the audience felt the same ambivalence that he did.
• This film deserves every Oscar it will get nominated for and not receive.

Well, that’s my incoherent thoughts on the whole shindig. Now I’m off to put in ear plugs as my tone-deaf neighbor from the next apartment over now tries to learn banjo.

He’s already failed at guitar, drums, piano, and tuba.