Juno is the newest INDEPENDENT FILM starring Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, Jeniffer Gardner, J.K Simmons, and Ellen Page. I'm a little disappointed that there wasn't a thread on this movie anyways, its great and I think everybody here should watch it. Unless you only like special-effects movies, then don't see this.

I'll start with the cast. Its freakin' awesome. Its to bad that Jason Bateman and Michael Cera aren't in ANY scenes together. If only they were. But yeah.. this film does not lack in acting, its truly great.

The genre is comedy, yes, it was hilarious I might add. I don't think there was any psychical humor or dick/fart jokes. This film's comedy is in the quirky dialog, which is hilarious. And strangely A LOT similar to teenager dialog these days. This is a light-hearted comedy, its sweet and cute, but you can definitely get the sense of "Kevin Smith" or "Seth Rogen" in there. Though, I felt a little embarassed, only adults and *I* were laughing. I guess this means I'm a little mature for my age. Eh. Oh well.

Not only is this film comedic, its dramatic. Ellen Page has truly proven herself as a great actress with the dramatic stuff she pulled off. She is truly a great actress. Michael Cera is pretty much the character he played in Superbad, except he doesn't swear as much and stuff. But he is still the awkward teenager that every school has.

The only main problem with the movie, was the fact that Bleeker (Michael Cera) doesn't have that much in the movie. He's in the beginning quite some, in the end also, but he's missing from the whole middle. It was quite disappointing, and I was wondering when he would show up again.

Overall, Juno is a great film. I think its my number one film of 2007. It is truly great. Independent Films score again!

****

I thought that this movie was very funny, but I can see it not being for everyone, after 15 min you'll either get into it or hate it, but I got into it, the whole cast is great, especially Spider-man's boss, he has a lot of great lines and plays the part so well, I'd love to see him get an Oscar nod for supporting actor, I thought he was that g0od.  The movie also has a perfect ending, along with the mist this ending is wonderful, I couldn't imagine it ending another way, the last 2 min is probably my favourite part, just wonderful.  So ya, if you can get into it, the dialogue is very hip, everyone in the movie is hip, but i dug it.  Also this movie is shot where I live now, but Takes place where I used to live in Minnesota, I thought that was kinda funny.

I finally got round round to seeing this the other day and loved it, really, really good. Ellen Page I thought was excellent and being a huge fan of The West Wing It was particularly nice to see Alison Janney doing something again too.

But Toran, be careful how you throw that "Independent film" phrase around, As someone who has a bit of a passion for independent movies I am starting to become a little annoyed with the current trend of major studios making independent movies. There is I think a  question mark over Juno's legitimately to be called independent, Fox Searchlight are not just distributing the movie but also financed it too I believe.

While on one hand It is great that the studio's are making the kinds of movies I want to see, of course nobody can argue with that. I just hate this whole idea of manufacturing Indie movie success and the effect this will have on the real independent film community. With Juno, Fox have made a film that has the appearance and quirkyness of an Indie film, they promoted it as an indie film and released it slowly and to limited screens trying to manufacturer a hype around is as so happens with decent indie flicks.  

Problem is that it worked for Fox, they have a huge hit, watch the floodgates open now. Will this make it harder for real independents to get their work out there if the studios all start making "indie" films? I hope not but it is a worrying trend.

Anyway,  great movie. 8.5/10

First of all, Juno is a really good film, But I kinda disagree with Jordan. I sorta disliked the first 15 minutes, but as the movie started to move away from relying on its hipster dialogue and indie song montages in became this endearing and incredibly poignant comedy about real life situations and the awkwardness of love.

And Ellen Page is LUMINOUS! Michael Cera fares well too.

but this film is made by its performances and directing much more than its script, IMO.

There are literally 4 scenes in this movie in which the main characters do nothing but sit around and plug hipster music and movies. This is one the biggest vices of "quirky indie cinema", when it tries to force some obscure band down my throat when it has nothing to do with the plot. It's just the screenwriter plugging their favorite band to the audience. Garden State did it as well. "Hey, listen to the Shins! it'll change your life".

And I like Sonic Youth, Mott the Hoople, The Stooges (kinda), and even peripherally The Melvins. But I'd rather watch the infomercial.

Another thing that kinda bugged me was some of the dialogue. A bit over-written. "Silencio, old man" and "honest to blog" are just a tad too hip for its own good.

But ultimately this ends up a few pegs (at least) above the usual sundance darlings because of Jason Reitman, Ellen Page and Michael Cera. Even if it recycles the same acoustic singer-songwriter montages that every "indie" film has in 'em. Why can't someone make an indie film with, like, Motorhead doing the score?

It really is a must-see though.

Oh and for the record, "Diablo Cody", Madison is NOT a gay name!


Murphy:

I don't think there's anything to worry about. First of all, I'd contest that Juno, even if it isn't an auteur movie, rises above the usual crop of indies that prioritize awkward silence or hip dialogue over narrative. So if Juno makes the studios want to make more movies like that, and lending money to this, then I'm all for it. In fact I think a lot of indies these days look the same without the help of mainstream commerical uniformity. It's mostly because they all wanna be the next Rushmore.

The IFC podcast this week did a really great show about the typical Sundance indie film and listed elements that they all have in common . I think you can check it out on Imdb.

Cheers Death Monkey, I will have a look for that podcast today, sounds like it might be an interesting listen.

Thanks

Indie, schminidie -- who cares where the good films come from, as long as they come.

I'll cast another vote for this film -- it's great -- but I will also echo DM's minor annoyances at the film's hipster chic cuteness that it doesn't even need, really.

As Micheal Cera states at one point in the film, when told that he is cool without even trying, "I actually have to try pretty hard."  Well, this film does not have to try so hard either, and its too bad the filmmakers didn't have enough confidence in their story's own charms.

This script is actually available to read, and it, too, is recommended.  I read it before I saw the film, and really got alot from the characters because of it.  I do not always recommend that, but I would in this case.  It will add layers to the viewing experience.

Jason Bateman gives a remarkable performance if you know what is coming for him later -- and he hints at it from his very first scene forward -- with his cliche, hesitant responses to Juno's questions -- but you only recognize it if you are looking for it.  Really nice work from him.  

Good film.  Good script.  Check them both out.  

Yeah, Bert, Jason Bateman did real good. his very first scene dit really foreshadow how he'd end up. His lines could've easily had been played too straight by a lesser actor.

Quoted from Murphy Cheers Death Monkey, I will have a look for that podcast today, sounds like it might be an interesting listen. Thanks

Hey, I just realized they read my mail on this week's show at the end! Brilliant!

Like bert, I also read the script before seeing this...except I read the original spec, not the shooting draft.  If I remember right, they really toned the hipster dialogue down in the movie as it was all over the place in the script I read.  It's a good thing they got Ellen Page because I don't think any other actress her age could play this role right without having the dialogue seem completley stupid.  

Michael Cera and J.K. Simmons were severly underused and the two lines of dialogue that made me laugh-out-loud both came from Simmons.

One of the coolest opening credits I've ever seen.  And normally I hate the soundtracks for these kind of movies but this one had some good music(Any movie that uses "I'm Sticking With You" by The Velvet Underground is instantly awesome).  Also liked the closing shot.

Jason Reitman, please make more movies!

I'm so glad I rarely post on the IMDB boards.  Have you seen some of the reviews?  This site is way more sophisticated and I'm glad nobody has come on here saying "ThIs mOVIe iS GARBAGE!!!!!!" and "Diablo Cody Is A Lazy Writer".  There's also an entire thread bashing the FICTIONAL Juno character because of that one Sonic Youth joke(I love people!).

This movie, like every other, has it's flaws, but that doesn't mean you should bash the hell out of it.

I give it a 9/10.  I probably have more to say about this, but I keep getting interrupted by online poker.  Long story short, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

I loved this movie as well. I basically have all the same complaints and compliments as everyone else. Performances and writing were very strong, but it did have a lot more of that hipster dialogue than it really needed. Minor thing. Jennifer Garner was the highlight for me; I've always been such a huge fan of her's and I think she was absolutely terrific. She hard a pretty tough gig, because she was never given anything that really made you laugh, it was all about subtlties with her character and I think she pulled it off brilliantly. And the rest of the cast was incredible, not a miscast among the whole bunch.

All in all, a really good comedy. Very funny in parts and very sweet in others. An excellent flick that everyone should see.


Matt.

ThIs mOVIe iS GARBAGE!!!!!!


Diablo Cody Is A Lazy Writer!!!!!!


I can't believe that Juno said that stupid Sonic Youth joke, what a tool!!!!!!

Oh dear, Matt ruined my flow! ;-)

Of course i was not serious.

Quoted from Hoody Like bert, I also read the script before seeing this...except I read the original spec, not the shooting draft.  If I remember right, they really toned the hipster dialogue down in the movie as it was all over the place in the script I read.  It's a good thing they got Ellen Page because I don't think any other actress her age could play this role right without having the dialogue seem completley stupid.   Michael Cera and J.K. Simmons were severly underused and the two lines of dialogue that made me laugh-out-loud both came from Simmons. One of the coolest opening credits I've ever seen.  And normally I hate the soundtracks for these kind of movies but this one had some good music(Any movie that uses "I'm Sticking With You" by The Velvet Underground is instantly awesome).  Also liked the closing shot. Jason Reitman, please make more movies! I'm so glad I rarely post on the IMDB boards.  Have you seen some of the reviews?  This site is way more sophisticated and I'm glad nobody has come on here saying "ThIs mOVIe iS GARBAGE!!!!!!" and "Diablo Cody Is A Lazy Writer".  There's also an entire thread bashing the FICTIONAL Juno character because of that one Sonic Youth joke(I love people!). This movie, like every other, has it's flaws, but that doesn't mean you should bash the hell out of it. I give it a 9/10.  I probably have more to say about this, but I keep getting interrupted by online poker.  Long story short, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

Haha, I actually read all those threads over at the Imdb boards yesterday. Although I'm inclined to agree somewhat with Cody being a lazy writer (let's see what she does next) some of the posts were just ridiculous. Especially the one by Sonic Youth Fans.

One thing I do agree with is that practically every line in the convenience store was so incredibly contrived it hurt to watch. "Doodle that can't be un-did, home-skillet"? Really? That line of dialogue just so wants to be cool. And it just isn't.

Death Monkey, I've read her next script: 'Jennifer's Body'.  Different story, same characters, pretty much.  There isn't as much hipster dialogue, but you can immediately tell she wrote the script.  I'll still see it, but I know it isn't going to see the same success as Juno.

And those message boards are insane.  I did a quick check to see what the budget was and I couldn't help notice some of the post titles.  I didn't know so many Sonic Youth fans would go see Juno.

I'll chime in too. Thought this was a fantastic, character driven story. It has an unusual structure and hasn't been re-written to fit the specific 3-Act structure that Hollywood so relies on. Infact, the writer (Diablo Cody - stage named) insists that it pretty much stays true to her first draft. Which is so refreshing to see.

I also love Jason Reitman's work. Thought "Thank You For Smoking" was fantastic and I've also studied is short films. "Juno" is filled with pleasing scenes and fantastic performances (Ellen Page, Jason Bateman). But the thing I love most about Jason's work is his use of great music to show tone and feel in his movies. He has a great knack and knowledge of music and works it in so well into his movies that they don't overpower the viewer, but most certainly work for the script.

I also loved the ending. Fits perfectly with the rest of the story and very pleasing.

****

Stew

I finally saw this movie and thought it was great. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Any thoughts?

I also dug Juno. It greatly surpassed my expectations, considering how much the hype put a damper on them. Ellen Page is one of the few exceptional actors of her (my) generation and Jennifer Garner was surprisingly solid. Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, and J.K. Simmons also stood out. A lot of talent all around. The indie soundtrack that tried to rip off Cat Stevens wasn't nearly as annoying as I expected and while the hipster dialogue was a little hard to swallow at first, I came to genuinely believe these characters really would talk like that.

The only scene that I didn't like was the one where Juno and the would-be foster father watched Wizard of Gore together. No one who knows who Dario Argento is wouldn't know who H.G. Lewis is. That's even less realistic than the hipster dialogue. Nevertheless, awesome to see two killer horror classics (the other being Suspiria) referenced in a mainstream film.