Lately I have found some fabulous indie flicks that I highly recommend. This one in particular, Bernie, nodded to me from the top shelf at my local video store. I'd never heard of it but damn, as they might say in Carthage, Texas, I sure am glad I found it. My family was as transfixed as I was by Jack Black's amazingly subtle performance. For days I've been mulling over his character's "character" and that age-old question of how someone can be good and do bad. So I give this two thumbs up from me and four paws up from Buggy. Not to mention a few tomatoes thrown in for good measure. This dog do indeed hunt. Check it out.
V-A
9/26/2012 04:55:06 am
Thanks for the reminder. I had read the original article in Texas Monthly that inspired the movie. (After all, these are my East Texas peeps.) Amazing to me that yet again real life is stranger than fiction. Now if they can just get the accents right. . .
Steve (The Jotter)
9/26/2012 01:11:42 pm
Always on the lookout for movies off the beaten path...thanks!
Laura Novak
9/27/2012 03:45:35 am
Yes, I highly recommend it, Steve. And V-A...awe, I just hate to hear that they get the accents wrong in these movies. I've rarely heard an authentic Boston accent. Drives me nuts every time b/c it's so easy to make a mockery of it. And because there are so many variations on it.
FrostyAK
9/27/2012 05:11:53 am
You mean you don't like the "pahk the cah in Havahd Yahd" kind of mimicry? I am tickled when I hear old friends talk New Englandese - something I never did even while living there for half my life.
grannyj
9/27/2012 09:52:06 am
This looks great - and I love Jack Black!
Laura Novak
9/28/2012 03:44:47 am
Frosty, it's always a joy to see you here! And Granny, I have another Jack Black movie we've seen recently. I'll post about that soon. Happy weekend my friends.
linda
9/28/2012 09:46:38 am
we saw this in a theater while vacationing in DC over memorial day weekend. the whole movie was so unexpected and both funny and sad. and so amazing that it is based on a true story. we absolutely loved it and have recommended it to others. not sure anyone else bothered to see it. i don't usually see a movie more than once even if i liked it. but i could make an exception for this one.
Suzanne
9/30/2012 03:31:42 am
Once again, I followed your advice, Ms. Novak, and watched "Bernie." Very good, and I am NOT a Jack Black fan - though I love Shirley McLaine.The documentary style really worked. I was on IMDB trying to find out if their dialogue was from news reports and court records because it was so colloquial....and how about that jury? I am enamored of the fact that the real-life, imprisoned Bernie is making needlepoint memorials for the deceased in Carthage. Thanks for the tip. Michael enjoyed it, too. 9/30/2012 05:31:13 am
As a Texan, I agree the movie was very interesting and different - Jack Black was great. The movie makes you think for a while, wondering about relationships people get into, motivations for crime, and what some people can seemingly get away with.
Laura Novak
9/30/2012 05:55:09 am
Thank you all for weighing in. Yes I know: an unexpectedly subtle performance from Jack Black. I actually have seen another movie with him in it and will recommend it soon. The only thing missing from this, for me, was any background information on what made him snap, or what gave him such unbelievable patience and kindness. I'd love to have known more about his back story. Comments are closed.
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Laura NovakReporter, Author, Blogger, and Mother...
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