Ole for The Matador

There seems to be an emerging genre in filmdom these days, somewhat akin to the Wiseguy category, as witnessed in "Collateral"(w/ Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx), The Man(w/Samuel Jackson and Eugene Levy), and now The Matador- co-starring Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear: the hitman buddy flick.


You know, where a hired killer and an ordinary joe find themselves thrown together for whatever doggone reason(besides just Kooky Karma), and of course learn a great deal about themselves and each other in the process. I think they call that the 'Arc' of the film--or at least of the development of the characters in the film.


Damn, I almost forgot one. Buddy Buddy, with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The original hitman buddy flick. The one that, however unwittingly, started it all..


So anyway. The Matador, regardless of genre phylum, is not a bad flick. Quentin Tarantino's predilection for "cheezy" 60's and 70's soundtracks is in excellent form here. Makes me wanna go out and Play Guitar With The Ventures. Or some damn fool thing...


The main characters, played by Pierce Brosnan(hitman), Greg Kinnear(innocent bystander)and Hope Davis(Mrs innocent bystander)are believable and well executed by the actors. Hope Davis seems to play a lot of wives, particularly outraged ones(The Weather Man, The Daytrippers). She has some nice onscreen qualities, as well as a pleasing sort of 'hippy-chick' ambience to her. A certain long-haired soulfulness I like.


My favorite scene(without spoiling the movie): where Mr and Mrs innocent bystander are humping on top of their Washing Machine. Mr innocent bystander still has his glasses on, which are completely fogged. Trust me. It's very funny.


So. The Matador. Not a 5-star movie, but definitely got a few Ole's from me while watching.

Capote

Not sure what I think of it as a movie, but I do think that Philip Seymour Hoffman did an amazing job in his portrayal of Truman Capote. He had the physical mannerisms down to a T, as well as the trademark "Casper Milquetoast" voice, and even threw in this little quiver while being frisked to go into the Prison--this little paroxysm o' pleasure..A subtle touch but a good one, considering the character he was playing.

As far as the physical adaptation, it seemed to work. Usually, Hollywood has to take a little guy and make him bigger.Well, then again, with Jennifer Love Hewitt playing Audrey Hepburn, they had to conceal her considerable kazooms, so...

Anyway, on the strength of the acting, I'd give it a couple stars.