Zodiac (R)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: Tonight we are reviewing Zodiac
, which follows the official and unofficial investigations of the Californian killer, self-named Zodiac, from the 1960's and 1970's.
What did you think Mike?
Mike: I liked it a lot. This is the best film we have seen in months.
How about you?
Scott: The first thing that people will think of with this movie is its length (2:40), but you don't notice it. It's a good movie and the time, though long, wasn’t an issue.
So, don't skip it because of its length.
Mike: The movie wasn't long on the brain, but might be long on the butt.
Scott: I will concede that.
Mike: It can be a long time in theater seats, but the movie held my attention throughout.
This is not an all star cast, but the acting is very good.
Scott: I agree. It took a bit to meet him, but the movie eventually starred &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Jake Gyllenhaal as Robert Graysmith, a newspaper cartoonist who becomes obsessed with the Zodiac killer.
This movie is based on the book written by the real life &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Robert Graysmith.
Mike: The other stars are &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Mark Ruffalo as Inspector David Toschi and &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Robert Downey Jr. as San Francisco Chronicle reporter Paul Avery.
Toschi spearheads the investigation into the serial killer who calls himself Zodiac.
Scott: I think Ruffalo did a good job as the detective. I wasn't big on the bow tie, but I guess that was the 70's.
Mike: I admit that I knew very little about this murder spree before seeing the film. But being a computer nerd, I had to browse the internet to see how accurate this film was.
Scott: My Wife is a big CourtTV, Unsolved Mysteries and Forensic Files lover, so I have watched many shows on this killer. Honestly, it had always fascinated me that no one was ever charged with these crimes.
Mike: From what I have read and saw, it looks like the filmmakers paid a lot of attention to detail.
Scott: I didn't see too many fake suspense scenes. It seemed true to life.
Mike: It's tough to make a movie about a murderer who was never caught, but the filmmakers managed to pull it off.
Scott: Yes, they did, and it wasn't cheesy either.
Mike: Obviously, no one but the actual killer knows “whodunit”, but the writers give a logical, thought out explanation as to who it may have been.
Scott: They seem to give several.
Mike: Speaking of the 70's, I think that director &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>David Fincher does a great job recreating the era as well as the tension around the crimes.
Scott: Yes, he does. It had the same feel as Helter Skelter and All the Presidents Men. It looked authentic and felt investigative. You also learned of the clues at the same time as the characters, and I really liked that.
Mike: This is not as groundbreaking as Se7en or Fight Club, also directed by Fincher, but it definitely had a style all its own.
Scott: He has directed some really good movies, just not a lot of them. Quality over quantity
Scott: Downey is the investigative reporter assigned to the case. He has some issues before this story hits, and afterwards he is really messed up. He seemed to want to solve the case and not being able to do that, ruined his life and his health.
Mike: I like Downey, but it makes you wonder how much was acting and how much is just reenacting his real life of just a few years ago?
Scott: Yes, with him, all of the drug use was believable. Nonetheless, I think he also did a good job.
Mike: &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Brian Cox makes a nice cameo as famous attorney and Star Trek Alum, Melvin Belli.
Scott: Whom I had never heard of, Trekkie.
Mike: Watch "And the Children Shall Lead", one of the worst episodes of the series, right behind "Spock's Brain"…Don't ask.
This movie is filled with people you recognize, but don't necessarily know their names:
&tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Chloë Sevigny, &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Candy Clark, &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Elias Koteas, &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Dermot Mulrooney, &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>John Carol Lynch and &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Donal Logue.
Koteas from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Clark from American Graffiti
Lynch from the Drew Carey Show
Scott: You have to love a movie with Chloë Sevigny, she starred in the little remembered 1995 movie Kids, which also was &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Rosario Dawson's first movie.
Those two were the only people to make it in the business.
Mike: Logue from Knights of Prosperity - the funniest new show on television.
Also, don't forget &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='actor'>Anthony Edwards from ER.
Scott: I prefer Anthony Edwards from Revenge of the Nerds.
Mike: What about Edwards in Top Gun?
Scott: Ah, that was good too.
So what do you rate this?
Mike: I know I am the king of the fours, but I give this a 4 overall and a 4 for thriller. I thought about this movie the whole next day.
And you?
Scott: I give it a 3.5 overall and a 4 for historical retelling. I thought it was very well done.
Mike: Would it kill you to see Zodiac this weekend?
