Get Low

[Hammock Rider]

  I saw this over the weekend. It takes place in the 1920's and stars Robert Duvall as a crazy hermit who's lived by himself for almost 40 years. During all that time myths have grown up around him about who he is and why he lives alone. He's the crazy old man no body really knows but everyone "knows about".
   
Eventually Duvall's character, Felix, finds out that he's the subject of intense public curiosity and gossip and, since he's getting up in years, decides to throw a funeral party for himself. Everyone in 4 counties is invited and all Felix asks is that if you attend the party you also bring a story you've heard about Felix himself. As is often the case, things don't go exactly as planned.

  It's a pretty low key character study with some great laid back, dry humor. Duvall does a great job conveying a strong and complex character. Bill Murray plays a very opportunistic funeral director who will stop at nothing to give Felix the funeral party he wants as long as Murray can collect some of that "Hermit money".  He delivers a big chunk of the humor at a nice, understated pace. Sissy Spacek and I think Lucas Black are in it too, and they both do a good job.
 
  The acting, the look, the feel, the writing, it's all good stuff.  A few people I know have quibbled about the ending, they felt the movie should have ended 3 minutes earlier, but it didn't bother me really. Overall I'd say it's a good movie and well worth your time.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Really want to see this but I might wait for it to come out on DVD. Worth seeing in the theater?

[Hammock Rider]

That depends on how big a fan of Bill Murray or Robert Duvall you are.  Overall though, I'd say you can wait until it comes out on dvd.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I really like Bill Murray and I'm still debating on seeing this. The plot itself sounds fun enough to see it.

[Hammock Rider]

  Bill Murray is really good in it. He plays an entirely different character than Duvall's but IMHO gives him a run for his money in the acting department.  If you're on the fence you can always do what I did and catch a matinee. I still wouldn't consider it a "must see" film but on the other hand it might be a while before a small film like this comes out on dvd. Aw ,go for it.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I'm supposed to watch Piranha 3D tomorrow so maybe I'll do a double feature.