Juno

[thmallville]

I saw this on Christmas with my cousins, and I thought it was really good! Definitely surpassed my expectations. I also have a bit of a confession...

I cried at the end. :rotfl: And I do NOT cry at movies, this is the first time I have ever ever let a tear fall. :rotfl:

[Rafael122]

I really want to see this but its not showing where I am, or its too far away from me. I'm definitely going to pick this up on DVD.

[MidgardDragon]

I had no idea what this was until I saw a preview for it on TV earlier. It looks really good, actually. I can see why it's getting all the praise.

[UDStyle]

It was a great movie. Pound for pound Ellen page is the best actress out there. This and Hard Candy certified her crown.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Ellen_Page.jpg

[thmallville]

I thought it was going to be like... just a comedy, but it was really good!

An ex-stripper named Diablo Cody wrote it. :rotfl:

[theotherJane]

She's also nominated for a Golden Globe.

I really want to see the movie too. I wish I lived in a city where they're currently showing it.

[redraven]

I have plans to see it Tuesday, hope it makes a good date movie! :)

[MidgardDragon]

I saw it. It's the first comedy in AGES to live up to the hype. It was funny, charming, sweet, and everything I expected. 10/10 for doing everything it promised to do.

[redraven]

Juno is my all time favorite movie now. And Bleeker is officially the cutest character in any movie ever made. :D

MidgardDragon pretty much summed it up, the movie totally lived up to my expectations and beyond. Ellen Page and Michael Cera have great chemistry and each have brilliant comedic timing.

I recomend everyone to watch this movie. DO IT. :p

[MidgardDragon]

Diablo Cody (writer of Juno) won Best Writer at The Critic's Choice Awards.

[chlark fan]

I liked 'Juno' but it wasn't as great as I expected it to be after hearing all the hype.

The character Juno is definately cool, clever and edgy BUT I think we kind of get beaten over the head with it.

I thought Jennifer Garner and Michael Cera were both adorable.
I wish my expectations hadn't been so high and maybe I could have enjoyed the film more.

[you're my person]

This movie was adorable!

It was hard to hear some of the jokes because everyone in the theatre laughed so hard but I love what I heard.

Juno is a pretty hilarious character, In that ' real life' humor sort of way. My only concern is that I'm not really sure how I feel about Juno's parent's reactions.

I don't know... For a movie so down to earth, I thought the reactions were a little unrealistic.

[amberdawn]

I found the dialogue hilarious. :lol:

[MidgardDragon]

This movie was adorable!

It was hard to hear some of the jokes because everyone in the theatre laughed so hard but I love what I heard.

Juno is a pretty hilarious character, In that ' real life' humor sort of way. My only concern is that I'm not really sure how I feel about Juno's parent's reactions.

I don't know... For a movie so down to earth, I thought the reactions were a little unrealistic.

I don't know what was down to Earth about this movie. It was hilarious, but the dialogue was unrealistic just as everything else was. The thing about it is, that's okay, it's a movie, it's not supposed to be realistic. The one thing I will say is regarding the parents, I think some parents would've freaked out more, but most would come around to being supportive, especially given how mature Juno was in handling the situation.

[you're my person]

I don't know what was down to Earth about this movie. It was hilarious, but the dialogue was unrealistic just as everything else was. The thing about it is, that's okay, it's a movie, it's not supposed to be realistic. The one thing I will say is regarding the parents, I think some parents would've freaked out more, but most would come around to being supportive, especially given how mature Juno was in handling the situation.

Well like I said before, I didn't think their reaction was really realistic but the rest of seemed pretty believable. To me at least. Three of my friends had children before they graduated and they didn't spend their entire time moping around and crying like some lifetime movie would have you believe.

It was refreshing.

I found it down to earth because a lot of the humor in the dialogue used a lot of real life references. Like refering to the "Blairwitch Project" being on " Starz" or ads in the "penny saver." or even drinking " Sunny D". It let's you make connections to your own life.

Maybe not completely realistic but at least relatable on some level I guess.

But that's completely my opinion. :o

[UDStyle]

I don't know what was down to Earth about this movie. It was hilarious, but the dialogue was unrealistic just as everything else was. The thing about it is, that's okay, it's a movie, it's not supposed to be realistic. The one thing I will say is regarding the parents, I think some parents would've freaked out more, but most would come around to being supportive, especially given how mature Juno was in handling the situation.

I'd say pretty much everything you said is the opposite of how I took it (and it seems how most other people took it as well). It felt extremely down to earth, very real, especially Ellen Page's Juno. She was not the good girl gone bad nor the bad girl getting what she deserved, she was... normal and had a quick wit. Regarding the parents, I have met more parents that are like Juno's then the traditional 'American' parents. I wouldn't say it was purely realistic, I mean it is a comedy, but there were some characteristics that were very reality based. It didn't feel like a Hollywood-ized film whatsoever. I'm guessing it is different where you live but i grew up with so many "Juno's" it's not even funny.

[MidgardDragon]

(and it seems how most other people took it as well).

Err, not really. Just about everyone is agreeing that it was far from realistic, just head over to IMDB to see that for yourself. The divide seems to come between those who think movies don't have to be realistic, and those who think they do.

[Theshadow129x]

I just saw it and its cute but i didnt think it was as great as everyone made it out to be

[you're my person]

Err, not really. Just about everyone is agreeing that it was far from realistic, just head over to IMDB to see that for yourself. The divide seems to come between those who think movies don't have to be realistic, and those who think they do.


It's an individual opinion on a film, different viewers relate to movies differently. It's hardly something to debate over. I'm glad the people at IMDB have reached a conclusion but that doesn't mean it's right or wrong.

Realistic to me means something that could actually happen in real life and I count a situation like Juno's within that relm of possibilties.

[Acejournalist82]

I'm hoping to get a change to go watch it with my neice. She's 16 years old and she's looking forward to seeing it. So when she visits, that may be a good movie to go check out.

[slayer]

awesome movie :)

[GabrielM]

The girl Juno was very unrealistic...who talks like that? It was funny but not at all real life.

[UDStyle]

Err, not really. Just about everyone is agreeing that it was far from realistic, just head over to IMDB to see that for yourself. The divide seems to come between those who think movies don't have to be realistic, and those who think they do.

LOL imdb.. I guess that makes the kids who post at imdb the be all and end all of movie critique :lol:. Sorry but every other place I have seen does nothing but praise Ellen Page for her portrayal. More importantly conversations offline (and I do get around) have all pointed in that direction. If you want to-a-tee realistic then watch a documentary. Juno however was as realistic concerning overt character alignment as you can get from a fictional comedy. Juno was down to earth, and beyond very little over exaggerated dialog for comedic purposes, she had a very real feel. Very familiar. Like I said before I went to School with a lot of "Juno's" and like Juno they were all centered around the rock music scene of yester-year. It's that quick-witted, vintage loving girl. So what I am saying is not exactly just my opinion, it's basically fact since I have encountered girl's like Juno. It's that simple.


The girl Juno was very unrealistic...who talks like that? It was funny but not at all real life. As I have said in two posts already a good amount of girls I grew up around (mostly high school). And I don't just mean in LA. I stayed for a minute in both Chicago and NY. Each city had a couple Juno's. Her character, if you can call it that, is not a new entity. So the answer would be a lot of girls who fit that particular profile.

[thmallville]

I know girls like her... I don't know how they stuff so much pop culture in their brains!

[Rafael122]

Finally, I got to see it. Took the girlfriend and we both enjoyed it. My only complaint is that it was too witty, but that's just nitpicking. Very good movie, and Michael Cera is awesome.

[constantine]

While it's not everyone's cup of tea, it is an enjoyable movie. very much almost in the vein of being a chick flick (or being regarded as), Ellen Page is insightful, witty and dramatic enough to make it interesting to blokes as well. It's a very slow movie, but it doesn't stop you enjoying it; the plot revolves around Juno, a 16 year old high school student who falls pregnant after losing her virginity, and decides to keep the baby - as opposed to raising it herself, she opts to put it up for adoption, and the story pretty much follows that vein. The story I initially thought would be a very pro feminist movie, but it actually completely avoids any social politics like it being a woman's burden to have the baby alone, or anything like that - in fact the one time it comes close to making any kind of commentary like that, isn't even with the pregnant teenage mom, but the sterile expctant mother played by Jennifer Garner, who is, by the way, completely forgiven for her performance as elektra because of her role in this movie.

I think all in all, it's not a movie people can really fall asleep to - michael cera is...well. he's this decade's block of wood and pretty much the only actor that I personally made a brilliant film just a little crappy by his presence, but I suppose they needed someone geeky, but J.K Simmons has some absolutely fantastic one liners in the movie, and is really only upstaged by the chick who plays his second wife (I forget her name) once, and by Ellen Page repeatedly; Juno's cheerleading best friend serves fantastically as comic relief on a constant basis, and is extremely cute to boot.

It's not a popcorn movie though - it's one that you can quite happily sit down and enjoy thinking about, and even have a few laughs along the way; the dialogue and cinematography for an indie movie is very much spot on...I really can see why it's up for four oscar nominations, and if there's any justice it'll take all four of them (it's up for best picture, best screenplay, best actress and best director). All in all, I thought it was a phenomenal movie, and I think the writer's guild strike is going to do wonders for the industry, as it'll make it abundantly clear to studios like fox that in order for the entertainment industry to survive, it needs to look at fresh productions, fresh directors and fresh screenplays further afield than just the states - their short sightedness in the matter has pretty much guaranteed that summer 09 season is going to be one of the slowest for movies on record.

The thing is this though - I honestly feel guilty about not having had to pay to see the movie, and the last time that really happened I think was...Hell, it just doesn't. This movie though has such an independent feel, and is so incredibly sweet without being saccharin sweet that you can't help but like it, even if it does deal with a completely girl relevant issue such as teenage pregnancy - the appeal it has reminds me very much of the way I was drawn to clerks, and I think the movie has the potential to be every bit as memorable, because the wit, the intelligence and the atmosphere is all in place to make it a stunning piece of film history...I would really be surprised if this film didn't get picked up by criterion edition DVD for collection.

I think the other key to this is that there's a way a sequel could be written so that you could, for example follow Juno during her college years, but things get tied up enough to form a satsified resolution to the story and gives a complete (but open) ending - it's very evident that this movie wasn't filmed to be a major blockbuster, and that adds to its charm. Overall I think this is one of those few movies in this day and age that deserve to be supported, and further reinforce my view that productions such as cloverfield should be burned at the stake and forgotten forever.

Basically I could just rave about Ellen Page being the messiah of independant cinema for days on end, but I won't. I'll just leave you with one piece of advice: see the damned movie if you haven't already fool. And if you have, take friends and see it again. It really does deserve that much respect.

[Backward Galaxy]

Had to post this link for my friend constantine. I mean nothing by it, as I haven't seen Juno for myself. I don't know if the contents of the article are accurate, well founded, or whatever. I just found it interesting.

http://onlymagazine.ca/Mental-Health/juno-sucks (http://onlymagazine.ca/Mental-Health/juno-sucks)

[j03superbat]

I finally saw it. It's actually the only Oscar nominee I've seen.

It was okay, but not "Best Picture" worthy, in my opinion.

[constantine]

Had to post this link for my friend constantine. I mean nothing by it, as I haven't seen Juno for myself. I don't know if the contents of the article are accurate, well founded, or whatever. I just found it interesting.

http://onlymagazine.ca/Mental-Health/juno-sucks (http://onlymagazine.ca/Mental-Health/juno-sucks)

Wow. what was in that writer's panties when she wrote that?

[j03superbat]

http://onlymagazine.ca/Mental-Health/juno-sucks (http://onlymagazine.ca/Mental-Health/juno-sucks)
Ooh, Amil Niazi is my new hero.

[constantine]

I'm amazed you didn't like the movie jo. I'd be more amazed if you told me you liked cloverfield.

[j03superbat]

I'm amazed you didn't like the movie jo. I'd be more amazed if you told me you liked cloverfield.
Well I've already said I liked Cloverfield, so prepare to be amazed if you already haven't. And it's not so much that I didn't like Juno as it is I just really agreed with and liked Niazi's article. I mean, to go as far as saying "Juno sucks" is a bit much, but a lot of what Amil says rings true to me. She talks on a hamburger phone - she's so hip!

The praise that Juno has gotten continues to surprise me. Again, I didn't hate it, or even dislike it. The acting in particular, I really enjoyed. I just think that, Oscar nomination included, people are making a bunch of hooplah around a movie that was okay. It wasn't mind-blowing, it didn't make any audience more aware of pregnant teenage girls (or maybe that's my fault for going to a school where seeing two or more girls walking down the hall six months pregnant wasn't uncommon), and it didn't have any huge, revelatory statement on a global issue.

I wanna' refrain from saying, "It wasn't Crash" because that movie divides and makes some people feel the way I do about Juno, but good gosh - the attention is a bit much. I'd even go as far as saying if this movie wasn't an independent film, it wouldn't have caused so much buzz.

But what annoys me most is the media calling Ellen Page a breakout star, like we've never seen her before. Psst - she was Shadowcat in X-Men 3! Juno might be a more defining role - absolutely. But she ain't a new face like the media is trying to drill into my mind.

[ma200]

Juno is praised because it's different from most movies about teenage pregnancy. It has parents who are more insightful and wiser than other movie parents. It has a smart teenage girl who realizes that she does not want the kid but she does not want to abort it either; who underneath that wise-cracking pop culture quipping exterior, she's really scared and confused. The film is not here to make a preachy statement. It's also not here to make us aware of an issue. Personally, I think ppl like this movie for the characters, not the plot.

And Ellen Page is getting all that media attention because she gave a great performance, she has an Oscar nomination. And she's Canadian. :)

[MidgardDragon]

Juno is praised because it's different from most movies about teenage pregnancy. It has parents who are more insightful and wiser than other movie parents. It has a smart teenage girl who realizes that she does not want the kid but she does not want to abort it either; who underneath that wise-cracking pop culture quipping exterior, she's really scared and confused. The film is not here to make a preachy statement. It's also not here to make us aware of an issue. Personally, I think ppl like this movie for the characters, not the plot.

And Ellen Page is getting all that media attention because she gave a great performance, she has an Oscar nomination. And she's Canadian. :)

Agreed on every level.

[j03superbat]

Juno is praised because it's different from most movies about teenage pregnancy. It has parents who are more insightful and wiser than other movie parents. It has a smart teenage girl who realizes that she does not want the kid but she does not want to abort it either; who underneath that wise-cracking pop culture quipping exterior, she's really scared and confused. The film is not here to make a preachy statement. It's also not here to make us aware of an issue. Personally, I think ppl like this movie for the characters, not the plot.
I understand it's not here to make a preachy statement or make us aware of an issue, and it didn't have to, but once the movie was over I kind of felt like, "Okay, life goes on." It didn't really leave any lasting sort of feeling in me. That's why I think a movie like this would have benefitted from inserting some sort of poignant message because otherwise I just felt like I watched a movie, not a movie nominated for Best Picture of the Year.

As for the "smart teenage girl" that the media adores, I think it's really mostly because she's a wise-cracking, pop-culture quipping teen that likes blue slurpies and drinks Sunny D from the jug. Characters like that are a dime a dozen, but the media loves them anyway. I realize that's just her exterior, but I don't think that's why most people like her. They don't go, "Oh the way she copes with her turmoils is magnificent!" They just love that she has a full conversation with Jason Bateman about a guitar. Audiences are shallow, and Juno's exterior wasn't very original to me.

I can't continue to explain why I don't think this movie deserved to be nominated for an Oscar without sounding like I hated it. I really didn't. All I can recommend is to reread Amil Niazi's article that Backward Galaxy posted to get an idea of how I feel. I don't expect to change anyone's mind - I don't expect someone who loved the movie to suddenly think it sucked (I didn't), but good grief, I just feel like it's so much ado about nothing.

And Ellen Page is getting all that media attention because she gave a great performance, she has an Oscar nomination. And she's Canadian. :)
The attention I can understand (even though she's getting more than the nominees for Best Actor, despite raving reviews for Daniel Day-Lewis), and I agree she gave a good performance.

It's just that the media is acting like Juno is her first movie, or like no one has ever seen her before, despite the fact that millions saw X-Men 3. It's not a criticism! I actually just think it's funny.

[MidgardDragon]

Best Screenplay Oscar! Congrats, it deserved it!

[redraven]

Wow. what was in that writer's panties when she wrote that?

:lol: That's what I was thinking.

[Mysticlies]

A very neutral movie. Neither was it very dramatic, nor was it that funny. It was probably the most neutral movie I've seen in years that I seriously don't know how to rate. The Chemistry between Bleeker and Juno was so invisible, that I was baffled by it all. The only scene that worked for that relationship, is the one of them both sleeping on the hospital bed. The soundtrack was below average, and felt forced at times. The whole movie felt like a poser, that whole indie feel felt forced.

[JB1986]

I thought this movie was just wonderful. It was funny, warm (but not sappy thank GOD) and just all around great. I really loved Ellen Page, she was just fantastic. I really was hoping Juno would win Best Picture, it being the most different film of the bunch. This is one movie that I'll definately be buying on DVD.

[MidgardDragon]

A very neutral movie. Neither was it very dramatic, nor was it that funny. It was probably the most neutral movie I've seen in years that I seriously don't know how to rate. The Chemistry between Bleeker and Juno was so invisible, that I was baffled by it all. The only scene that worked for that relationship, is the one of them both sleeping on the hospital bed. The soundtrack was below average, and felt forced at times. The whole movie felt like a poser, that whole indie feel felt forced.

Complete and utter disagreement with every point. (Just turn this review around and post the opposite, and you will have my opinion.)

[j03superbat]

I really was hoping Juno would win Best Picture, it being the most different film of the bunch.
That sure as rain doesn't make it the best.

[constantine]

A very neutral movie. Neither was it very dramatic, nor was it that funny. It was probably the most neutral movie I've seen in years that I seriously don't know how to rate.

Well gee, are you comparing it to smallville, tranformers, or something else mainstream?


The Chemistry between Bleeker and Juno was so invisible,

I wouldn't say invisible, I'd say awkward, but then, how many teenage kids do you that come right out and say what they feel? Christ...I find it hard enough to get to the bottom of what a woman's actually thinking half the time, let alone when they're actually harbouring emotions...


that I was baffled by it all. The only scene that worked for that relationship, is the one of them both sleeping on the hospital bed.

So you couldn't empathise with them both losing their virginity...Or her breaking it to bleaker that she was pregnant? or the anger she felt when she found out this guy she very obviously had feelings for was taking someone else on a date? Putting aside the idea that I can, without qualification say I've never been a teenage girl, I could see values of jealousy and even downright feeling used when she felt ignored in there.


The soundtrack was below average, and felt forced at times. About the only thing I agree with.


The whole movie felt like a poser, that whole indie feel felt forced.

You want forced? Watch clerks II.

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----


That sure as rain doesn't make it the best.

Yeah but honestly. No country for old men? I actually fell asleep, and had to be asked by an usher to leave, it was that boring.

[j03superbat]

Yeah but honestly. No country for old men? I actually fell asleep, and had to be asked by an usher to leave, it was that boring.
Didn't see it. But hey, Atonement, Michael Clayton, and There Will Be Blood were nominated too.

I wouldn't vote for Atonement though.

[constantine]

Atonement made me sleep. Even the draw of kiera knightley couldn't keep me interested in that movie.

[Mysticlies]

Complete and utter disagreement with every point. (Just turn this review around and post the opposite, and you will have my opinion.)

lol the same thing happened to me at work. I mentioned how I didn’t much like Juno and everyone jumped on me. Takes me back to when I defended the "the Village” causing people to think of me as a crazy individual.

Maybe I would’ve appreciated the movie better, if I hadn't watched Hard Candy before hand.



The soundtrack was below average, and felt forced at times.
About the only thing I agree with.

At least we agree on one thing :)

[constantine]

lol the same thing happened to me at work. I mentioned how I didn’t much like Juno and everyone jumped on me. Takes me back to when I defended the "the Village” causing people to think of me as a crazy individual.

Maybe I would’ve appreciated the movie better, if I hadn't watched Hard Candy before hand.




At least we agree on one thing :)

o0 You enjoyed the village? incredible! I found the person who bought the DVD! It was the movie I took my ex wife to see on our first date, and she really wasn't impressed because Imanaged to fall asleep. But then I don't rate m. night shawaddywaddy-insert-unpronounceable-surname-here.

[Acejournalist82]

I finally saw it, and it's adorable.:)

[constantine]

I finally saw it, and it's adorable.:)

See? If ace liked it, ALL OF YOU MUST OBEY!

[Season7Rocks]

Yay Juno! One of the best I've seen this year, next to Cloverfield. Well, it, Cloverfield, Jumper, and Diary of the Dead are all I've seen this year, so it's easy to see why they're two of the best. But I think they'll hold up well for the rest of the year too, 300 came out early last year and was still one of the best.

And the DVD of Juno is coming out soon, too, awesome.