BLACK (Jack) Versus BLACK & WHITE

This week's death match is between the over-appraised foreign, animated, black & white cartoon Persepolis and the under-appraised (and misadvertised) movie Be Kind, Rewind with Jack Black. Both films are grossly misrepresented to what they actually are and this is why they have reached the TACometer.

To listen to advertisements and movie critics, you would think this little movie is the best thing since sliced Bourne-style editing. To be fair I can only give comment on about 80% of the movie, because this is all I saw before I got up and left. There are lots of good reasons to see it. It is wonderful to see a young, female character who has an indomitable spirit. It is great to learn from an objective viewpoint (if there is such a thing), a bit more about the history of Iran. Persepolis is sort of like a really good world history lesson if Walt Disney had been teaching the class. Throw in some goth sensibilities and punk rock feisty-ness and you get the picture. But don't believe the hype, this movie will drive your kids either crazy or to sleep. Subtitled and awash in 2-D style animation, it probably won't stir the imaginations or the synapses of today's 21st century child. Go see it if you want to swallow a solid, eclectic indie pill. Like with most medicine it will do you good. Like with most medicine, kids will flinch then flee.

I really didn't want to go see Be Kind, Rewind. Jack Black can grow tiresome and the plot seemed way too dense in a movie world that lives on fog. Dense in a dunderheaded way, not the complex variety. But the movie I saw was nothing like the trailers, the ads, nor anything figuring to be a Jack Black vehicle. Black was his typical over-kinetic self, but the movie has a sense of community and affection that is way underused in cinema story telling today and the reason this gem is way underrated. Mia Farrow should be a tip off. Her "love everybody, include everybody" spirit moves throughout the picture. Outside of Black, pretty much all the characters are surprising, refreshing and they chuck stereotypes. There is silliness to spare, sure, but there is also a lot of heart. Hopefully word of mouth can lift this picture. Mos Def continues his run as probably the best hip-hopper/rapper turned actor. Yes, even including Will Smith.