BURN AFTER READING

Two nit-wits who work at a Washington D.C. fitness center come across a disc containing the memories of an ousted CIA official. They concoct a plan to black mail the CIA official in hopes to get money so they can pay for various plastic surgery procedures.

Burn After Reading will make my list of the most disappointing films of 2008. One would think with a cast that boasts some of the best talent working in Hollywood today (Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilta Swinton) and directed by the Coen Brothers, reigning winners of the best Directing Oscar...this bunch could come up with a better effort than this. The performances are not bad, however, the material is stale. The screenplay tries to hard to be original and unique. When a Coen Brothers film fails, it's usually because of the screen-play. Their stories and language are always original, but sometimes their style does not fit with the setting of their tall-tales. In this case, the setting is Washington D.C. The wacky characters simply didn't feel natural in this setting. Burn After Reading?...More like Burn After Watching. Jamie says "5".

The Coen Brothers are one of my favorite directors. They have directed and co-wrote 13 films. Below are my 5 favorite Coen Brothers Films.

1. Raising Arizona

2. Fargo

3. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

4. No Country For Old Men

5. Miller's Crossing