Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > Movie Talk
Reload this Page >

BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Community
Search
Movie Talk A Discussion area for everything movie related including films In The Theaters

BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-01-12 | 11:04 AM
  #1  
riotinmyskull's Avatar
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: portsmouth, va
BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F7VSAFvPq7c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she's alive.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1704573/
Old 03-01-12 | 11:36 AM
  #2  
TomOpus's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 41,632
Received 1,818 Likes on 1,302 Posts
From: Kansas City, MO
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

A take-off of Weekend at Bernies except Bernie is the living one?
Old 03-01-12 | 11:50 AM
  #3  
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
From: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

....i'm iffy on this. Horrible trailer.
Old 03-01-12 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I don't really get how they're going to integrate the personal drama footage with the documentary-style interviews? Is it just for the trailer? Are they going to break from drama to talking heads? Confusing.
Old 03-01-12 | 11:24 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
From: Austin, TX
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

i tried out for a dance role for this film. didn't make the cut, blah!
Old 04-15-12 | 06:35 PM
  #6  
Decker's Avatar
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 94,517
Received 10,631 Likes on 7,234 Posts
From: Vegas, Baby!
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Here's a massive long article in the NY Times Magazine about the movie and the reality written by the niece of the woman played by Shirley McLaine. She sounds like she was an awful, awful woman and it seems like the filmmakers are going to great lengths to be as accurate as possible with this unbelievable true story. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the finished film now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/ma...nted=1&_r=2&hp
Old 06-18-12 | 05:01 PM
  #7  
Dan's Avatar
Dan
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 29,329
Received 1,575 Likes on 1,125 Posts
From: The place beyond the pines
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I scored free tickets to a screening on Wednesday. It should be interesting...
Old 06-18-12 | 06:08 PM
  #8  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,306
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Wow. Based on that trailer alone, I can't imagine why anybody would voluntarily sit through that. Yuck.
Old 06-19-12 | 01:35 AM
  #9  
Sonic's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 19,353
Received 347 Likes on 247 Posts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

One of those movies that I can't tell if it's a sleeper or a gem. I did laugh once or twice watching the trailer.
Old 06-19-12 | 02:59 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Even though that trailer is terrible, I haven't laughed out loud at a movie as much as this one in a long time.
Old 06-21-12 | 10:09 AM
  #11  
Dan's Avatar
Dan
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 29,329
Received 1,575 Likes on 1,125 Posts
From: The place beyond the pines
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Bernie was a... strange film. There were definitely some genuinely funny parts. Quite a bit of them, actually. But I don't think I could actually recommend it.
Old 08-11-12 | 08:41 AM
  #12  
The Bus's Avatar
DVD Talk Godfather
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 54,920
Received 23 Likes on 18 Posts
From: New York
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

"Linklater" is enough for me to not need to see the trailer if I know some of the plot points and cast. And from the looks of the reactions here, I'm glad I did not see anything about the movie prior to going in.

I knew it had to do with murder, but also about half of the plot points I thought were in this film were actually in Killer Joe, this summer's other quirky Texas crime comedy starring Matthew McConaughey.

The talking heads bit confused me at first, since I didn't know if those being interviewed were real interview subjects or actors playing that part. (They are real townspeople). I'm really interested to see how Linklater got people to play themselves.

The movie is pretty good, but may almost be a bit too light-hearted about the murder of one of the main characters.

Unlike SomethingMore, I do recommend it.
Old 08-22-12 | 08:31 AM
  #13  
Ky-Fi's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,928
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Cape Ann, Massachusetts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I thought this was very entertaining. Almost Christopher Guest-ish mockumentary at times, yet knowing it's a true story makes for a different vibe. A lot of comical characters, but their motivations are all pretty grounded and realistic. Recommended.
Old 08-22-12 | 12:08 PM
  #14  
Dr Mabuse's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 18,946
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: 75 clicks above the Do Lung bridge...
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Yeah I enjoyed this quite a bit. Jack Black really killed it.
Old 08-22-12 | 01:09 PM
  #15  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I really enjoyed this one as well. I could watch Jack Black as Bernie sing hymns all day long.
Old 08-23-12 | 10:39 PM
  #16  
mickey65's Avatar
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,961
Received 101 Likes on 79 Posts
From: Texas
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I thought this was pretty good. A few laugh out loud moments. I really liked the part at the begnining where they were talking to Sonny in the diner and he was describing all the different sections of Texas, and how he sort of skipped over the Panhandle! LOL
Old 11-29-12 | 11:35 AM
  #17  
islandclaws's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,084
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
From: Behind the Orange Curtain
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I really liked this; easily Black's best role since... shit, in a long time. He's just so incredibly bizarre here, and not in his usual ways.

I liked the semi-documentary approach to the film. It reminded me - in device only - of The Town that Dreaded Sundown. It's hard to tell at times if the townspeople they're interviewing are actors, or the real people who lived and worked alongside Bernie. They also serve as a great way to round out the story without getting too heavy handed on exposition and background.

Black sings A LOT, so if you can't stand his voice you'll be climbing the walls as he sings hymn after hymn. I thought it was funny, but it did get a little old after the 8th or 9th one.

Fans of off-beat, dark comedies should get some enjoyment out of watching this. I want to see the footage of Black meeting the real Bernie.
Old 01-12-13 | 08:39 PM
  #18  
DJLinus's Avatar
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,996
Received 44 Likes on 39 Posts
From: Richmond, VA
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Originally Posted by pjflyer
I really enjoyed this one as well. I could watch Jack Black as Bernie sing hymns all day long.
Just finished watching this movie and enjoyed it. I may even get the soundtrack, or at least the Jack Black songs. I would buy the hell out of a proper Jack Black gospel album.
Old 05-07-14 | 09:34 AM
  #19  
dex14's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 47,065
Likes: 0
Received 5,339 Likes on 3,597 Posts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Convicted murderer from 'Bernie' released, will now live in Richard Linklater's garage: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/05/0...rnie-released/
Old 05-07-14 | 10:05 AM
  #20  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18,544
Received 446 Likes on 315 Posts
From: Formerly known as Groucho AND Bandoman/Death Moans, Iowa
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

If he murders Linklater before a fourth "Before" movie is made, I will not be happy.
Old 05-07-14 | 11:26 AM
  #21  
mickey65's Avatar
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,961
Received 101 Likes on 79 Posts
From: Texas
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I'm glad he got out. I don't think he should have gotten life for it. But that's just me, and I've seen the movie and read a few articles about his case.
Old 05-07-14 | 12:22 PM
  #22  
spainlinx0's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,736
Received 586 Likes on 347 Posts
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Just wanted to say that I saw this movie, and I really enjoyed it.
Old 01-30-18 | 01:48 PM
  #23  
Banned
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 20,052
Received 169 Likes on 127 Posts
From: Conducting miss-aisle drills and listening to their rock n roll
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

I watched Bernie for the second time last night. I liked it just as much now as I did when I first saw it. It is an outstanding film. I don’t really like Jack Black but he is brilliant in this. It plays to his comedic and musical abilities perfectly. Really great, overlooked film.
Old 01-30-18 | 01:55 PM
  #24  
Troy Stiffler's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 27,666
Received 623 Likes on 442 Posts
From: Under an I-10 Overpass
Re: BERNIE (2012) (dir. Richard Linklater) (Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine)

Yea, this is good.

Check out The Polka King. It felt very similar. Though I'd give Bernie an edge over that one.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.