LARGE NOSE MAN- Chapter 5

*What is this? A continuing story about a superhero I made up, Large Nose Man. I wrote much of this many years ago, so I have edited it to make (some) sense, although it’s just a bit of fun really. One new chapter up every fortnight!*

Chapter five

“Hello Ladies and gentlemen…its time to die!” Declared The Doctor, with his monocle continuing to glint menacingly.

“You’re an madman, there’s no ladies here!” blurted out Mr Webb, as Kent jumped behind the desk.

“Well, you look like a lady at least, and that’s good enough for me! Come on Webb, it time for us to take a little trip to the nuclear reactor. You too, pussy behind the desk! ” Declared The Doctor, signalling his goons to grab them.

“The reactor is locked up at the moment, and I’m not sure…“ tailed off Webb.

“I think you’ll find a way of opening it. We all know this day has been a long time coming. I’m just surprised that you just didn’t hand your factory over sooner…” interrupted The Doctor.

“To you? I would rather die!” Cried Webb, as one of the Doctors goons grabbed him and gestured for him to walk towards the door.

“This can, of course, be arranged. Thanks to a little…nuclear accident.” Laughed The Doctor, as the other goon grabbed Alex.

“Get moving you cowards!” Demanded one of the goons, as he rammed the end of his shotgun into Alex’s ribs.

Just my luck, Alex thought, as they walked down the empty corridor. If I were late I wouldn’t be dying in a few minutes. Damn my punctuality.

“Here it is….” mumbled Mr Webb, sadly, as he fumbled with the door’s keys.

“Come on, come on” said the Doctor impatiently. “I have other evil plans for today you know…”

As Webb stalled with his keys he mumbled to Alex. “I hope you have some kind of plan kid. Because I’ve got nothing…”

Alex looked at him with regretful eyes. He too, had nothing.

“Enough mumbling you two” grunted one of those goons, plunging his shotgun into Webb’s side.

The metal door clinked.

“Finally! You should have used your nuclear plant to mutate yourself and give yourself a third hand. God knows your slow ass needs one Webb!” Joked The Doctor. “Not including the huge amount of time you’ve cost the reader, reading this dull chapter!”

The door creaked open. Alex and Webb were minutes from a rather ugly and unfair nuclear related death, unless they thought of something. Anything.

*

For the other chapters, visit here-

http://ebtksonline.blogspot.com/search/label/Large%20Nose%20Man

FILM REVIEW- A Serious Man

A Serious Man (15-105 mins)

He’s not much of a man. Or very serious for that matter…

Where? Poole Lighthouse

Plot?

Larry Gopnik is a Jewish teacher trapped in 1967 suburbia, with a cheating wife, complaining children, bribing students, useless rabbis and a dysfunctional brother. Life keeps on piling on the problems, and he can’t cope…

Thoughts?

Burn after reading saw the Coens at their extravagant worst. Rambling, unfunny and ultimately dull, it was a million miles away from the eerie calm of No Country For Old Men, or the controlled chaos of the big Lebowski.

Although not a masterpiece, this is a return to form of sorts. It is a constantly downplayed and quiet film, but it is always engaging and has a drive Burn After Reading sorely lacked.

Most of this is down to unknown Michael Stuhlbarg, who imbues Larry with so much timid fragility, you will want to literally reach into the screen and shake him into taking some action.

His constant inability to deal with his problems makes him one of the most frustrating yet sympathetic characters yet seen on screen. You hope throughout that something, anything, will go in his favour.

But clearly that would ruin the joke, and the Coens aren’t playing by any rules. And that includes giving you a clear cut happy ending.

Black humour is the name of the game, and there are flashes of brilliance here that help lighten Larry’s seemingly endless slide into oblivion.

A rabbi’s tale of messages within a mans mouth is a confidently comedic sidestep, and some dream sequences which might be seen as out of place if they weren’t so powerfully memorable.

As for the films ending, god only knows. It is audacious and perplexing, and no doubt will leave many desperately searching for a concrete explanation.

There’s no easy answer here though. Is an ending not necessary like in the elder Rabbi’s tale, and therefore not needed? Is it religious payback for Larry’s morally questionable act at the films end? Is there any link between the end and the separated opening scene?

It’s all unknown, and some will find that as enthralling as others will find it deeply frustrating.

If you want your films to engender debate then this is perfect. But the debate will also be whether this is yet another decent but underwhelming Coen tale to add to the pile.

It is similar in many ways to Barton Fink, good and bad. They are both dark and brooding in tone, possess characters which you can’t predict, but ultimately fail to piece together their enjoyable moments into an all encompassing whole. Bitty, but enjoyable.

Overall, it is too coy, too unwilling to conform to audience expectations, to break the mainstream. A cult fan base surely awaits.

Verdict?

Another marmite flavoured slice of Coen pie. Easier to enjoy if you don't expect any easy answers. (3/5)

Go Further?

· Technically, this is the film the Coens filmed after No Country, but for some reason Burn After Reading was released after the Oscar winner.

· Note how there are no faces you recognise. Brave, and it adds immeasurably to the films understated tone.

· The film has an interesting soundtrack. You unfortunately don’t hear much Hendrix in films nowadays…

Haiku?

Coens hate the mainstream

This is a prime example

Refreshing indeed!

Second Opinion?

Mark Kermode thought it was refreshing to see such a film shy so far away from the mainstream...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nwvqy

(Halfway down the page, below Twilight)

Trailer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcUTv3LH3ss