Brick at the Denver Pavilions

January the worst of movie months, we are up against Oscar Constipation and the dumping of crappy movies they wouldn't dare release at any other time. Luckily there are some revivals well worth your time, Brick being one of them, High School Noir by RIan Johnson at the beginning of his career, starring a dewy Joseph Gordon Leavitt.

You have preserved in your own lifetime, sir, a way of life that was dead before you were born. –Harold the butler in Elaine May’s “A New Leaf” (1971)
You will forgive me for reaching back 35 years for a quotation to open this review of “Brick,” since the movie itself is inspired by hard-boiled crime novels written by Dashiell Hammett between 1929 and 1934. What is unexpected, and daring, is that “Brick” transposes the attitudes and dialogue of classic detective fiction to a modern Southern California high school. These are contemporary characters who say things like, “I got all five senses and I slept last night. That puts me six up on the lot of you.” Or, “Act smarter than you look, and drop it.”
“Brick” is a movie reportedly made with great determination and not much money by Rian Johnson, who did the editing on his Macintosh (less impressive than it sounds, since desktop machines are now often used even on big-budget movies). What is impressive is his absolute commitment to his idea of the movie’s style. He relates to the classic crime novels and movies, he notes the way their mannered dialogue and behavior elevates the characters into archetypes, and he uses the strategy to make his teenagers into hard-boiled guys and dolls. The actors enter into the spirit; we never catch them winking. (Roger Ebert)

Tickets available on the Fandango and Regal websites as well as the box office.

4 hours free validated parking in the lot under the Pavilions, entrance on Welton just north of 15th st.

We can head to local venue after if folks are interested!