Film Notes: Ladykillers

I have to admit I was a bit reluctant to see this film. I am not a big Tom Hanks fan to start with, it didn't get good reviews, and I didn't care much for Intolerable Cruelty (which I think is the worst Coen brothers film yet). But I was pleasantly surprised by Ladykillers, perhaps a result of low expectations. In spite of my wariness, I found myself laughing a lot and enjoying the set designs as well as the impressive cinematography, I know some people (Roger ebert for examle-a rare difference of opinion) find it distracting from the story and show-offy, but I find it entertaining to get unusual camera perspectives and angles. Second-rate Coen brother movies still are better than most of what is being produced by major movie studios. However, they pale in comparison to their earlier work-in this case, comedies like Raising Arizona and The Big Lebowski. This film was predictable with some sophmoric toilet humor, however, extremely entertaining none the less.