Don Jon | Geekscape

In Case You Missed It – December 2013

by MCDaveDecember 15, 2013

While November brought very little in the form of worthwhile newly released DVDs, it’s a typical expectation as the calm before the Christmas storm. However, as it stands now, December isn’t shaping up to be a particularly great month of releases itself. While I was less than impressed with big-named titles like Prisoners (12/17), Elysium (12/17), and the critically-loved indies Drinking Buddies (12/3) and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (12/17), all of these films will be reaching the shelves just in time for the holiday season. But outside of those offerings, here are my DVD selections for the month of December.

#1. Shameless (The Series)

Last month I had no other choice but to praise the completion of my favorite television drama of all-time, Breaking Bad. Now this month, due to a week offering by the DVD-release gods, I’m sticking with what works and recommending my new favorite show on TV, Showtime’s Shameless. This holiday season is as good a time as any to start from the beginning and catch up on an extremely underrated series. Admittedly, the first season is a little strange and peculiar, but stay strong, because season two and three offer some of the best laughs and drama you’ll see anywhere on television. The Gallagher family is both lovable and despicable all at the same time. There’s no shortage of fantastic character development and you’ll be hooked, guaranteed! (December 17th)

#2. Despicable Me 2

I’m going out on a limb here and giving a blind recommendation for Despicable Me 2. If you’re sitting around this Christmas and looking for the type of movie the entire family can enjoy, why not take a chance with Despicable Me 2? It’s first installment offered plenty of laugh-out-loud hilarity, and I’ve heard that the sequel keeps up with a healthy dose of comedy itself. (December 10th)

#3. Don Jon

Although I ultimately gave it a completely mediocre review, a lackluster crop to choose from is forcing me to throw Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon into the ring. He delivers the triple threat as the writer, director and star of his own passion project about a porn-addict who’s been discovered by his new girlfriend (Scarlett Johansson). Despite being a heart-warming tale of self discovery and maturation, Don Jon suffers from a cyclic (albeit intended) approach that repeats itself over and over again, to the point of ad nauseam. I was extremely conflicted on this indie, which was fresh out of the Sundance Film Festival, and saw it twice before I could make a final decision. Perhaps you’ll find a little more enjoyment in Don Jon than I did. (December 31st)

Honorable Mention: Despite missing out on all of them myself, action fans may want to take a chance on any of The Wolverine (12/3), Fast & Furious 6 (12/10), The Lone Ranger (12/17) or Kick-Ass 2 (12/17). As a huge horror buff, I definitely plan on catching the sequel Insidious: Chapter 2 (12/24) even though I was underwhelmed with the ending of the original. And finally, one of the most raved about foreign films of the year is The Hunt (12/10), I hear it’s a must see. Until next month, have a wonderful holiday season!

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Don Jon

by MCDaveSeptember 18, 2013

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is far from a new face in Hollywood. His time in the industry dates back to the early 1990s, most prominently with his first real breakthrough role in the family film Angels in the Outfield. Almost two decades later and the gifted actor has decided to expand his artistic ability. Gordon-Levitt tackles his first attempt behind the camera with his directorial debut, Don Jon.

Jon (played by Gordon-Levitt) is a smooth-talking, physically fit bartender whose weekend streak of pulling “randoms” has landed him the nickname “Don Jon”. But despite the confident young man’s success with the ladies, Jon has a secret obsession with porn. Therefore, when he falls head-over-heels for a demanding woman named Barbara (Scarlett Johansson), Jon’s secret becomes too difficult to hide.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon is a big-hearted comedy that ultimately falls victim to a cyclic and monotonous approach. Underneath all of the recurring trips to the gym, Sunday confessionals and family dinners, resides a deeply dramatic story that’s worthy of acknowledgment. However, Gordon-Levitt bogs down the most notable aspect of his film with redundant scenes that we’re forced to sit through over and over (and over …) again. Throughout all of this repetition very little is actually gained or lost, making Don Jon‘s mere 90 minute running time feel more like an eternity. In fact, the feature’s most interesting character, Esther (who is brilliantly portrayed by Julianne Moore), fails to play a significant role in the film until it’s already too late. While Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut offers a meaningful story that culminates quite well, Don Jon gets lost in a tiresome cycle of ineffective moments.

Although the movie suffers from its shortcomings, there are plenty of hilarious scenes and a strong uplifting moral to the story. Don Jon‘s side characters develop a winning sense of charm and charisma. The star’s onscreen friends are full of silly one-liners and outlandish behavior that help keep the jokes coming. They prove to be a breath of fresh air as you wade through the slower-paced moments of the film. But despite the fine work from Don Jon‘s entire supporting cast, an over-embellished vibe and an unchanging delivery are too much to overcome.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt for many years now. He can be found all over my home collection of DVDs. And although Don Jon is a missed attempt, there’s still a commendable heart and soul to the feature that the budding filmmaker can clearly build on for the future. I wouldn’t count him out just yet. But in the meantime, you won’t miss much by avoiding the new comedy, Don Jon.

GRADE: 2.5/5

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First Trailer For Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Directorial Debut, ‘Don Jon’

by Derek KraneveldtMay 22, 2013

Relativity Media has just released the first trailer for Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut, Don Jon. The film was a hit at the 2013 Sundance Festival (read our review here), and after watching this first preview, I can see why. The trailer is well cut, and the feature looks hilarious.

Don Jon stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlet Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, and more, and will hit theatres on October 18th! Watch the first trailer below, and let us know what you think!

Jon Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a strong, handsome, good old-fashioned guy. His buddies call him Don Jon due to his ability to “pull” a different woman every weekend, but even the finest fling doesn’t compare to the bliss he finds alone in front of the computer watching pornography. Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson) is a bright, beautiful, good old-fashioned girl. Raised on romantic Hollywood movies, she’s determined to find her Prince Charming and ride off into the sunset. Wrestling with good old-fashioned expectations of the opposite sex, Jon and Barbara struggle against a media culture full of false fantasies to try and find true intimacy in this unexpected comedy written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.