Celluloid Lane: "Garden State"

In the first few minutes of "Garden State", I assumed I was watching a movie about apathy- the kind of apathy so many of us in our mid-20s experience when we realize that life is hard and unfair and we'll never be rich and famous no matter how hard we work. "Garden State" is refreshingly more complicated and cleverly woven than that, though I do get the sense that main character Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff, who also wrote/directed the film) and I have shared a few of the same "i'm a grown-up now" disappointments.

In short, Andrew is coming home to New Jersey from LA for his mother's funeral. Deep-rooted family issues have kept him on the opposite coast since he was old enough to escape, though, for reasons not immediately clear to us, even the allure of LA has never allowed him much joy or emotion. Those who help him along what ends up being an introspective journey are a few old friends from high school (similar to a few I left behind in my own small town, which is both amusing and depressing), and a beautiful, odd stranger (Natalie Portman), with whom Andrew crosses paths.

"Garden State" ambles along without much of a conflict or climax, but somehow manages to stay focused without dragging itself down in angst or veering away from what's essentially a simple tale. A impressively thoughtful soundtrack seals the deal. This was a sweet little movie... touching and smart.

PS- Guys, don't shy away. This movie is more for you than me.

Comments

[patrick]

this was one of the best movies that i've seen in recent history...i was wondering if you'd do a review.

[wayne_in_akron]

Should we be looking forward to "Siskel and Ebert"-ish segments on future episodes of TSS?

[Timmy]

Zach has his blog thing going, kinda funny.
http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/gardenstate/blog/index.html

[Matt]

I got 1 more gmail at my blog at iMatt711.blogspot.com

[kmonell]

Matt, nobody gives a flying sh*t about your crappy blog. If you were on TV like say Sarah or Kevin or Alex it might be worth viewing. I'm sick of seeing you spam up good people's sites. I mean all you do on your site is reiterate EVERYTHING on the TSS hosts blogs....Go away!

*is annoyed

[Justin]

Garden State is one of the best movies I've seen, it takes you on an introspective journey and made me realize that I'm not alone in this "so this is what growing up really is?" world. And I totally agree, the soundtrack rocks.

and I'm with kmonell about the spamming, this is not what comments are for (nor dumbass "maverick"'s lame attempts to leech off of other people).

[J]

I'll give 3 gmail accounts to each person who signs up through my link and completes an offer. You can cancel as soon as you receive credit and it doesn't cost you a thing. I only need a couple more people so please help me out :)

http://snipurl.com/8qpb

[Justin]

Hey Sarah, I definately am going to have to check the movie out. I had heard a little about it prior to your review, but not a whole lot. I followed the link kevin had put up on his site to help you out saying you only needed three more signups. I signed up for the netscape offer. um not to be a blog spammer, but i thought it would be appropriate since I had linked off from your referral, that i toss mine up here as well, The more everyone helps each other out with it , the easier everyone will be able ot get their ipods etc. http://www.freeiPods{dot}com/default.aspx?referer=8912338. Thanks alot. P.s. not to be a beggar, but I do have a few gmail invites available for anyone who can help me out on this.

[Matt C]

Heh, I was wondering if either of you would say something about the movie after K asked for feedback on the flick before going.

I loved it. I loved it for the obvious reasons: The hilarious Zach Braff from Scrubs, the beautiful Natalie Portman, and Bilbo Baggins himself, Ian Holm - but I loved it for it's message, and it's depth, and the amazing quality of the acting performances. The music was primo top shelf stuff too, I picked up the disc the other day, finally and have been playing it non-stop at home, in the car, and at work. I'm getting married in April and we're burning our own mix cd's instead of using some cheesy dj, and I'm going to have to add "Such Great Heights" at least to the playlist, if not several others (both Shins cuts, the Colin Hay song, and Lebanese Blond.)

Being a late twenty-something dude myself, the things Zach/Large talked about in the movie all hit home with me and made perfect sense.

Glad you liked it, what did K think?

[c4hfan]

hi sarah what is the url of the site about independent bands

[chris]

I signed up for my free ipod and its in the mail! Try signing up today. They gave Kevin Rose 250 itunes dollars so I think its worth it. It really works!

http://snipurl.com/8nzt

[Dan]

As a guy, I'll agree - this movie is amazing. Really one of the best I've seen in a while.

[thunda]

keep it to yourself kmonell
no one really cares about what u think

[Rich]

I just found this awesome site that totally gives you the low-down on all this Gratis Free Ipod/Flatscreen/PC stuff. They also have a really cool conga line that actually tells you what place you are in. Click below to check it out.

URL deleted by script kitty
;)

[kristen]

i'm a jersey girl in her mid 20's who knows people who actually work at medieval times... great movie. loved it. can't stop listening to the soundtrack either... if you think you're the only one who is feeling whatever it is that you're feeling then go see this movie. you won't feel so alone anymore...

[pangderx]

6 gmail invites for anyone who can help me out...

http://www.freeiPods[dot]com/default.aspx?referer=8917858

[Justin]

Hahaha, I dont think its going to work rich. You spam constantly on bothe Sarahs, and kevins, and probably gonna on albrecht soon enough. I think everyone who are avid viwers are getting kinda tired of it. just a thought...

[Tom]

Yay you guys saw it :) I've been waiting for this movie for ages, except I'm over in the UK so I have to wait even longer. For Zach Braff fans, Scrubs series 4 has just started showing so make sure you don't miss that.

[Tom]

By the way, c4hfan, that address you were looking for is http://pitchforkmedia.com :)

[Tim]

Thanks for this review. I'd been curious about it but afraid it was "a chick flick" and I'd be bored to tears. Sounds like a better movie than that. I might have to give it a try...with a female friend, just in case. :-)

[ajax]

Pitchfork is like the mainstream of indie. Be uber cool and go to www.wackiness.org for better taste. or tinymixtapes.com

[vakky]

I -thought- I wanted to see this movie. Now I know! I love Zach Braff on Scrubs. Glad to know he's got some real talent besides reading lines well. :)

Being someone who's reaching that "grown-up" state, I have a feeling I'll be pretty depressed by the end. Hopefully a little enlightenment and/or bittersweet optimism will result also. We'll see :P

[Jay]

Terrific film, and a great first effort for Braff. I'm looking forward to his future projects.

[john]

I'm nervous Sarah. What does Jeff Timmons have to do with tech? I hope this kind of thing is not going to happen often. I understand you have to make concessions now that you're in a lot more homes, but I don't think that segment belonged on TSS. However, I still love the show and everyone associated with it and will continue to watch.

[Josh Forisha]

gMail invites to people to help me:
http://www.freeipods[dot]com/default.aspx?referer=8493667

[Kashif Khan]

free gmail accounts here http://k4shif.blogspot.com

[mike]

here is another one, enjoy :)

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-dcab043217-7167949477-2425a3a84a

[corey kunak]

http://www.freeiPods[dot]com/default.aspx?referer=8963635

if anyone helps me i will give them a gmail account
if u do send proof to my email adress at corey.kunak@gmail.com

[Shadow]

Hey Sara... well I'm a teenager from a small city, but I'm a huuge nerd, and also, I'm bored. I was watching your show at my dad's house a while back. It was the second episode about how to get cool free stuff... (It was cool to finally know there was actually a female who knew what Linux is...) anyway, I didn't catch the name of the site where you could download the 3D desktop... so, if the site is stil up and running, I'd appriciate it if you could e-mail me a link.... thanks
Love and Peace
†SHADOW†

[Leslie]

Got The Gmail Working:

https://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-34258b461a-0b6ba993ed-4df64b62e5
https://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-34258b461a-3fedfde8da-38bff05096
https://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-34258b461a-c817c75ebe-73599c1f48

Enjoy and plz remember your please and Thank You!

HeHe Just Kidding

You have to copy and paste in your browser, its more secure that way.

[jw]

hey sarah,
re: your windows tweak with the start button. i found that SP2 wiped it out, and is giving me issues changing it. did the same happen to you?

thank you for all your tweaks!
jw

[KC]

More free stuff:

iPod:
http://shrinkster.com/j3

Flat Screen:
http://shrinkster.com/j2

PC:
http://shrinkster.com/j1

[James]

FREE Stuff:

Need 3 more people to sign up. Help me out plz!

freeiPods(.)com/default.aspx?referer=8529788

[corey]

http://www.freeiPods(.)com/default.aspx?referer=8963635

2 gmail account each to who ever help me i need 5 people to help me email me if u did the ipod thing
corey.kunak@gmail.com

[ben]

If anyone wants a gmail account I've posted a few on my blog at http://ben_morris.blogspot.com/ check back often on my site because I'll be giving more away without notice next time

[Dude17@gmail.com]

I love you Sarahtss@gmail.com !!

Only because you are soooooooooooooo hooooooooot (so hot).

Humble TSS viewer in W. LA.

[dude17@gmail.com]

Here you are "free gmail" courtesty one TSS viewer !!

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-91f2737730-7b8c5006aa-3533c67700

[Relik]

If you still haven't signed up for freeiPods[dot]com, then you should visit this page:

www[dot]geocities[dot]com/freeipodcongas

It's a brand new conga line, if you sign up under the first person, you will be added next in line! When the first person gets 5 complete's, the next person moves up!

This is the fastest way to get your free iPod!

Replace [dot] with . in the link above :D

[vakky]

Let me apoligize now, Sarah, for I'm gonna post an off-topic comment here ('tis a vile crime, I know), though the intended readership is you, so it's at least THAT topical. Right, so I've a modest proposal for TSS. Well, two actually. The first I've already mentioned, but I shall reiterate: Yoshi, mannequin mod. That'd be peachy keen, it would!

The second, eat some babies! No, I kid. Actually, I was thinking it'd be pretty cool if TSS had a somewhat regular "guest host" show. Maybe on like the last Friday of each month, or every other Friday or something, have you, Morgan, Marty, Dan, Cat, or another G4TTV personality fill in for Alex. Or for Kevin. They could play rock-scissors-paper to see who gets the day off. Actually, maybe better it be on Thursday, so the person being filled in for can play in the LAN Party if he so chooses.

And don't even limit it to G4TTV people. Could maybe have some tech-savvy columnist or celebrity fill in. DeBartolo or Monroy, perhaps? And eventually get one or two with Patrick, Leo, Pirillo and maybe some other TechTV alumni in there. Would have plenty of time to be planned and stuff, since we'd be talking once or twice monthly here. I dunno, it may be an impractical idea, but I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one who'd really like if something like that could be worked out.

And I hope your trip to (or past) the Bay Area went nicely :)

[Travis M]

Merry Christmas

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-685f16de9e-e3a20be792-731f06af67

[Hutch]

Gmail for anyone that can help me with my iPod, im being honest here and not tryign to trick anyone by making them click a link blindly, it is for the Free iPod. i have 7 gmail invites and i will give invites to anyone that registers via my link and i get a green light. Thanks in advance!
http://tinyurl.com/6fb6e

[KC]

Enjoy free stuff:

iPod:
http://shrinkster.com/j3

Flat Screen:
http://shrinkster.com/j2

PC:
http://shrinkster.com/j1

[IronWolf]

http://shrinkster.com/kk

[Brian]

More gmail invites to give out. Enjoy. Good day.

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-5c18c88131-659b10de65-ee5cbc5857
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-5c18c88131-4c71250c76-7b10d0fe84
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-5c18c88131-b39bb3f8a7-8b2cd4c069
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-5c18c88131-102f00c700-cf19f779e5
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-5c18c88131-35d13d410a-c533060aa7

[john]

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-65213df88e-03ab991802-c03aea06c6
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-65213df88e-a40383e62f-c11333ef3d
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-65213df88e-e70e17e139-7880a721d8
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-65213df88e-59b369d31e-ba971302e5
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-65213df88e-f55c3b068e-62725a88bf
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-65213df88e-d7dbb97820-78bee2b4e4
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-98238e412e-3ef9fedf76-b434084078
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-98238e412e-330f898629-1bc6d16a99
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-98238e412e-f0c946b35f-29077712aa
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-98238e412e-9faa6939bb-75e18da877
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-98238e412e-ecb0d7a412-858608b43e
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-98238e412e-c363ab5d75-abf8377eb6

[Aaron]

I'm from New Jersey! It rules that NJ is getting famous all of a sudden, like with this and all the Kevin Smith stuff! I'll be comming to LA in November and I'm trying to get tickets to your show! Hope to see you soon!
-Garden State Aaron

[Matt]

Free gmail at my blog iMatt711.blogspot.com

[tim]

6 Gmail accounts. E-mail me at
Jankov316@gmail.com.

[Chad]

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-6eeb400e56-2d37c2d611-9313163de6
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-6eeb400e56-6a0de108a9-ae5c8f580f
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-6eeb400e56-a6bcc6abfa-47e75e8030
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-6eeb400e56-cffac4edb7-5fa4b7cb51
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-6eeb400e56-2b2c5cf625-8c9da0a8c6
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-6eeb400e56-46715ef7d2-22d50705f4

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[JamesB]

giving out gmail me, im me on aim @: JamesB478