Pineapple Express...

I hate moviegoers. No, I hate teenage movie goers. I walk into the local Star theatre to watch a screening of Pineapple Express at 9:30, and as I walk over to the screening room, I am followed by the group of people I am with, and a group of about 10-15 teenage guys dressed in Aeropostale tshirts, plaid shorts, and flat brimmed hats. So, right away, I get a really bad feeling, which is inevitably what happens. It was a pretty packed theatre, which could be expected, and of course, I get stuck next to and behind people who have an affinity for texting and talking. That's why I wish, instead of legalizing pot, they need to legalize blow darts so I can take bitches out. Alas, I still saw the film, so here are my thoughts...

Pineapple Express is a stoner chase film (oxymoron, I know), and stars Seth Rogen and James Franco. It is directed by the great David Gordon Green and is about a process server, Dale Denton, who, after a meeting with his dealer, Saul, goes to serve a subpoena to Saul's dealer's dealer, Ted Jones. However, instead of serving the subpoena, he gets served with the sight of a murder. He runs into a couple of cars, and in his rush, leaves a roach of Pineapple Express, which his dealer is the only one in the city to have. This little problem eventually leads to a city wide chase featuring car crashes, exploding buildings, and awkward male bonding. This is a pretty interesting premise, however, does it make it a good film??

Sort of. The best part of this film comes from the lead performances, particularly James Franco. From his look to his delivery, he epitomizes the role, and is probably the best part of this film. Seth is really just playing himself in a way, so it's nothing impressive. Works for the film, but sort of lacking. Also, Danny McBride who plays Red, Saul's dealer, is amazing as well. There are a lot of funny performances in this film. However, it just seems to fall into the realm of convention. It really is just a basic stoner comedy, with some violence thrown in.

It's shot in a skillful way, with many shots stamped to the t with Gordon Green's style, particularly some of the slow mo shots, such as the scene where Saul and Dale sell some weed to a few high school kids. There's even a subtle cameo from the Eddie Rouse, the guy who played Damascus in George Washington. However, I inevitably became bored with the film. It was a tad bit long, a bit redundant and ultimately a conventional film. It's like having three Double Cheeseburgers from Burger King. It fills you up, tastes good, but ultimately makes you feel empty. Empty calories. If you get rid of one or two of the three or four action set pieces, this thing would fly. The interchanges between Saul and Dale, and then Dale, Saul and Red are comedy gold, but these great scenes are ultimately undone by a slow middle, and a conventional storyline.

That all said, McBride, Franco, and the direction of Gordon Green are worth a RENTAL. I wish they just would have dropped the action set pieces, or just one of them, and spent more time with the three friends. Worth a rent...

Pineapple Express: 6.5/10

Alright, I kept the review kind of short, because it is a comedy, and I really want to hear what you guys have to say about it.

Also, I would like to hear what you guys have to say about this summer's slate of films. I am pretty much blockbustered out right now. However, I move into my new apartment on Monday, so not only can you expect more reviews, but more independent reviews. Still, what do you guys think about this summer? Has it been good, or is it to one note?

Go see something good!!!

They want to make a Pineapple Express/Superbad crossover sequel...thoughts?

George Washington...DVD Review...

George Washington was the first President of the United States. We all know this. However, most people do not know about this true gem of a film that shares the same name. George Washington was the first film from director David Gordon Green, who later this week will be releasing The Pineapple Express starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. So, in honor of that upcoming release, and my recent viewings of Undertow and All The Real Girls, I decided to revisit one of my favorite films of the past decade, and boy was it even better on a second viewing...

George Washington is a story about a group of kids who live in a small, decrepit rural town who are brought together through a horrible accident. A young, African American boy is dumped by his girlfriend, Nasia, who then becomes involved with the shy boy, George. George is a young kid who can't fully live his life as his head hasn't fully hardened yet. He has a skull similar to that of a young infant. However, these three kids, and the rest of their friend's lives will be changed after a horrible accident and then cover up.

As I said in the intro to this, this film is directed by the great David Gordon Green whose most recent film was Snow Angels, which will be released on DVD later this month. He may best be known for All The Real Girls, and his infatuation for realism and naturalism. This film is a perfect example. Each character is fleshed out and the performances behind them are really amazing. The script is delivered by these young actors so perfectly and honest that it almost gives the film a surrealistic feel to it. It's shot so that the visuals don't overrule the performances either. Sure, there are tracking shots and all of the Green staples, but they are used in an artistic way. It's based around a rural town, and the pallet fits that perfectly. It's very rustic and earthy, and feels almost like a smaller, less sprawling Terrence Malik film. Also, and this may be the biggest positive, is the story is completely compelling and will keep you glued to your t.v. set. The biggest surprise however, was Paul Schnieder as Rico Rice. He was Ryan Gosling's brother in Lars and The Real Girl and was also in last years Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and proves here why he is one actor every needs to look out for. If there is one negative that I must get into, it is that during some of the parts it can't get a little slow. However, it's simply character introductions, and their interchanges, which makes the film all the more powerful. Please, before you see Pineapple Express, or any other film for that matter, please, check out George Washington...

9/10

Alright guys! So, in the next few days, you can expect some news, a top 10, some recommendations and possibly a DVD review or two (Harsh Times???)!!

Go see something good!!