TRAILER: Observe and Report Red Band Trailer...

I don't know how to break this to you all, but I'm not a Seth Rogen fan. Sure, the guy is really funny, but as a leading man, I still think he is a little lacking. Take Pineapple Express for example. It was his second true staring vehicle (Knocked Up was his lead debut, and that wasn't to high on my list), and he was funny, but I felt really one note. He was a lead character in dialogue, but second fiddle to James Franco's hilarious turn, and this film looks to be his next attempt. However, the pedigree isn't all that bad.

As compared to Judd Apatow, who I also think is a tad bit overrated (He's simply doing bigger budget Kevin Smith films), the recent attempt to take Apatow produced films and give them solid directors has seemed more fruitful. First was Superbad, helmed by Greg Mattola, and while I also wasn't a huge fan of that, I think it's vastly superior to Knocked Up and the 40 Year Old Virgin. Then you have the aforementioned Pineapple Express, with indie god David Gordon Green, which bred the best Apatow film to date. Sure there was Zohan and Drillbit, but we will throw those two out.

Observe and Report looks to continue the streak, as it is being directed by the director of the horrifically under seen comic gem, The Fist Foot Way, Jody Hill. That fact alone has me wanting to see this film, and seeing this trailer, while it really doesn't do anything to make me want to see it, it doesn't turn me off from the film, which is what Apatow productions have been wan to do. What are your thoughts?

Here is the synopsis...

The dark comedy stars Seth Rogen as Ronnie Barnhardt, head of security at the Forest Ridge Mall who dreams of being a real cop. “His delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution of this crime will earn a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive dream girl Brandi, the hot make-up counter clerk who won’t give him the time of day. But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.” Anna Faris, Michael Pena and Ray Liotta co-star.

Go see something good!

NEWS: Green Hornet, Cage is a Knight, and a Potter news...

Hey faithful readers. I know this is a late post, but there hasn't been much to write about, so I've been waiting for some bigger notes...but, here are your headlines...

- Stephen Chow, helmer of the great Shaolin Soccer, has been locked in to direct and costar along Seth Rogen in the upcoming film adaptation of The Green Hornet. Chow will play The Hornet's faithful sidekick, Kano...
- Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince will feature 25 Minutes of IMAX 3-D footage, spred between the opening and closing moments of the film...
- Looks like Speilberg's in trouble. Funding for his upcoming project, Tin Tin, is possibly coming to an end, leaving the great film maker without a project. Maybe Lincoln??? The film is still set to be made, however, it would have to come from Paramount, which Spielberg has had a well publicized spat with. What are your thoughts?
- Ben Stiller's next film is set to be about a covert CIA group in South America, and is slated to be a comedy...
- Nick Cage is reteaming with Dominic Sena, director of Gone In 60 Seconds, in a film called Season of The Witch. Cage will play a "14th century knight transporting a girl suspected of being the witch behind the Black Plague"...
- Looks like they are actually working on a Sims film...thanks to Cinematical for the heads up....


I forgot there was going to be a movie based on The Sims. If you have remembered and scanned the Internet desperately for a bit of news on it, you're in luck. Collider talked to producer John Davis about what their plans were for it -- it's kind of Weird Science and Twilight Zone. "[In] our movie, a young man, a 16 year old kid, a 14 year old kid and his friend get their hands on this thing called the Sims Infinity Pack, right, which kind of this very strange video game store which was there just for that moment, and seemingly wasn't all that. But what they realize is that they can scan their world in, because this is the most life like, real Sims game ever. And as they are playing this they are all of a sudden realizing is what they are playing on the game is having an effect on the real world. So in effect, through the game, they are able to control their world. It's wish fulfillment, and obviously it turns against them." Hmm. I think my Sims game, where my sister and I lived next door to Ewan McGregor, the Colorado Avalanche, Rufus Wainwright, and U2 would be a better movie. My Sim was all set to marry Bono until I found him flirting with everyone else. See? Drama!


Thoughts?

- Finally, Julie Taymor is set to bring the world of Spiderman to the stage in a Broadway musical, with the music scored by none other than Bono and Edge from U2...

That's all I've got for today. Tomorrow I will hopefully have a full, early review of Sex Drive, a new comedy staring James Marsden. It looks pretty funny, and here's the trailer...



Looks pretty funny, and anytime MGMT gets a song in, it's a good day...unless it's the opening of 21...It goes wide October 17

Go see something good!

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?