MOVIE REVIEW: THE NIGHT BEFORE

Every Christmas Eve for the last decade, best friends Isaac (Seth Rogen), Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have reunited for a wild night on the town in New York City. But since the guys are getting older and have to face new responsibilities, their tradition is about to come to an end. As a result, they plan one last epic night together, which includes finding their way to a legendary party called the Nutcracka Ball. Lizzy Caplan, Miley Cyrus, Mindy Kaling, Jillian Bell, and Michael Shannon co-star. Directed by Jonathan Levine. ~ Jennifer Lackman, Rovi

Director: Jonathan Levine     

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Michael Shannon.

Release Date: Nov 20, 2015    

Rated R for

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.    

Genres: Buddy Film, Holiday Film, Comedy    

Review:

The Night Before is a solid stoner comedy that never really hits its marks consistently enough to elevate it above better comedies of its ilk.  Jonathan Levine moves his film along at a brisk pace which helps when we run into one of the many dead spots in the film.  When it hits its mark it’s really funny with Seth Rogen and Michael Shannon delivering the best bits.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie are decent but they don’t quite have the comedic timing that Rogen pulls off so well.  The film is pepper with plenty of comedy stalwarts and each takes advantage of their time on screen.  It has all the hallmarks of what should be a classic comedy but it just never gets there for some reason.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE INTERVIEW

Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight." When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, they are recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into an assassination mission.

Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen     

Cast: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan, Diana Bang

Release Date: Dec 25, 2014

Rated R for pervasive language, crude and sexual humor, nudity, some drug use and bloody violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min.     

Genres: Comedy, Action     

Review:

The Interview will probably be remembered for having one of the strangest releases in movie history.  The Sony cyber attack, North Korea and The Guardians of Peace all made for the cancelled then eventual release of this film.  After its strange long trek to screens, you can’t help but wonder if the film was even worth all the trouble.  The Interview is pretty much what you’d expect from Rogen and Franco.  Juvenile humor with some very strong moments scattered throughout the film.  Rogen does his usual shtick albeit playing a bit more of a straight man than usual.  Franco is over the top throughout, playing Skylark like an overgrown man child. The biggest issue is that the film never maintains the laughs for very long, you’ll have sporadic bits of hilarity followed by some fairly noticeable dead spots were the film just drags; it would have fared better with stronger editing.  The final act gets surprisingly gory for no apparent reason but it typifies the film, it serves as a perfect microcosm of the film, funny for bits but bland for long stretches.  Goldberg and Rogen seem to be shooting for Spies Like Us feel which they achieve occasionally.  It’s not the pair’s finest work and their inexperience behind the camera is evident.  Ultimately, the hype around the film will probably over shadow the film in the long run which isn’t surprising since it’s an above average comedy film at best.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: BACHELORETTE

ON DEMAND IN THEATERS

BACHELORETTE



Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, and Lizzy Caplan star in this comedy about three dysfunctional friends who attempt to leave the past behind while serving as bridesmaids at the wedding of a woman they mocked mercilessly back in high school. As teenagers, Regan (Dunst), Gena (Caplan), and Katie (Fisher) used to call Becky (Rebel Wilson) "Pig Face." Years later, Becky is about to tie the knot and asks her taunting former classmates to join the wedding party. And though Regan is determined to give Becky the ultimate bachelorette bash, tart-tongued Gena has already started partying hard well before the big night, and capricious Katie seems to have her head stuck in the clouds. Later, as the ladies cut loose and the booze begins to flow, a mishap with the wedding dress sends the entire event spiraling out of control, leading to a wild night of debauchery that nobody will ever forget. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Leslye Headland

Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, James Marsden, Adam Scott.

Release Date: Sep 07, 2012

Rated R for Drug Use, Sexual Content and Pervasive Language

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Bachelorette is a darkly comedic film that deals with enough dramatics to make for a choppy feel. Writer/Director Leslye Headland peppers her film with enough vitriol to her dramaedy to leave an impression. Her three leads are generally dislikable and overall fairly terrible human beings. Luckily they are played impressively by strong comedic actresses who keep them from being utterly off putting. Kirsten Dunst delivers fine work as the ice queen head of the group. The always dependable Lizzy Caplan and her deadpan delivery make her character more interesting than she actually is. Isla Fisher is still rather adorable as a damaged ditz who bra size is bigger than her IQ. Rebel Wilson is fairly underused and Marsden and Scott mostly relegated to the sidelines. Scott is given the meatiest of the supporting roles with Caplan (a nice Party Down reunion). Leslye shoots an interesting film and directs her actresses with impressive command. Her biggest issue is finding a good rhythm to the film. It never finds a steady feel. It hits its best most consistent marks during its second and final acts. Outside of that the laughs are a bit sparse. The finale feels unearned and too tidy for the characters and general madness involved. Still it’s a film that’s probably closer to The Hangover than Bridesmaid if not nearly as consistent as either of those films.

B-

TV SHOW REVIEW: PARTY DOWN: SEASON 1 and 2 DVD

Synopsis: A group of actors move to LA to make it big, but end up working as caterers.

Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Lizzy Caplan, Megan Mullally, Jane Lynch

REVIEW:

Party Down is the type of show that leaves you wondering why it didn’t get a long run than it did. Sadly there are only 20 episodes of this hidden gem that showcases some excellent comedic talents from people who’ve moved on to bigger things. First and foremost you can’t walk away from this series without a new found appreciation of Adam Scott, presently working on the excellent Parks and Recreation. Scott’s is perfect straight man to cast of misfits. His reaction and delivery is just spot on throughout the series. Lizzy Caplan also shines as his primary love interest. Caplan just captures the Gen X sensibility so well I’m almost positive it’s not an act. She and Scott have great chemistry together and while the “will they won’t” isn’t anything new to sitcoms it’s never really a hindrance here. Ken Marino gets to stretch his comedic legs a bit as his character undergoes the biggest changes throughout the series. Ryan Hansen and Martin Starr are both solid as secondary characters which each getting moments to shine through. Jane Lynch is gold in her limited run, before Glee came a calling. Jennifer Coolidge replaces her for a short run, probably a good thing as her character could have gotten grating, and then Megan Mullaly takes over the better part of the 2nd season. Mullaly takes a little while to settle in but she fits right in by the second half of the season. The 2nd season does experience a bit of a rocky start, mainly because some of the dynamics have changed from the 1st along with new characters coming in. Its take while for them to hit their stride but they do with hilarious results. By the end of the 20th episode you’ll be forgiven to feel a bit disappointed that it’s over but it’ll be quickly replaced by a desire to watch the whole thing again.

B