Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express
R
Running Time: 111 minutes
USA

Why do I do this to myself?

Let me clarify before your thought processes get off track. There is a certain skill in overcoming what I'd like to officially label as "Christmas Syndrome™" or "CS™". This malady involves seeing an ad for any given product and completely allowing it to define your perception of said item, whether that be a toy, piece of clothing or even a film. Sadly, I fell prey to my own made up disease with this film and would like to hopefully shed some light as to why.

Judd Apatow is an incredible filmmaker. He uses horrible language, extremely crude humor and somewhat gimmicky sight gags...but the skilled part is, he makes you care about characters who are complete and total losers. That's not easy to do...and Mr. Apatow seems to have the capacity to pull it off with regularity. HOWEVER, that only seems to be the case when he directs his movies. When the Apatow name appears only as a producer, the film seems to suffer some...

Which brings me to tonight's word...I mean, review (please don't sue me Mr. Colbert). Plot? Don't bother...it's hardly relevant. A good stoner movie (which, admittedly, this is) cares not for such things. Comedic value? I laughed hysterically for the first half of the movie...almost on par with Superbad...and then it was like watching a firecracker whose fuse reaches the flash point, fizzles and then slowly tips over. It left me wanting. Not a good feeling. It's like the girl that winks seductively, gets your attention and then runs screaming in the other direction (admit it..it's happened to you, too). And this is where CS™ set in. I just kept thinking "Why?! Why did you build this up into another 40 Year Old Virgin when you know that's an incredibly high bench mark to reach?" But then I remind myself...Seth Rogen is good in everything he's been in (I even liked his minuscule role in Donnie Darko), it's at least an Apatow production and James Franco as a stoner looked hysterical. Therefore, after reflecting back on what I just viewed, I can conclude that, based on previous experience with Apatow films and with Seth Rogen, I contracted a slight case of CS™ which most likely affected my overall satisfaction with the film (not to mention the poor casting of Rosie Perez and the fact that the gore at the end almost seemed to be an inside joke between cast and crew). This happened to me somewhat with Superbad...and I'm happy to say that several viewings later I have come to enjoy it thoroughly. Not sure if that will be the case with this latest installment...but we shall see.

If you like stoner flicks, or if you're an Apatow/Rogen fan, check it out. Just lower your expectations a bit, the sure way to cure any lingering CS™.

ADDENDUM: I just remembered something that bothered me, too. Not sure if I was just making things up or not but I could have sworn that there were about 10 plugs for AT&T's "My Moment" ad campaign. If that's true, it bothered me somethin' fierce. Not that I disagree with product placement in films...but if you're gonna do it, do it subtlety!! If anyone else noticed it please let me know so that I don't think I'm crazy...

Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda
PG
Running Time: 92 minutes
USA

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my daughter, London, for forcing me to open my world to the wonders of animation. Ever since she was born 4 years ago, I've been fascinated by the Pixar movies (a side note: I am STOKED to see Wall E...don't laugh but it's true) and have taken moderate interest in the Dreamworks additions as well. I don't know if it's the amount of collaboration that goes into each of these creations, dumb luck or both that makes them so special but honestly...these aren't just silly kids movies anymore. They are actual films with great writing, voice talent and style. Kung Fu Panda fits those descriptions perfectly.

The plot revolves around Po, a clumsy panda who is destined to inherit his father's noodle business but who dreams of being a great kung fu warrior. Through a series of mishaps, Po winds up with more than he bargained for and becomes nominated as The Dragon Warrior who will defend the town from Tai Lung, a rogue warrior who defected long ago. Although this story line has been done many times before, the style that Osborne and Stevenson give the film almost makes you forget the myriad other movies similar to it. The cut scenes and fight choreography are excellently constructed, too...so much so that several times throughout the movie I thought I was watching either the best video game I'd ever seen or the most incredible Jackie Chan flick to date. However, the biggest reason to throw down the money for this one is Jack Black who definitely steals the show...which given the cast of voices (Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen and Jackie Chan himself) is a feat unto itself. I'll be totally honest with you...Jack Black is a hilarious man. Not sure if you've realized that yet...but if not, go watch Orange County, High Fidelity or School of Rock to assist you...not to mention his jaunts with Kyle Gass, known to some as Tenacious D. I don't think I need to sell anyone on this movie...for once there's a summer blockbuster that delivers exactly what it promises: a family friendly, freakin' funny, fast paced fight film...hooray for alliteration!