Directed by: Dave Franco Written By: Dave Franco & Joe Swanberg Story By: Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg & Mike Demski Cinematography: Christian Sprenger Editor: Kyle Reiter
Cast: Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, Toby Huss
Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a new light.
This is a fascinating film, as at first, it seems like it will be a relationship movie mixed In as a thriller, but then in the third act it goes full-on horror film.
It is a film that is best to go blind into. As part of its charm are the surprises and twists. Which won’t be told but will be hinted at throughout this review.
Like the nature of the film We sit back and just watch the characters. We are rescued to them more in the middle as they are coming upon this rented house. We start to get the feel of the characters and their relationships toward some another.
Which takes over the first half of the Movie. It becomes more claustrophobic when an action happens that ends up In a secret that two of the characters are desperate to keep. Which is where the terror starts. What could have easily been settled by calling the cops grows into more problems than pushes them apart and complicates the situation.
It also helps that there is a lot of set up’s that are hinted at before. As it gets deeper there is much more interference in the characters’ lives.
I give credit to director and co-writer Dave Franco for making a film that most actors making their debut films Don’t do at first. It seems he is making a more melodramatic film. But then he ends up making a more popcorn audience-friendly film. That is a bit more commercial while being able to stick to its indie and dramatic roots.
The characters aren’t dislikable but do come off as a bit privileged and annoying. At least two In particular do the ones with the secret. Though the actors are all solid.
Though not as gory or action-oriented as the collector films and franchises. This film does remind the audience of those films in the fact that it almost can easily be designed as a franchise or sequel. Though if there is one since the secret is out, they have rearrange the film to be surprising.
Directed By: Phil Lord & Chris Miller Written By: Michael Bacall Story By: Jonah Hill & Michael Bacall Cinematography By: Barry Peterson Editor: Joel Negron
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Alison Brie, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Chris Parnell, Rob Riggle, Deray Davis, Dakota Johnson, Rye Rye, Caroline Aaron, Ellie Kemper, Jake M. Johnson
In high school, Schmidt (Jonah Hil) was a dork and Jenko (Channing Tatum) was the popular jock. After graduation, both of them joined the police force and ended up as partners riding bicycles in the city park. Since they are young and look like high school students, they are assigned to an undercover unit to infiltrate a drug ring that is supplying high school students with synthetic drugs
First and foremost this is one of the few films that I actually ventured to go see on opening day. Which I haven’t done in years. That is how badly I wanted to see the film. Like SCREAM it not only makes fun and spoofs the conventions of the genre of tv show remakes and buddy films, While soon falling into them and being good at it. Just like SUPERBAD not only does this spoof teens and teenage films. It has moments of emotional truth and kind of being a bromance. It’s not artistic, but it is a really entertaining popcorn film. with quick cuts that don’t make it seem like you have A.D.D.
Channing Tatum is the real surprise in this film. He comes across with charisma and expert comic timing. It’s hard to believe he Turned the film down numerous times until Jonah hill personally reached out and convinced him to take the role. He hasn’t been this interesting as an actor since A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS. They both executive produce the film.
I have to admit when Channing Tatum was first announced to star I thought the film was doomed. But he is one of the elements that make the film a winner.
Jonah Hill plays his usual type of character but brings the laughs and makes it feel new and different each time. He has a way of making moments awkward and true yet bring it around to being funny and always make it feel improvised.
Even if you never watched the show. It’s enjoyable, but if you remember and/or like the show. The film is just incredible. The action scenes are simple yet exciting that make them seem realistic until they get a bit ridiculous and abused. The cameos are great and bring the movie full circle. The film shows the generation gap even though it has only been 7 years and manages of course to include pop-culture references. It truly is a different landscape. The film does still rely on the old television cliché of mixed up identities leading up to half the hilarity. How now what was uncool. Now is cool which a character even comments on.
Dave Franco, James’ Brother finally steps out of his shadow to create a memorable character and handles the role well. Brie Larson who I am a huge fan of from SCOTT PILGRIM Vs. THE WORLD among other films. Which I will admit at times I have watched only because she was in them. Is here as charming as ever in a role originally offered to Emma Stone who couldn’t take the role due to scheduling with another film. It would have been a nice reunion for her and jonah, but the role doesn’t leave her with much to do. It’s nice an experienced newcomer got the chance to play it.
Some things feel like pure comedic inspiration like the characters having to live with his parents makes no sense. Ice Cube as the angry black captain even comments on his own situation. The Rapper who called himself the N*gga you love to hate and used to be anti-cop. Now playing one here is ironic and in a good way.
Jonah hill originally offered the directing gig to Rob Zombie. The film makes fun of all the aspects that the original series held so dear or dealt with as special issues. When the show first premiered I hated it thinking it was a beefcake show of hunks that wasn’t worth my time. My mom liked the show and would always watch it. Then in its second season, there was nothing else on and I decided to watch it and thought it was actually quite decent and stayed a life-long fan. I even watched and enjoyed the spinoff BOOKER.
I even watched it until it’s end in syndication long after Johnny Depp left the show. When only the Captain was the really long-lasting cast member. The show also introduced me to Johnny Depp.
SPOILER
The film unfortunately not only has a cameo by Johnny Depp and Peter Deluise as their characters from the original, But also the death of there characters which really hurt and for the rest of my life I will always see DeRay Davis as the man who killed my favorite TV Cop characters.
I can see that as the main reason why Johnny Depp took the role. As he acknowledges it helped start his career but during his last seasons he hated being on the show. But respected Steven J. Cannell to finish off his contract. Holly Robinson Peete also cameos her character gets to live. At least the characters die giving more meaning to the theme of the film, But still a sad way to go. I would have rather them just go on in my imagination. I could honestly recognize Johnny Depp as his character immediately though he isn’t really revealed until the end. It’s the cadence of his voice. END SPOILER
Written & Directed By: Jeff Baena Cinematography By: Quyen Tran Editor: Ryan Brown
Cast: Dave Franco, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Kate Micucci, Nick Offerman, Jemima Kirke, Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly, Paul Reiser, Fred Armisen, Paul Weitz, Lauren Weedman
On the run from the battle-seasoned Lord Bruno for sleeping with his wife, the handsome and willing servant, Massetto, flees to the safety of the woods during the warm and peaceful summer of 1347. There, after a chance encounter with the always boozy but merciful Father Tommasso, the young charmer will find refuge into his convent’s sanctuary, on one condition: to pretend he is a deaf-mute. However, Massetto’s tempting presence will unavoidably upset the already frail balance of things within the sexually-repressed female realm, as nun after nun desperately seeks an escape from their tedious way of life and an extra reason to molest the charming handyman. In the end, will those cloistered Sisters finally find out what they had been missing out on all these years?
Directed By: Nicholas Stoller
Written By: Andrew J. Cohen, Brendan O’Brien, Nicholas Stoller, Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg
Based On Characters Created By: Andrew J. Cohen & Brendan O’Brein
Cinematography By: Brandon Trost
Editor: Zene Baker, Peck Prior & Michael A. Webber
Cast: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kiersey Clemons, Abbi Jacobson, Ike Barinholtz, Clara Mamet, Selena Gomez, Hannibal Buress, Carla Gallo, Kyle Mooney, Billy Eichner, Lisa Kudrow, Kelsey Grammer, Jacob Wysocki, Awkwafina
When their new next-door neighbors turn out to be a sorority even more debaucherous than the fraternity previously living there, Mac and Kelly team with their former enemy, Teddy, to bring the girls down.
Directed By: Nicholas Stoller
Cut To The Chase 