Pineapple Express (R)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: Tonight we are reviewing Pineapple Express
; a movie about a couple stoners... not much more need be said.
What did you think Mike?
Mike: I thought this movie was very funny. It helps that I like most of the comedies that Judd Apatow (producer) or Seth Rogen (star/writer) has had a hand in.
What about you?
Scott: I think for this movie you have to have had a certain recreational hobby to really enjoy the movie. I never had that hobby, so I didn't think the movie was that funny.
When people are stoned, they think dumb stuff is funny, I just don't get that.
Mike: I don't think you have to be a stoner to think stoners are funny. I guess you never got drunk either?
Scott: What movie has been all about drinking in a way this is all about smoking?
Mike: My point was that dumb stuff seems funny when you are drunk, also, so maybe you could relate?
Scott: True, I should have watched this movie drunk. I didn't think of that beforehand, so I will have to go with my sober observations
I couldn't relate I guess. Maybe I am just too old.
Mike: Dude, I am older than you, as you constantly remind me.
I'm guessing this movie is even funnier if someone watches it half baked. Just guessing of course.
Scott: Rogen plays a process server, Dale Denton, who witnesses a murder. He and his drug dealer Saul Silver (James Franco) are then on the run from the murderer, who is a big-time drug dealer, and his lackeys.
As you said, this is another movie from Rogen and Apatow. Did you think this was one of the best from those two?
Mike: I don't think it’s quite as funny as Superbad or Knocked Up. But frankly the best thing they ever did together also included James Franco and it was the little seen but much loved Freaks and Geeks.
Scott: Another F&G reference... We know, we know.
Mike: Watch F&G already and then you will be part of the club!
Scott: I am a member of Fight Club, and can only be in one club at a time.
Mike: Dude, you should have never said that out loud. I think they are going to kick you out for talking about it.
Scott: True, good point.
Mike: I think this one loses points because it is a comedy, action thriller, which is pretty strange. For being a comedy, this is pretty violent, so it may not be for everyone.
Scott: The cast in this movie, aside from Rogen and Franco, was all across the board.
Mike: Many of the usual suspects.
Scott: The bad guy is Ted Jones, played by Gary Cole. Every time I see him though, I think of Lumbergh from Office Space.
Mike: Yep. More menacing than funny this time though.
Scott: Very menacing. He was my favorite character in the movie. He was ruthless and still goofy.
And Rosie Perez is the bad cop Carol. I didn't even know she was still acting.
Mike: I think Danny McBride is a standout in this movie. Rogen, Franco and McBride made for a great trio of druggies.
Scott: You liked the hit man with emotions?
Mike: You are thinking of Craig Robinson, in a role completely opposite of his role in The Office.
Scott: McBride reminded me way too much of John C. Reilly. He even sounded like him.
Mike: I didn't get that, but he made laugh. That guy probably gets abused more than anyone else in the flick.
Scott: Robinson’s character reminded me of Bernie Mac in the Ocean's movies. Specifically, the scene in the first movie where he buys the vans.
Other than that, his role was straight out of a bad comedy/slasher movie.
Mike: Yeah, but Bernie was not quite as feminine as Robinson.
I also have to mention Amber Heard and it’s not really for her acting.
If you see the cover of the latest Maxim you will know.
Scott: I forgot she was in the movie.
Mike: I think it is hilarious that Rogen's Dale Denton is dating a high school girl.
Another funny thing to me is that in this movie Rogen is sort of the clean cut guy and Franco is the scuzzy guy.
Scott: It was a role reversal.
This is the second movie I have seen about process servers, at least, the second that I remember. The other movie Serving Sara was just as good as this.
I'm not familiar with any of Director David Gordon Green's work.
Mike: Yes this is the first movie on his list that I have even heard of let alone seen.
Scott: It looks like he comes from an independent background.
Mike: The writing team from Superbad is back with Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen. Supposedly the story idea came from Apatow.
I don't think they were quite as funny this time around as Superbad, but there are a lot less penis jokes this time.
The movie does have high reefer content though.
Get it?
Scott: Yes, I did.
So how do you rate this?
Mike: I give this a 3 overall and a 2.5 for comedy action thriller. I would have liked more comedy and less violence.
How do you rate this?
Scott: I give this a 2 overall and a 1.5 for comedy/action. I felt like they couldn't decide between funny violence and bloody violence and choose a poorly lit gray area.
Mike: I'm with you there. I love funny violence which this has, but could have lived without the bloody violence. This isn't Quentin Tarantino after all.
You should catch the Pineapple Express before it rolls out of theaters.
