Film Review- "The Interview"

The Interview
Directed by Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen
Starring James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Randall Park

Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know the story of this film's release. I don't want to spend too much time on the controversy itself, though I feel that film is an art form, art is form of freedom of speech, and the threats against this film was unjust. I mostly want to talk about the film itself though.

At last free of North Korean threats, and having to drive twenty-something miles to the nearest theater showing it, The Interview arrived on Netflix this weekend. After having see this film for myself, I can honestly say this film was not worth all the hullaballoo. If it was a better film, maybe it would have been. Let's begin.

The film focuses on Dave Skylark (Franco), a television talk-show host, who's biggest stories are getting Eminem (playing himself) to come out of the closet, and talking with a goat Matthew McConaughey supposedly had relations with. His producer/best friend Aaron (Rogen), wishes they could do more serious journalism. They get there chance when North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un (Park) reveals he's a big fan of Skylark and grants him an interview. This is when the CIA steps in a recruits the two men to assassinate Kim Jong Un.

The story isn't that bad. It's the usual formula we get out of these Rogen & Goldberg/Apatow & Friends films. Friend A is loving life, Friend B wants a change. Friend A & B have a falling out, then make up in time to save the day. What makes this formula fail here, is that unlike Pineapple Express or This Is The End, the film just isn't that funny.

There were very little times where I actually laughed out loud. Some jokes got a smile or soft chuckle, but most of the time the jokes fall flat. Franco and Rogen are again probably as good as they ever been. Lizzy Caplan as the CIA agent tasked with supervising their mission is delightful. Randall Park gives a pretty good performance as Kim Jong Un.

The characterization of Kim is for the most part, harmless. It's clear this film was never meant to be a piece of propaganda against the North Korean Leader. There are little moments that comment on the actual man and how he leads his country, but for the most part, the film is concerned with saying he's a guy with daddy issues, who loves Katy Perry's music and partying. Because of this, the tone of the shift is slightly unbalanced, teetering between satire and lowbrow comedy.

The hype and controversy around The Interview will definitely overshadow the film itself in the years to come. If this had been a better film, things might have turned out different, and maybe the people who lashed out against it may have had a stronger argument. On the other hand, if they had seen the film before jumping to conclusions, they would have realized that they were really making a fuss over nothing. This is just a ridiculous, lowbrow comedy, that has next to no real laughs, and nothing more.

Top 10 Films of 2014

That I've seen….so far….let's just get this over with.

10. Big Eyes
Directed by Tim Burton
Starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, and Danny Huston

Finally, another great Tim Burton film, and it looks and feels nothing like a Tim Burton film. While the story didn't sound too compelling at first, it's the cast that brings it to new heights. Christoph Waltz is absolutely despicable, in one of his best performances. Amy Adams is as perfect as ever. It pains me that neither of them have received Oscar nominations this year. Nevertheless, Big Eyes is a wonderful little film led by two wonderful actors.

9. Dawn of The Planet of The Apes
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, and Toby Kebbell

A sequel that both surpasses its predecessor, and at that same time, stands well enough on its own. The rare summer blockbuster that's also thought-provoking. For a film with little to no dialogue, its heavy on drama and emotion. The action in the film is fantastic. Of course, Andy Serkis's motion-capture performance as Caesar is again the tour de force. He, alongside Toby Kebbell as Koba give unforgettable performances. One slight fallback, is the human characters and side of the story fall short. Nevertheless, Dawn remains one of the strongest films out of 2014's summer box office.

8. X-Men: Days of Future Past
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender

I love the Marvel films, specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. The Spider-Man films, don't get me started. The X-Men films, I've never been a huge fan of. Then First Class came along, and they had my attention. Then The Wolverine, and I found it pretty entertaining. Now we have Days of Future Past. This was the first X-Men film to geninuenly blow me away. It takes the strongest elements from both the old and new films, including a remarkably strong cast. Funny, action-packed, and emotionally gripping, I'll go so far as to say Days of Future Past is one of the best superhero films ever made. The X-Men films have won me over.

7. Foxcatcher
Directed by Bennett Miller
Starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo

This is a unique film. Throughout the entire thing, I felt very awkward and uncomfortable. The whole tone of it is very unsettling, like waiting for a two and a half-hour time bomb to go off. Yet I could not look away. Foxcatcher is a gripping thriller, and all the credit goes to the three men leading this film. Carell is unreal. It's a complete transformation for him. Tatum is incredible, and Ruffalo is the rock the other two characters both lean on and clash against. It does stink that only Carell and Ruffalo got nominated (Not happy about this year's Oscar nomination by the way), but no doubt this film is a high point in the career of all three actors. Foxcatcher is an intense, gripping film.


6. Into The Woods
Directed by Rob Marshall
Starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and James Corden

In a world where updating/twisting/remaking fairy tales has become a regular trend in film and television, Into The Woods is one of the strongest efforts in the category. Probably because the Stephen Sondheim musical it's based off of was around before the whole trend became a quickly tiring effort. The songs are memorable, wonderful, and will stick in your head for days. The ensemble cast is incredible, personal favorites being Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, and Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince. While the film does start out slow as we jump through each character's story, once they all start to intertwine and interact, that's when things start getting good. Into The Woods is a very entertaining film that the whole family can enjoy.


5. The Lego Movie
Directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller
Starring Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, and Will Ferrell

Lord and Miller have done it again. After Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Jump Street, they've taken an idea that probably shouldn't have worked, and made it work. Incredibly I might add. Originally I wasn't thrilled, but in repeat viewings I fell in love. Of all the animated films I've seen, this is one of the best voice casts ever assembled. Chris Pratt as Emmett, Alison Brie as UniKitty, Will Arnett as Batman, I could go on and on. The animation is incredible, you would have no idea it was CGI and not stop-motion. Then at the end of it all, is a touching message that can resonate with any viewer. "Everything is Awesome" with The Lego Movie…including that song.
Also again, Oscars, what the heck? No Best Animated Feature nomination??

Original Review: http://flahertysfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2014/02/film-review-lego-movie.html

4. Gone Girl
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris

My God this film. Kudos to the people who edited the trailers and ran the marketing campaign. I can't even go into too much detail about this film without spoiling. All I can really say is there's a huge game changer halfway into the film, and when it happened, simultaneously, my friend and I turned to each other, jaws dropped. This film is edge-of-your-seat, mind-rattling incredible. Rosamund Pike gives one of the best performances of the year, Ben Affleck is once again a strong leading man, and Neil Patrick Harris all but destroys his How I Met Your Mother persona with a positively creepy character.
And for the FOURTH time in this post, I damn this year's Oscars because why did this film not get more nominations?!?

3. Birdman
Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Edward Norton

This film is a ride. A really, really fun ride. As someone who loves the entertainment industry, show business, I couldn't help but enjoy this film. The story of Riggan Thomson is one surely anyone in the business can relate to, and Michael Keaton is absolutely perfect casting. Emma Stone gives a compelling performance as Riggan's daughter, and Edward Norton has some great moments as an actor cast alongside Riggan in his play. The way this film is shot is remarkable. I could barely tell when the camera cut between shots. It's appropriately filmed like a play, and that feeling resonates with the whole film. Birdman is a wonderfully crafted film, led by a career-defining performance by Keaton.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Redford

I originally said this one of the best films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I still stand by it. It ups the ante from Captain America: The First Avenger, from The Avengers, and for the entire franchise. It's  like a gift to Marvel fans. Heavy on drama, action, and plenty of Easter eggs for the fans to hunt for. The film displays some of the best performances from Marvel's usual players. This film is a complete game-changer for the MCU. Sophisticated and packed with non-stop thrills, Winter Soldier is one of the best films of the year.

Original Review: http://flahertysfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2014/04/film-review-captain-america-winter.html

1. Guardians of The Galaxy
Directed by James Gunn
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper

Back in 2012 when I heard this film was being made, I thought Marvel was heading for a disaster. A talking raccoon and a talking tree? A film heavily set in space? I mean we all saw Green Lantern. How wrong were my suspicions. This has quickly become another one of the best MCU films, my favorite film of the year, and one of my all-time favorite films. This cast is so diverse in terms of where all these actors come from, but they work together so well. Each is given the proper amount of time to shine. This has been quite the year for Pratt, between this and The Lego Movie. You can't help but love all these characters. The action in this film is as good here as it is in any other Marvel film. The soundtrack is fantastic. The jokes, gags, and one-liners are hilarious. Most importantly, the film has a huge heart. Who would have expected that from a film with a talking raccoon and tree? I understand that the "group of ragtag losers joining together to save the world" storyline isn't the most original, but it's all these other elements that bring Guardians to spectacular heights. This is my top film of 2014.

We Are Groot.

PS: 2015 New Years Resolution: Write More.