2013: The Year in Film: "This Is The End" Review.

You may have (and probably should just go ahead and do it if you haven't) forgotten about all of the hoopla surrounding the supposed "apocalypse" that was all over the internet last year. Well, it spawned a pair of comedies from some of the funniest people in Hollywood - "This Is The End" from the people who brought you Superbad and "The World's End" from the people who brought you Shawn of the Dead. This one had the benefit of coming out first and featuring a large number of extremely funny and well-known comedic actors from the Judd Apatow orbit. Featuring actors playing ridiculous versions of themselves, this flick focuses on a funny group of friends as they deal with a world-ending calamity.

Old friends Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel (most recognizable for me from "Tropic Thunder" though he also played Danger in "Million Dollar Baby") have a pot and video game filled reunion weekend in LA planned. Jay, who doesn't like LA, begrudgingly agrees to accompany Seth to a celebrity-filled party at James Franco's house. (Among the celebs in attendance: Jonah Hill, Franco, Craig Robinson, Emma Watson, Michael Cera, Rihanna, and more) After what appears to be an earthquake hits LA, a small group boards themselves up in Franco's mansion to await what they think will be inevitable rescue. They soon discover that the calamity that has befallen LA may be much more than a simple earthquake and seek to survive and keep their sanity among the madness.

The Good: this flick at once features some very funny people who clearly get along quite well sharing whip smart barbs over preposterous and often terrifying situations. There is enough reality in their performances and interactions to really give the film a fun and intimate feel. Don't get me wrong, it never really feels like a documentary, but there's enough of a personal vibe that you really get a glimpse at what hanging out with this group might be like. Much of the film is obviously improvised, and the cast has hilarious interactions with one another based on real or fictionalized relationships. The cast is put through some preposterous and occasionally gruesome situations, but the script and cast is quick-witted and smart enough to find the humor in just about every situation. I found Jonah Hill, James Franco and the entire early party scene to be especially funny, and this group of people has a way to write real-feeling dialogue that you just don't find all that often. [See: Superbad] In addition, some of the more horror-y elements, while always remaining funny on some level, can result in some legitimate low-level scares. This apocalypse feels legitimate, and it's never completely laughed off.



The Bad: it drags a bit in the middle section, and doesn't become clear where exactly the film is going immediately leading up to the sprint to the close. If anything, the film could have benefited from pushing the actual event back a little and letting the party scene breathe more. Many of the film's funniest scenes happen in quick succession by using the available star power, and a movie could have been made from the party alone. In addition, there's a rather abrupt turn from one character in particular that feels unearned. Minutes prior the whole group was hanging out as friends and shortly thereafter one is trying to murder the others? It doesn't feel legitimate and feels a lot more like a device to push the plot along.

In all, this is an extremely enjoyable movie with a lot of solid laughs. There are hilarious sight gags and characterizations that take the interactions between these well-known and well liked actors to ridiculous places. Well worth seeing in the theater for the laughs alone. Ultimately, this one isn't as funny as Superbad (though very few comedies are) but it definitely works on a Pineapple Express (which is heavily referenced throughout) level. A solid time at the movies.

7.5/10

2013: The Year in Film: "Mud" Review

Let me start by saying that this movie completely flew under the radar. Despite the fact that there were rave reviews following it being screened at Cannes and Sundance, it got lost in the Iron Man 3/Star Trek 2 shuffle for me and I kind of completely forgot it existed. Sorry, Mud! A cursory glance at the movie listings revealed that it had a nearly unheard-of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, so I decided I should give Mud a whirl. A friend and I decided to check it out, and boy am I glad that I did. The follow-up to 2011's "Take Shelter", (which I've heard is good but have never seen!) also written and directed by Jeff Nichols, "Mud" is an indie coming of age story in the vein of "Stand By Me".

"Mud" features two 14 year old friends Ellis (Tye Sheridan - who I recognize from "Tree of Life") and Neckbone (newcomer Jacob Lofland) who live on a river in rural Arkansas. One day they come across a boat in a tree and mysterious, charming, charismatic drifter named simply "Mud". (Matthew McConaughey in his best-ever performance) Mud needs help and brings the boys into his orbit with fantastical tales of a lost love and sinister forces conspiring against him. As Mud's mysteries unfold and Ellis faces challenges at home the two grow closer and form a real friendship.

The film is shot in an almost cinema verite style, and the use of gritty, rural settings and hardscrabble depictions of river life really gives the film an authentic feel. If it wasn't for the presence of known actors, it would really feel like a naturalistic depiction of a way of life that's not likely to be long of this earth. It's a cousin of last year's "Beasts of the Southern Wild" in that way. The sleepy town, turns of phrase, chivalrous yet violent characters and romance of it all gives the happenings a southern gothic Faulkner-esque feel. This is a film that feels distinctly southern and very real and that seeming authenticity gives it a real charm.




The cast is stellar from top to bottom, highlighted by great performances by McConaughey (shoo-in for a Best Supporting nod, I'm calling it right now) and young kids Sheridan and Lofland, who give the sort of convincing, charming and deeply felt performances that make this film feel like more than a work of fiction. Reese Witherspoon is almost unrecognizable as Mud's long-lost love Juniper and Michael Shannon, Ray McKinnon, Sam Shepard and Joe Don Baker are all completely believable as inhabitants of this forgotten place.

Simply put, this flick is a gem. A pseudo modern American fairy tale that is inhabited throughout by charm, humor, mystery and above all the bonds that friendship and family can provide. Some convincing performances by two kids and masterful work by McConaughey propel it to greatness. See Mud, you won't regret it.

8.5/10.