Observe and Review

Observe and Report is a dark, black comedy that rings with Taxi Driver references from the opening scene. And that film's influence on this one is undeniable. Ronnie Barnhardt is a disturbed, delusional character who communicates in voice over, is overly aggressive and socially retarded. He is confused with his role in the world and his actions are fueled by selfishness and his own insecurities. But, by the end of the movie, miraculously, he is the hero.

It's funny, though. It's damn funny, if you can laugh at heavy drug abuse, extreme violence and date rape. The movie explores a side of the psyche in which a seemingly normal individual decides by any means necessary to do what he believes is the right thing. His heart is in the right place, but his methods are criminal and borderline psychotic. Whether it's conning Anna Faris into a date with him, accusing the Middle Eastern mall employee of terrorizing the mall or beating Patton Oswalt senseless against an oven, he is trying to fit into what society has taught him is a hero, someone who helps those that cannot help themselves.




I have read that many people were taken aback by the shocking nature of some of the scenes and preferred their cuddly, charming Seth Rogen who merely smokes pot and knocks up pretty girls. I liked that they made such an audacious film, particularly coming from Warner Bros. and Legendary Studios, who made this picture during the enormous success of their last picture, The Dark Knight. In many ways, it is a similar film where the protagonist is an unstable vigilante who administers his own brand of justice with a disregard for the proper authorities. By the end however, while Batman is on the run as an outcast, Ronnie has gained acceptance and fame as a hero for bringing the bad guy down. It's a movie that asks the question, where is the line and why do people cross it? Ronnie has only pure intentions and good motivations, but the results of his action have disasterous consequences. What is the right thing to do? I don't have the answer and neither does the movie.




Michael Pena steals the show with his Mike Tyson impression.

For The Fanboy In All Of Us

I can admit it. I'm a fanboy. The Star Wars movies were a huge influence on me as a kid as to this day have affected everything from my behavior, my speech, my morals and values, action figures, comic books, novels, tee shirts, Halloween costumes, home furnishings, fan fiction and once, quite unfortunately, my haircut for a summer. As a kid, I dreamed about going into space, wooing princesses and defeating bad guys. While I have remained Earth bound for my life, I have been able to do some rather amazing things in the fashion of a Han Solo or a Lando Calrissian. Now that I am all grown up, I have embraced my inner geekdom and proudly fly my fanboy flag and could not wait to see Fanboys.

The story in the movie is as interesting as the story of making the movie. There are websites dedicated to the battle against Harvey Weinstein, who was determined to cut out the emotional core of the story and the characters motivation for their adventure. In 1998, four friends countdown the days until the release of Phantom Menace. But, they decide to travel from Ohio to Skywalker Ranch in California in order to see the movie. I won't give away too much, but while some may have thought the side plot was "too depressing" for audiences, without it, the story would have been useless and really, it stays in the background for most of the movie. The movie is really a love letter to both Star Wars as a trilogy and a culture. It's filled with verbal, visual and audio callbacks to the original films and cameos from original Star Wars cast members and famous Star Wars fans (Kev Smith, Danny McBride and Seth Rogen in a Peter Sellers-like three role turn). Moreover than a movie like Mallrats, it's made by and for true fans of movies and comics and video games and, by being set ten years, perfectly captures the time of my high school years. The movie is equal parts teen comedy, road movie, genre spoof and almost a coming of age story. I finally got to see it in theaters upon it's release, but now that it's on DVD, everybody should check it out, if you like Star Wars or not. And if you're not, why are you reading this?




The best part of the movie is Dan Fogler. He steals every scene with his Billy Dee impressions. constant humping, Jedi mind tricks and faux tough guy routine. Dude was worth the ticket price alone.




Also, loved Kristen Bell. She made this movie while doing Veronica Mars and before Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but she lovingly fills the role of the fangirl to perfection. For all of you men who are lucky enough to have a woman who quotes her favorite SNL sketches, borrows your graphic novels and never returns them or just wants to go see a movie at midnight with you, maybe someday you'll be able to talk her into an outfit like this.

I Hate Pineapples, but Love Pineapple Express

The first film I’ve seen after about three weeks of Dark Knight was Pineapple Express. And the film from Seth Rogen and Co. delivers like the stickiest of the icky.

Starring Rogen and James Franco, the stoner action movie is actually lighter on the action and better with the story and characters. They successfully put regular guys who have seen too many action movies into action sequences, but never hit it over the head with the homages and references. But, the strength like always is the writing and acting. Once again they tap directly into what makes their movies different and appealing to audiences. It’s not just a movie about two stoners on the run from drug lords; it’s a movie about friendship. And not just between Rogen and Franco but their connection Danny McBride is thrown into the mix, as well as focus on the relationship between the two hitmen played by Kevin Corrigan and Craig Robinson. The scenes between the action with Rogen and Franco smoking and sharing with each other or Rogen trying to win back his girlfriend over the phone are the scenes that really draw the audiences in and tap into real life.

That’s where I have a problem with people who cannot see the forest for the trees when it comes to the films of people like Rogen or Kevin Smith. Knocked Up, SuperBad and the upcoming Zack and Miri Make A Porno are not defined by their crude language or ‘shocking’ behavior. Inside those films are real characters, real stories and in the case of the first two, real heart. Sure, people like nudity and dirty jokes, but without some substance to it, those movies would not be the huge grosser they are, they would become The Love Guru. To me, the real disgust should be directed at the people, who I cannot call filmmakers, who manufacture the same garbage time and time again and expect us to spend money on it. It’s failures that hurt the chances of a film that’s different from the norm even get made, let alone make enough to money to get a wide audience.

Not much else to say about the movie. I really enjoyed it and it could be the funniest movie I’ve seen so far this year. Of course, Tropic Thunder does come out next week.

Big Mike's Lil' Update 5/30/08

Wow, what a depressing week. Starting off with the passing of Sydney Pollack and now the sad news that there will be Beverly Hills Cop IV. Let's try to find some good news.


- Finally! Kevin Smith has posted a teaser trailer for Zack and Miri Make A Porno, starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. People are curious to see how the different comedic stylings of Smith and Rogen will mesh, but if the teaser is any indication, it will be worth watching several times. Check out the trailer at Quick Stop Entertainment.



- Going to see The Strangers tonight, because, well, it's either that or going to see that movie about three hookers and their mom.

- Don't forget about Paul's Brain Trust. You can click on the link to the right to find out more information and help out while you can.

- Sadly, this week we also said goodbye to Harvey Korman. Korman won 4 Emmys for his work on The Carol Burnett Show and is best remembered for his work with Mel Brooks in High Anxiety, History of the World and of course, Blazing Saddles. Hedy Lemarr (that's HedLEY!) has always been my favorite character in the movie and whenever my friend Jamie and I break into our Saddles routine, he plays Mel and I play Harvey.



Harvey Korman was 81. Meeting adjourned.