Nicolas Cage and John Cusack: Reunited and it doesn't look good.

So currently I am in between films reviews. But have no fear World War Z, White House Down, and Man of Steel should be coming soon. Also I am trying to put together a video review thing soon or later. But in the mean time I would like to ask all of you to watch this trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0_mrDgDe4w

The trailer is for an upcoming thriller called Frozen Ground which is based on a real life spree of serial killings in Alaska during the 80's. To me this actually sounds like a good premise for a movie, I am thinking something along the lines of Zodiac in the snow. Unfortunately it is set to star Nicolas Cage and John Cusack as the head detective and killer respectively. Now this is now direct snub to these actors, in fact I really like both of them. Cusack and Cage both have a certain cheesy charisma that reflects back to the glory days of both their careers. And in those glory days they actually starred in another movie together called Con-Air. If you haven't seen Con-Air it is about as cheesy as a mid 90's action film could get, and it was all the better for it. It is a failure as a movie on many levels, but it is so ludicrous that it is undeniably watchable. Just watch this clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waziKjv_2qU

Taken out of context, you might think that was taken out of a comedy. But it is dead serious. And yes that is John Malkovich really shooting at that helicopter! Something like that will keep the most cynical man smile all day. But obviously Frozen Ground is not that type of movie. In fact Frozen Ground looks more like the Christopher Nolan film Insomnia. Insomnia is another film about a serial killer set in Alaska. And it also had an actor hamming it up as the lead detective (Al Pacino) and an actor primarily known for comedies giving a surprisingly subtle performance as the killer (Robin Williams). Now Insomnia is not a great flick, in fact it is a mess of a movie that falls apart in the third act. But there are things I like about it. And I have serious doubts that Frozen Ground will be half as good as it.

Now I very well could be wrong, but just listen to this. Frozen Ground is being made by a first time director who has decided to cast both Vanessa Hudgens and 50 Cent in major dramatic roles. That doesn't really instill me with confidence. And casting John Cusack as a serial killer just seems like a horrible idea. Now Cusack has pulled off performances in thrillers and horror films before though, but he usually sticks to playing the protagonist. John Cusack is a very likable actor and casting him in the lead saves the screenwriter some time explaining why we should be rooting for our hero. But Cusack playing the antagonist may spark a little unintentional hilarity, as may the appearance of Nicolas Cage.

I'm sure that anyone who is reading this is well aware of the path these two actor's careers have went down. Both have been in a slump as of late, and from the look of it neither realize why. It is because they are taking parts in absolutely shit movies. Both actors have been very hit or miss since the early 2000's, almost all being misses truthfully. Which is a damn shame because I think the early 2000's had some of their best roles. Cage had Adaptation and Matchstick Men, and Cusack had Being John Malkovich (Alright that was late 1999) and High Fidelity. Now I realize that both of these actors (Cage to a much larger extent) have been reduced to jokes on the internet, but I truthfully do enjoy them overall.

Both have given abhorrent performances throughout their careers, but I can never say that they were boring. Cage in particular always gives an interesting performance despite how terrible the film is. And John Cusack is so charming that watching him sleepwalk through a movie is still somehow endearing. Let me put it this way, most action stars are completely replaceable. Cage and Cusack will make the worst film still entertaining on some level. So after that I say this next part with a heavy heart.

Both seem to be horribly miscast. Now I have not seen the film but just from the trailer I am going to guess that this is a serious drama. Now from previous experiences I have noticed that Cage does much better when let off the reins and is allowed to be as nutty as he wants to (Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call). And in a straight drama there is typically little to no nuttiness allowed. And I think I already explained why Cusack as a serial killer is a bad choice. But lets be honest I am probably going to end up seeing this anyway.

Anyway have you guys seen the Wolf of Wall Street trailer? Cause that looks pretty frickin sweet! Martin Scorsese, Yeezus, Jonah Hill's big glasses, and a game of what appears to be "midget darts". What more can you ask for?

Oh, that's what.





-SP McDonald

Review: This Is the End

This Is the End is one of the most anticipated films of the year. And for good reason. It is based on a short film whose hilarious trailer has teased me and my friend for around half a decade. And is being written and directed by the writers of Superbad and Pineapple Express, Seth Rogen (who also stars) and Evan Goldberg. This Is the End also stars members of the Apatow-troupe Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel and James Franco, all of whom have spent the last decade or so making films that range from comedic brilliance to horribly flawed, building a large group of fans as well as detractors. And for those looking forward to this movie I doubt it will disappoint.

You see, lead circus master Judd Apatow approaches film making in a way many people find offputting. He relies heavily on surrounding himself with very funny people and letting them loose to play off each other in between shooting scenes. This style can be hit or miss and can often lead to a funny but unbalanced film as well as creating tonal inconsistencies that have plagued many of the recent Apatow features. And even though This Is the End gets it all right, some will still not enjoy this movie. Even the best of the Apatow and Company movies aren't for everyone. My three favorites (Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Superbad) are each disliked by many and I can fully accept that. Comedies, perhaps more than any other genre, are prone to be polarizing. There are comedies that simply do not hit my funny bone and I can accept that, though it doesn't make me hate the movie any less.

This Is the End hits that funny bone right on the mark and the movie is a hell of a lot of fun. I was initially very concerned about how this film would turn out. Goldberg and Rogen being first time directors worried me as well as their often uneven writing, not to mention the lack of Apatow himself being involved with the project. However all of those fears turned out to be false and the movie was not only hysterical but also a downright good movie. The film features many celebrity guest stars playing themselves but it all comes down to the 6 main characters. Each of these characters seem to be exaggerated versions of the actors themselves and all six have strange relationships with the others.

The show-biz hating Jay Baruchel is visiting LA and staying with his old friend Seth Rogen. Rogen in this movie has been absorbed into the Hollywood lifestyle and they seem to be moving in separate directions. Rogen takes the reluctant Jay to his friend James Franco's party. Jay hates all of Seth's new Hollywood friends and goes solely to please him. At the party they meet a coke snorting Michael Cera, an angelic Jonah Hill, and an art obsessed James Franco who seems to be Seth's new best friend. Many other comedians come in playing broad versions of themselves but what really sells the movie is the personal relationships between Franco, Hill, Rogen, Baruchel, Robinson, and McBride. Especially the friendship-love-triangle between Rogen, Baruchel and Franco.

The script works in its big moments of epic destruction as well as the small moments of just 6 people sitting around waiting. The script is surprisingly full of heart and every actor seems to want to be there. In fact the actors in this movie seem like they are having a hell of a good time, which helps to propel the movie forward through the moments of comedy that don't particularly work (especially Emma Watson and The Back Street Boys thing). The parts that don't work are few and far between and none of the jokes really outstay their welcome.

Just by amount of laughs the movie is not quite at the level of my personal top three but it is pretty damn close, surpassing Pineapple Express, Anchorman, and Role Models, and landing just above Funny People and just below 40 Year Virgin, which is a pretty damn good place to sit considering how much I admire a lot of Apatow's work. This Is the End is not for everyone but it is an absolute blast and is by far the best comedy I've seen this year.





-SP McDonald