Being a student, it means I have been fairly broke over the summer, meaning my trips to the cinema have been limited, firstly by having zero money, secondly, by not having the time to go either, what with working every hour god sends in order to dig myself out of crippling poverty. But now, term time looms, and with that comes the student loan, which means I can begin live once more! That begins with shopping, and trips to the cinema. That began yesterday with a trip to see Pineapple Express.
The main reason I wanted to go was because of Seth Rogens recent run of good movies, Superbad (which he also co-wrote with Pineapple Express co-scribe Evan Goldberg), and Knocked Up, which, in my opinion, are two of the funniest movies i've seen in a long time. Probably the best comedies since Borat if you ask me. Having seen the trailer, and read all the reviews at Rotten Tomatoes, it had definitely made it a must see for me.
Seth Rogen plays stoner Dale Denton, whose daily routine consists of smoking joints, listening to talk radio and visiting his girlfriend at high school, whilst he's not serving subpoenas, in his daytime job. James Franco plays Dales dopey dope dealer Saul Silver, who has just had a delivery of the finest weed in all smokedom, the titular, Pineapple Express. When Dale witnesses a murder whilst delivering a subpoena, a ditched roach end, links Dale and Saul to scene of the crime and the pair go on the run from the murdering drug-baron, and his bent cop female accomplice.
The movie itself is a mixed bag really. Anyone expecting the laugh a minute gags that gave Superbad or Knocked Up its charm, may be a little disappointed. Sure its has its moments, but for me, I felt it was lacking something somewhere in the laughs department. Rogen and Franco are in fine form though, Rogen channelling the spirit of Bungle/Fozzy bear as he does so well, and Franco showing a different side to his usual brooding manner, in his zapped/pyjama wearing/idealist dealer Saul. They both clearly had a blast making this film, and the scenes of male bonding between two people who really only have a buyer/dealer relationship previous to the movie, is done really gently, and without being too sentimental. Third man in the caper is relative newcomer Danny McBride (who I recently saw in Drillbit Taylor where he plays a scheming malicious hobo, totally different to this), who plays middleman Red. Mcbride is clearly a star in the making, and his performance in this, is truly brilliant. My favourite line of his is...
"I used to carry this gun when I was a prostitute"
As the movie goes on, the plot develops, and becomes a lot more action orientated, but this works ok for me. It reminded me of a lot of '80s action flicks like Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop. And for me, this movie works better as an action flick than as an out and out comedy, but then it never really is truly either, as I said, its a mixed bag, but all in all it works.
So in conclusion...
Not the funniest comedy i've seen, but has a few belly laughs, but as a Shane Black-esque crime action caper its great.
3/5
The names Bond...
I seem to have recently developed a James Bond obsession, which began with the Sunday Times and The Times giving away the first five James Bond novels (Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia With Love). I read them in quick succession within a few weeks, then I got Dr No from the library. Dr No is my favourite so far, and if you have only ever seen the movies, and not tried the books, then I would highly recommend you seek them out. Bond is a much different character than the eyebrow raising, quip delivering, womaniser that he is portrayed as in the films. He is a much more human character in the books, with very human foibles such as insecurities, and genuine love and emotion for his friends, and the women he seeks out. He is also a cruel killing machine, but one who rues every death he has to cause with his own bare hands. His love for the finer things in life is taken to a near American Pyscho level obsession (If you've not read American Psycho, then seek that out too. Patrick Batemans narcissistic obsession with labels, clothes, fancy restaurants really is pyschotic) The plots vary wildly from the eventual movies, but they have a lo-fi charm to them that is irresistable. I've just ordered the whole set of Ian Fleming books for £14.99 from here, which at £14.99 for 14 books is an unbeatable offer.
I also went to see For Your Eyes Only, the Ian Fleming exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. It costs £8 or something to go, and to be honest, unless you're a fan of Ian Fleming, and not just of the Bond films, I wouldn't recommend it. But for me, it was fascinating, and the level of detail into Flemings life that the exhibition goes to should be applauded. It is ram packed with bits and pieces related to Fleming, like the typewriter and desk he wrote all the Bond Novels from, the original artwork and manuscripts for the books and also props from the films. Its not a big exhibition, and if you're only there for the James Bond stuff, it might be a disappointment. But I really enjoyed it. I even bought the poster for On Her Majesty's Secret Service from the gift shop, because I think its one of the most underrated Bond films, poor George Lazenbys only one, and because the poster is brilliant, so of the year it was made (1969). Check out Lazenbys nonchalant pose as he's flying through the air on skis. Brilliant.
Whilst we're talking about Bond I must just mention Quantum of Solace (I like the name now, it's grown on me). The new trailer is out, and it looks great, I can't wait.
Also the theme song has been played all over the radio. It's called Another Way to Die, and it's by Jack White and Alicia Keys. I really like it, it's definitely a step up from the last one by Chris Cornell, but I still feel they are missing the point with the theme thing. I'd love to have heard the Amy Winehouse/Mark Ronson offering, but hey ho.
Or alternatively, if you want to hear a version where they actually rhyme Quantum of Solace, check out Joe Cornish's version from the BBC 6 Music Adam & Joe show here...
Anyway, til next time folks....
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