The choice for today was a totally conscious one because I am huge fan of Justin Timberlake (Alpha Dog) and Anna Kendrick (Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates). So, it was only natural that I would go and check out their latest film that just hit theaters in Dreamworks Trolls. At one time, the Trolls would openly sing and dance because they were so happy until a big and evil Bergen showed up. The Bergen was a depressed being that when it ate a Troll it became happy. The Bergen’s would continue to do this once a year until the Troll King Peppy (Jeffrey Tambor) risked his life to help the Trolls escape. After being in hiding for twenty years, his daughter Poppy (Kendrick) decides that it’s a good idea to throw a party, but they are spotted by a Bergen and most of the village is kidnapped. Now along with the curmudgeon Troll named Branch (Timberlake), they will risk it all to save the Trolls before they are eaten. The film also stars Zooey Deschanel (Eulogy) as Bridget, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) as King Gristle, Christine Baranski (Cybill) as Chef, Russell Brand (Hop) as Creek, Gwen Stefani as DJ Suki, James Corden (Begin Again) as Biggie, and the film was directed by Walt Dohrn (Shrek 2) and Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After).
This is one of those films that if you were trippin this would be the film to see because of the content and the colors. The film is just so out there, but it’s honestly one of the funniest kids movies of the year by far. I’m sure there is someone out there that is going to say that the film is a hidden message for some sort of social inequality or a representation of war or something like it, but not me. The film is almost fairy take like in it’s nature as it talks of these creatures that eat you because they think it brings them happiness, but it really comes from inside you. Dreamworks is one of those companies that has done a fantastic job in the past with their films (e.g. Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon, Home, etc.). I have to be honest in saying that I thought the idea of the film was stupid because I doubted they could come up with a good story, but to my surprise they did. The soundtrack to this film is one of it’s strong suits because it features great original music plus some cool covers in it. One of my favorite scenes in the film is when Timberlake and Kendrick’s characters meet this weird cloud (voiced by Walt Dohrn) because of the interaction they have with each other. It’s genuinely a very funny scene in the film. This was a very fun movie to watch so check it out for yourselves. I am going to give the film an B+ for a final grade.
For today’s film, I have been wanting to check out Forgetting Sarah Marshall for the fact that everyone I know talks about it and it’s a Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin) film. Jason Segel (Freaks & Geeks) plays Peter Bretter, a wannabe musician who is a composer for a TV show that his girlfriend Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) stars in. He feels as if he is on top of the world because everything seems to be going right for him. That is until Sarah pays him a visit to tell him that she is breaking up with him. To try and get away, he travels to Hawaii to help him heal, but then he discovers that Sarah has been cheating on him with rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Now, he’ll have to try and deal with that, but a special someone may make it easier for him.. The film also stars Mila Kunis (Ted) as Rachel, Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man) as Chuck, Jonah Hill (Knocked Up) as Matthew The Waiter, Bill Hader (Superbad) as Brian Bretter, Maria Thayer (Hitch) as Wyoma, Jack McBrayer (Wreck-It Ralph) as Darald, Taylor Wily (Hawaii Five-O) as Kemo, and Kalani Robb (Blue Crush) as Helpful Hawaiian Waiter.
I have to say that at first the film started a little slow for me, but it eventually picked the pace up and it became a really good film. It just started off as a Jason Segel winefest before it actually got really good with Mila Kunis who looked beautiful as usual. I am very surprised being a Judd Apatow and Jason Segel fan that I never saw this film. Like a lot of films, this one seemed to slip through the cracks. Another highlight of the film for me was seeing Russell Brand play what seemed to be a very natural role for himself. That of an very sexual English rock star which may not have been a stretch, but do what you know. The film primarily takes place in Hawaii which was pretty cool cause they mixed in a little of the Hawaiian culture into the film especially with the dances, the cinematography, and so much more. The film mixes in the right amount of drama to go with the romance and comedy, but there is a couple of scenes I thought were awkward. If you’e not prepared for it, it will shock the hell out of you when you see Jason Segel’s junk on a couple of occasions. You get a full shot of it and there is nothing you can do about it, but either look or turn away. This was a really good film, but definitely not my favorite Apatow film from his catalog, but enjoyable to watch like I said. That is why I am going to give the film a grade somewhere in the A-/B+ range. One of my favorite scenes in the film is represented in the picture used for this paragraph, check it out for yourself.
If you were not a fan of one of the break out comedies of 2014 in Neighbors, then you are obviously not a fan of Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express) brand comedy. That was the film in my opinion that made Zac Efron (Dirty Grandpa) like able and that is why I chose to watch Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. Seth and Rose Byrne (Insidious) reprise there roles as Mac and Kelly Radner. The two are trying to sell their house because Stella is a little older and they are about to have another kid. Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass) plays Shelby, a teenager who is looking to have the ideal college experience. She figures out that the frat and sorority party system is lame so she decides to start her own fraternity with the help of good ole Teddy (Efron) who now has his chance for revenge on the Radners as the sorority moves next door. The Radners now have 30 days to get the sorority out from next door if they want to sell their house. The film also stars Ike Barinholtz (Sisters) as Jimmy, Kiersey Clemons (Dope) as Beth, Dave Franco (21 Jump Street) as Pete, Beanie Feldstein (Fan Girl) as Nora, Carla Gallo (Superbad) as Paula, and the film was directed by Nicholas Stoller.
Like any new film that is released, I am going to try my best in not spoiling anything for you guys.This is one of those movies that you should know what to expect from a Seth Rogen comedy and that is complete awesomeness. If you were not a fan of Teddy (Efron) in the first film, then you are going to be a fan of his after watching this one. Teddy is that character that thinks he is so cool, but is just so absolutely clueless in life that you can’t help but feel bad for him. The first film was hilarious, but this one isn’t too far behind that because it has some real funny moments contained in it. One of the big themes of the film that they completely explore is the idea of feminism and girl power to the max. The whole idea of the sorority is to be sisters and not hoes because women are so much more than that. If this was a way to apologize for the first film, then I think they accomplished that loud and clear. There is also a shocking detail about one of the characters that you’re going to be sitting there wondering for how long and you’ll start thinking of the first film. Nevertheless, the detail isn’t that bothersome, but it covers another social detail that they throw in for good measure. The girls were amazing and funny as they take the place of the guys from the first film and the war gets interesting. I would definitely give this movie a chance because you’ll enjoy it if you enjoyed the first film. I am going to give the film an A- for a final grade. Check it out in theaters everywhere right now as we speak.
365moviesin365dayschallenge 