Bad Neighbours (AKA Neighbors) (2014)

Year: 2014
Running Time: 96 minutes
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Writers: Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O'Brien
Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Carla Gallo, Ike Barinholtz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Halston Sage

There is no denying that Bad Neighbours is funny. However in order for it to be a laugh a minute, it does require that certain sense of humour often associated with the majority of Seth Rogen comedies.The film does attempt to have some depth to it by drawing on experiences which many can relate to, but it loses much of it's depth in it's comedic style. Yet for those who don't mind the occasional (or twenty) penis jokes, they will be willing to overlook the lack of intended depth and enjoy a whole lot of laughs.

New parents, Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) Radner are still trying to adjust to their new lives with a little person in the house when to their horror, the home next door becomes a fraternity house. They start off on good terms with the frat president and vice president, Teddy (Zac Efron) and Pete (Dave Franco), but after one loud party too many, things take a turn for the worse. The Radners and the frat boys declare war on each other and it is a fight to see who will leave the neighbourhood first.

Bad Neighbours can be hilariously funny at times and it is at these times that the humour is for everyone. Yet then there are the moments which are definitely not for everyone as the jokes cross the line to become crude, as there are a tremendous amount of drug and sexual references. Anyone who considers themselves a prude will not be impressed by much of the humour in this film A lot of the humour and dialogue is what we have come to expect from a typical Seth Rogen comedy. None of the comedic dialogue from Rogen or Rose Byrne sounds particularly original and it is in the live action of the film where the majority of the humour comes from.

Yet, there is some depth in there. While Bad Neighbours is first and foremost about a street war, it also has a very real backbone to it. Mac and Kelly are in a stage which most new parents go through where they are trying to adjust to the lack of sleep, lack of quality time together and a complete lifestyle change. In many ways they envy the younger people next door and crave their lifestyle, but would give up their (very cute) little girl for anything. On the other hand you have Teddy who is enjoying a life of partying and not ready to give that up to become "old and boring". Again, these are feelings many people experience when leaving one stage of life and moving to the next. They are not ready to let go, but know that they will have to one day. The outcomes for these two dilemmas faced by the lead characters are fairly predictable, as would be expected. It is a shame that much of the depth is lost by trying to make it appear as funny as possible.

Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne's Mac and Kelly are not the most likable of lead characters. While the boys next door are probably doing worse things in general, the Radner's ways of getting even with them seem even more juvenile and brutal than their payback methods. Of course these two are supposed to be overtired and frustrated parents which doesn't add to the mix, but they just miss the likability boat. Rogen and Byrne's chemistry is perhaps not mind blowing, but does have it's positive points. Director, Nicholas Stoller seems to be going for the idea of the two being married people who are still best friends with each other and love each other's company. The script does absolutely grasp this concept, but on screen the dialogue between the two can often be irritating at times and then seem very rehearsed at others.

The frat boys on the other hand may be gross and immature at times, but they are perfectly believable frat boys as a result. Zac Efron's Teddy and Dave Franco's Pete actually come across as a lot nicer people than the Radners. Much of their behaviour will be relatable to those who have been involved with a fraternity or been in a sorority observing their behaviour. Zac Efron plays a fairly generic part, but he does have moments during the film when you glimpse how much acting ability he really has and that there is still some extremely exciting things for him in the future. The same goes for Dave Franco. While the role doesn't call for much versatility. he doesn't disappoint with what he has been given. One of the stand out moments of the film is the De Niro party and Franco's imitation of Robert De Niro is spot on.

While Bad Neighbours as a whole may not be the film for everyone, it does have it's memorable moments. It is absolutely not easily forgotten, whether you are a fan of the whole film or not.

6/10

Now You See Me (2013)



Year: 2013
Running Time: 115 minutes
Director: Louis Leterrier
Writers: Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt
Cast: Jess Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent

Now You See Me opens in Australian cinemas on the 8th of August 2013 and is distributed by Hopscotch Films.

Now You See Me is one incredibly creative, unpredictable and entertaining film with an amazing cast, but don't expect it to be particularly subtle or realistic at it's core.

Louis Leterrier's film promises an entertaining and fun time and is never for one moment slow or dull. It provides people with a completely unpredictable ending and constant guessing. However, it is a little over-extravagant at times and very farfetched, but the aim of the film is to entertain and it certainly does that. Now You See Me gives us an original film unlike any other we have seen this year or any other year and that is something to be appreciated.

The Four Horsemen magic/illusion group, featuring J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) become an overnight sensation when during one of their magic tricks, they pick an audience member to rob a bank and distribute the money to all their audience members. FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) is called in to find out how this group managed to rob a French bank during their show and with Agent Alma Gray (Melanie Laurent) must decide whether it really was magic that enabled The Four Horsemen to commit this crime or is there a Fifth Horseman?

Now You See Me will draw you in and start you guessing straight away. It is the type of rare film that has you fooled, just like everyone in the film. You think you know all the answers, but there is one answer you will be a very, very clever moviegoer to guess. It is a very clever film with a very unique concept. Magic and illusion are mysterious and mystical and as a subject matter to a film it promises the same. `

Now You See Me, like it's subject matter, has no problems entertaining, but it does seem like it tries a little too hard to astonish. The whole film seems like a Las Vegas show (again, like in the film), it is just a bit too over the top and elaborate. At times it tries a little too hard to be an amazing film and gets a bit lost in itself. The majority of the time it isn't too much of a problem as it is just great fun, but it does get to a point where you can almost scoff at how far removed from reality it can get. However, as a whole the film is just a really great piece of entertainment, but it shouldn't be looked at as anything more than that.

Therefore, as one could expect, the film is really quite a visual treat with plenty of confetti and spotlighting. It has it's stars well placed in every scene and many movements resemble a dance routine. Although it is not an action film, the car chase scene is pretty impressive.

Before one even see's Now You See Me, it is extremely hard not to be drawn in by the astonishing cast which has been assembled. The majority of the cast have somewhat easy roles to play (as opposed to other characters they have played in past films), but they all play their roles to the very best of their ability. Mark Ruffalo is the stand out of the film as he is so convincing and natural in his role and a great lead for the film. He has great on screen chemistry with Melanie Laurent, who is also very convincing in her role even though the side story and ending of the film for the two doesn't really add anything to the film. Woody Harrelson is also a lot of fun and quite comical in his role and Dave Franco shows his versatility as an actor by adding Now You See Me to his resume. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman also work well together and by themselves.

As a whole, you may as well be watching a magic show when you are watching Now You See Me. It is overdone in many ways, but you enjoy the spectacle and the players and enjoy the thrill of the unknown.

7/10


You may have also seen Jesse Eisenberg in....
The Social Network as Mark Zuckerberg

You may have also seen Mark Ruffalo in.....
The Avengers as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk

You may have also seen Isla Fisher in......
The Great Gatsby as Mabel

You may have also seen Dave Franco in....
Warm Bodies as Perry

You may have also seen Michael Caine in....
The Dark Knight Rises as Alfred

You may have also seen Morgan Freeman in....
The Dark Knight Rises as Fox

Warm Bodies (2013)

Year: 2013
Director: Jonathan Levine
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Analeigh Tipton, Dave Franco, John Malkovich, Rob Corddry
Now showing in cinemas everywhere

Review
Well, another zombie apocalypse film. That seems to be in fashion at the moment. And....it is another case of young love between the dead and undead.

However, don't be put off. Warm Bodies is not like any other typical teen romance with two unlikely lovers. A fantastic script makes this film funny, clever and witty and some perfectly cast young actors give some great performances. As a result, the appeal of this film reaches far beyond young adults and makes this a film that everyone will enjoy. Just as long as you don't mind seeing a few gory details because you couldn't really have any type of a zombie film without them.

R (Nicholas Hoult) is a corpse (another word for zombie) like no other. He is sure that he is the only one walking the Earth in this zombie apocalypse who wishes for more and desires to feel something once again. Out on a hunt for food he comes across a beautiful human, Julie (Teresa Palmer) and he decides to go against making her his next meal and takes her to safety. During their time together, R starts to feel again when he falls for Julie and he starts to change on the inside and out. The two have many obstacles in their way. Not only is R not of the same species as Julie, but he is also the one who made his last human meal out of her boyfriend, Perry (Dave Franco)!

If you look closely, you will see how Warm Bodies is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. R and Julie are the zombie and human version of Romeo and Juliet, who are from "families" who are at war with each other. The first letter of several of the character's are the same as those in Romeo and Juliet who share a similar type of role. There is even a balcony scene.

The main thing that sets Warm Bodies apart from other films that it could be likened to is that this film knows what it is and embraces it. It knows that it is not a dramatic film and doesn't try to be. There is no young love angst involved. Warm Bodies is just entertaining and a great deal of fun. It doesn't want to be taken too seriously and as a result, is a much better film than all the others that it could be likened to.

The script, written by director Jonathan Levine and based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion, is very well written. The opening segment where R tells everyone who he is and what has happened to the world is absolutely hilarious. The use of a voice over in order to give R a voice works so well and provides some of the funniest moments of the film. The soundtrack of the film is also put to great use. It enhances the character's emotional moments and provides a bit more comic relief where needed.


Nicholas Hoult's star is certainly on the rise. This is a completely different role for him and he once again proves his abilities as the leading man. He is wonderful as R. He completely embodies the character and makes a very convincing besotted zombie. Hoult also proves that he has a great comedic ability too. He quickly gains the audience's sympathy and has everyone cheering for him by the end.

Teresa Palmer does well as Julie and is a very likable character. It doesn't seem like too far a cry from her previous roles, but she does well all the same. Analeigh Tipton also does well as Julie's best friend, Nora and is a character worth having in the film. Dave Franco does well with the limited amount of screen time he gets, but isn't there long enough for the audience to make an informed decision about whether they like him or not. Rob Corddry is hilarious as R's best friend, M.

Warm Bodies is an absolute treat. It is something unique and a brand of comedy which isn't forced.  If only there were more movies these days with the same kind of spirit.

8/10



On a side note....
What is the best thing to come out of "America's Next Top Model"?

Analeigh Tipton, of course!

Back in 2008 in the 11th season of "America's Next Top Model", a cute as pie ex- figure skater from Sacremento graced our screens in the first episode and ending up finishing third in the competition. Analeigh Tipton gained a large following during the show for her down to Earth personality, her beautiful looks and for how much girls could relate to her. Living in the USA at the time, she was certainly the favourite of all the girls I spoke to. Tipton was complimented in one particular episode as being quite a good actress and the judges saw her as having a Hollywood look.

They had this right.

While many talk of how the modelling and entertainment industry does not take the television show seriously, Tipton has proved that the show can definitely give birth to stars.

While she was signed by Ford Models after the show, she decided that she wanted to study film and the rest is history. Since then, Tipton has starred in The Green Hornet, Crazy Stupid Love, Damsels In Distress and now Warm Bodies.

I must say, though reality TV is frowned upon by many, I believe ANTM has given Tipton a leg up as many were able to see the true person she is and she is such a likable girl that so many people want to see her do well in any profession whether it be modelling or acting.

Her star is on the rise and I couldn't be happier for her!

And by the way, according to IMDb, she is also writing a zombie movie script!

You may have also seen Nicholas Hoult in......
X-Men: First Class as Hank/Beast
Jack The Giant Slayer as Jack

You may have also seen Teresa Palmer in....
I Am Number Four as Number Six

You may have also seen Rob Corddry in......
Hot Tub Time Machine as Lou