It feels like a crime to review these two films in the same post, but I thought the irony of seeing two excellent films back-to-back that are so wildly different was too much to pass up.

The first one I saw was Zack and Miri Make a Porno starring Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks.  It was crude, it was vulgar, it appealed to the lowest common denominator (heck it was about making and porn film), and you know what?  It ROCKED!!  I was laughing out loud throughout.



Hidden among the the constant stream of Rogan’s masturbation & ejaculation references, and the always funny appearances by Jason Mewes, was a very touching little love story.  Sure, it was formulaic, sure the comedy was sophomoric, sure it would have climb up to achieve even “low brow” status – but darn, this stuff cracked me up!  In fact, there was only one scene that I felt should have been left on the cutting room floor – I’ll let you figure out which one.

If you like Seth Rogan, if you like Kevin Smith and his gang of regulars, if you don’t mind jokes that would be right at home in junior high school boy’s locker room, then this is your kind of film.

RATING 8 out of 10

The next one was a surprise to me.   Between Tony D. and Blake’s answer to “what’s it about?” I thought it might be kind of lame.  I won’t spoil it for you if you don’t know the storyline because I felt I may have liked it even more had I went into it without that knowledge.

The film I am referring to is Seven Pounds starring Wil Smith and Rosario Dawson.   I expected this to be sappy – and it was.  I expected this to be an attempt by the director to force you to feel something deep – and it was.  I expected this to be a film I turned off about halfway in – and it WASN’T!


I give Wil Smith a lot of flack (well deserved) for films like Wild Wild West but when he gets one right – it is as solid as any actor in the business today.  He got this one right.  I don’t know how much of the pacing and storyline is due to writer, Grant Nieporte and how much is from director, Gabriele Muccino but this film is a perfect vehicle for a good actor to suck you in and force you to care.  This is a creative team that brought out the best in the story and the incredibly talented ensemble cast.

If you’re a he-man tough guy – watch this with your lady friend and one of two things will happen.  If you’re a good guy that does good things, she will be all over you.  If you’re a cad that isn’t considerate of her or others… she’ll be looking for someone better.   Watch with caution.  🙂

RATING 8 out of 10