Tag: Jonah Hill

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot

by MCDave

With over three decades as a filmmaker, Gus Van Sant’s firsthand knowledge of the industry’s highs and lows can’t be questioned. He began as an independent voice in the 80s and early 90s, quickly capturing the attention of critics and artistic devotees, only to blossom into a more mainstream figure following the overwhelmingly successful Good Will Hunting, a personal favorite of mine. And since then, Van Sant has continued to “wow” audiences with celebrated titles such as the Oscar contender Milk and his hypnotic Cannes winner Elephant, while also churning out commercial duds like the 1998 Psycho remake. This time around Van Sant teams with notable talents Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill and Rooney Mara to bring the grueling true story of paraplegic and famed cartoonist, John Callahan, to life in his Sundance selection, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot.

Chemically dependent on alcohol from a very young age, John Callahan (Phoenix) becomes even more resentful of the world when a night of insane binge drinking results in a tragic car accident that leaves him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. John continues to drown his sorrows with copious amounts of alcohol until a profound epiphany sends him to AA where he begins sobering up under the tutelage of Donnie (Jonah Hill), a homosexual sponsor who imparts valuable wisdom on his many “piglets” striving for sobriety. And as John navigates through his emotional baggage with the program’s 12 essential steps, he also discovers a form of catharsis with his darkly comedic cartoon illustrations that eventually grow to become a national hit.

He Won’t Get Far on Foot becomes a showcase for its performers, as the film’s limited scope gives way to vast bouts of dialogue that push the onus onto this skilled crop of actors and actresses to shine bright. The always fantastic Joaquin Phoenix does just that, gifting audiences with another terrific turn which beautifully encapsulates the strange and complex mind behind a true comedic genius. Yet, Phoenix is anything but alone in his conquests. Co-stars Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara and Jack Black all provide dynamic supporting work that, in turn, help make this occasionally sluggish viewing experience quite tolerable. A slimmed-down and bearded Jonah Hill is a spiritual Zen-master of sorts, possessing a Jesus-like aura that lights the way for John’s tumultuous path to sobriety. But despite these many exceptional performances, He Won’t Get Far on Foot suffers from many lulls, due in large part to the script’s repetitive nature. Although the film is widely outstretched and only marginally funny, Gus Van Sant still delivers an earnest character study that’s undeniably highlighted by its uber-talented cast.

GRADE: 3.5/5

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That ‘Men In Black’ / ‘Jump Street’ Crossover Is Likely Not Happening

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Yeah, pretty much the entire internet has been beyond excited for the Men In Black / Jump Street crossover film that was first discovered way back when during the Sony email leaks.

According to Jump Street star Jonah Hill, that crossover is unlikely to ever happen.

In an interview with The Toronto Star, Hill notes that “It’s too complicated. They’re trying to make all the deals, but it’s kind of impossible with all the Men in Black stuff. The Jump Street films were so fun to make and the whole joke of them was they were making fun of remakes and sequels and reboots and then now it’s become a giant sequel, reboot. It’s almost become what we were making fun of and it’s hard to maintain that joke when it’s so high stakes.”

So… it’s not completely dead, but it’s probably completely dead.

Way to destroy our dreams, Jonah.

Would you be down for a Men in Black / Jump Street crossover?

MIB

Geekscape Movie Reviews: True Story

by MCDave

Whenever you hear a cast headlined by Jonah Hill and James Franco your natural instinct is to expect a comedy, but nothing could be further from the truth in Rupert Goold’s Sundance selected drama, True Story. Despite Hill’s and Franco’s reputations as comedic powerhouses, both have proven that their more than capable of handling dramatic work. The duo, along with last year’s Best Actress nominee Felicity Jones, form a trio of performing talent that undoubtedly elevate True Story to respectable heights.

The film is based on the real life story of a former FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted, Christian Longo (played by Franco), who was apprehended in Mexico and found to be living under the name of Michael Finkel (Hill), a recently dismissed writer for the New York Times. Once Finkle discovers this bizarre reality, he meets with Longo and the two form an unusual relationship as the prisoner awaits trial for the murder of his wife and three children. Longo grants the writing pariah exclusive rights to his story as Finkle dives deeper and deeper to learn the truth of what happened that fateful night.

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True Story is an immensely gripping crime drama comprised of worthwhile performances and a stellar screenplay. At its core is the cerebral chess match so perfectly executed by the onscreen duo of Jonah Hill and James Franco. Writer and director Rupert Goold’s well-crafted story does a fantastic job of taking the audience on Finkel’s blind journey into the mind of an accused killer. The story regularly shifts back and forth between believing in Longo’s innocence one moment, and then doubting it the next. True Story has all the appeal of a CSI crime show with top-flight acting and an edge-of-your-seat script.

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Despite the film’s strong performances and captivating screenplay, True Story finds flaws in various other areas. While The Theory of Everything star, Felicity Jones, is a remarkable talent, her efforts become nearly wasted in a melodramatic role that never provides an appropriate platform to shine. In addition, the film’s concluding scene is completely unnecessary and a hokey way to wrap up an otherwise solid feature. However, it wasn’t the only poor decision by Rupert Goold. The filmmaker also uses some peculiar camera angles and shots sporadically throughout the film that were head-scratching to say the least.

True Story is loaded with both bright spot and shortcomings, confirming it’s far-removed from an awards contending drama. Yet, fantastic performances are on display and a grisly story will keep you engrossed in the film. Before the summer blockbuster season kicks off on May 1st with the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron, True story is an early-year release worthy of viewing.

GRADE: 3.5/5

Check out MCDAVE’s list of the Best Jonah Hill Films

Watch The Final Red Band Trailer For ’22 Jump Street’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Sony has just debuted a final, hilarious red band trailer for 22 Jump Street, which hits theatres on June 13th.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller return to direct the sequel to the 2012 film (which was a lot funnier than I was expecting, and ended up being one of the most hilarious films of the year). 22 Jump Street takes Jenko and Schmidt to college, and I cannot wait to see what happens when they get there.

Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know what you think!

After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership.  Now they don’t have to just crack the case – they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Wolf of Wall Street

by MCDave

You can leave your doubts at the door. If you’re one of those contemporary Martin Scorsese skeptics who feel like his recent work has diminished greatly, then perhaps the famed director’s latest adventure, The Wolf of Wall Street, can set you straight. The undeniable bro-mance between Scorsese and his leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio (who stars in 5 of the filmmaker’s previous 6 features), carries on in grandiose fashion. This is both Martin and Leo like you’ve never seen them before. It’s wild, energetic and exactly what the doctor ordered.

Centering on the real-life story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio), The Wolf of Wall Street follows the rise and fall of this ambitious and carefree go-getter. Determined to become a millionaire and left jobless after the 1980s stock market crash known as “Black Monday”, Belfort dabbles in penny stocks and discovers a way to build an empire. Starting his own company with friend and side-kick Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill), the duo lie and cheat there way to the pinnacle of success, only to find themselves under the watchful eye of the FBI.

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For the most part, Scorsese’s elongated three-hour affair moves swiftly through the life of Belfort thanks in large part to a surprising amount of comedy infused into the screenplay. The humor is consistent and never-ending, from the moment the film opens, all the way to its final scene. It’s misleading to label The Wolf of Wall Street as a drama. Scorsese and company understand that the film’s tiresome length and overall success hinge on the effectiveness of its comedic tone. One that is delivered with such excellence and precision. The dialogue is off the charts and the flow is rhythmic, enough so to keep any audience comfortably tuned in to the movie. Furthermore, The Wolf of Wall Street isn’t only an enticing and hilarious spectacle for its viewers, the entire cast obviously had a blast while filming all of Scorsese’s designed debauchery. It isn’t difficult to spot laughs and smiling faces from the “extras” on screen, a sure sign of a fun-filled affair. And although the director’s long-time friend and film companion, Leonoardo DiCaprio, is given the keys to the ride, it’s actually co-star Jonah Hill who stands out most among the plethora of fine performances. Hill, who has been mostly ignored throughout the early going of this awards season race, offers his finest performance to date, one that will be remembered for its expansive range. Hysterical, dramatic and everything in between, Jonah Hill is certainly deserving of a Best Supporting Actor Nomination. All in all, The Wolf of Wall Street just may be the most engaging three hours you’ll ever spend in a movie theatre.

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Despite completely captivating its audience, Scorsese’s newest feature has a few select shortcomings. For starters, Leo is more than fine in his leading role, however, the gifted actor never creates a sympathetic character. And as a result,The Wolf of Wall Street suffers in the drama-department and relies solely on humor. This is all well and good, yet there’s another deeper element that’s missing, perhaps one that could have catapulted The Wolf of Wall Street to insurmountable heights. But instead, the credits roll with an unfulfilled conclusion and a gaping disconnect between Belfort and the viewer, which may surely hurt the film during a long journey to the Academy Awards.

Martin Scorsese is a genius and an artist. He envisioned an epic tale of ambition and greed during a period when our nation’s economy finds itself struggling to sustain. The timing is perfect for his feature. When the cinematic year has been flooded with mainly cerebral and emotional options, we’re handed a seductive treat. With a surplus of nudity and enough cocaine on screen to put the entire country of Columbia to shame, I’m amazed that The Wolf of Wall Street only received an R-rating. But no matter what the MPAA says, be sure to buckle up and prepare for a wild ride, as Marting Scorsese returns to form and delivers the goods.

GRADE:4/5

Visit MovieCriticDave’s home site and check out some other things like 2013’s Most Underrated Acting Performances

Watch The Red Band Trailer For ’22 Jump Street’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Sony Pictures today debuted the first red band trailer for 22 Jump Street.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller return to direct the sequel to the 2012 film (which was a lot funnier than I was expecting, and ended up being one of the most hilarious films of the year). 22 Jump Street takes Jenko and Schmidt to college, and I cannot wait to see what happens when they get there.

Take a look at the hilarious trailer below, and let us know what you think! 22 Jump Street hits theatres on June 13th, 2014!

After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership.  Now they don’t have to just crack the case – they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.

Watch The First Clip From ‘This Is The End’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Following the hilarious red band trailer from last week, Columbia Pictures has released the first clip from their upcoming end-of-the-world comedy, This is the End.

This is the End opens June 12th, and stars Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, and Danny McBride. It also seems to have cameos from everybody else in Hollywood.

I haven’t seen the clip, as it’s region-locked and I’m in Canada, but check it out below, and… describe it to me? Please?

Source: MTV

Watch The Red Band Trailer For ‘This Is The End’

by Derek Kraneveldt

On December 21st of last year (remember, the day that the world was set to end?), a hilarious teaser trailer for This is the End released online to much fanfare. The teaser had Seth Rogen and James Franco in a bomb shelter, apparently after the apocalypse on December 21st.

Today, a red band theatrical trailer for the movie has been released. This preview gives us a much better idea of what (and who) to expect from the feature, which looks like an absolute blast.

This is the End opens June 12th, and stars Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, and Danny McBride. It also seems to have cameos from everybody.

Watch the new trailer below, and let us know what you think!

As the world unravels outside, dwindling supplies and cabin fever threaten to tear apart the friendships inside.  Eventually, they are forced to leave the house, facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption.

Watch The Hilarious Red Band Teaser For ‘This Is The End’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Just one day before the world is yet again set to end (yeah right), Sony Pictures has released a teaser for another movie about the apocalypse.

This is no Roland Emmerich disaster film however, This is the End looks absolutely hilarious. The film stars James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera, Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, and Craig Robinson, and Emma Watson. What a cast!

Watch the trailer below, and let us know what you think! This is the End hits theatres on June 14, 2013 (if we make it that far).

Geekscape Movie Review: 21 Jump Street

by Matt Landsman

21 Jump Street doesn’t feel like a recent comedy.  This isn’t just because it’s based on a TV series, but more importantly because it reminds me of the raunchy buddy comedies of years past…a sub-genre that kind of died along with Superbad.  Since that “golden era” we’ve been subjected to the likes of Hall Pass and She’s Out of my League along with countless others.  I’m pleased to say that 21 Jump Street provided me with more laughs than any movie I’ve seen since Jackass 3D and manages to have more universal appeal.  It’s not family friendly, but that’s the point…but everyone over the age of 15 with a slightly twisted sense of humor will come out of the theater beaming.

Jonah Hill is back in the sort of role he shines in as Schmidt, a “not-so-slim-shady” nerd who was picked on in high school by a jock named Jenko (Channing Tatum).  Flash forward a few years and Jenko and Schmidt have become fast friends at Police Academy.  Jenko is, by all accounts, an idiot, so he feeds off of Schmidt’s test-taking skills.  Eventually they graduate the academy and are put on duty patrolling a park on bicycles.  After managing to tackle a drug-dealing perp, they botch the arrest by failing to read the perp his rights.  The two would-be cops are sent to an experimental program located in a church at 21 Jump Street by none other than Parks and Recreation’s Ron Swanson himself (Nick Offerman) where they’re under the jurisdiction of Ice Cube as an intentionally stereotypical black police captain.  Captain Ice Cube assigns Schmidt and Jenko to go undercover as teenagers to prevent the spread of a new super drug, which has killed a teen at a local high school.

When they arrive for the first day of school, the duo of narcs realize times have changed since they were in school (there’s a funny bit where they’re identifying cliques and aren’t sure what to call hipsters).  After an altercation on the first day that lands them in the principal’s office, their fake identities and class schedules are accidentally reversed.  For Schmidt, this is the chance to be cool and popular he never had in high school.  For Jenko, this is a demeaning struggle with chemistry class.  As they go about finding leads on the drugs in their separate ways, Schmidt develops feelings for a girl named Molly (Brie Larson), who he could have never seen himself with back when he was actually in high school.

The film manages to avoid most clichés of action and buddy-comedy cop movies.  It acknowledges and teases at them, (such as shooting a gas tank) but it doesn’t fall into them (the gas tank doesn’t explode).  The real star of the show here is Channing Tatum, who I didn’t know was much of an actor at all prior to his role in this.  Turns out, he’s great in a comedic role here, and manages to outshine his comic-veteran screen partner.  There’s something priceless about his genuinely frustrated reactions to situations his character’s not smart enough to handle.  The supporting cast is great too ranging from Ellie Kemper and Rob Riggle to Johnny Depp.

It certainly entertains an interesting concept: going back to high school, but knowing what you know now, and being more socially aware.  While it devolves into hijinx from time to time, that’s necessary for a movie like this.  I’d argue that it got a little too over the top in the final twenty minutes of the film but there’s some moments that are pure gold.  The chemistry between the characters is believable and even at times…relatable.  One of my favorite moments hands down involves Schmidt and Jenko planning a party.  “But how will we get alcohol without an ID?” Channing Tatum asks sadly (since they’re pretending to be high school students).  They turn to each other and laugh and the audience laughs with them.

In the interest of preserving some of the films best surprises, I’ll taper myself off here.  The trailer methodically walks you through the first fifteen minutes of the film in sequential order, but thankfully spares the viewer the best, and most vulgar moments.  It’s rare that you can call a comedy a legitimately good movie, but thankfully 21 Jump Street is a return to true hilarity without the cheapness.