Neighbors | Geekscape

The barren Summer months of watered-down releases have finally come and gone. August left much to be desired, but September promises to deliver a fantastic collection of films arriving on DVD. Two of 2014’s finest early-year offerings headline a strong class of titles work checking out this month.

#1. Chef

Jon Favreau puts all of his many talents on display as the writer, director and star of Chef, a heartwarming tale of a culinary genius desperately searching for a reasonable platform to creatively express his passion for cooking. And after a difference in opinion with his boss and a twitter battle with one of the most powerful food critics around costs him his job, he embarks on a food-truck journey with his chef-sidekick (played by John Leguizamo) and son. With a budget of merely $10 million, this little festival darling tells a story that is both tender and uplifting. Chef stands tall as one of 2014’s finest films and an experience that everyone savor. (September 30th)

#2. The Fault in Our stars

Another very impressive film coming to DVD this September is Josh Boone’s adapted teenage drama, The Fault in Our Stars. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort star as Hazel and Gus, a pair of ill teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. And no matter how much Hazel tries to distance herself from Gus to avoid an inevitable heartbreak, the witty and spry young man refuses to give up so easily. Catering to the emotions and intended to tug at the heartstrings, there’s no escaping the remarkable love story at the center of The Fault in our Stars.(September 16th)

#3. Neighbors

One of 2014’s most notable comedies will be hitting shelves this month as well. Nicholas Stoller’s riotous R-rated comedy, Neighbors, follows a young married couple (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) who’s surprised to discover that a fraternity has purchased the house next door to them. Tip-toeing a fine line between adulthood and the college-lifestyle, they soon realize that they can’t keep up with party habits of their neighbors (Zac Efron and Dave Franco). High on improv comedy and desperate to deliver the shock-appeal, Neighbors is an indisputably hilarious effort that even culminates with a well-intended message. If you’re seeking some raunchy laughs, then look no further. (September 23rd)

Honorable Mention: While I unsatisfied with Godzilla (9/16) and suggest staying away from Draft Day (9/2) altogether, there are plenty of other secondary titles worth looking in to. A ton of praise has been given to one of 2014’s highest grossing films, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (9/9), so fans of the Marvel Universe will want to check that out. Various Sundance selections I got a chance to view include God’s Pocket (9/9), which is a fun watch for people from the Philly area, Cold in July (9/30), a highly praised festival favorite that I didn’t love, and the decent family drama Hellion (9/30). Three other indie titles I’m interested in seeing are Jesse Eisenberg in Night Moves (9/2), Guy Pearce in The Rover (9/23) and James Franco in Palo Alto (9/9).

The new Seth Rogan film, Neighbors, delivers exactly what the trailers promise. If the multitude of previews and TV spots made you laugh, you should most definitely see this film.

In it, a married couple, played by Rogan and Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, 28 Weeks Later), get new neighbors. The problem is, they’re a fraternity, led by Zac Efron (That Awkward Moment, Liberal Arts). Rogan and Byrne decide that they must discuss the possibility of noise and their newborn baby, head over to warn (while still seeming like the cool older couple) and end up partying with the frat.

Eventually, things go wrong and they end up in a feud with the frat house.

I have to say that I was worried this film would alienate the viewers with situations so upsetting that they couldn’t enjoy the film. Much like Identity Thief, which I couldn’t truly enjoy because of how much Jason Bateman’s life was affected, I was worried I would feel so bad for the family that I wouldn’t be able to even enjoy the film. But while writers Andrew Cohen and Brendan O’Brien did such a good job of making each character likeable in the film, they also created characters with a villainous side. Sure, they were all part of this horrible feud, but each one of them was also so human.

Zac Efron was awesome in this film. His character, while obsessed with becoming a legacy, was also so caring of his frat brothers. Yes, the trailer paints him as the villain, but there are plenty of humanizing moments for his character in the film. He also got to show his comedic side, and succeeded. And for those of you who are wondering, yes Efron takes his shirt off.

The movie also used the baby in such comedic ways that I almost want to say that she made the film. Sometimes it was just simply the look the baby gave, and other times it was more about situational humor, but overall, the crowd laughed the hardest at the scenes with the baby.

If you want to go out and get the best laughs for your bucks, Neighbors is perfect. The humor ranges from drug to physical to situational, melding together to create a truly comedic masterpiece.

Grade: 4/5

Neighbors hits theaters May 9th. Watch the trailer:

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In Case You Missed It – September 2014

Geekscape Movie Review: Neighbors