The Most Important Film of 2014... "The Interview"

The Interview (2014)

Rated R

Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Randall Park

Directed by Seth Rogen

The Story:

TV Host Dave Skylark (Franco) and his producer Aaron (Rogen) want to boost their ratings, and credibility when they learn that the President of North Korea (Park) is a fan of "Skylark Tonight". So they are granted an exclusive interview and head to Korea, but the CIA asks them for one tiny favor: please assassinate the President while you are there.

Not based on a true story.

But it unfolded into the strangest real-life story at the end of 2014 when Sony Pictures website was hacked, movies were released online and thousands of confidential studio emails and passwords, etc. were released in one of the biggest hacks the world has ever seen.

People blamed North Korea.

They denied responsibility, but did say that the subject matter of this film was inappropriate and if it were to be released, things could become...scary...on Christmas Day in theaters.

Sony blinked.

The movie was pulled and no harm was to be had.

Instead, a few movie theaters played it, and it was available on the online stores for download.

And now, it's available to stream on Netflix.

Part of me wonders if Rogen and Franco were behind the hack.

Any publicity for their film is a good thing, right?

As to the movie itself, buckle up and prepare for endless bathroom humor delivered effortlessly by Franco and Rogen.

The two make a great team, and the jokes are one after the other as they continue to throw it at the wall to see what sticks.

To be fair, there are about 5 really funny gags/jokes in the film.

There's a lot more that is groan inducing on top of it.

At 112 minutes, this comedy is a hair long.

And a little gruesome at the end with finger biting and machine gun frenzies abounding.

Plus, you'll never hear Katy Perry's "Firework" the same way again.
:)

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was plenty for me, thanks.

Believe The Hype... "Super Bowl 49"

Super Bowl 49

Because I don't feel like typing Roman Numerals right now.

:)

New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks in Arizona.

How about that, that was a heckuva game!

If you want a good game, you want back and forth action where both teams seem capable of winning.

With a tie score at halftime, I was excited because about this time last year, I actually offered to take my wife to the craft store because the game was sooooo bad.

If you want to sum up the game, simply watch the last three minutes, you're not going to get much more action packed that that.

With the Seahawks on the verge of beating New England with a ridiculous end of game catch reminiscent of the helmet catch the last time the Patriots were in this stadium for a Super Bowl.

Yet Seattle takes the ball out of the hands of Lynch at the end. The man was unstoppable.

My thoughts? They didn't want him to be Super Bowl MVP and have to pay the contract commensurate with those accolades.

Whoops.

Bad call.

Then the Seahawks decided to come out swinging, literally, on the last play and sullied an otherwise great game from both sides.

Congratulations New England, you earned and deserved it.

Now, unlike the halftime show last year which was better than the game, this year's featuring Katy Perry was okay.

My favorite part was the dancing and singing sharks!

When Missy Elliot came out, I became instantly bored and went to the kitchen to put the 7 layer dip away instead.

Finally, the commercials.

The best?

Easily belongs to the Brady Bunch Snickers commercial with Danny Trejo. Hilarious and fun!

Runner-up?

Where can I go to play that full-size Pac Man game!!1

:)

The worst?

Hands down the Nationwide Dead Kid commercial.

Totally inappropriate for just about any occasion, but especially so for the Super Bowl.

Not sure who should get the blame on this one, Nationwide, the advertising agency or the NFL for selecting this one.

Really took the excitement of the game and crushed it.

Looking at comments on Social Media, that commercial really, really, really upset a lot of families who had lost kids due to accidents.

Someone wasn't thinking, and heads really should roll.

Too bad the damage is already done.


Final Grade for The Game: A
Halftime: C+
Commercials: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'll be back to watch again next year, I hope it's as exciting of a game!