Written by Bill Bodkin and Logan J. Fowler
Release Date: December 25, 2014
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan.
Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen (This is the End)
Plot: Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show “Skylark Tonight.” When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-un.
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: Seth Rogen and James Franco, together again. This could be good. –LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: We almost ended the world over this movie, why not give it a shot. –BB
Rate the Trailer (1-5): Three out of Five. I didn’t laugh at this as much as I wanted to, but the concept is interesting enough and Franco/Rogen haven’t failed me yet. While there has been a delay on this film due to its political controversy, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it could be hilarious and they are saving the best for the actual film viewing. –LJF
Rate the Trailer (1-5): Three out of Five. I agree with my colleague that the laughs per minute weren’t up there, but I felt the same way with This is the End and I kinda loved that movie. –BB
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Rent, maybe theater. This movie could be a total disaster, just based on the fact that its usage of an assassination could push it from funny to distasteful. And a Christmas 2014 release date doesn’t scream “good idea.” However, be that as it may, I will fully sign up for the interview one way or another, as the team of Rogen and Franco have been quite a pairing and one that definitely makes me laugh a ton. That right there is worth checking it out. –LJF
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Rent. The birth of Baby Girl Bodkin will keep me from theaters this Christmas. Regardless, this will be a fun, solid rental. The Franco/Rogen/Goldberg combinations have done great things and have made me laugh. But, they’ve also pretty sloppy within those moments of greatness. It’ll be a fun, messy, uneven ride. –BB
