The Interview (2014)

If the North Korean Sony hack was just a marketing ploy on the part of the company, as some have suggested, than it was a brilliant one, because this movie was not worth any commotion. It may have a pretty risky premise, involving the assassination of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, but nothing that happens in the story is anything above silly, sophomoric hijinks resulting in a violent third act that misses the mark completely. James Franco puts in a somewhat earnest performance as a TV show host who Jong-un is a superfan of, and Seth Rogen, as Aaron, his producer and best friend, plays Seth Rogen (again). The two just ad lib their ways through a film that is mediocrity parading as political satire, but never really finds the appropriate rhythm to be effective as one. A couple of good belly laughs, and a wonderful performance by Randall Park, playing Kim Jong-un, keep this from being an absolute bore. Feel free to skip this movie. Despite how you feel about freedom.

Grade: C
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: Yes. And it was my favorite part of the movie.

Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park
Director: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Writer(s): Dan Sterling (also story with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg)
RT: 112 min
Rating: R for pervasive language, crude and sexual humor, nudity, some drug use and bloody violence

Two Scentences:

Annie (2014): This updated version is oddly charming in some ways, but deeply flawed in so many others: some actors can't sing, some of the new songs are boring, and the way they use the old songs feel like they're just throwing them away. Quvenzhane Wallis does manage to carry the film just fine, and makes her character very relatable.

Grade: B-