Saturday, June 21, 2014

22 Jump Street

Today I saw 22 Jump Street, starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) are back in this sequel to 2012's 21 Jump Street, which was based on the television show.

This time, instead of going undercover at a high school, the partners are tasked with finding a drug dealer at a college. All they have to go on is a photo of the supposed dealer with a girl who died from her actions while on the drug she was sold.

The usual silliness ensues as the pair begin to acclimate to the community. Schmidt hooks up with a beautiful art student and Jenko befriends the primary suspect in the case, convinced that he's not the real drug source.

After their worlds on campus grow too far apart, they decide to take a break from one another, which devastates Schmidt. The whole movie is basically a joke about the rough patch they're hitting in their 'relationship' so there is a predictable amount of parallels to romantic comedies.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't laugh a lot at this movie. Sure, it's formulaic, but sometimes when you just want to be entertained, that simple familiarity is not unwelcome.

Hill and Tatum have enough of a spark in their chemistry to keep the comedic fires burning, so go see this if you're okay with knowing what you're in for at the theater.

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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

SIFF REVIEW ROUNDUP: Week 4

The 40th Seattle International Film Festival has now concluded. In its final week I caught five screenings. Countries of origin in this batch include the United States and Ireland.

Head over to Cinebanter for my full reviews of Seeds of Time; Alex of Venice; Calvary and The One I Love, and a capsule review of 4 Minute Mile.

Spoiler alert: I'm a blurry extra in 4 Minute Mile. Watch close for the girl in the bright blue shirt and black sunglasses.

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Sunday, June 01, 2014

SIFF REVIEW ROUNDUP: Week 3

The 40th Seattle International Film Festival is well underway and I've had the opportunity to see even more fantastic films this past week. Countries of origin in this batch include Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Head over to Cinebanter for my full reviews of It's Only Make Believe and DamNation, and capsule reviews of One Chance and Boyhood.

Stay tuned for more in the coming days!

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