22 Jump Street [A Fat Jesus Quick Hit]

'21 Jump Street' is a movie that I highly enjoyed. I went into thinking that it was gonna be a lackluster comedy, and came out of it praising it as the best comedy of 2012. Two years later they boys are back and bigger than ever. With the same writers, directors and core actors at their disposal, '22 Jump Street' is a rare sequel that is just as good, and at points, even better, than it's predecessor. Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are a wonder to behold in these two films. 

"Oh, hey, look, there's Korean Jesus."
"It's Vietnamese Jesus now, you racist motherf***er."

'22 Jump Street' is set two years after the events of the first film and follows undercover police officers Morton Schmidt and Greg Jenko (Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum). They thought they were going to a real college to tail drug deals, but instead are saddled with online courses. They eventually stumble across evidence that leads them to a drug deal going down at the docks. After a failed attempt at arresting the dealers, lead by a man known as Ghost (Peter Stormare), Deputy Chief Hardy (Nick Offerman) reunites the duo with Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) at what is now, 22 Jump Street. The team is now assigned to go undercover at a college and find the supplier of a drug called "WHYPHY" that killed a student photographed buying it. Seemingly exactly like their first big case, Schmidt and Jenko head off to college to infiltrate the dealers and find the suppliers, before WHYPHY spreads.

"Someone get the man some water! He's black, he's Been through a lot!"

This is a movie that I wasn't sure about from the trailers. I think I'm like that with a lot of comedies these days though. It looked like it was going to be different film. It looked like it was going to be far too over the top, when it didn't need to be all that different from the first. Luckily for me, it wasn't over the top at all. Most of the time it was almost exactly the same. The actors knew it, the writers knew it, the directors knew it and they let YOU know it in the film. And you know what? It totally hooked me in. The charisma between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum is immense. Scenes involving Ice Cube are splendidly done. While the supporting cast, especially Jillian Bell, meshed with the main cast so well. The writing wasn't too lacking either. There were some jokes and gags that failed, but those are few and far between, as there's so much more that worked in this film. The recurring twins gag, the campus chase scene, the parents day, anything happening at the 22 Jump Street facility, Vietnamese Jesus, the closing credits, etc. There's so much to sink your teeth into even without mentioning the fantastic one-liners and dialogue. The comedy was great and the story, which is mostly the same is good as well. There's more development in new characters, while there's a few good scenes where they really got to let emotion shine through. It wasn't just all comedy, this movie had a ton of heart. The action wasn't lacking either as I highly enjoyed the chase scenes, explosions and combat throughout the film. It was never too serious and always done in a lighthearted way. I love that about this film. The fact it was just fun, funny and easy to watch the whole way through.

"He has one class in Human Sexuality, and now he's Harvey Milk."

If this was how all comedic sequels were done, there would be a lot less flops in the comedy side of cinema. This film and the upcoming 'Horrible Bosses 2' are movies I've been highly looking forward to. One film I already love, this one, and I'm hoping they can do another good follow-up with 'Horrible Bosses 2.' Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are having a helluva year between '22 Jump Street' and 'The LEGO Movie.' While I liked the latter more, '22 Jump Street' is still one of the best comedies this year. The comedy, action, acting and writing is all done well. Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube and the rest of the cast reprise their roles really well and that contributes a ton to the overall feel. This is a film that doesn't try to be more than it is, a sequel cashing in on the success of the original. The biggest difference is, '22 Jump Street' nails it completely.

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The Wolf of Wall Street [A Fat Jesus Movie Review]

Saying "The Wolf of Wall Street" isn't a roller coaster, would be like saying that the sun isn't hot or penguins don't waddle. This film is a joyride, a cinematic explosion of comedy, drama and storytelling. The narrative of Leonardo DiCaprio never winning an Oscar may be over. Martin Scorsese proves that he most certainly still has it. While outta nowhere Jonah Hill has become more than just a comedic actor. Based on a true story, "The Wolf of Wall Street" isn't just a film about making money, it's a film that takes making money to an absolute extreme.

"The Wolf of Wall Street" is based off of the true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio). In 1987, Belfort is working as a stockbroker at a firm on Wall Street. His boss, Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey) tells him to develop a life based around sex and cocaine to succeed. Not long after, the firm fails on a Black Monday. Belfort is forced to find a join in a boiler room selling penny stocks, as advised by his wife Teresa (Cristin Milioti). Basically what he was already doing, but for a significantly less amount of money. His aggressive nature, combined with the commissions on the stock, soon net him a small fortune. One day at a diner, Belfort meets Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill), a salesmen who lives in the same complex has him, who compliments him on his car and then asks to work with him. They bring in Donnie's accountant parents and some of Jordan's friends, drug dealers, and Stratton Oakmont is born. Despite the official sounding name, the company is a pump and dumb scam. It's fraud which is essentially talking up the price of a stock to sell, despite it being worth very little. Jordan Belfort is dubbed "The Wolf of Wall Street" by an article in Forbes as and soon after, every young financier begins to hop aboard. The men soon begin to live a lavish lifestyle filled with sex, drugs and an addiction Quaaludes. Due to the nature of his moneymaking, FBI Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) begins to investigate them. Also, Belfort begins to have an affair with a woman he met at one of his parties, Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie), which leads to his divorce. This leads to Belfort marrying Naomi and having a child, all while the FBI is really ramping up the investigation into what is really happening at Stratton Oakmont.

I'll start with what everyone is thinking, yes the three hour run-time. Sure, three hours sounds long until you actually start watching this film. Like every other long movie that is well made, you get into the story quickly. The adaptation from the the book is done well. Not saying that I've ever read the book, or even plan to, but what came across the screen, both story and character-wise, was good. The characters are endearing, and somewhat relatable, so you really do feel for Belfort when he loses his first big gig. Even when things aren't going great, or you feel like everyone is turning into a money grubbing drug addict, you're sucked in with the humor this movie is loaded with. There's a ten or so minute scene in this film that was without a doubt one of the funniest comedic scenes of 2013. On the flip side the drama in this film is great too. The dynamic between Belfort and his crew causes tension in so many areas, it's easy to play it all out on the screen. Plus, the overall drama of the FBI investigating, is always lingering around and makes for great conflict. You don't just see the money flowing either, at times you're taught what is going on. Most of the time you're right in the thick of them making, hiding, spending and wasting money on everything under the sun. This movie is three hours, and sure there are a few draggy points in the film, but the runtime isn't a reason to knock this film or not watch it.

The acting may be the best area this film as to offer. The whole crew, even the ones with smaller roles are exceptional.  Leonardo DiCaprio has always been an actor I've liked. This role continues in a tradition of great ones for him and has even got him nominated for Best Actor. Which is well-deserved as he plays Jordan Belfort to a tee. The charisma, the smarts, the mannerisms, Leo takes this man and turns him into an on-screen character that's awesome to watch. Leo might be finally getting a Oscar for his work, and in this one, it would more than well deserved. Then we go over to his main supporting man, Jonah Hill. In the past couple of years, Jonah's widened his range from just being a comedic actor. He earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in "Moneyball" and has secured another one for his role in this. Donnie Azoff is Belforts right hand guy. Always there though the good and bad. While Hill always seems to bring it in the humorous scenes, he's still more than great in the drama aspect of everything as well. Let's not leave out names here though as the rest of the supporting cast is great. In a limited role, Matthew McConaughey sets the tone for the film and Belfort's whole life ahead. I can't say enough about his acting this past year. Margot Robbie as Belfort's second wife is another good role. From the start you know she's with him solely for his money, but she gives Belfort's character some emotions. Most of which you don't get to see a lot of when he's out getting obliterated. Belfort's crew is led by Jon Bernthal, of "The Walking Dead Fame", who does a great job being a role player in this film. Another good role player was Kyle Chandler as FBI Agent Patrick Denham. Sure it was a pretty standard character, but an important one once the plot of this film gets rolling. None of this would've been possible without the writing from Terrance Winter and the direction of Martin Scorsese. Winter made a great adaptation of the book, while Scorsese brought it to life beautifully on screen. This was a great one-two punch, showing that Scorsese does in fact still have chops.

"The Wolf of Wall Street" is still not for the faint of heart. As I already mentioned, this film is three hours. Add in the fact that it's full of nudity, gratuitous sex, a plethora of drug use and even uses the F-bomb 569 times. That is actually a record for amount of times used in a film. Nonetheless this is a film with a great story and great acting, led by DiCaprio and Hill. Plus you have Scorsese directing, so what's not to be excited about? "The Wolf of Wall Street" is one of the best, and raunchiest, black comedies you'll ever see.

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This Is The End [A Fat Jesus Movie Review]

Oh Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, you somehow take a lacking comedy year and turn it on it's head with this comedy, action, apocalyptic, horror laugh riot. These are the guys who have brought us Superbad and Pineapple Express, the latter being one of my favorite comedies of the 2000s. You all know Seth Rogen and his crew by now. Most all them appear in each others movies as main characters, cameos, writers or producers. These guys form a close knit team that have been in the business of comedy for the past decade. From Knocked Up to Forgetting Sarah Marshall these guys can always be found in at least a pair in some of the biggest comedies since 2000. This Is The End is not the movie you think you're gonna see from the trailers. It quickly turns into the most outrageous inside joke you'll ever be apart of as these guys try to survive as exaggerated versions of themselves in this post apocalyptic comedy.

This Is The End follows the story of James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson as they ride out the apocalypse in James Franco's home. The movie opens with Jay arriving in LA to hang out with Seth. They end up playing video games and smoking weed all day. Seth informs Jay of a housewarming party Franco is throwing, and says that they should go. Jay is apprehensive, cause he's not really friends with Franco and Jonah the way Rogen is. Jay eventually agrees and they head to the party. A who's who of comedians are there including a coked up Michael Cera, Jason Segel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari and even Emma Watson and Rihanna. Halfway through the party, Jay needs a breather, so he and Seth go to get some smokes. That's when everything goes south. While at convenience store, blue lights start sucking people into the sky and mass panic ensues. Jay and Seth rush back to Franco's house where it seems like nothing has happened. Jay tries to warm the party goers to no avail. A tremor shakes the house and everyone rushes outside to see LA engulfed in flames. A sink hole opens up and swallows a lot of the people, while other just hightail it. Franco, Jonah, Jay, Seth, Danny and Craig survive and decide to hold up in in Franco's house and fortify it. As the apocalypse grows older by the day the group faces trials, such as running out of food and water, self realizations and face their inner demons. The group must band together and figure out how to survive the end of the world.

The worst thing about this movie is actually pacing. I'm dead serious. I've racked my brain around this movie since I saw it Thursday night and the very worst thing I can think of is that. The movie is nearly two hours, and while it doesn't always feel like it, there are draggy scenes throughout this. I think if they had cut 10 minutes out of this, or added five or so at the tail end, it could easily be even better. All my other complaints are pretty minor.  The story is almost too fun, it doesn't take itself seriously as semi-horror and kinda hurts it, especially at the end. While I know this is a comedy and fun is the name of the game, if you're gonna brand it as "post apocalyptic", I can't be laughing at Aziz Ansari falling to his death. If you're gonna give me horror inklings, I can't be laughing at Channing Tatum's butt. I never got the sense that any of the main characters had a chance of dying, even with everything going on around them. The ending is weird as well, not that it's terrible, it's just so out of nowhere I still don't know what to think of it. It's just so abrupt it caught me off guard I think. My only regret is that I now live in a smaller town, and this is the type of movie I'd have loved to see with a huge crowd. Not just me and like six other people. This isn't a knock on the movie at all, but more me venting that I miss living in a big city haha.

The main cast, and even then smaller parts from the cameos, are some of the best exaggerations of themselves ever. Emma Watson was great as the Emma Watson that would kick your ass if you crossed her. Jason Segel had a great little bit part calling out "How I Met Your Mother". While a coked up, womanizer Michael Cera was side splitting. James Franco played the perfect elitist Hollywood guy, only sticking with his best friend in Rogen. Jonah Hill may have the best character in this movie because of the insincerity laced in every line that comes out of his mouth. Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel are the best friends who are at a disconnect in their lives, but neither of them want to admit it to each other. Danny McBride morphs from the lovable jerk to the evil mastermind throughout the course of this. Finally Craig Robinson goes from the happy go lucky Darryl (from "The Office") type guy, to someone who is just trying to fit in and survive with this group. There is no other way to categorize all of these portrayals, than genius. Pick any two, stick them together and they someone is going to make you laugh. Put all of them together, like when they start making sequels to their previous movies, and it becomes a riot. This movie is funny, from start to finish. Sure it takes maybe 15 minutes to get its footing. But once Danny McBride starts making breakfast, oblivious to the apocalypse, This Is The End never lets off the gas pedal. There is a good soundtrack, okay visuals (the CGI in this is surprisingly good) and Franco's house turns out to be one of the best settings for a movie

This Is The End is the best comedy of the year so far, by a landslide. Not only that, for me, it's the best movie of the year released so far. Pacing problems, draggy scenes aside, this is a damn funny movie. It has an abundance of jokes, movies references and bits, jabs at each others careers and callbacks littered throughout. I can't wait to watch this again to pick out all the things I may have missed the first time. The acting is great, the music is good, the visuals are okay and the story is passable. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg haven't broken any new ground with the comedy in this. This is the same comedy style, wrapped around a story about the apocalypse. But you know what? They hit it out of the park.

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21 Jump Street [A Fat Jesus BluRay Review]

Let's start with the commentary track on this set as it's pretty damn awesome. You get the two directors, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller along with the two main stars in Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, all together for one of the first times watching the final product. You don't mind missing some of the funniest lines and parts cause Jonah Hill, who is very outspoken in this track, still refers to Emma Watson as Hermione and can't help but point out scenes with Ice Cube and when Rob Riggle grabs Brie Larson's boobs. Also there's funny behind the scenes stories from Channing and Jonah's scenes with Rob Riggle, Dave Franco and Ice Cube. Also there's an unnatural love for getting drunk during scenes, since it was filmed in Louisiana, and their love (and frankly my love too) of Korean Jesus. There's a unanimous decision between the four, that the "F*ck you science! *Walks off*" line is the best in the movie. Hard to argue. This track was a blast to listen too, and if you like this movie you'll love this commentary.

The deleted scenes ended up being more extended scenes or alternate scenes. There's a five minute extended one where Jake Johnson, the schools principal, just improvises with Channing and Jonah that had me in stitches. There's also a few more good ones involving Nick Offerman, Dave Franco and Chris Parnell. Gag-reel is hilarious as well as it gives a huge behind the scenes look at watch actually made the actors in his laugh. Let me tell you, a lot set these guys off and most of that same stuff set me off too.

There's a ton of featurettes on this set as well. We'll start with these three in "Back to School," "Brothers In Arms" and "Peter Pan on the Freeway." Back to School goes behind the scenes with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as they transform back into high-school kids after being assigned to 21 Jump Street. It's a neat watch as things have changed (and even in the writing) since the two were in school. Brothers in Arms is another behind the scenes featurette with Jonah and Channing. It shows the transformation into the cops that they portray in the movie. It's sort of a continuation of "Back to School" with more pointing the prop guns at each others crotches and firing to see if they were loaded. They had to shut down half of a highway to film the chase scene in this movie. Jonah comments on how that there's live traffic on the other side of where they're filming. He even gets (what turns out) an undesirable message (the first of it's kind) on the highway itself.

We're not done with featurettes either, there's still three more with "Cube-O-Rama," "Johnny Depp on Set" and "The Rob Riggle Show!" Cube-O-Rama may be the best on this set cause it Ice Cube yelling his lines from the movie and improvised lines too. Ice Cube is a riot in the movie and there's lines that were cut could've easily been put in. Also everyone is in awe of his birthmark near his eye (as said on the commentary track too) and are mesmerized by it. Now onto Johnny Depp on Set. There's a pretty big cameo by Depp, who was in the original series, that no one could stop asking about once the inception of 21 Jump Street started. The actors on set felt they could talk to Johnny while he was in his scene clothes (and Depp even went out and about without being recognized). But once he was out of them everyone suddenly got starstruck. Finally we have The Rob Riggle Show and this is amazing. Riggle is a hilarious guy and steals the movie behind Channing and Jonah. The whole cast agrees as again we get to hear about Riggle grabbing Brie Larson's boobs, making Jonah and Channing ruin so many scenes due to laughing and putting his own penis in his mouth.

This set really has it all. The great movie with an awesome commentary track. The deleted scenes that felt more like extended ones. Along with a side splitting gag reel. And there's six awesome featurettes that keep the behind the scenes knowledge flowing. There's a ton of extras on this set and if you liked 21 Jump Street like I did (my favorite comedy of 2012) you really need to get this set. Well worth your money. 

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