By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Observe and Report’
Directed by
Jody Hill
Rated R,
86 minutes
Like a swift kick to the gut, funnyman Seth Rogen abandoned his lovable, stoner persona for an unstable, dangerous mall cop in “Observe and Report.” Ronnie Barnhardt (Rogen) lives in a fantasy world where he is the man. He is demented, delusional and is the last person you’d want calling the shots. Rogen plays Barnhardt for a laugh, but not in a laugh-out-loud-funny kind of way. It’s an unsettling laugh that comes from the fear that if one doesn’t laugh, one might get hurt. Not only does Barnhardt patrol the mall with an iron fist, he keeps an eye on the mall hottie and imaginary love of his life, Brandi (Anna Faris, looking sexier than ever). Rogen leads the charge, but it’s Michael Pena as Dennis, Barnhardt’s second in command, and Celia Watson as Ronnie’s alcoholic mom, who steal the show. Pena’s gangster lisp had me in tears, and Watson’s drunken mom provided the extra pinch of unwholesomeness the film needed. Add in a great cameo from Danny McBride, and “Observe and Report” is one of the funniest and darkest comedies of the year. CV
‘Road House’
Directed by
Rowdy Herrington
1989, Rated R,
114 minutes
In honor of Patrick Swayze passing from cancer last week, I decided to salute the man who made so many great films other than the chick flicks, “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost,” that made him famous. Swayze stars as Dalton, the best bar cooler around. When owners have a rough place they want cleaned up, they call Dalton. Swayze strolls into Jasper, Mo., to help clean up the Double Deuce bar, but soon finds that the town is under the reign of Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara). Once Dalton cleans up the Double Deuce, he sets out to take the town back. Adding fuel to the fire, Dalton falls for a local doctor (Kelly Lynch) who also happens to be Wesley’s ex. With too much trouble to handle, Dalton calls in his mentor/cooler, Wade Garrett (Sam Elliott). “Road House” is filled with plenty of bar room brawls and is backed by a classic blues/rock soundtrack courtesy of The Jeff Healy Band. “Road House” isn’t Swayze’s best film (“Point Break”) and some critics consider it pure cheese, but it fully engulfs what the man was all about — being a tough guy who looks good while kicking ass. Rest in piece.CV
