Posts tagged Elizabeth Banks
Review: Role Models (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on November 10, 2008.

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'Role Models' defines a model comedy

Just when you thought the R-rated comedy season had ended, we are treated to another dose of raunch and irresponsible behavior in Role Models.  This marks the latest release from Universal, whom I can only assume is seeking to compete with last week’s Zack and Miri Make A Porno.  Thankfully, where the latter failed, this film succeeds and manages to find a good balance between vulgarity and heartfelt drama.

The film follows two irresponsible energy drink representatives (Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott) who are forced to enroll in a Big Brother-style program for troubled kids. They’re put in charge of mentoring Augie and Ronnie, two young teens each with their separate set of problems. And when irresponsible adults meet irresponsible kids, you know something funny is bound to happen.

And does it ever. Role Models is the funniest film of the year so far, with the possible exception of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Rudd and Scott are in top form, and deliver punchlines with pitch-perfect timing. Whether it’s through conversations about the true nature of coffee-cup sizes or how to properly scope out well-endowed women, the script is filled with snappy dialogue that might fall flat in the hands of lesser actors. But they make it work, and it doesn’t take long for the viewer to actually sympathize with their situation, even if they can be rather unsympathetic.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonBobb'e Thompson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Paul Rudd, Role Models, Sean William ScottComment
Review: Zack and Miri Make A Porno (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on October 28, 2008.

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Zack and Miri yield crass yet empty comedy

There is a moment in Zack and Miri Make A Porno that everyone will remember. It’s the kind of thing that audience members immediately start talking about once the credits begin to roll, just to make sure they actually saw what they think they saw. Without giving too much away, all I’ll say is that it’s a joke involving human fecal matter that is so graphic and shocking, you’ll laugh simply because you don’t know how else to respond.

Such is the nature of Kevin Smith’s new movie: you’ll laugh not necessarily because what’s on screen is actually funny, but because not to do so would be to acknowledge that you’ve spent money on the kind of crass substance you could find on the Internet for free, or just by asking your friends to make a dirty joke.

The plotline is simple: Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are long-time best friends who decide to make a no-budget pornographic film to raise money for their rent. But when it comes time for the two of them to “do the deed” on camera, their friendship is tested by the resulting complications. Think When Harry Met Sally with porn, and jokes that would make Ron Jeremy blush.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonBrandon Routh, Craig Robinson, Elizabeth Banks, Justin Long, Katie Morgan, Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen, Zack and Miri Make A PornoComment