This is the End

This is going to be a hard review to write. I don't want to overplay it, because if I do, it might give you guys an unfair expectation of this movie. While it's hard to say this is the funniest movie I've ever seen, because comedies lose their laughter with each time you see it, I will say that this is the funniest movie I've ever reviewed. It is also the first movie in a long time that made me laugh so hard I cried... for a good two minutes.

In this apocalyptic comedy, several actors play themselves or at least the versions of themselves that TMZ might have you believe (Michael Cera). Afraid to go outside after the world falls apart, they try to keep the last bit of their civilized lives in tact while seeking refuge in James Franco's house. There, they try to figure out what the hell is going on and try to keep their friendships together.

After a slow opening with some awkward jokes, this movie takes off into the hilarity that one would expect from the trailer. It is filled with references from their own work and the actors do not hold back when poking fun at themselves. Which is always refreshing to see.

There is a lot of screaming, hand-holding and hugging. It's kind of cute.

Craig Robinson is definitely the funniest part of this movie. Rarely was there a line of his that didn't make me at least chuckle. He is the person that made me laugh so hard that I didn't stop for about two minutes and eventually started crying.

The great part about this movie is that given all of the actors in it, you just know so much of this was improvised. I'm curious to see exactly what was and wasn't improvised if they talk about it on the special features when it's released on Blu-Ray.

"This is the End" is definitely the funniest movie of the year thus far, and the funniest movie I've seen in a very long time. I can;t wait to see it again to pick up jokes I might have missed while laughing the first time around. Go see it.

There is a little gift to people who remember the late 90s before the credits.

My Grade: A

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Let me just say, if I am around for the end of the world, I hope it's as fun as this.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World... is a long title. But a great one. There is no doubt what the movies about if you are walking up to the box office without any idea of what it's about. It even sounds like a comedy, which is exactly what it is. In case you can't tell by the title, or even the trailer above, I got your back.

This movie is about two people that don't meet until the end of the world is imminent. Dodge, played by Steve Carell (40 Year Old Virgin), has his wife leave him the second after they both know the world is going to end. He goes on about his normal routine as chaos ensues around him.

He then meets another tenant of his apartment building, Penny, played by Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean). They soon make a pact that if Penny can get Dodge to his old ex-girlfriend, Dodge would provide a plane for her to flyer to England to spend her last days with her family. And, of course, they bond as they push forward on their journey.

I have never seen a movie about the apocalypse that has made me smile and laugh as much as this one did. It is refreshing to see a movie where people aren't panicking about the end of the world, and just accepting their fate and enjoying their last days on Earth. It really highlights the small moments in your life and helps you appreciate them more.

The two protagonists are a great combination. Dodge went about life following all the rules and Penny was a free spirit. They make for two very different and interesting views of every situation they encounter.

I can see this movie being a hit and miss. For some reason, people don't like to laugh at tragedy. Even when it's fictitious and hilarious. But all comedy is derived from tragedy, so I don't see how these people can differentiate from the two. Even then, this movie is not about death. (Cue cheesy music) It is about life, and enjoying the little things. And how happiness can come from where you least expect it.

Even if you are a high-stung-have-no-fun kind of person, as always, you should see it for yourself and form your own opinion.

My rating: A-