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| Left to right: James Franco and Seth Rogen |
Welcome to Alternative to What: a weekly column that tries to find a great alternative to driving to the multiplexes. Based on releases of that week, the selections will either be thematically related or feature recurring cast and crew. The goal is to help you better understand the diversity of cinema and hopefully find you some favorites while saving a few bucks. At worse, this column will save you money. Expect each installment to come out on Fridays, unless specified.
THIS WEEK:
Pineapple Express (2008)
- Alternative To -
- Alternative To -
American Ultra (2015)
It doesn't matter how good your movie is, there's a strong chance that if you're a stoner comedy, you're going to have a rough road ahead. I am mostly talking about in theaters. Yes, you likely will be able to form a cult audience in the years following that brief release, but you won't have a strong theater run. That is pretty much my assumption going into American Ultra this upcoming weekend. Even with Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, there's very little appeal and once you know that there's drugs involved, the already bizarre plot becomes even more repellent. This is a film that will take some time to find its audience. If you hear the word "bombed" on Monday morning alongside it, don't be too surprised. Even if the film is halfway decent, it will take some time to catch on.
The history of success stories isn't rich. The only one who has pretty much been able to beat the odds is Seth Rogen. Considering that his career began as someone who smoked a lot of pot onscreen, it is surprising that a lot of his bigger movies have grossed over $100 million. This isn't to say that Pineapple Express is on that list, but films like Knocked Up and Neighbors, which had major drug iconography, have. However, those films aren't specifically about drugs. They just happen to be in the cards. That is why it seemed best to choose a film that was abundantly indicative of the genre and thus would be able to have fair comparison.
Action stoner films isn't a popular genre. There isn't much of a call for it, really. However, there was magic in the cards when Rogen teamed up with James Franco for what was likely seen as the ultimate stoner film. With a story about two men who get mixed up in a strange ring of events, it is a rather effective story that has the two running from the obstacles and doing their best to not lose their cool and their high. Considering Rogen's longtime condoning of drugs, it makes sense that he would be able to make a film so effectively about the subject. In a way, it was his swan song, as his drug use in film has only tampered down after this point.
The history of success stories isn't rich. The only one who has pretty much been able to beat the odds is Seth Rogen. Considering that his career began as someone who smoked a lot of pot onscreen, it is surprising that a lot of his bigger movies have grossed over $100 million. This isn't to say that Pineapple Express is on that list, but films like Knocked Up and Neighbors, which had major drug iconography, have. However, those films aren't specifically about drugs. They just happen to be in the cards. That is why it seemed best to choose a film that was abundantly indicative of the genre and thus would be able to have fair comparison.
Action stoner films isn't a popular genre. There isn't much of a call for it, really. However, there was magic in the cards when Rogen teamed up with James Franco for what was likely seen as the ultimate stoner film. With a story about two men who get mixed up in a strange ring of events, it is a rather effective story that has the two running from the obstacles and doing their best to not lose their cool and their high. Considering Rogen's longtime condoning of drugs, it makes sense that he would be able to make a film so effectively about the subject. In a way, it was his swan song, as his drug use in film has only tampered down after this point.
So, what makes it a worthwhile movie to recommend? Well, it would help if you actually are a fan of the Judd Apatow style of comedy. This is a film predominantly inspired by long improvisational scenes pieced together around a very basic action plot. It doesn't make a lot of sense and the protagonists are reliably idiots in the typical stoner fashion. However, Rogen and Franco bring a certain genuineness to the roles that make them at very least endearing. With the rise of Danny McBride as well, it makes for a trio of performances that rank alongside the best of the sub-sub-sub-genre of comedy. It may not be on level with Cheech and Chong, but at least it is fun to watch.
I don't know if these type of films are going to appeal to everyone. I am sure that this is a recommendation that doesn't make total sense to everyone just yet. However, I do think that American Ultra is too niche of a market to really recommend something of higher art. Yes, this is a film that got stoner comedy right. It did mix in a few good action sequences. The chemistry is top notch. It is what I can only hope American Ultra will be... if it's good. Otherwise, this remains an oddball of a film that may not win everyone over, but it will give those who can put up with Rogen and Franco a pretty good time.
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