Seth Rogen and James Franco in "Pineapple Express"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
“The New Brand of Comedies”

This past year saw the introduction of raunchier and raunchier comedies. This seems to be the new thing – seeing how gross and “adult” you can get. Leading the way is Judd Apatow and “Pineapple Express” (now on DVD) is the latest “comedy” from the Apatow house of charm. James Franco and Seth Rogen co-star in this tale of drug users, drug dealers, and drug suppliers. The film is a throwback to the days of Cheech and Chong and about as enjoyable to me now as that was then. 

Rogen plays Dale Denton, a process server. Denton spends his days tooling around the city looking for his “clients” and then donning a variety of disguises so that he can easily serve them. He also keeps a large stash of weed on hand so that he can smoke and drive at the same time. Dale’s dealer is Saul (Franco), a fun loving guy who adores his “buppie.” She is the one stable force in his life. 

One day Dale witnesses a murder and flees to Saul’s house to hide out. As they talk Dale realizes he dropped part of his stash and that it is “pineapple express” a very distinct drug that can lead the murderers (Gary Cole and Rosie Perez) to Saul’s house. They also figure out that one of the murderers is the guy who heads up the drug ring that supplies Saul’s suppliers.

The bad guys do come after the two men and chase them all over town. In desperation Dale and Saul go to see Red (Danny McBride) who is Saul’s supplier. They want to learn more about these guys who are pursuing them. This is where the movie changes from comedy to action.

The drug jokes in the film are old and stale and watching two stoners run around just isn’t funny. Rogen and Franco throw themselves into their roles but it is wasted effort. The script and the premise are losers from the start, plus the actors seem to be making up the script as they go along. Some scenes actually ramble on for an eternity, adding nothing to the plot or the enjoyment of the movie.

The plot of “Pineapple Express” sort of demands you think drug use and abuse are funny. If you don’t, then you are out of luck with this movie. But even without the drug plot, seeing two immature men loafing through life is a downer. It didn’t work with “Step Brothers” and it doesn’t work with this one either.

Judd Apatow’s brand of humor is getting old fast and the decreasing popularity of his movies shows it. It is time for his comedies to grow up and deliver some serious humor. Rogen and Franco are two talented actors who deserve better than what this script offers them.

ABC Family took a risk with its new original series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” This show, based on the first episode, frowns on teenage sex and features teens who favor abstinence. Well I guess we aren’t in “Juno” land here. That could be because the series is created and directed by Brenda “7th Heaven” Hampton.

The DVD titled “The Secret Life of the American Teenager: The First Season” has arrived in stores and is waiting to be viewed by you and your family. The DVD also includes a “Behind the Scenes Bonus Segment.”

In the show a fifteen year old girl named Amy (Shailene Woodley) returns from band camp where she has had sex for the first and only time. A few weeks later she takes a home pregnancy test and it is positive. Stunned she turns to her best friends who suggest she start dating a boy named Ben (Kenny Baumann) because he is nice and will probably marry her.

Amy wants to tell her parents (Mark Derwin and Molly Ringwald) but can’t find the right time. She also hates to disappoint them as they think she is a perfect girl who is studious and serious. Her mother is always urging her to have fun.

Other students at the school include a couple named Grace (Megan Park) and Jack (Greg Finley). They are Christians and are committed to abstinence, at least Grace is. Jack is led down the road to perdition by a temptress named Adrian (Francia Raisa). In the scene where she tempts him she takes a bite of an apple. How symbolic is that!

The reason the show was a hit is that it is well written, well acted and has something to say. You get a lot of different viewpoints from the students at the school where Amy goes. They are not all drunks and promiscuous as we see in most Hollywood movies, but they aren’t perfect either.

Amy’s pregnancy plays out over the entire first season and since the series has been renewed she will have the baby in the upcoming season(s). It will be interesting to see how Hampton handles this situation and how she makes the parents and Amy’s peers respond.

This is one of the best original series ABC Family has offered in some time. Brenda Hampton worked magic with “7th Heaven” and she does the same here. So get the DVD of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” The First Season.”

Another TV series out on DVD is “Kyle XY: The Complete Second Season – Revelations.” This popular TV show features Matt Dallas as the teenage boy who is also possessed of superhuman powers. He leads a double life as all super heroes must do and the fun of the show is seeing him as a normal teen and also in his superhuman role.

There is also a girl with superhuman powers and her name is Jessi XX (Jamie Alexander). There is a connection between Kyle and Jessi and it is explored in Season 2. We also see Kyle’s relationship with Amanda Bloom (Kirsten Prout) develop into a more serious relationship.

Including as Bonus Features on the DVD are (1) deleted scenes (2) alternate endings (3) commentaries, and other special features. So get your copy of “Kyle XY: The Complete Second Season – Revelations” today.

Finally you can also get the DVD “Greek: Chapter Two.” This was not one of my favorite series but it managed to attract a number of fans to the show. Spencer Grammer – Kelsey’s daughter – and Jacob Zachar play a brother and sister who are attending the same college. The sister is the head of a powerful sorority while the younger brother doesn’t want to have the big fraternity life. This causes conflict and hopefully comedic situations.

This show explores the fraternity/sorority lifestyle with all of its ups and downs. So watch “Greek: Chapter Two” and see the full season of episodes as well as bloopers and commentaries.
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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