Movie Review: Zack and Miri Make a Porno & Rental Queue

Zack and Miri Make a Porno Review: B+

Comedies seem to be moving in a certain direction these days. It’s hard to describe just what this latest fad is, however, because it’s so encompassing and seems to be gaining momentum every week. They’re movies like Knocked Up and Superbad, Juno and Sex Drive: comedies that are cute and funny, without being slapstick or full throttle romance. Though their subjects range, and they are capable of pushing lines and buttons, they somehow feel more subtle, natural, than those of the past. Zack and Miri Make a Porno is another one of these movies, and though there is a growing collection of them, they don’t’ seem to be losing their novelty just yet.

The plot is pretty much summed up in the title. Strapped for money, long time best friends and roommates Zack and Miri need to pay their bills. After the water and power are shut off in their apartment they are forced to take drastic measures. A miserable night over beers produces the answer: a porn movie. And so they embark on this noble quest for money, recruiting cast members and tech crew, as well as finding costumes, sets, and a producer for their ultimate conquest. Of course, things don’t go according to plan as obstacles for the film and the relationship of the roomies begin to complicate things.

Zack and Miri, or rather Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, are effortlessly adorable. They have great chemistry together, and their friendship is believable. Sure, there are some weird moments, but I think they are intentional. Because people are awkward.

The dialogue in the movie is vulgar, to say the least. Of course, with a title like this one I think it should already be pretty clear that this is not a movie for the kiddies. It is filled to the bursting point with f-bombs, strange and new insults that I have never even dreamed of, and, of course, pervasive sex scenes. Some of them can even be called gratuitous, while some I’ve chosen to blank from my mind entirely. There is a lot of squirm-factor in this movie: those moments where you feel like you shouldn’t be watching, or you should leave, but you just end up wiggling uselessly in your seat while you are physically unable to pull your eyes away from the screen. There’s full frontal nudity of both genders to look out for, and even the innuendo is startling.

But that’s what makes it so fun. It’s a movie about something socially taboo, and it does not take itself seriously for it. That’s something director Kevin Smith does a lot, and is very good at. And he doesn’t disappoint here. He does use some of his staple actors, like Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson, but it’s fun and refreshing to see them in rolls that aren’t half of the Jay and Silent Bob or Clerks duo, respectively. And if you were curious, we do get to the honor of seeing Jason Mewes’ penis.

The supporting cast is strong and fun, adding to the overall charm of the movie. They are mostly the actors in the porno, as well as the camera man and the producer. And they’re interesting, to say the least. But they really don’t matter, and Smith does not go out of his way to highlight their ‘stories’ in any way. They are there simply to enable the movement of the story between Zack and Miri, and that’s completely justified and forgivable. I don’t need every movie I see to have expansive character exploration for every face, after all. They do their job, they’re memorable, and the movie is not harmed by avoiding side stories.

I can admit that this movie is not ground breaking. The premise is unique, but it manages to remain predictable and linear. There are no surprises waiting for you, besides the jokes that putting ‘porno’ in the title allows the film to pull off. But those are little shocks, not the innovative story telling or plot twists I had expected to see. So in that this movie falls a little bit short, all its risks coming in the form of its dirty jokes, rather than the development of plot between the two leads. I don’t know why I went expecting something brand new, considering how hard it is do these days, but I did and I was disappointed.

Ultimately, however, the movie is oddly charming and sweet, which works well against the graphic, perverse subject around which it is based. This isn’t the movie for anyone who is easily offended by language, sexual situations or… the idea of a porno. But, for everyone else and those brave enough to put those trepidations aside, it’s an interesting, entertaining romp.

Rental Queue 4

Knocked Up

Besides animated movies in which he provides a voice, I think the is the movie that best shows off Seth Rogen’s abilities. It’s another romantic comedy, and feels very much in the same line that Zack and Miri falls into. The dialogue is very natural and I think that’s why I enjoy it so much, I think. It’s just a feel good flick, despite the controversy Katherine Heigl created by saying the film turned out a ‘bit sexist’.

Fred Claus

Elizabeth Banks is adorable in almost everything she does. There’s a new scary movie coming out where she plays some sinister suspected murderer, and she’s adorable. Of course, I fell in love with her from her stint on Scrubs, but she has a number of notable credits to her name. Invincible is good, as is Definitely, Maybe. Then why am I recommending a Christmas movie nearly two months too soon? Mostly because Kevin Spacey is in it, truthfully. But it is a good movie, and worth a look. Swear.

Clerks

Kevin Smith’s first movie with the notorious Jay and Silent Bob, and still one of his greatest movies to this day. It explores the lives of two convenience store clerks. They hate their jobs, they hate the patrons, they like to talk about movies and they play hockey on the store roof when the boss isn’t looking. They’re rude and abrasive, but completely lovable. This movie is a classic, and its direct sequel, Clerks II, is a fitting continuation. Get the both of them and make it a night in.

Dogma

Alan Rickman is the voice of God. What? You need more of a reason to check this out? Frankly, I’m surprised that there are still people who haven’t seen this. It’s another film by director Kevin Smith that follows and abortion clinic worker’s journey of spiritual discovery after she finds out that she is the only hope for all of existence as two fallen angels battle their way to get back into heaven. And it’s a comedy. Sure, I can see where religious people might be offended, but if you have a sense of humor than Buddy Christ won’t offend you. He’ll make you laugh, because that’s what this whole movie is supposed to do.

Superman Returns

Oh geez, another Kevin Spacey movie? Yes. And it’s amazing. Spacey’s Lex Luthor is the epitome of awesome, and the reason I dig his career so much. This is the movie that started the worship, I’m almost ashamed to admit. It shouldn’t have taken me, or anyone else, to see his remarkable talent but at least I finally caught on. And now I spread that chance to you lot. The best part is this definitely ties into the movie I reviewed this week: Brandon Routh, who plays Superman, has a small, but very memorable, role in Zack and Miri. And it’s even funnier if you think of him as Superman.