The Interview [2014]

Language - English, Korean
Director - Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen
Run Time - 1 hour, 52 minutes
Genre - Comedy
Starring - Seth Rogen and James Franco

Amidst all the hue and cry, The Interview finally managed to release in select theaters and online. As shameless as we are, we got the WebRip a day later, which enabled me to watch it and write this review.

Warning - Do not watch this movie with your mind open. It is a brainless movie but manages to make you laugh. But that is all because of the amazing performance by the two leads, James Franco as famous talk show host Dave Skylark, and Seth Rogen as his trusted producer Aaron Rapopart.

Skylark and Rapopart, or must I say Dung Beetle and Aardvark - the code names given by CIA attempt to assassinate Kim Jong Un in his own country on the facade of an interview. It is hilarious to see how they proceed as Skylark bonds with the dictator over Katy Perry and daddy issues, whereas Rapopart is infatuated with Kim Jong Un's head of security.

This movie provides some laughs, as did the two previous movies of Goldberg, namely 'Neighbours' and 'This is the End', as per our expectations. It does not have you roaring with laughter, but does manage to amuse you for just under 2 hours. The chemistry between Franco and Rogen is extraordinary, ever since the days of 'Freaks and Geeks' which is evident throughout the movie. These two lift the otherwise plotless film.

See the movie to know how Franco and Rogen go about the assassination. Do they succeed?

My Rating - 6.8/10

Primal Fear [1996]

Language - English

Director - Gregory Hoblit

Run Time - 2 hours, 9 minutes

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Starring - Richard Gere, Laura Linney  and Edward Norton

Although the plot of the movie is not very strong, kudos to Gere, Linney and ofcourse Ed Norton to give us a brilliant movie. Richard Gere and Laura Linney were considered supreme actors when this movie came out, and yes, they did deliver. We get to see Edward Norton's debut in this movie, and it couldn't have been a better debut performance for the man. After seeing this movie I realize how Norton pulled off the lead in Fight Club. The premise for the role of Tyler Durden was built here.

Martin Vail [Gere] is a hot-shot defense attorney, who loves the fame he gets from fighting for high profile clients. One fine day, the archbishop of the town is murdered, and the suspect is believed to be a young altar boy, Aaron Stampler [Norton]. At first, Vail is pursuing the client for the publicity it would bring, but eventually believes in his innocence. Against Vail is state attorney Janet Veneable [Linney], who has had a history with Vail.

The movie goes on with an investigation by Vail, along with his  defense of Aaron in the court. To his, as well as everyone else's horror, he discovers many secrets. Where do we see these secrets driving him, and the case?

The major plot is weak, but it is supplemented by side-plots. The movie could have been much better if the sub-plots were given more attention to. The other altar boy, Alex and the state attorney, John Shaughnessy provided for the story to build on them, but it never did.

Watch it, just for the performances of the cast.

My Rating - 7/10