New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Undeclared


On the one hand, Judd Apatow has every reason to avoid network television for the rest of his life. On the other hand, every time he goes to that well, he brings great stuff with him. It didn't take more than a year and a few months for Fox to start airing the college comedy Undeclared, all about a group of incoming freshmen at a East Coast university. The lead is Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel), a dorky guy who ends up sleeping with the girl of his dreams, Lizzie (Carla Gallo), by the end of his first night. Steven is joined by Lloyd, a sexy British guy who woos women with his accent (Charlie Hunnam), and Ron, a lovable stoner (Rogen). Rogen's role is slightly bigger here, but unlike Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared is pretty much an out-and-out comedy. With the exception of two storylines (that of Lizzie's despondent ex-boyfriend, played by Segel, trying to get her back; and Steven's dad unsuccessfully dealing with being recently divorced), this 17-episode series is good for laughs and not much else. That's not to say that this show wasn't great on its own terms. Like Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared had an excellent ensemble of young actors, sharp writing (as mentioned earlier, Rogen was on the writing staff), and strong relationships. There were also some hilarious cameos, from the likes of Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller, the latter playing a version of what Lizzie's ex-boyfriend could turn into if he continues to be a slacker. So, if you're one of the uninitiated, check Undeclared out.

Superbad


Once again, Rogen proves that he doesn't need to be the center of attention to make a stronger impact. Though he co-wrote Superbad with his longtime friend Evan Goldberg (both of whom wrote the script for last summer's stoner action comedy Pineapple Express), the stars here are Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as longtime friends...Seth and Evan. Okay, so at one time, Rogen had wanted to star in Superbad as himself, but the years made him look too old to a play a 17-year old version of Seth. Instead, he plays Officer Michaels, one of two cops who end up being part of the wildest night of Seth and Evan's lives. What starts off as two guys trying to impress the girls of their dreams ends up as something far weirder. Evan winds up singing for coke addicts, Seth dances with a girl on her period and gets some proof on his pants, and they wind up on the run from the law. Rogen's writing here is stronger than his performance as Officer Michaels; though he's funny, the biggest stretch in the film is that the two cops would essentially forget their job description for one night to help a couple of gawky teenagers have one cool night. The writing of the relationship between Seth and Evan, and their awkwardness about being separated for the first time in their lives is best here. Not only do Hill and Cera sell that weirdness, but the emotions in the dialogue are genuine and heartfelt.

Continued:       1       2       3