Dylan's Film Reviews

"Pineapple Express" (2008) Premise: Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) plays a down on his luck 25-year old who loves to smoke weed and is dating an 18-year-old in high school, and Saul (James Franco) plays a drug dealer who wishes to become a civil engineer, building septic tanks for children’s playgrounds; find themselves in the middle of a drug war when Dale witnesses the murder of a competing drug deal, killed by Saul’s supplier, Ted Jones (Gary Cole). Twelve years later and I still love this movie. I think it’s ‘cool’ to hate on Rogen and Goldberg movies since that Food animated movie Sausage Fest. Honestly, I can agree that anything after Neighbors has been subpar. Let’s not forget why the Rogen era of comedies (2007-2014) were some of the best comedies during that period. Rogen and Franco showcase their chemistry once again since ‘Freaks and Geeks’ still holding to that friendship and back and forth banter that carries this film like a paper boat down a river or some shit. It’s...

      "Casino Royale" (2006)           What differs this film from the abundant Bond films that have been laid out before and after this 2006 classic is that the villains in this film feel humanized. Le Chiffre, a terrorist financier is pressured by the Ugandans after short-selling stock and losing 100 million in the effort. There are many moments where we feel for both sides of the poker table Le Chiffre knows the people after him will not stop until they get their money back. James Bond knows that if he loses, terror will not only continue but will be refunded from this poker game. The stakes are set, and we see each party slowly close out the competition. Whether it is placing trackers or lacing drinks, each party plays to win. But the film actualizes Le Chiffre’s desperation when we see the Ugandan terrorist a nearly chomping his girlfriend’s arm off. The audience sees that he is being pushed to his limits and that he needs this pot or i...

 By: Dylan Smith Premise: 'Scott Calvin (Tim Allen)  carried the responsibilities of being  Santa for the eight entire years, his elves consider him the best Santa Claus to ever reign over the North Pole. Scott's world abruptly turns upside down when he is dealt with disheartening news of his son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd),  being put on the naughty list. Scott also is dealt with more terrible news when his elf servants tell Scott that he needs to find a Ms. Claus before Christmas morning, leaving Scott only one month to fix two problems at once!  Review: This film generates numerous questions and themes: Monogamy as a requirement for identity. Without a relationship in matrimony, you lose who you are. You are nothing without a spouse, a partner, etc. Another theme is that of the parents' dilemma work and children and the balance of that. This film also prompts the question "What does it mean to be naughty?" or "How can we redeem ourselves?" and ...