Role Models ***1/2

Cast: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch
Director: David Wain
Running Length: 1:39
MPAA Classification: R

Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) work for a high energy drink company as spokespersons. They travel from school to school promoting the drink as an alternative to drug use. After a disasterous proposal to his girlfriend, Danny gets a little crazy and drags Wheeler down with him. When the dust clears, Wheeler and Danny have been sentenced to 150 hours of community service, specifically being big brothers to troubled kids. Wheeler gets Ronnie, a foul mouthed youngster who goes through big brothers like clean shirts. Danny gets Augie, a nerdy kid who likes medieval reenactments. Nothing goes smoothly at first, but soon they need to make this work or face jail time.

“Role Models” is a genuinely funny movie, and the majority of the credit goes to Scott and Rudd. Scott is channeling his inner-Stiffler (from “American Pie”, and Rudd is utilizing his Judd Apatow-related freedom to improvise. They work well off each other and carry the movie. Supporting roles by Mintz-Plasse and Thompson, as the kids, also add to the fun. Finally, Jane Lynch, as the head of the big brothers organization steals every scene that she is in. The story is good, even sweet. This is a film that will be enjoyed by most and I highly recommend it.

Superbad ***Cast: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Martha MacIsaac, Aviva
Director: Greg Mottola
Running Length: 1:53
MPAA Classification: R

Evan (Cera) is a average shy high schooler. Seth (Hill) is loud and obnoxious. Fogell (Mintz-Plasse) is a big nerd. Together, they have a chance to impress the girls at a high school party by supplying alcohol. Evan is interested in Becca (MacIsaac), Seth likes Jules (Stone), and Fogell wants Nicola (Aviva). Of course nothing goes smoothly, and soon they are dealing with Officers Slater (Hader) and Michaels (Rogan), who aren’t very competent and want to hang with Fogell, who is going by the name McLuvin on his new fake ID.

“Superbad” is a very funny movie. The dialogue is profane and very R-rated, but clever as well. It is like an even funnier version of “American Pie”. The three leads are all believable as high schoolers on the brink of college. The camaraderie is genuine, and you can tell that they had a blast making this movie. Produced by Judd Apatow (director “Knocked Up”’) and written by Rogan and Evan Goldberg, it is clear that they know their subject matter, and know how to make it funny. Apatow and Rogan seem to be the voices of comedy these days, and “Superbad” is a prime example. I recommend this film.