Geek of Oz

For his latest film, The Wolf of Wall Street, Martin Scorsese adheres to the old adage: ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. The diminutive maestro has been cranking out epic crime films for the past forty years. The Wolf of Wall Street is draped in debauchery and proudly indulges in oodles of sex, drugs and naughtiness whilst still acting as a searing indictment of what damage Wall Street traders were able to do throughout the late 80s and into the 90s. This is the kind of film which will either make you hate corporate corruption or go out and buy some shares. Based upon Jordan Belfort’s autobiography of the same name, the film tracks his rise to prominence off the back of some ingenious yet shady loopholes within the stock market. On the way up the corporate food chain, Belfort brings along his closest friends Donnie (Jonah Hill), Brad (Jon Bernthal), Chester (Kenneth Choi) and Nicky (P. J Byrne), all good New Jersey boys who blindly follow the charismatic Belfort through thick...

Imagine you and a bunch of mates decided to make a movie. Now imagine you’re best friends are Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill and throw in Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera and Craig Robinson just for good measure. Now imagine you’re given millions of dollars to make the most ridiculous, no holds barred apocalypse movie where the only notable girl in the film is Emma Watson. Sounds like a dream, right? Welcome to This is the End.

For those who have instantly dismissed 21 Jump Street as a remake of an 80's property that, for better or worse, should have remained dead I say "hold up, home boy!". Well, maybe I wouldn't exactly say that but I would say that you should think twice. 21 Jump Street manages to deliver with tongue wholeheartedly in cheek. Unlike recent remakes such as Tron: Legacy, The A-Team and Clash of the Titans this film isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, to a certain extent it shows us the mindset of the current generation as opposed to the 21 Jump Streeters of yore.  In High School, Jenko ( Channing   Tatum ) and Schmidt ( Jonah   Hill) were at opposite ends of the social spectrum. Jenko was the handsome chap that he is now and Schmidt... well... he was Jonah Hill. Although they were never friends in school, fate brought them together when they entered the Police Academy where our story begins.

When I first heard that they were releasing a film version of 21 Jump Street I was skeptical to say the least. When I heard that it was going to star Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, I scoffed. But after seeing a few clips I have to say that I think it's going to be a fun film! Sure, it doesn't seem to have the edge or angst that permeated the Johnny Depp/Holly Robinson series but this is a new interpretation for a new time.  Another thought springs to mind... the bulk of audiences will probably be blissfully unaware that there ever was a 21 Jump Street TV series or that Johnny Depp even started acting before Pirates of the Caribbean! Either way, check out this very funny clip before you make up your mind.

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Dreamworks latest animated extravaganza, Megamind starring the voices of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill and written and directed by Tom McGrath, writer and director of Madagascar 1 and 2. Set for release in Australia on the 9th of December I was lucky enough to get an invite to an advanced screening.