Seth Rogen

This past weekend, “Zach and Miri Make a Porno” was on channel 14, and I was reminded of my undying love for Seth Rogen. I can’t help but admit that every time Seth Rogen is in a movie, I feel like he’s just some variation of himself. I have a sneaking suspicion that at some point Seth was actually living in Monroeville, he and his roommate were super broke, and they actually decided to make some coffee shop porn, but then accidently fell in love…?*

*plot of movie, probably not actually an even in Rogen’s life. Maybe check IMDB….

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Anyway, to reiterate that nonsense, this isn’t an entry meant to brag on Rogen’s acting chops, but rather to gush about my personal, off-color preferences.

One of Rogen’s first jobs was in Judd Apatow’s show “Freaks and Geeks”. The show only ran for one season, but if you ever get the chance, check it out.  It also stars James Franco and Jason Segel as losers in high school. It’s a little odd, but if you’re a fan of  any of the three it’s fun to watch. The best way to describe it is as a darker version of “That 70s Show”.

One of my favorite fun facts about Rogen is that he actually wrote “Superbad”. Oh, and by wrote it, I mean he started writing it when he was 13 with his friend Evan Goldberg. And you though Canadians were nothing but kind and polite. Guess again. I don’t know if this turns you off of liking “Superbad”, or like me, it makes you love it even more.

All in all, I’ll see anything Seth Rogen’s in because he just cracks me up. Full disclosure, I even saw “Observe and Report” and laughed. Not a lot, but it did happen.  I’ve officially lost all credibility. 

Jon Hamm

Recently I’ve been on a kick of watching “Mad Men” starring Jon Hamm. I have to admit, when I started watching Mad Men, I really didn’t have any idea what it was about. I think I really started watching to because so many people love it, and I’m mildly obsessed with the sixties.

The show is ultimately based around Jon Hamm’s character, Don Draper’s life. He works as a creative director in an advertising firm. It seems like a fairly simple almost boring premise, but it delves into Draper’s past, and how his past is greatly affecting his present. I know what you’re thinking, this is the most vague synopsis ever, but I would have to ruin anything for those of you that may be new fans or plan on watching. All I can say, is that you’ll definitely be HIGHLY invested in the plot if you do start watching.

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But now back to Mr. Hamm. As I’ve been watching this series, time and time again I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his performance. Hamm’s character is relatively stoic   and hard in nature, but Hamm is able to so magnificently let Draper’s emotions shine through when appropriate. I think most would agree that it is absolutely boring to watch a character that is not dynamic, and Don Draper is certainly is quite dynamic.

I think it’s also interesting to notice, in reading up on Jon Hamm, that outside of “Mad Men” he has mainly worked in comedic roles. I’m sure many of you would remember him from “Bridesmaids”. I think it speaks to his acting abilities that he can work wonderfully in a dramatic role and switch seamlessly into comedy in other roles.

I don’t know if any of you have ever seen these shorts form funnyordie.com, but they’re absolutely hilarious. Here’s Jon Hamm in Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.

Helena Bonham Carter

            I suppose I like Helena Bonham Carter mainly because she’s bizarre. Like most respectable actresses, she’s rarely in a tabloid, and you rarely hear of her personal life.  She maintains a sort of mysterious quality that really makes her a chameleon of an actress. 

            I’m sure you would recognize her as playing Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter movies, and maybe the red queen in the most recently produced Alice in Wonderland. On the whole, I think she picks incredibly interesting characters, and has a made a name for herself as a unique character actress.

            The first movie I ever saw with Carter that really made me take notice of her was in fact “Fight Club”. I’m sure you’ve either read the book, seen the movie, or at least are privy to the premise. Her character is quite dark and troubled, and I found her performance to been very striking.

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            Since seeing her in “Fight Club”, I’ve taken notice of which movies she’s been in, and have been impressed. She’s never really done a movie in which she plays a character that is “normal” or not put under unusual of fantastical circumstances. I think this really separates her from other actresses that have all tried to do the “girl next door” romantic-comedy type role.

            I also appreciate her acting in that she has been in a number of movies of Shakespeare’s works. A lot of fantastic actors simply cannot do Shakespeare and contemporary. Most are exclusively dedicated to one or the other. I think this speaks volumes to her dynamic nature.

            Finally, I must say I was quite impressed with Carter’s recent role as Queen Elizabeth in “The King’s Speech”. For this role, Carter was nominated and received many awards. In this role, I think Carter portrayed a more realistic reserved character than that of Bellatrix Lestrange, and was quite impressive.