Food For Thought: Review of Sausage Party

Sausage Party

Director: Conrad Vernon & Greg Tiernan

By Alex Watson

While this does have the odd chuckle thrown in for good measure, Sausage Party isn't quite the laugh a minute affair many would expect. At first, this rowdy and raunchy supermarket comedy is amusing but before long the innuendo jokes begin to reach their expiry date. In the later stages, directors Conrad and Tiernan do show some great maturity and restraint on the level of humour, but its poor taste of food stereotypes makes it lose points.

Frank (Seth Rogan) is a hot dog who along with his friend Carl (Jonah Hill) and stumpy friend Barry (Michael Cera) live inside a package within a supermarket. On the Fourth of July, he is delighted when he and his bun girlfriend Brenda (Kristen Wiig) are chosen by a shopper are destined for the mythical 'Great Beyond'. When the encounter a traumatized jar of Honey Mustard (Danny McBride) the group finds themselves separated. Soon some bitter and traumatic truths come forward when the discover precisely what happens to them in the real world.

Sausage Party is the first ever R-rated animated movie and for those who like rude jokes and unashamed potty humor, this is right up your street.  Opening with a song and dance number that ranges from funny to downright bizarre, this sets the tone. When Honey Mustard shatters Frank and Brenda's delightful hopes and jumps to his death, things turn into a battle scene replica which does tickle the ribs when you see Peanut Butter crying to a jar of jam "I'm nothing without you!" From there, things dissolve into a variety of food-related puns as we meet Salma Hayek's Taco character who has an especially close eye on Brenda, David Krumholz's grumpy Middle Eastern bread Vash and Edward Norton's Sammy Bagel Jr.

Vernon and Tiernan seem of the opinion that if they drop the F-Bomb as frequently as possible it will guarantee laughs. Here, it often falls flat and after a time just becomes tedious and its lack of subtly hinders what could have been something great. There are some glimmers of hope like the hilarious character Douche (Nick Kroll) , who is an actually a Douche. A funny and relevant Italian-American stereotype, watching him get juiced up on juice is very hilarious. His quest for vengeance against Frank for ruining his chance at the great beyond is endlessly watchable. The moment where Barry and friends are at the same shoppers home are smartly played. Watching an Irish potatoes horror as the human rips down the peaceful facade by peeling him makes way to some horror film like moments as we see Nachos being made and carrots wailing in pain at being shredded. Moments like these are rare and it is during these sequences where the most comedy is found.

Sausage Party tries to engage with the idea of people believing in something higher and what it really means to be human? Meeting Firewater (Bill Hader) an old bottle of spirits breaks ground on the real truths of the supermarket, but doesn't raise any sufficient laughs. Also stranded is a wad of gum that looks and sounds like Stephen Hawking. In the right hands and deft comic touch this movie really could have been far stronger, here were stuck with German mustard resembling the Nazi's and such flat lines as "Ketchup, catch up!" When the movie morphs into an extended food orgy scene, those weary of the constant sex references will be sighing internally. It's not to say that this film will be one of the worse that will be reviewed this year, just it could have been toned down rather than just go for all out explicitness.

Seth Rogan is able to bring his usual lazy charm to the role of Frank but neither he or Kristen Wiig are stretching themselves by doing this type of role. You can see the appeal for a whole range of Hollywood stars to get paid handsomely by talking dirty all day. Edward Norton's voice is nearly unrecognizable as he sounds closer to Eugene Levy or Woody Allen. Nick Kroll steals the show as the mad and bad Douche, who now has a thirst for revenge. Michael Cera's naive charm as Barry does make us smile, particularly when he meets James Franco's junkie whose high on bath salts.

Sausage Party will satisfy some tastes, but others will probably spit this food right out. Overall this could have been given a little more flavor.

Flying Without Wings: Review of Birdman

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

By Alex Watson  

If someone had told you that acclaimed Mexican director, Alejandro González Iñárritu's return to the big screen would be a black comedy starring Michael Keaton (aka Batman) then most people would probably ask you how many pints you had consumed! But it appears that this has come to fruition and the Babel and Amores Perros director returns with his dark satirical film, Birdman. Keaton hasn't had a role this meaty in years, can Iñárritu bring out the best in him? 

Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) is a washed up movie star who was once the beloved star of the Birdman movie franchise. In an attempt to be taken seriously, Thompson is adapting a Broadway stage production of Raymond Carver's story 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' which has been beset by problems, including egomaniac method actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) and his drug addict assistant daughter Sam (Emma Stone). But in the midst of the mayhem, can Riggan keep his head and give an 'honest' performance? 

Birdman is a bizarre but ultimately brilliant piece of original work from Iñárritu. Armed with a fascinating pitch black tone and beautifully shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, the Mexican maverick has created something truly special and the talented cast succeeds in carrying the weight of expectation. Riggan is a man who after passing on Birdman 4 over 20 years ago, has become permanently trapped inside his winged character (the character speaks to him in his mind off stage) and he is straining regain any sense of credibility which on stage is difficult to come by, as Lindsay Duncan's acid tongued reviewer tells him "You're a celebrity, not an actor!" and then informs him she will destroy his play for invading her turf before she has even seen it.

The camera work by Lubezki also contributes a great seamless feel to this movie and as we glide in and out of various rooms, it feels as if we are glimpsing the actors in their most personal moments which gives an almost intrusive feel to proceedings. The script however by Iñárritu , Nicolas Giacobone, playwright Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo, is one to savor. Together they bring us a story complete with shocking yet natural humour along with a building psychological feel of a man who has bitten off more than he can chew.

All around Riggan's production there are problems to be seen, firstly star Lesley (Naomi Watts) has encouraged him to bring on board her arrogant boyfriend Mike, who although a big box office draw is immediately dismissive of Riggan's talent and seems to cause mayhem over the littlest details, including drinking real gin rather than water on stage which results in disastrous preview performances! Along with being continually belittled by Sam for being more of a 'has-been' because he rejects bloggers and twitter, the man's mind is beginning to crack and his feathered friends words are speaking louder than ever.

Iñárritu also makes the audience think about a number of important factors such as the importance of careful stage planning, the ego of actors and finally what it means to be creative in this world. Riggan is literally investing his whole life in this make or break piece of art and we secretly we fear the effect of an ill received performance. But unlike this earlier work, there is a brilliant sense of rawness and reality to Birdman, which accurately demonstrates the misgivings life in theatre can bring. One sequence we see our hero lock himself out the theatre mid performance and having to make an impromptu sprint through a crowded Time Square in just his underwear! 

Michael Keaton is given the role of a life time to play and he pulls things off magnificently! Playing an man with everything to prove to the acting world, Keaton exceeds all expectations and firmly captures Riggan's ambition along with his continually beaten down persona. Under the influence of his old Birdman friend, Riggan is a man who seems able to put all things aside and make the show go on as planned. A career best for Keaton and it has to be said, a very smart piece of casting by Iñárritu because few men on the planet would understand this role better than Keaton himself!

Edward Norton also makes for a memorable on screen jerk as Mike, his ego soars higher than Birdman himself could probably fly. Throughout the production he berates and insults the man who gave him the role and continually rants on about stage is the only honest acting art. Norton does well to poke fun at his apparently troublesome antics when making movies and firmly marks the supporting honours as his own. Also look for a surprising straight performance from comedian Zach Galifianakis as Riggan's weary lawyer who forever has his work cut out for him.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has delivered one of 2014's most memorable and engaging piece of cinema and Birdman is a stunning change of direction for this man. If you needed proof of Michael Keaton's talent, then look no further than this film. This has one of my highest recommendations and this kind of cinema deserves to be seen by all!

5 Great Job Quitting Scenes

American Beauty 

As Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) boredly stats to his boss "For 22 years, I have been a whore for the advertising industry." But his exit is a masterclass is skillful blackmail and his ever increasing glee at the fantastic upper hand he holds over his smug boss, makes our hearts sing. This should serve as a prime example for anyone who has dreamed of going out will all guns blazing!

Wanted 

We have all had a boss like super bitch Janice, the kind who exploits the limited power she has over you to a level that borders on bullying! So when Wesley (James McAvoy) finally releases his pent up anger, he unleashes a speech that all of us have rehearsed in our minds over and over again! Also, he teaches us how a keyboard is a useful tool when dealing with any asshole 'best friend'

Fight Club 

 The Narrator (Edward Norton) sits down to what he hopes will be an formal job chat/extortion with his boss- but things don't go to plan he decides to get creative! What follows next is both a shocking yet awe-inspiring as his boss can only watch in horror as Ed beats himself to a pulp! Truly 'Jack's Smirking Revenge!'

Reality Bites

Out of all the job exits, Winona Ryder's one has to be the most original! Routinely belittled and insulted by self serving morning TV host Grant Grubler (John Mahoney), she decides to get revenge on him in the coldest way possible. Presenters take note, never mess with the intern who organizes your cards. You never know what they might decide to write down!

Jerry Maguire 

Sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) has recently had a crisis of conscience and it has resulted in him losing his clients and his job that he once held so dear. But as he departs, he makes sure that goes out in a desperate yet utterly rousing fashion (along with a Goldfish in a bag). He may make us squirm, but when that one person reaches out to him, our hearts soar!