This is the End (2013)
Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen were best friends growing up in Canada, but since Seth became a major star, their friendship has strained. When both of them go to a huge party at James Franco’s house, the apocalypse happens. You wouldn’t think the end of the world would be fertile ground for comedy, but this film proves otherwise.
The all-star cast of young Hollywood stars play fictionalized versions of themselves in a style similar to The Larry Sanders Show.
The male band of survivors pass their days with dick and fart jokes. When Emma Watson joins the group, their sex obsessed humor causes her to think she’s in imminent danger of being sexually assaulted.
Prominently featuring demons, exorcisms, Heaven, and Hell, this raunchy comedy accurately reflects how a significant number of people see religion: the afterlife is a court where justice is meted out and wrongs are righted. It only takes one good deed to earn your spot in heaven, but when Franco tries to take advantage of this, his overwhelming narcissism foils his plan and he’s sent back to earth to die.
When Jay and Seth reconcile, they discover Heaven is a magical place where all your wishes come true.
In addition to being a critique of modern religious attitudes, this movie is a brilliant deconstruction of the cult of celebrity. We think we know James Franco, Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, and Jonah Hill, but what we really know is who they pretend to be. The confusion between persona and person is best expressed by Danny McBride after Emma Watson steals their supplies.
In his mind, she is Hermione Granger. This is how most people treat celebrities, indistinguishable from the characters we love.
If you liked American Pie (1999) or The Hangover (2009) this movie will make you laugh. It’s an insightful film about religion and the culture of fame, although this insight is covered with copious amounts of shit.