This is Just the Beginning!

Rating: 9/10 (24 June 2015)

This is the End (2013): Dir: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen / Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride: The strangest apocalyptic comedy one could ask for. Featuring a cast of actors playing themselves as the Rapture has happened and a massive earthquake hits. Seth Rogen picks up Jay Baruchel at the airport but instead of an anticipated weekend of pot smoking it becomes a visit to James Franco's massive place where a huge celebrity party is taking place. When the earthquake hits nobody believes Baruchel when he claims that people were raptured up. A number of celebrities fall into a massive hole that becomes the pit of hell while a few selected celebrities take refuge in Franco's mansion. From there they struggle to survive as well as tolerate each other as demonic forces ravage the outside. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg do an outstanding job directing as well as roping numerous celebrities into making fun of themselves. To pass time they decide to video a sequel to The Pineapple Express as well as deal with a demonic possessed Jonah Hill in hilarious references to The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby. Danny McBride is a hilarious steal as the one guy who messes everything up to the point where they stage an intervention to vote him out. Clever writing make up for the fact that the humour is crass and the religious elements are sure to put off certain viewers. Still, the demonic creatures are a sell. The film makes fun of celebrities or self imposing lifestyles while its references to revelations carry some provocative thoughts that can open discussion with regards to the ultimate end. Score: 9 / 10