Following the popularity of Hulu’s new Pam and Tommy series starring Seth Rogen, we thought we’d take a look back at some of our favorite films from the curly-haired Canadian. Whether he’s attempting to survive the apocalypse with his pals, or going toe-to-toe with the Supreme Leader of North Korea, it’s safe to say that Seth has taken us on some seriously memorable adventures over the years. Characterized by his lovable goofiness, iconic chuckle, propensity for puffing the devil’s lettuce and having produced countless cult classic, there are few celebrities who you’d rather go for a beer with than Seth Rogen – and let’s be real, the man has aged like a fine wine.
In this feature, Bonus Giant casino expert and resident cinephile Danny B lists his all time favorite Seth Rogen movies.
Paul
Although Paul has received mixed reactions – mostly when compared to the previous work of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost – the pairing of UK comedy legends Simon Pegg and Nick Frost with fellow appreciator of nerd-y culture, Seth Rogen, is a match made in heaven for fans of geeky sci-fi culture. The film follows Pegg and Frost who play the role of sci-fi fans touring some of the States’ top UFO hotspots, only to unwittingly stumble upon a real-life extra-terrestrial voiced by Seth Rogen. The film parodies typical sci-fi tropes by subverting the traditional expectations of aliens through the characterisation of Paul with his love for all things profane and his misuse of his superhuman powers, along with Men In Black-esque antagonists and an ET-inspired ending.
While Rogen doesn’t physically appear in the film, he provides the voice acting for the eponymous, potty-mouthed extra-terrestrial. While the humor can veer towards the lowest common denominator with an over-reliance on pop-cultural references, it succeeds in breaking the mold of science fiction films – even if it does simultaneously over-indulge in sci-fi references – by subverting the relationship between the humans and aliens. The relative innocence of the human characters in comparison to Paul is the source of countless laughs throughout and offers a refreshing take on the sci-fi genre.
The Interview
By far one of Rogen’s most political films, The Interview sees hapless talk show host, Dave Skylark, and his producer, Aaron Rapaport, travelling to North Korea to interview Kim Jong-un, although things quickly unravel when the CIA attempt to use the pair to stage an assassination attempt on the leader leading to countless dark and increasingly violent misadventures along the way.
While the film isn’t one of Rogen’s most commercially successful films – which was arguably not helped by the various controversies surrounding its release – it succeeded in stepping away from his usual realm of stoner comedy and managed to offer some thought-provoking social commentary while still delivering the signature humor you expect from one of his movies. Despite the light-hearted, and often low-brow, humor, the film touches upon various poignant topics ranging from the journalistic obligation to hold power to account, to the CIA’s tendency to (often unsuccessfully) meddle in foreign politics.
Of course, many critics have questioned the efficacy of the film’s attempts at social commentary, but at the end of the day the film is a comedy first and foremost, and the addition of surface-level social satire can hardly be to its detriment. The Interview delivers consistent laughs throughout thanks to the over-the-top, slapstick humor that you hope for from Rogen, that’s further aided by the film’s big budget which provides us with ludicrous scenes like the epic battle at the film’s destination involving tanks, nukes, helicopters, and ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry.
This Is The End
Another of Rogen’s films that reaps massive benefits from a big budget and special effects, This Is The End is arguably the most raucous film on this list, despite the tough competition. The film follows Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, and Jonah Hill – all playing hyperbolic caricatures of themselves – as they attempt to survive the onset of the apocalypse and gain access to heaven after a party at James Franco’s mansion is cut short by the end of the world.
While they’re clearly exaggerated, the characters have an air of believability to them, like Danny McBride being a crude, selfish a*****e; Jonah Hill being contrived and two-faced; and even Michael Cera being a coked-up sexual deviant – all of which contribute to the film’s raucous sense of humour and some genuinely outrageous moments.
From Danny McBride and James Franco having a heated discussion about where they’re permitted to ‘drop loads’, to the visceral image of Satan’s molten, swinging member, the film is packed with moments that will have you laughing out loud, so long as you have a suitably immature sense of humor.
Pineapple Express
Dale Denton (Seth Rogen, right) and Saul Silver (James Franco, left) are two lazy stoners running for their lives in Columbia Pictures’ action-comedy Pineapple Express. The film is directed by David Gordon Green. The screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg from a story by Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg. Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson produce.
Pineapple Express follows process server, Dale, and his weed dealer, Saul – played by Seth Rogen and James Franco – as they attempt to flee from gangsters, hitmen, and a corrupt police officer after Dale accidentally witnesses a murder while serving a legal notice. Naturally, hijinks ensue as the pair find themselves increasingly in over their heads, getting involved in large-scale shootouts and high-speed police chases, all the while trying to navigate their own personal relationships.
The film is textbook Seth Rogen, seamlessly blending the genres of action, buddy films, and stoner comedy for the perfect blend of humor, gratuitous violence, and heartfelt bro-mantic moments between Rogen and Franco. Pineapple Express without a doubt ranks among the best stoner comedies of all time, helped greatly by the impeccable soundtrack (Eddy Grant’s ‘Electric Avenue’ in particular), and it quickly garnered a cult following as well as massively boosting demand for the strain of weed the film borrows its name from.
Superbad
A side-splitting coming-of-age buddy film, Superbad follows a young Michael Cera and Jonah Hill, as Evan and Seth, alongside Christoper Mintz-Plasse, as Fogell (or “McLovin”), as the group attempt to navigate the pubescent minefield of trying to hook up with girls, attend parties, and score some booze despite being underage, in roles that would ultimately come to define their careers for several years.
While Seth Rogen only performs a supporting role in Superbad, he also helped write the film alongside his partner in crime, Evan Goldberg, who the two main characters are loosely based around. Despite not being a leading character, Rogen still shines alongside Bill Hader as a pair of inept but loveable police officers who bond with McLovin, acting as crucial plot devices for some of the film’s funniest scenes and helping to intricately weave together the separated characters plotlines in ways that are almost reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s Snatch – particularly the car crash scene.
