Zack and Miri Make a Porno

[Agent Richard07]

I just saw this movie and I'll be throwing in some mild spoilers, so if you want to stop reading, do so now.

I loved it. This is Kevin Smith's latest movie and it's about two friends and roommates in their late 20s named Zack and Miri. They live in an apartment in a small wintery town outside of Pittsburg and they've reached a point where they can't pay the bills. Then one day, a series of events leads Zack to get the idea that the two of them should make a porno and sell it to solve their financial problems. From here, the movie follows the two of them as they enlist a friend and cast a colorful group of people to make their film. Zack and Miri is laugh-out-loud funny and is filled to the brim with raunchy humor. At least it starts off that way. The movie takes a rather interesting twist when it comes time for Zack and Miri themselves, who have been life-long platonic friends, to actually do the deed in front of the camera. At this point, something happens that gives the movie a very serious and emotionally powerful tone. It feels awkward at first, but once what's happening sets in, you realize that a raunchy comedy has actually become a pretty good love story, and it's real too. More real than most romantic comedies anyway. Kevin Smith and his cast did well. The movie does continue to be fun with a touch of raunch and humor, but it's balanced with that serious tone. There's also a happy ending, but be sure to stay through the credits where you'll get the real ending.

This movie had a great cast. Seth Rogen (Zack) played his usual part, but it hasn't gotten old. Elizabeth Banks (Miri) was great too. She played a Plain Jane who was anything but. Jason Mewes is also there. He's gotten older but hasn't matured one bit. The guy just doesn't hold back.

In closing, this is a movie worth checking out.

 

[Vasquez Rocks]

I totally agree with you. I just got back for from seeing it and loved it. Definitely one of Kevin Smith's best.

 

[Goliath]

I saw it yesterday. I really enjoyed it. One of Smith's best movies to date. Certainly it featured his most outrageous sight gag to date. You know the one I mean.

The "small and wintry town outside of Pittsburgh" was actually Monroeville, where the original Dawn of the Dead was filmed. That's why:

Spoiler: the Dawn of the Dead connection

--the hockey team was named the Monroeville Zombies;
--and Mr. Jenkins was played by makeup artist Tom Savini, who both created the makeup effects for DotD, and played one of the bikers who invades the mall.

They even included scenes from the same mall.

I have just one small complaint. While I thought Elizabeth Banks' performance was fine, I had trouble believing that she was a "plain Jane." Even when she was schlepping around in a hockey jersey and big furry slippers, she looked like... well, a movie star.

 

[TGTheodore]

I'd recommend seeing this one ONLY with a packed house. While there are some hysterical moments in it, the medium laughs die when there are only 15 people in a 1200 seat theater.

Also, I was disappointed in the conventional development near the end. Seemed like the movie ran out of steam and Smith went for the easy way out. Too bad.

But again, with a packed house, I know it will be a lot more enjoyable.

--Ted

 

[Super Grover]

I plan on checking it out sometime.

 

[nx1701g]

It came in second this weekend at the Box Office behind High School Musical. The analysts think that the name held it back.

 

[doubleohfive]

Haven't seen this, but Ricky Maybe is the boyfriend of a co-worker, so I've been eagerly anticipating seeing this.

 

[Trekker4747]

It came in second this weekend at the Box Office behind High School Musical. The analysts think that the name held it back.

It's likely, but at the same time Seth Rogan and Kevin Smith are big names with huge followings. But not huge enough, I guess, to overcome drooling America and their children's fascination with musicals and young people.

 

[Ethros]

I just went to see it today myself.

I thought the first two thirds were brilliant, some really funny stuff. Great cast, good lines, I thought Mewes was hilarious all the way through.
It was just last part kinda ruined it for me, it seemed way too predicatable and turned into a boring rom-com "ooh we have to have sex for real, can we do it? oooh I think I love you, I love you too, ooh but I slept with someone else..." etc bollocks

Just got a bit annoying really. The ending was pretty crap too, what even happened to the movie? Did they ever release it then or what?


I liked how the idea of shooting a low budget film where you work during the night when it's closed was a nice nod to the making of Clerks. But overall I'd say I enjoyed all of the View Askew movies more than this one


EDIT:

There's also a happy ending, but be sure to stay through the credits where you'll get the real ending.

Oh shit, so what did I miss?

 

[Barbados Slim]

Very sweet movie. My favorite was Justin Long and Brandon Routh as a couple. Justin Long's deep voice was hilarious. And his porn title "Shut Your Mouth Or I'll Fuck It" had me dying.

 

[FordSVT]

It came in second this weekend at the Box Office behind High School Musical. The analysts think that the name held it back.

It's likely, but at the same time Seth Rogan and Kevin Smith are big names with huge followings. But not huge enough, I guess, to overcome drooling America and their children's fascination with musicals and young people.

I highly doubt the 8-16 year olds and their mothers who went to see HSM were lost Zack and Miri customers.

The movie was made on a budget that will virtually guarantee it's profitability. It's not a 150 million dollar movie, opening at #2 against an over-hyped, teenaged juggernaut like HSM is fine and no doubt expected by its producers.

 

[Agent Richard07]

The "small and wintry town outside of Pittsburgh" was actually Monroeville, where the original Dawn of the Dead was filmed. That's why:

Spoiler: the Dawn of the Dead connection

--the hockey team was named the Monroeville Zombies;
--and Mr. Jenkins was played by makeup artist Tom Savini, who both created the makeup effects for DotD, and played one of the bikers who invades the mall.

They even included scenes from the same mall.

I've never seen Dawn of the Dead. If I do, I can keep that in mind.

EDIT:

There's also a happy ending, but be sure to stay through the credits where you'll get the real ending.

Oh shit, so what did I miss?

Spoiler: The Real Ending

About halfway through the closing credits, they showed us a promotional video of Zack and Miri's production company. That clip revealed what became of everyone. Zack and Miri run a company that makes professionally made home videos. When they presented themselves as business partners, the names on the screen showed that they had the same last name meaning they were married. The rest of the gang was also in the video, showing that they continue to work together. Their porno was also available and being promoted along with Star Whores and its sequels. There was something with the gay couple as well. They were doing an interview and talked about Zack.

Then at the very end of the credits, we hear a line from Jason Mewes, but I don't remember what he said.

 

[FordSVT]

^Snooch?

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I thought it was good, not as good as Tropic Thunder, but probably one of my favourite comedies this year. It was a shame it turned in to a typical romcom at the end, but it was still good.

 

[firehawk12]

Did they release that audio commentary yet?
SModcast hasn't updated in weeks.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

meh, i thought this movie was particularly bland and predictable. Some parts were funny....but the rest was just kind of stupid....i also kept forgetting this was a kevin smith movie, every time i see Seth Rogan's "jew-fro" i think its automatically a Judd Apatow flick.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

I thought it was hilarious. I was giggling about the "Dutch Rudder" for days.

But at times it seemed to feel more like a Judd Apatow movie than a Kevin Smith film. And it took place in Pittsburgh? What, Kev, Jersey's no good any more?

 

[firehawk12]

Finally just caught it and I'm just reminded of how much like Chasing Amy this film is... again, it's about how people can't get over the whole sex/love dichotomy - only this time there's an extremely gushy happy ending instead of the total breakup.

I almost wish that Miri would have slept with Lester - at least it would have made Zack's confession or whatever that much more meaningful.

I dunno, I mean, I thought the film was alright but between this and Clerks 2, it just feels like he's regressed in terms of pushing the theme of contemporary sexual politics.

 

[JacksonArcher]

I dunno, I mean, I thought the film was alright but between this and Clerks 2, it just feels like he's regressed in terms of pushing the theme of contemporary sexual politics.

I agree. I mean, I really enjoyed Clerks II, but I couldn't get into this film. It definitely feels like Smith is regressing and going for the same 'ole thing again and again.

 

[firehawk12]

It's funny, I would have rather watched him do something based on any one of his podcasts.
His version of the Helen Keller story, for instance.

I just feel like he's tapped out though... I'm sure people think that Jersey Girl is his "worst" film, but at this point I think that it might be his strongest film since Dogma.