Movie Review: SUPER HIGH ME

SUPER HIGH ME

2008
R

Super High Me is a 2008 documentary in the mold of the 2004 documentary Super Size Me, which followed Morgan Spurlock as he spent thirty days eating only McDonalds. In this film, directed by Michael Blieden, we see comedian Doug Benson, an admitted pot smoker, spend thirty days in sobriety - he abstained from both marijuana and alcohol - before spending the following thirty days remaining as high as he could manage. The goal of the film was to see whether marijuana has any real effects on health, memory and cognitive thinking. In addition to Benson's adventures, which are interspersed with bits of his stand-up routine that deal with marijuana, the audience is given facts about the state of marijuana legislation both in California and on a federal level. We also get an inside look at some of the dispensaries around L.A. and Oakland, which are aptly called "Los Ganjales" and "Oaksterdam" throughout the film, respectively.

Let's just be up front: this movie is one of the funniest flicks about weed that you'll probably ever see. If you're a fan of Doug Benson, this is a definite must-see just for his comedy and his approach to this endeavor. That being said, I also feel like the movie was rather informative, giving enough facts here and there to make it more than just about a guy who doesn't get high then decides to get high again.

Now, I've never smoked nor have any real desire to do so, but I have been around marijuana for extended periods of time, so I've seen first-hand its effects on people. I probably know more about weed than I ever really wanted to know, but that's what you really learn in college, right? I've known stoners who were the coolest people around, but I've also known some who were the biggest assholes I've ever met, so I have mixed feelings about the usage of marijuana. I'm not going to get into a political statement here on this blog - I'm apathetic towards politics, in case you're wondering - but I think that Super High Me works both for and against the pro-medicinal marijuana movement. We see people that truly need medicinal marijuana, but I personally know people who abuse the system, so I can't be entirely sold on its effectiveness.

That being said, Super High Me is a fun documentary that's sure to have you rolling with laughter. Get ready for some awesome cameos from some very familiar faces. Be on the lookout for people like Brian Posehn, Jeffrey Ross, Patton Oswalt, Rob Riggle, Sarah Silverman and Zach Galifianakis. Other than that, just sit back and enjoy the THC-laced ride, driven by Doug Benson.

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: B+
2 Thumbs Up
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Movie Review: SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS

SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS

2010
R


You can watch the trailer here

It really is a shame what gets made into movies these days. Sometimes it's as though anybody with an idea can make a film, which in some cases is a very good thing. However, not everyone's ideas are always "very good." For a film to be successful, you need a good screenplay as well as a good cast. Saint John of Las Vegas, which was directed by Hue Rhodes on got half of that equation.

Let's talk storyline. We open on our titular John (Steve Buscemi), an ex-gambler now residing as an insurance claims operator in Alburquerque, New Mexico. He tells us via monologue that he is a very lucky man, except that he only receives "bad luck." He decides to ask his boss for a raise, and in the process gets himself assigned to a fraud case with a very successful insurance fraud agent (Romany Malco). The two set out on a road trip towards Las Vegas in search of the answers that will prove that the insurance claim in their current case is, in fact, fraudulent.

The problem with this movie isn't the acting. Buscemi is his typical self, and his consistent "bugging out" works very well for the character. Malco plays a bit of a badass whose presence commands the screen. Even Sarah Silverman, John's supposed girlfriend Jill, is convincing. However, if anybody's stealing the show, it's Peter Dinklage, who in very little screen-time stamps himself as by far the funniest character. The film may actually be worth the watch just for his two scenes.

Sadly, none of these actors really had much to work with in terms of a script. The writing is off-key, and although there are a few funny scenes, they are just too few and too far between. Aside from the brief synopsis I already gave, nothing else really happens, although it feels as though there are other plots afoot. The ending also left something to be desired; it makes it seem as though John has come full circle and now knows the error of his ways, but personally, I feel as though he came full circle, back to square one. The final scene can be described as anti-climactic, at best.

Although there are a number of good performances that may be worth your time, the movie just feels empty. It starts out with a very good premise but then slowly starts its descent into mediocrity. It's just too bad that they wasted so much talent.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C-
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