Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

tomsawyerau In short, one of the worst movie that I have seen. I couldn't even finished the movie. If you just take it as a simple comedy movie, it has the worst script and really pathetic comedy sketches. But it doesn't look like a simple comedy movie. It is one of those movie that subtly promote the Apartheid state Israel.

The Movie Diorama Really? Why? Why must we have these every year? We've seen one, therefore we've seen them all. This time around we follow three best friends as they party on the night before Christmas. That is it. There is no more context. Sure some weed is stolen, phones are swapped and a karaoke session is performed...but it's just a party. Christmas is a time of reflection. It is a holiday to be spent with loved ones, cherishing all the little idiosyncrasies that friends and family share. But apparently in Hollywood, Christmas is about snorting cocaine, consuming shrooms and fulfilling a joyous night with plenty of regret. However, before you discard me as the local Grinch, I did find this watchable. The narrative does include your typical comedic structure. Main characters have fun, something happens, they fight, they make up. But it's executed in a way where it feels, dare I say, intelligent? No no, I take that back. Let's face it, the cameos and film references is what makes this work. James Franco flirting with Seth Rogen's character is somewhat humorous. Who can top that? Miley Cyrus. You bring in the 'good girl gone bad' popstar to sing "Wrecking Ball". That's how you do it. I actually found her funny. *sigh*...what's wrong with me? The cast was somewhat interesting. Seth Rogen having the most experience steals the limelight, Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were just there as a side show. And why oh why oh why is Michael Shannon in this? Why? He's better than this (although he played his role with conviction). The countless film references were horrendous. Die Hard, Home Alone, Big and even The Great Gatsby. Sure this comedy felt Christmassy, but it's just another generic party-a-thon. I feel like I've questioned myself as a film reviewer, why do I put myself through these when I know I won't like them? I guess it's that small glimmer of hope that it might actually break tradition and be memorable. Nope, this isn't it.

a_chinn Entertaining if forgettable Christmas stoner comedy. Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie go out on Christmas Eve for one last hurrah with their friend Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who they have all gone out together since the death of Gordon-Levitt's family, one last time before they all basically become responsible adults. It's a rather morose set- up for a light and often crass comedy. Judd Apatow was not a part of this film, and "The Night Before" is missing the heart and emotional resonance that Apatow typically brings to comedies he produces (yes, I'll make the case for even the goofy ones like "Anchorman 2" and "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" having heart). I think that's my main complaint about the film. The dramatic elements are rather maudlin and do not come off as all that sincere or genuine. Still, the comedy is pretty darn funny and that's more than enough to carry this film and make it worth watching. It also doesn't hurt that the film features a very funny supporting cast that includes Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Mindy Kaling, Tracy Morgan, James Franco, and even Miley Cyrus. Michael Shannon gets a special shout out for his part as the thoughtful drug dealer Mr. Green. Overall, this film isn't a comedy classic, but it's funny and will hold your interest while you watch it, even if you'll c completely forget about it two hours later.

brando647 Who doesn't love Christmas movies? Me. I don't, with the exception of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S Christmas VACATION and A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR Christmas. Most Christmas movies are nauseatingly saccharine or insultingly inane. Probably because the target audience is generally kids or families. But why should they have the Christmas movie racket cornered? I want more holiday cheer for people like me: cynical, reveling in the absurd, and occasionally inebriated. Enter THE NIGHT BEFORE, from director Jonathan Levine. It's the tale of three friends: Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen), and Chris (Anthony Mackie) and their annual tradition of getting together on Christmas Eve for a night of drunken debauchery and a celebration of their long-lasting friendship. This particular year, though, the tradition has reached a breaking point. Isaac is getting ready to start a family and Chris's football career has launched him to celebrity status. Ethan, whose life has stagnated, is the only one keen on continuing their Christmas Eve antics and a lucky break leads him to "acquire" tickets to an infamous underground Christmas party….the party to end all parties…the Nutcracker Ball. The trio gets together, don their Christmas sweaters, and set out for one last insane night in New York City where everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Meanwhile, the three of them are each confronted by a mystical marijuana dealer and forced to confront their past, present, or future (because Christmas). THE NIGHT BEFORE, while entertaining, doesn't stand out and probably won't be remembered long.Jonathan Levine is the director behind the 2011 comedy/drama 50/50 in which Seth Rogen helps best friend Joseph Gordon-Levitt cope with a cancer diagnosis. It's an occasional tear-jerker with bouts of humor in the same vein as Rogen's other work, though generally not as crude. It was good. Not great, but good. The same can be said for THE NIGHT BEFORE. The most effective element that I remember from 50/50 was the dramatic moments. I can remember some of the more heart-wrenching moments but, looking back, I couldn't tell you one particular moment that had me laughing. THE NIGHT BEFORE is sort of the opposite. It's got those heartfelt moments. The character of Ethan is pretty relatable and his struggles are familiar. His parents died during the holidays (which set off the guys' current tradition when Isaac and Chris came to the rescue as a surrogate), he's single (his last relationship, which he continues to dwell on, fell apart when he couldn't bring himself to meet his girlfriend's parents), and he's aimless. He doesn't have a career his more successful friends; Isaac is a moderately successful lawyer and Chris is a football player with the NFL. When we're introduced to him, he's working a crappy gig as a server dressed as a Christmas elf for a wealthy party. All he has left are his friends and this tradition, and they're ready to move on. In related subplots, his friends are dealing with their own crises. Isaac is panicking at the idea of being a father and Chris is coming to grips with the fact that his sudden success in the NFL is a lie (i.e. steroids). Their stories are told well but nothing is particularly engaging about any of it. I guarantee, a year or so down the line, I won't remember any of these holiday-worthy heartfelt stories. I'll just remember Seth Rogen on a crap-load of drugs.It's just one of a handful of running gags throughout the movie but it's probably the most memorable. Isaac's wife (played by Jillian Bell) is proud of how well he's handled his impending fatherhood and, as a Christmas gift, gives him a small box containing, well, every drug. Weed, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, etc. He's meant to share it with the group but ends up consuming the entire box himself over the course of the night and has an admittedly hilarious drug-fueled spirit quest. My favorite scene in the movie is probably when he's whacked out on mushrooms and accidentally finds himself in church for midnight mass with his sister and her family members. Another highlight is Michael Shannon's role as the trio's drug dealer, Mr. Green. I wasn't expecting Shannon and I love that he's capable of having stupid fun in the occasional comedy (see also: the second ANCHORMAN movie) as much as he is delivering powerhouse performances. Shannon's inclusion and Rogen's drug-frenzy are about the only things that stand out in this otherwise amusing but totally forgettable movie. THE NIGHT BEFORE has all the elements in place for the sort of Christmas comedy I'm looking for but so much of it goes to waste. I can watch it and enjoy it in the moment, but there's nothing special here that'll keep me coming back every holiday season for some yuletide laughs. If you've not seen it and are wondering if it's worth your time, I'd say sure. It's collected a great comedy cast and there are some solid moments in there. Something's bound to get a chuckle from you.