The Best and Worst of Seth Rogen

The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I take a look at the filmography of "The Night Before" star Seth Rogen.

Film starring Seth Rogen that I've seen:
Donnie Darko
The 40-Year Old Virgin
You, Me and Dupree 
Knocked Up
Superbad
Kung Fu Panda
Pineapple Express
Zach and Miri Make a Porno
Monsters Vs. Aliens
Observe and Report
Funny People
The Green Hornet
Paul
Kung Fu Panda 2
50/50
The Guilt Trip
This is the End
Neighbors
The Interview
Steve Jobs

Best Performance: This is the End (2013)
Seth Rogen is often accused of playing characters that are too autobiographical, so it's only fitting that his finest work as an actor to-date comes in a film where he actually plays himself. Rogen draws big laughs throughout as he brilliantly skewers his loveable stoner persona and manages to be one of the standout performers in a cast full of comedic heavyweights.

Worst Performance: The Guilt Trip (2012)
Rogen's performance in The Guilt Trip is a textbook example of an actor unsuccessfully leaving their comfort zone. The overly sentimental material paired with the straight-laced nature of the character he's playing results in an uncharacteristically awkward performance from Rogen.  

Best Film: Superbad (2007)
Every decade has a high school comedy that defines it. The 80's had Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The 90's had Dazed and Confused. For the 2000's, this title goes to Superbad. The film only improves upon repeat viewings and the ensemble cast featuring Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Rogen, Bill Hader, Emma Stone and Christopher Mintz-Plasse couldn't be more perfect. As far as I'm concerned, Superbad is the most relatable, hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt high school comedy ever made.

Worst Film: Observe and Report (2009)
Writer/director Jody Hill is responsible for one of the funniest shows to hit the airwaves in the past decade (Eastbound and Down), but his track record on the big screen is nowhere near as impressive. His second film, Observe and Report, covers similarly dark territory as Eastbound and Down with not even a quarter of the laughs. Just about everyone in the movie (namely Rogen and Anna Faris) are woefully miscast in their roles and the film is more often just plain morbid than morbidly funny.

Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Creed" star Sylvester Stallone.