It stars the Jewish au jus of the season, Seth Rogen, who wears a sweater with a very large Jewish star emblazoned on the front. It's a Christmas themed movie, with Christmas themed parties and a plethora of Christmas ornaments, songs and tasteless humor. The film was directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Levine, Evan Goldberg, Ariel Shaffir stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan and Ilana Glazer. At least - if not all - of the writers are Jewish and four of the five lead actors I mentioned are.

Rogen's pregnant wife gives him a small gift box filled with all sorts of hallucinatory drugs on Christmas Eve because he has been such a thoughtful husband. (As an aside, my wife presented me with a book of suggested baby's names.)  She will be with her family on this Holy and festive night at church and Rogen, being Jewish and exempt from worship, will be free to celebrate with his two buddies.

To be fair, Rogen is an exceptionally funny and gifted actor and the evening gives him carte blanch to romp through the evening in a drug-enhanced stupor, which is a major part of the story. To his credit, he elicits many laughs because young movie patrons love to see films with plastered druggies.  Years ago when booze was the choice of total submission it was the late great Jack Norton who made us laugh at adults making fools of their selves. Liquor has given way to drugs. It's not funnier nor safer.......but, I editorialize.

The tasteless jokes became more descriptive and gross and the more descriptive and gross, the audience filled with younger people, laughed uproariously.

They were having great fun. I wasn't. Finally, through an unbelievable turn of events, Rogen finds himself in church sitting next to his wife and her family during Midnight Mass. As the Mass proceeds, Rogen's mind is tripping and he is feeling woozy. He gets up and starts walking up the aisle still wearing his sweater with the large Jewish star, regurgitates.  If that weren't enough, as he departs he yells out, "We didn't kill Jesus!"

I doubt if any of the Jewish names responsible for this depraved story are in close touch with their heritage. If they were, the subject matter would have been much more subtle and compassionate in handling the gross humor and certainly not demeaning as the church scene was. "It's the times," some wags might say. I disagree. It's the lack of our generation in not instilling the Judaic principles of benevolence and respect for others.

Writer/Director Jonathan Levine also gave us the emotionally wonderful and funny, "50/50," also starring Rogan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Those were the days my friends when a Levine film was meaningful, character driven and noteworthy and I foolishly thought it would never end.

Where: B elmont Village

When:   7:30 pm on Friday, 

              December 4, 2015

 

How does that sound? Interested? To make your reservation, call the Temple office at 310-446-1800.

Lenny's
2379 Westwood Blvd.
L.A., CA 9006

Traditional Blessing of the Candles, Challah and Wine followed by Dinner.

No Service or Sermon!

Pertinent Topics concerning our community, Israel and the Kardashians will be discussed by our Rabbi and special guests.

Choice of Starter, Entree and coffee or tea

Members $20 Non Members $24

For more information, please call the Temple office at 310-446-1800.