I do not understand the Seth Rogan industry. What is the appeal of this loosely connected collection of films by Rogan, Judd Apatow, and now Kevin Smith, all of which have plots born from a 7th grade boys locker room and feature as a centerpiece Seth Rogan playing his ugly, disgusting, boring self.

From what I can tell, this industry originated with two films, 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, which were a cut above those that followed because they were  elevated by charismatic, attractive and talented central stars (Steve Carell, Katherine Heigl,) as well as the strong supporting presence of Paul Rudd. The funny parts from those films had NOTHING to do with Rogan. Yet somehow the industry rolls on with Seth Rogan front and center.

First off, suffice it to say there is no Katherine Heigl in this film. Elizabeth Banks is not the kind of actress that’s going to distract you from Seth Rogan, or by her mere presence elevate really idiotic material. So obviously this is problem number one.

And it truly is idiotic!!! Zack and Miri strikes me as DESPERATELY unfunny. Blacks and Arabs mindlessly hurling racial epithets at each other? Granny Panties? Testicle humor? Give me a break, this shit is so old! And poop jokes? Was that ever funny? Is Kevin Smith a retarded 4th grader trapped in a man’s body?  The scene where Banks hits on her old high school crush at the reunion is some of the most painful comic writing I’ve experienced in a long time. The only one in the whole film who seems at all at home uttering this wretched material is (surprise, surprise) Seth Rogan, hero of submoronic tween boys worldwide.

I cut this abomination off just after they (finally) decided to make the porno film. I am confident from what I did see of the film that I missed nothing by doing so. Do yourselves a favor and cut it off before you even rent it.