Review: THE MUPPETS

Sometimes, movies are just done right. Everything about this movie is done right. The casting is right. The music is right. The story is right, and the heart is right. The Muppets is just right.

Review: DESPICABLE ME

Universal's Despicable Me is exactly what I expected out of a non-PIXAR animated summer release, though perhaps a bit funnier than it should be.

Despicable Me's hero is Gru, a villain. He doesn't want world domination or to kill thousands of innocent people however. All he wants really, is some respect. Gru is easy to empathize with, and Steve Carell really brings him to life, perhaps more than anyone else could. I usually don't care for big celebrities in voice acting roles but Carell does a very good job with Gru, giving him a humorous eastern European accent that works.

Gulliver's Travels Trailer Arrives

Whoa.


This looks like two different movies.

Despicable Me

Well... if this trailer told you anything. I missed it.

Review: I LOVE YOU, MAN

There is a very simple reason that I loved this movie as much as I did.

It made me smile.

I Love You, Man

Hey guys, no YouTube Pick of the Week today, but here's something better.

The first Trailer for I Love You, Man has appeared online, and it looks absolutely fantastic. Check it out.



I Love You, Man will be walking down the aisle March 20.

The Best Man For the Job

Yes, Paul Rudd was fantastic in Role Models but his days as a leading man have just begun.

Soon he and Jason Segel will star in I Love You, Man, a film that Rudd refers to as a "bromantic comedy". The film will be written and directed by John Hamburg (Along Came Polly, Meet the Parents), and produced by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Road Trip). Since Hamburg wrote a couple of episodes of the cancelled TV show, Undeclared, it's nice to see him and Jason Segel collaborating again.

Paul Rudd plays a guy who is getting married and realizes one crucial thing: he has no friends. Because he has mostly been a friend to girls in his life, this creates a challenge when trying to find a "best man". The film centers on him searching for a best man, and ultimately meeting Sidney (Jason Segel), who becomes not only his best man, but his best friend.

The film also stars Jon Favreau, Jamie Pressly, Carla Gallo, Rashida Jones, Jo Lo Truglio, Thomas Lennon, and Andy Samberg.

Basically, this movie is gonna rock. When a trailer hits the internet, I'll post it.

I Love You, Man hits theaters January 16th.

What isn't Judd Apatow doing these days?

Judd Apatow. I've heard of him (obviously), you've heard of him (likely) and even the little baby what will be born in 10 seconds will hear of him soon enough. Since 2007, Apatow has become the biggest comedy producer in all of Hollywood. I know there has been a lot of talk about him lately (there always is), even on this blog. So I figured I would do a big ole' update about all his upcoming projects right now, knowing that I'll probably have to do another in three weeks.

To Sum Up: In the film industry, Judd headed the producing (and sometimes directing and writing) of Crossing the Bridge, Heavyweights, Celtic Pride, The Cable Guy, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, Kicking & Screaming, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Fun with Dick and Jane, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The TV Set, Knocked Up, Superbad, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Drillbit Taylor, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Step Brothers, and Pineapple Express.

So, now what is Judd doing?


Get Him to the Greek

I already talked about this one in the past so this post will be short. Pretty much, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand's character from Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is back on drugs and he is also still a rock star. He needs to get from London to the Greek theater in Los Angeles, and is relying on a 'fresh out of college' insurance adjuster (Jonah Hill) to get him there. Since Hill was also in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it seems weird that he is not going to be playing the same character this time around. Or is he... nobody really knows yet...

Funny People

Also previously written posted about, the next feature to be DIRECTED by Judd (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up) is called Funny People. Not surprisingly it is about stand up comedy. The film will star Adam Sandler (as a comedian with a near death experience), Seth Rogen, Aubrey Plaza (30 Rock), Jonah Hill. For this film, Apatow hosted two shows at the UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) in Hollywood, featuring all the principal actors as well as special appearances from Andy Dick, Kevin James, Mike O'Connell and Ken Jeong (Million Dollar Strong), and some others. Sandler performed in character for about 20 minutes, and all the others proved they can be just as hilarious in real life as they are on the screen.

Anti High School Musical

Over the summer Apatow hosted a show at the Montreal 'Just For Laughs' festival. His lineup featured Craig Robinson, Million Dollar Strong, Rogen, Hill, and many more- including Judd onstage performing a version of 'Painted Pony', with music from Craig Robinson's jazz band. However, Judd was not the last one on the menu that night, in fact, 18 year old Bo Burnham came on stage after (which if you know the world of comedy is a big deal). Burnham is a pun master, and has many hilarious comedy songs. Apparently, Judd loved the songs and Burnham so much that he enlisted him to write a musical, an 'Anti-High School Musical' so to speak, because it will probably be quite filthy. Burnham may star in the film as well. Sounds like a musical Superbad... but taking place over a whole year as opposed to one night.

Sherlock Holmes

Teaming up with Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat) as the illustrious detective and Will Ferrell as Dr. Watson, Apatow is bringing what might be the first vulgar comedy about Sherlock Holms. Not much else on that at the moment besides the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is also starring as Sherlock in another adaptation, which will probably ring more 'true' to the original... hopefully they aren't released at the same time. I could see a lot of people being angry that they walked into the wrong theater.

5 Year Engagement

After "Greek" Nick Stoller and Jason Segel are reuniting to write and create a romantic comedy about a couple who has been engaged for five years and I suppose something happens to upset the groove they have fallen into. Sounds like fun, but also sounds like a prequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Maybe Aldous Snow will be in this one too... that would be fun. I don't see Russell Brand really playing any other characters in Apatow-land.

Year One

Harold Ramis is making this one (You'll remember him from the 1980's). Starring Michael Cera (Superbad) and Jack Black as people in the first year ever (of all time). It should be fun watching Cera and Black interacting in slapstick ways with the formation of the biblical events we know so well. I say expect a delightful 1980's style comedy... they say expect a Monty Pyton comedy. I didn't know other people could make Monty Python movies... then again, those were made in the 1980's as well, so maybe we're both right.

Pineapple Express / Superbad Crossover

This might be a rumor. I have no idea. It could work I suppose as both films take place in Clark County... only problem is Seth Rogen has roles in both, so unless they nix the cops (which were integral to Superbad) it would be quite a weird film. Then again... digital double effects have been used in more weird ways...

Film Review: FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is written by and stars Freaks and Geeks Alumni, Jason Segel. It is produced by Judd Apatow, and Directed by Nick Stoller. Basically the story of the film is that Peter Brenner (Segel) and Tv Superstar Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) are in a romantic relationship. After a week away, Sarah returns home to a naked, love sick, Peter, where she promptly breaks up with him. It turns out there is another man in her life and Pete is not the one for her any more.