Review: BRIDESMAIDS

            There is a lot I could talk about Bridesmaids. When the trailer first surfaced, I posted my concern that the film looked like a rehash of most of the Apatow-gang “dude flicks” but centered around a female lead instead. My main concern was not about the film simply being a rehash but that judging from the trailer, the Apotow-gang, who for the most part is made up of dudes, did not get women at all. I might have judged a little too early. But, although I am still not entirely convinced they do, Bridesmaids remains a very funny movie.

BRIDESMAIDS Trailer Arrives

The trailer for the newest Apatow Productions film has surfaced. Bridesmaids is the productions first female centric comedy.
Judging from the trailer I am unsure if they understand the opposite gender. What do you think?

Early Review: GET HIM TO THE GREEK

It wasn't exactly yesterday that Apatow Productions released a winning comedy, and Get Him to the Greek is surely worth the wait. The movie is everything you could possibly want out of a buddy comedy between an anxious young fan and an out of control rocker. If you haven't seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall, fear not because this is not a sequel, but an all new movie featuring Sarah Marshall's Aldous Snow.

Incredibly Vague Early Review: FUNNY PEOPLE

I just got back from the first official screening of Funny People. I was all set to give you an early review, but unfortunately, Universal made me sign, literally, three different documents saying I wouldn't say anything about it.

Pineapple Express at the 81st Oscars

Hey Everyone,

Here is the comedy clip of Pineapple Express that Judd Apatow filmed specifically for the Oscars. Enjoy.

First Funny People Teaser Appears Online

Hey internet.

This will be short and sweet. Here's the first teaser for Judd Apatow's third film, Funny People.

What do you think?

Year One Hits the Internet

Some of you may have seen the quick TV spot that aired during the Superbowl yesterday for the Harold Ramis/Judd Apatow film Year One. I blogged about it months ago, and now you can finally see some footage.

Here is a short scene from Year One.



Here's the TV Spot.

I can't wait.

Spotlight: Aziz Ansari

Some of you may have heard his sly, likable voice stringing you along a joke as though he were Mitch Hedberg. Others may have seen him on Human Giant. Others may have seen him pop up in countless internet shorts.

Well Mr. Aziz Ansari is now popping up onto the silver screen. Soon to be released are I Love You, Man, Observe and Report, and Funny People, three movies where he will be linked to funny men we know well. Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Judd Apatow have found a way to include Aziz in their cinematic antics, and it probably won't be too long until he has his own starring role.

For those of you who have not had a chance to listen to any of his stand-up comedy, do yourself a favor and go for it. He's a very talented comedian, and I can't wait to see what the future holds in store for him.

What We Like: Ezra's Favorites

Do you know what time it is? It's time to find out what sorts of movies I like!

You Don't Know Jack

If you're like me, when you started watching 30 Rock, you wondered where you had seen that blonde guy before. His voice is unmistakable, and his smile impeccable.

Then it hits you. Oh! He was in Talladega Knights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby! For me, he was the one that stole the show.

And if you are even more like me, you realize something else. Wait! He was in two episodes of the greatest television show ever to air, Arrested Development!

Jack McBrayer has the face of a warrior, the voice of a champion, and the timing of a mongoose. And pretty soon, Kenneth on 30 Rock had found his way into our hearts.

Then, without warning, he struck again, and found his way into Judd Apatow's group (always a good place to be). He had a big memorable laugh in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

And before we knew it, he had almost stolen Forgetting Sarah Marshall, playing a nervous, newlywed Christian.

As of now, he is signed on to be in Cats and Dogs 2. But I think it's safe to say that soon Jack will be back, and better than ever.

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...

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Hey look it's the Ghostbusters! Thank goodness you guy are here! Wait a sec.... are you Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd? You're not the Ghostbusters I remember...

That's because, soon you will begin to hear a lot about the new Ghostbusters, for the upcoming film "Ghostbusters 3" In case you have no idea what I am talking about, Ghostbusters was an 80's film franchise that starred Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis in 2 films that were pretty much about them building intense machinery and using it to catch ghosts in traps.

This is them.



Okay, now that we are all caught up to date with 80's comedy franchises lets bring this full circle. Harold Ramis wrote and starred in "Ghost Busters" and "Ghostbusters II" (yeah the first movie is two words, the second movie is one word), then many years later he played Seth Rogen's dad in "Knocked Up", which was directed by Judd Apatow.

Judd Apatow is producing Ghostbusters 3.



I think that it will be a very interesting blend as long as Ramis' writes this new installment so we keep the original style of the films. I feel that Apatow is a brilliant choice of producer, because he and his gang of actor-friends essentially is a reincarnation of the 1980's comedy troupes, and even while Apatow has filthy humor, the films essentially progress in similar ways with just as much heart which is why we loved 80's comedies so much.

It is speculated that this film will have the old Ghostbusters come out of retirement in response to a new threat, but when they are too old to handle the occurrence, they bring in some newbies to train. Presumably, those newbies will be: Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson, and either Bill Hader or James Franco. Then we will see the fun and games of old Ghostbusters teaching new Ghostbusters who also have their own life problems to deal with but pulling through at the end to stop the threat. And who knows... maybe with the good visual effects that exist these days, we'll get to see what happens when you 'cross the streams'.

More on this when it develops...

I'd get a major kick out of it if Jack Black would make an appearance singing the song below:



Maybe the movie's plot will be about trying to find Rick Moranis... because nobody knows where he has been for the last 7 years... Now that would be a cool cameo.

If you want to see more Ghostbusters sooner, check out the upcoming video game which was written by and stars all the original Ghostbusters!


To give credit where credit is due, the art was done by
jhroberts
and
dr-gore
on DeviantArt.com Check out their stuff!

Apatow Goes Prehistoric, With a Hint of Caddyshack

By Guest Contributor
Wilder Shaw


It seems that the old 80's comedic forces of Harold Ramis are back, and this time under Judd Aptatow's wing.

Year One is the result.

Harold Ramis is writing and directing this new primordial romp, and he and Apatow are sticking in a great looking cast. Starring in the two main roles are Jack Black and Michael Cera as Zed and Oh, respectively. They play two cavemen who go looking for the meaning of life.

Cera and Black have said that the movie is basically a Monty Python style comedy instead of a 'Knocked Up' style comedy, and set in biblical times.

Other Apatow favorites such as Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Paul Rudd, and Bill Hader have been cast, as well as many other great names in comedy like Hank Azaria, David Cross, Vinnie Jones, and Oliver Platt.

Year One hits theaters Summer '09, and I will definitely be there.


Wilder Shaw is a writer, actor, and comedian who enjoys long Italian food on the beach.

Apatow, Stoller, Hill, & Brand re-team for "Get Him To The Greek"

For those who the loved character of Aldous Snow in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall's ' from earlier this year, get ready to see him again. The entire team from 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (minus Jason Segel) are teaming up again for what is surely to be a hit known as "Get Him To The Greek."

According to Writer/Director Nick Stoller:

During the table read on 'Sarah Marshall,' Jonah and Russell had such a great chemistry," said Stoller, who described "Greek" as a very dirty take on "Almost Famous." "Even though they are such different actors with different styles, I thought there could be a great buddy comedy there."

The film follows Russell Brand as Aldous Snow, who is a rocker in England, and Jonah Hill, a fresh out of college Insurance Adjuster, who has the responsibility of getting Aldous to his next gig at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. Here's the catch. The once clean Aldous, is back on drugs and booze, at a lower point than ever before.

It seems that it is indeed going to be another hit. Meanwhile, Nick Stoller is writing the upcoming Jim Carrey movie, "Yes Man." Due in theaters this holiday season.

Ps. While it is known that Russell Brand is still playing the character of Aldous, it is unknown if Hill is reprising the character of 'Matthew' from 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'. Time will tell I suppose.

Upcoming: Anchorman Sequel is Moon Bound

In an interview with MTV's Movie Blog Paul Rudd mentioned that an Anchorman sequel is very possible after Adam McKay finishes his next project, Channel 3 Billion which is slated for a summer 2010 release date. He told MTV...

"Last I heard they were starting to write it and they were thinking about setting it in the eighties, [But] I know when we were shooting it [director] Adam [McKay] said if they ever did something it would have to be really weird like we were on the moon or something. I think it has to go even further if it was to work.”

at the Movie Watch, we'd advise taking this tidbit with a grain of salt. McKay's Channel 3 Billion will have a futuristic sci-fi dystopian television theme to it and to go immediately to an Anchorman sequel on the moon would seem a little too soon for the director. It could wind up being a minor quirk in the movie much like how in the original script there was planned to be a scene where Ron Burgundy would be singing with sharks in an Aquarium. With the release date so far off, anything can really happen.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS NOW IN THEATERS

THIS REVIEW IS A RE-POST. IT WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED IN THE MAY SECTION OF THIS BLOG.

Lets get to it. Pineapple Express. The most highly anticipated film of the summer for people who like Judd Apatow, Weed, Seth Rogen, Actions, and Comedy. Trust me, Pineapple Express fulfills all those desires. Reuniting for the first time since the short lived television series "Freaks and Geeks" (1999), Seth Rogen and James Franco pair up for the first time on the big screen, and Franco reminds the world that he can be funny as hell if people let him be.

(Spoilers May Occur, but not Major ones)
The film starts off in a World War II era where a unit of the military is deciding if Marijuana should be legal or not, and after an interview with Private Miller (Bill Hader) it is decided that the drug will be permanently illegal. Flash forward to the future, where Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) a process server with an 18 year old high school girlfriend (Amber Heard) drives over to his drug dealers house to get a new batch of weed. The drug dealer is none other than Saul Silver (James Franco), who sells Dale some rare weed, Pineapple Express, because he desperately wants to be friends with him. The weed is so rare in fact that Saul is the only one who has it.

Long story short, Dale witnesses a murder, drops his joint on the scene, and since the weed is so rare, the biggest drug dealer around (Gary Cole) sends his two hit-men (Craig Robinson & Peter Lewis) after him, believing he is working with the other drug lords known simply as 'The Asians.'

Hilarity and non-stop action ensues.

(Spoilers End Here)

The film is successful in every aspect it sets out on, though the relationship between (Gary Cole) and crooked cop (Rosie Perez) is very weak and remains questionable and undeveloped. Seth Rogen plays the same character as always, a delightful stoner, who pulls through in the end, but is is fun as ever to watch him and his improvisational talents. James Franco delivers an excellent performance, full of comedy and wit, and you feel each emotion he throws at you. Of the two leads, Saul Silver is the easiest to identify with.

Danny McBride, new Apatow regular since Drillbit Taylor, plays Red, another drug dealer, who is very much like Fogell from Superbad. He steals the show every scene he is in, but the character has way to much spirit for the way he is treated. However, this always creates a laugh, because he reminds me of the role of Mustafa from Austin Powers (The role that started Will Ferrell's career), in that whatever happens to him he is always alright.

Its nice to see Craig Robinson in a larger role than he has on NBC's "The Office" and that he had in "Knocked Up." The role he creates is hilarious and it can be seen that he created much more for his character than was written in the script.

Essentially this is the exact same script as 2007's "Superbad," also written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, but if you replace the alcohol with weed, Cops for Drug Lords, then you have the same movie down to the last shot in the action. But Pineapple Express has more layers of jokes, which will probably lead to a more re-watch-able DVD.

Joe Lo Truglio (The Creepy Guy at the Party in Superbad) has a delightful cameo as Angie's Teacher in the high school, while Ken Jeong (The Gynecologist in Knocked Up) plays the head assassin for the Asians, which was another nice surprise.

The budget is the highest of Apatow's, probably even higher than "Walk Hard" , and it shows. Each action scene gets better and builds on the last, and when it comes to directorial style, no one makes this film better than David Gordon Green, with very creative cuts and edits, often showing two scenes on screen at the same time.

Upcoming Movie: Judd Apatow's "Funny People"

Judd Apatow is back in the directorial chair with his upcoming, self written, comedy "Funny People". The film chronicles the lives of a few stand up comedians trying to make it big, and one comedian who has a near death experience somewhere along the way. They say it will have more drama than other Apatow creations, so that should be thoroughly interesting.

Most of the cast has been announced so far. It stars Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler, but also will feature Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, and.... Eric Bana (who used to do stand-up himself).

We can probably expect appearances from all the other Apatow regulars, it will be interesting, but it seems to be genuine Apatow, which will be nice to see, since everyone loved "40 Year Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up". Lets see where it goes. More on this film soon.

Comic-Con 2008

I AM BACK FROM COMIC-CON. PREPARE TO BE INFORMED.

Review: STEP BROTHERS

Lets begin with these delightful posters. They are all over the malls and such, and when they come on, you think that it is a picture, until they begin to move at least. I think this is a very creative form of advertising, and could be used to even more potential in the future. Whoever thought of those posters is genius.

Now... on to the movie.

(Spoilers May Occur in This Paragraph)
Step Brothers is a hilarious comedy about a two 40 year old live at home losers, Dale (John C. Riley [ Chicago, Walk hard: The Dewey Cox Story]) and Brennan (Will Ferrell [ Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy], The Producers]), who are made stepbrothers once their parents marry on a whim. They meet each other for the first time after the wedding, and in instantly turns into a battle for who can hate each other more. Eventually they must reconcile (as all movies have) in order to save the day before it is too late.... as well as find jobs... and maybe find some women too.

Its not too easy for them to coast through life when they are constantly being surprised by Brennan's younger and much more successful brother, Derek (Adam Scott [Knocked Up]), who is so driven to succeed, you will think you are watching Greg Kinnear in 'Little Mrs. Sunshine'... if Kinnear took some speed and steroids first.

Produced by Judd Apatow, Directed by Adam Mckay, and Written by Adam Mckay, Will Ferrell, and John C. Riley, Step Brothers certainly succeeds, and all its jokes hit right on the mark. I think this is one of their funniest comedies to date. Each performance is memorable, and leaves you wanting more.

As the two parents, Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins are a good match. Mary tries to have a say but is easily put down by Richard, making seemingly realistic family dynamics. The only thing I could never get is how Brennan and Dale never met before they got married. Kind of large plot hole. The relationship is unstable, story-wise, and could have used a mere 3 minute extra scene to sort it all out. Maybe it is explained on the DVD.

Adam Scott ( Knocked Up) and Kathryn Hahn (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy) make the perfect ultimately dysfunctional couple. They are so dysfunctional, in fact, I would never be able to figure out how they got together in the first place. I want to tell you more about the characters, but I think that it would spoil some of the fun. Trust me though, they have fantastic comedic timing, and every scene they are in is worth the watch.

Seth Rogen ( Knocked Up, Pineapple Express) and Ken Jeong (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express) both appear in the film, in some slightly random "blink and you will miss them" roles. It is nice to see them on screen, but it is a shame that they did not get to put their comedy skills to use, especially with how funny the two of them are. Perhaps there will be some nice deleted scenes with them, being trademark funny. That would be cool.

While everyone knows and loves Will Ferrell - John C. Riley may be one of the greatest big time comedy players who gets the least recognition. I urge everyone to see his performances in Walk Hard, and Talladega Nights, (and his other films), because each is more priceless than the next, including this one as one of the tops. Will Ferrell is his trademark character... and after seeing him play such a similar character in so many films, one begins to wonder... is he even acting... or is this just how he really is? I don't mean that in a bad way though, because if he really is like his characters, he must be the most fun person to hang out with... ever.

STEP BROTHERS hits theaters next Friday!




Ps.
Freaks and Geeks fans will like the use of the shows font in the opening titles. Its a nice touch.

Review: YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN

Lets start with that Poster. I love it only because I have not seen it until this moment and it is absoultly ludacris. But in a good way. Like the movie.

I must preface by saying my favorite Adam Sandler/ Happy Madison comedy movies are easily "Little Nicky" "Click" and also "You Don't Mess With The Zohan". The Wedding Singer is also nice, but for some reason Sandlers troupe and taste in comedy irks me a bit. However, in "Zohan" it all works perfectly.

People may have forgotton that Apatow did a draft of "The Wedding Singer," and this is not his first forray with Sandler, nor will it be his last. Next year the two unite in yet another movie featuring Seth Rogen, but for now, lets talk about the movie at hand.

Zohan is a delightful little film filled with zany laughs and fun gags, as well as a tad of heart. The Zohan (Sandler) is the best anti-terrorist unit in the Israeli army, but has grown tired of his life of sex, beach, and kicking ass. So he fakes his death in a fight against "The Phantom" (John Tuturro) so he can move to New York and be a hair stylist. Which he does and is quite happy with until his past finally catches up to him, as we as viewers all knew it would.

Filled with hillarious sight gags and some suprisingly nicely coreographed action, Zohan crashes throughout Israel and New York. Emmanuelle Chriqui puts in some nice acting as the attractive Palestinian hair dresser, who the Zohan falls for. She is a very likeable character, though not to funny, is always a pleasure to have on screen.

Rob Schnieder pulls off a role that is actually tolerable for once as the secondary taxi driving antagonist of the film. Nick Swarsden and Sayed Badreya play the minor leads in the film Swarsden as the guy who rooms with the Zohan and Sayed as the number two hezbolah terrorist. Chris Rock and Kevin James make some very unnecessry and slightly odd cameos and random people in the film who have little or no consequence to the films outcome.

Sandler and Tuturro are hillarious as the protagonist and antagonist of the film, acting as perfect foils to each other with questionable accents, but hillarious none the less. While Sandler alias "Scrappy Coco" sucks the rest of his character is hillarious and scene stealing in every scene he is in, rightfully so, since he is the star. When Tuturro is on screen there seems to be a small struggle for power, but they always align and work out fine each scene they are both in.

Dennis Dugan could direct a fantastic action film if he set his mind to it, and Zohan is never quite sure what type of film it is, though it delivers well every other shot. It is nowhere near the best comedy ever made, but it has some very good laughs and a nice rewatch at a party value.

Some people are concerned with the idea that the film may glorify Israeli's and Put down Palestinians, but while the film starts off with that as a possible angle, most offenses are avoided and it is shown how the two can co-exist happily and peacefully in society, and how life is not so different for each when they are set in a new unfamilar world like New York and that they must put aside thier differences to make the best life for each other possible.

Go see the film, you'll get a chuckle and when you are throwing a party later in the future you will know exactly what to put on.