Review: ROCK OF AGES

Well, this is one silly movie. I never quite understood if I was laughing with the movie, at the movie, or if the movie was some sort of joke being pulled on me. Was I supposed to sing along? 

At the opening, Sherrie (Julianne Hough) rides a bus with her headphones on listening to Sister Christian; she starts singing out loud and soon enough the entire bus joins in. Once again, was I supposed to sing along? Most of the audience laughed but didn’t join. It is understandable; in real life singing along is only acceptable if said song happened to be Bohemian Rhapsody. But in a musical film like this it could be any song. And it could have been any song for that matter; the number is not really memorable. Actually, none of the numbers are particularly memorable. But, at the very least, they do happen to zesty and entertaining while they last. With an extra punch they might have gotten someone in the audience to sing along.

Review: ARTHUR

Before I begin this review let me make it clear that I did not see the original Arthur from 1981. But I plan to see it, mostly because hear it is amazing, and because, Hollywood being Hollywood, it has probably nothing to do with this 2011 remake starring Russell Brand. Arthur (2011) is not a bad movie; it certainly has its moments. But besides Brand’s antics and one-liners it offers very little I did not get from watching Get Him to The Greek, where he plays another incredibly eccentric, incredibly rich, and incredibly lost drunk.

Rusell Brand is ARTHUR

In today's modern world where Russell Brand is popping up in every film, I think the one is about to rise above the previous as fantastic. The only part I don't buy about it is that someone isn't attracted to Jennifer Garner.

If you're not familiar with Russell's previous work in the US, may I suggest:

 

HOP trailer cracks open!

In this film by the makers of Despicable Me, Russell Brand plays the Easter Bunny, who is reluctant to take up the job of his ancestors. The film also stars James Marsden, Marshmallow Peeps, and poop made of Jelly Beans. I think Russell Brand is hilarious, personally, and who doesn't love crazy Easter based shenanigans?

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.

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.

Get Him To The Greek Trailer Arrives (Finally)

... and it looks like it was worth the wait.

Despicable Me

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

Review: BEDTIME STORIES

This movie easily places in my top 5 favorite Adam Sandler movies. Adam plays a nicer (less jerky of a guy than usual) guy, the rating helps keep the cursing down from more recent comedies, and the plot - though very predictable - is super delightful.

Basically Sandler is a guy named Skeeter who has lived in a hotel his whole life with his dad and sister. The hotel gets bought by a rich mogul and Skeeter is promised a position of power in the hotel one day. Unfortunately, he serves his entire life as the janitor of the hotel. The hotel changes hands to new management and this is when the story truly begins. Skeeter is places in charge of telling stories to his niece and nephew. He tells stories, and whatever the kids contribute to the story happens for real to Skeeter in the following day. So he gets his chance to become the new hotel manager, and uses the new storytime opportunity to weasel life enhancing story arcs from the little kids so his life can be better.

Everyone in the movie is great. Guy Pierce makes a great, more-or-less believable villain (teamed with Lucy Lawless), and Keri Russell is a good foil for a love interest. The story is cute and the bedtime stories that Sandler tells are full of good ol'e clean yet Sandler-esque humor. Russell Brand was a great surprise in the film (He's not in even one trailer), he's basically Skeeters friend that sleeps over and watches the kids every night, providing a very wavy opinion at every choice made in the story, in a hilarious way.

The film does a great job of lampooning the degree that schools and parents watch over what their kids eat nowadays, with Rice Crackers and Wheat Germ being all the kids have, and when it comes down to it, when the kids in the movie eat sugar, nothing bad happens, showing that sometimes people just need to lighten up and have a good time once in a while, knowing that little harm is going to come of a light unhealthy experience.

The only thing I did not like about the movie was the inclusion of an obnoxious CGI Guinea Pig named Bugsy (Cause he has HUGE eyes). He is there for a constantly absurd call back gag, and I have no idea why the kids insist on taking him everywhere they go. Other than that, the movie is well worth the trip to go see.

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...

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.