Seth Rogen

Blu-Ray Review: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris in Hilarious ‘Observe and Report’

BrianTT — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:13:05 -0600

CHICAGO – All of you DVD and Blu-Ray buyers who lament the neverending flow of slapstick comedies that basically all feel and look the same owe it to director Jody Hill and star Seth Rogen to rent or buy “Observe and Report,” one of the best comedies of the year to date and one of the most daring movies of the last several years.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

The ads made “Observe and Report” look like nothing more than a variation on “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” or, even more inaccurately, a romantic comedy with Rogen and co-star Anna Faris. Audiences weren’t sure what to expect and, consequently, stayed away. “Observe and Report” should have been pitched to the arthouse crowd, one that could handle a film with extensive drug use, male frontal nudity, extreme violence, and even arguable date rape. This is material not for the faint of heart. It’s not a movie for everyone.

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

However, if you think that comedy needs to be dangerous every once in a while just for the overall health of the genre, you owe it to yourself to see “Observe and Report,” especially fans of Hill’s “Eastbound and Down” on HBO or even those who enjoyed Rogen’s “Pineapple Express”. This is that brand of dark humor.

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Working from a script reportedly inspired by “Taxi Driver,” Rogen gives the best performance of his career as Ronnie Barnhardt, a bipolar mall security guard with serious mental issues. And I mean serious. One of the things I like about “O & R” is its recognition that slapstick-y characters like Paul Blart are probably a little crazy. He lives alone with his alcoholic mother (Celia Weston), spends way too much time at the gun range, and pines after the makeup-counter girl (Anna Faris).

When a flasher targets Ronnie’s mall, our “hero” believes he’s found his purpose in life. He can save the mall and get the girl, one of the flasher’s first targets, and maybe even graduate to actual police officer in the process. Only Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) stands in his way. Assisting Ronnie are his right-hand man Dennis (Michael Pena) and twin guards John and Matt (John and Matt Yuan). He gets emotional support from the sweet-and-cute coffee girl Nell (Collette Wolfe).

“Observe and Report” could have been a wacky Will Farrell comedy but it’s much more subversive than its plot set-up. Around halfway through, around when Ronnie goes off his meds, “Observe” becomes honestly dark and violent. Ronnie basically descends into madness and Hill walks a tight rope of comedy and tension. You’re not suppose to like Ronnie. You’re not supposed to root for him. And you’re probably not going to be surprised if the film ends in a hail of bullets (and I’m not saying that it does or doesn’t).

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Comedy is such a “medicine” genre, one that works hard to make you happy but great comedy can also make you feel uneasy and put you on edge (think “After Hours” or “Something Wild”). One late scene features a police officer who says “I thought this would be funny, but it’s just sad.” The line could describe the conflicting tones within the film itself.

It’s not a film for everyone, but too many films already are and those looking for something different should check out “Observe and Report”.

The Blu-Ray for “Observe and Report” is a beauty, featuring several extended and deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and a commentary with Hill, Rogen, and Faris. The last feature is a little unusual in that it’s available only as a picture in picture commentary and even the trio can’t seem to figure out why people would want to watch them watch the movie. Then again, maybe such an unusual movie deserves an atypical commentary track. A digital copy is also included.

‘Observe and Report’ is released by Warner Home Video and stars Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta, Celia Weston, Michael Pena, John Yuan, Matt Yuan, and Collette Wolfe. It was written and directed by Jody Hill. The film is available on Blu-ray, DVD, On Demand, & Digital Download on September 22nd, 2009. It is rated R. Check out the official site here.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Nicolas Cage Out of Michel Gondry’s ‘The Green Hornet’

BrianTT — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:45:06 -0600

CHICAGO – Production has begun recently on “The Green Hornet” but not for Nicolas Cage. For months Cage has been set to star as the film’s villain, but according to Screen Crave things have gone bad. Cage has dropped out of the film when the negotiations for the star have fallen through.

Nicolas Cage in Knowing.
Photo credit: Summit

Photos have been posted online of on-set photos with Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz and Jay Chou. When photos of Cage haven’t shown up, rumors began to go wild. Michel Gondry is directing the film from a script by Evan Goldberg and Rogen.

There’s talk that Cage backed out due to scheduling conflicts with his other films scheduled to shoot within the next year. With him being super busy, it can’t be too surprising to hear him back out of the film.

The actor is reporedly working on “Riot,” “Drive Angry,” “Time Share,” and “Ghost Rider 2,” according to IMDB. He’s already finished work on “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” “Astro Boy,” “Kick-Ass,” “Season of the Witch,” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” all waiting to be released.

Now that Cage is out, who will be in? The role as the film’s villain is now up for grabs. Any takers? Who would you like to see replace Cage in the “Green Hornet”?

By ANGIE RENTMEESTER
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Passes to ‘Paper Heart’ in Chicago With Michael Cera, Charlyne Yi

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:17:06 -0600

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two run-of-engagement passes up for grabs to the new film “Paper Heart” in Chicago.

“Paper Heart” stars Charlyne Yi, Michael Cera, Jake M. Johnson and Seth Rogen from writer and director Nicholas Jasenovec and writer Charlyne Yi. To win your free pass to “Paper Heart” in Chicago courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is tell us your “what is love?” story in this Web-based submission form. That’s it!

The free pass will be good in Chicago for the duration of the film’s run. “Paper Heart” opened on Aug. 7, 2009 in Chicago. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below. Our interview with “Paper Heart” star and writer Charlyne Yi along with star Jake M. Johnson can be read here.

The movie poster for “Paper Heart” with Michael Cera and Charlyne Yi.
Image credit: Overture Films

Here is the plot description for “Paper Heart”:

“Paper Heart” follows Charlyne as she embarks on a quest across America to make a documentary about the one subject she doesn’t understand: love. As she and her friend and director Nicholas Jasenovec search for answers and advice together, you get the idea that this new generation’s cynicism isn’t the whole story.

On their journey, Charlyne talks with an eclectic array of friends and acquaintances including scientists, bikers, romance novelists and children. They offer diverse views on modern romance as well as various answers to the age-old question: Does love really exist?

Shortly after filming begins, Charlyne meets a man after own heart: Michael Cera. As their relationship develops on camera, the pursuit to discover the nature of love takes on a new urgency when she risks losing the person closest to her heart. Combining elements of storytelling, reality and fantasy, “Paper Heart” brings a fresh perspective to the modern romance and redefines the classic love story.

“Paper Heart” was directed by Nicholas Jasenovec and co-written by Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi. The film stars Charlyne Yi, Michael Cera and Jake M. Johnson as Nicholas Jasenovec.

The movie trailer for “Paper Heart” can be viewed now below.

To secure your free “Paper Heart” pass, you must be logged into your HollywoodChicago.com Web site account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having a free Web site account with a valid e-mail address is required to win this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup.

Next, simply tell us your “what is love?” story. You must submit your answer using this confidential, Web-based submission form. Please do not comment in this Hookup. Your entry will be invalid if you only comment here and don’t submit into our Web-based form. Please only submit your answer using this submission form.

You must include your first and last name, e-mail address and physical mailing address in your submission. Your personal information will be kept strictly confidential and is only for awarding winning entries. Your personal information will not be sold or shared.

How do you define what love really is?

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film is simple: 25 HollywoodChicago.com readers will be randomly selected as the winners of our “Paper Heart” Hookup! The winners will be mailed the movie passes at our expense. Good luck!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Charlyne Yi, Jake M. Johnson Talk Love in ‘Paper Heart’

PatrickMcD — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:49:58 -0600

CHICAGO – When confronted with the observation that her body language closed up whenever her love history was examined in the just released “Paper Heart,” the film’s star Charlyne Yi posed exactly like that in a publicity picture.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Such is the style of detached bemusement that Yi brings to the “documentary,” an investigation on the meaning of love, both in the success stories of couples around America and her own journey in the pursuit of that intimacy.

City of Love: Jake M. Johnson and Charlyne Yi in Paris filming ‘Paper Heart’
Photo credit: © 2009 Overture Films

“Paper Heart” works on a couple of levels – the document of true loving couples in anecdotal reality – and a loose fabrication in the same style regarding Yi’s own burgeoning relationship with actor Michael Cera.

Her director, advisor and co-writer on the film, Nick (played with compassion by Jake M. Johnson and based on the real director Nicholas Jasenovec), is constantly coming from behind the camera to guide the narrative toward a hopeful conclusion.

HollywoodChicago.com sat down with Charlyne Yi and Jake M. Johnson as they talked about “Paper Heart,” with all the love, improvisation, wedding gowns and yes, body language.

HollywoodChicago.com: Where did you get the idea for this film and where did it come from? Your stand-up? Your relationship? Describe the process of the idea to the finished product.

Charlyne Yi: Around the time I graduated high school, I would be watching shows like ‘Elimidate’ and see them making out in a Jacuzzi on their first date. I thought, how do you meet people and do I have to be a slut (laughs)? Are they a slut? Maybe I’m a prude.

I got kind of weirded out, wondering if I’d ever meet someone and feel comfortable letting go to a certain point where you know all of them and they know all of you – where the feeling is mutual and both of you want to be true to each other and love each other. At the time it seemed so impossible. That inspired the idea of why I felt like I did in the film.

I met people who would open up to me about love, both strangers and friends. And I thought what if we captured these love stories and made a documentary? So I talked to Nick Jasenovic about that, and it was he that suggested that I be on camera, because it was I who didn’t believe in love.

The fabrication parts of the documentary came out of my discomfort of not wanting my personal life to be filmed. So we combined the fabrication and the real interviews with the hope that if someone went to the movie blindly they would get more out of it if they believed it to be true.

Life Imitates Art: Jake M. Johnson and Charlyne Yi of ‘Paper Heart’ in Chicago, July 17, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

HC: Jake, you were essentially playing the director, Nicholas Jasenovec, in Paper Heart. How did you and the real Nick connect during shooting, and how much of your character comes from him?

Jake M. Johnson: We connected because we are close friends. I’m playing one of my close friends. I didn’t try to do an impression but I tried to express what would happen between he and Charlyne, as they had conflicts on the set about the direction of the film. So while they would be improvising, I would take in the scene and try to duplicate it the next day when Charlyne and I did the actual scene for the movie.

HC: Charlyne, what did you learn about love when interviewing the long-time survivors of the emotion?

CY: In the sequence, for example, of the judge and the lawyer, she mentioned how easy in today’s society that people break up, how easily they give up. I don’t know if its right or wrong, because there are relationships that you really have to fight for, but sometimes I wonder if they are right for constantly fighting through it.

I found that when you have histories and memories with someone, it does make you realize that some things are worth fighting for, maybe we should be strong and fight for a relationship that’s important.

Bowling for Love: Michael Cera and Charlyne Yi in ‘Paper Heart’
Photo credit: © 2009 Overture Films

HC: I detected that the character of Nick the director was falling in love with the hyper-essential version of Charlyne. Jake, did you intend that to happen with the character or did it evolve in the improvisation process?

CY: I think he actually fell in love with me (laughs). How can you not?

JMJ: Untrue! (laughs). I’ve actually had this question a lot. In an earlier version of the film, there was a cut scene where Charlyne and I are sitting on rocking chairs, watching the sunset and talking. Many who saw it said that there was the point where the Nick character confesses his love, because the character says he was happy for Charlyne and Michael but was jealous of their impending relationship.

In reality, it feels like brother and sister. We became friends during the shoot. And Charlyne was under a lot of stress, with the producers and crew. I became somewhat protective of her. Those looks I give her in the film in slow motion may look like love, but really it’s like, ‘you all right?’

CY: It may be also that in many movies there are love triangles, but you never really see a platonic relationship honesty portrayed.

HC: Charlyne, you in a wedding dress was an awkward but funny scene in the movie. Why do you think women put themselves through the sometimes humiliating process of the wedding ceremony, beyond the desire to be with the dude?

CY: Traditional, probably. They have in their head that this is the way to go. I’m not a typical girl, I hate to shop. I think the wedding planning is linked to this, but I don’t know.

HC: What was your favorite interruption that the director character did and why?

JMJ: Probably the kiss between Charlyne and Michael. It felt like the actual movie and what the real Nick was doing. As I observed the interviews and thought about the character, the kiss was the point that I felt was the character of Nick was captured. And that interruption seemed real. Get out of there, man!

HC: Charlyne, I love your song ‘Smells Like Christmas.’ Who are your musical influences and how do you hope to further your evolution in songwriting?

CY: I listen to the old Whitney Houston, ‘Greatest Love of All’ period, I love John Lennon, especially his rough homemade recordings. Jonathan Richman, who does a similar type of comical songwriting, is someone I also like.

I want to teach myself to do different things, I don’t want my songs to sound the same.

The Heart of the Matter: Charlyne Yi and Patrick McDonald in Chicago, July 17, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

HC: Jake, you wrote and produced a short film called ‘This is my Friend’ Were you able to give Charlyne and the real Nick any pointers on streamlining the filmmaking process based on your experiences?

JMJ: Oh, so many (laughs). I think more so than that short film I had done a lot of improvisation before this, and in that process I had sold a TV show to NBC. So what I brought to this process was the ability to improvise in any situation and help write while the camera was on.

HC: In many parts of Paper Heart, your body language seems to block out the more intense moments of your own interaction with intimacy and love. Crossed arms during the psychic reading and objects placed between you and Michael in other scenes come to mind. Was this film an exercise in allowing you to ‘open up’ to the possibilities of love?

CY: The fictional part, no. The documentary part, definitely. I didn’t think I would change at all, but I did.

HC: You both talked about the improvisation elements of the film. Was there any scene that was created in improvisation that you had to do over and ‘act’? Was it strange trying to recreate spontaneity?

CY: Yes, it was hard to keep it fresh during the redundant takes. But other times we caught it in the first take, like my ‘tired scene’ in Paris.

JMJ: The first month was just Charlyne and I, and because we didn’t know what the tone would be, we shot everything a million different ways. When Michael Cera came in, he didn’t want to do it that way.

But in each location, we would essentially do the same scene, so by the end it felt like we had a script. So the equation was that Charlyne and I would just keep saying things back and forth, Mike Cera would come in, and then it would only be one or two takes.

CY: You would throw out the ‘bad’ improv elements, but you would retain the beats and then you could throw out something fresh during the take, and that would keep it alive.

HC: Final question for Charlyne. If you became famous, what would you do?

CY: I’d be scared (laughs). I don’t know, what are you suppose to do when you’re famous?

It would be shocking to be famous, I would be scared. I would get a disguise and hide. But if you can convince people to help other people because of your fame, maybe that’s good, maybe that’s how you use it. People would follow me, and I could make them do stuff (laughs). Good stuff. It wouldn’t be evil, I’m not evil.

“Paper Heart” opened in Chicago August 7th, 2009, and opens wide August 14th, 2009. Starring Charlyne Yi, Jake M. Johnson, Michael Cera and directed by Nicholas Jasenovec.

2:40 p.m. update on Aug. 12, 2009: We are giving away 25 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes to see “Paper Heart” in Chicago! Win yours in this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup!

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Adam Sandler Takes Box Office Title With Disappointing ‘Funny People’

BrianTT — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:19:45 -0600

CHICAGO – Adam Sandler can lay claim to another #1 film with this weekend’s opening of “Funny People,” co-starring Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, and Jason Schwartzman, but the box office win was bittersweet as the film failed to deliver either by the standards of its star or even its acclaimed writer/director Judd Apatow.

Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons. “
Photo credit: Tracy Bennett and Universal Pictures

According to Box Office Mojo, “Funny People” made $23.4 million over the weekend with a per-screen average of $7,793. They are not horrible numbers by any stretch, but they do fall below industry and studio expectations.

Two years ago, Judd Apatow’s “Knocked Up” opened with $31 million without the star power of Adam Sandler and even “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” nearly matched the opening of “Funny People” with just over $21 million in 2005.

“Funny People” also fell significantly short when compared to recent Adam Sandler openings. It was his lowest wide opening weekend since “Spanglish” in 2004. Last summer’s “Bedtime Stories” and 2007’s “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” both opened with over $34 million in their first frame.

Word-of-mouth will be essential to the success or failure of “Funny People”. Both of Apatow’s other films thrived for weeks, each producing about five times their opening weekend gross by the end of their run.

Two films that didn’t screen for critics opened this week with “Aliens in the Attic” landing in 5th place with $7.8 million and a per screen average of $2,511. “The Collector” opened on significantly fewer screens and nearly cracked the top ten with an 11th place opening after collecting $3.6 million over its first three days.

In holdover news, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” held on to second place, watching “G-Force” slide by it from first to third. “Potter” dropped only 40% and made $17.7 million for a total of $255.5 million since it opened - the highest total after 19 days for any film in the franchise. The film has made an amazing $660 million worldwide. Domestically, “Potter” is already #4 on the year and seems lvery ikely to make it to #2 overall (behind only the behemoth known as “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”).

“G-Force” fell 46% to 17.1 million and has made a very nice $66.5 million in its first ten days. It’s not official, but numbers like this make a sequel to the best 3D guinea pig movie ever made inevitable.

“The Ugly Truth” with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler fell 53% in its second weekend with $13 million and a total of $54.5 million in ten days. The third opener from last weekend, “Orphan,” fell 44% to sixth place with a weekend of $7.3 million and $26.8 million to date.

The rest of the top ten were filled out by popular favorites, four films that have been out five weeks or more - “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” ($5.3 million weekend, $181.8 million overall), “The Hangover” ($5.1 million, $255.8 million overall), “The Proposal” ($4.9 million, $148.9 million overall), and “Transformers 2” ($4.6 million, $388.1 million overall).

Adam Sandler is likely to be tackled by “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra,” opening on August 7th on roughly 3,500 screens. Other films likely to appear in the top ten include “Julie & Julia” with Meryl Streep & Amy Adams and “A Perfect Getaway” with Steve Zahn & Milla Jovovich.

1. Funny People - $23.4 million - $23.4 million
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - $17.7 million - $255.5 million
3. G-Force - $17.1 million - $66.5 million
4. The Ugly Truth - $13 million - $54.5 million
5. Aliens in the Attic - $7.8 million - $7.8 million
6. Orphan - $7.3 million - $26.8 million
7. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - $5.3 million - $181.8 million
8. The Hangover - $5.1 million - $255.8 million
9. The Proposal - $4.9 million - $148.9 million
10. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - $4.6 million - $388.1 million

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen Star in Ambitious But Flawed ‘Funny People’

BrianTT — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:59:18 -0600

CHICAGO – Judd Apatow’s “Funny People,” starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann, is like watching a friend try out a new stand-up routine. As with a lot of attempts at trying something untested, it doesn’t quite work out, but you have to admire the effort, if not the execution.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

The three films that Apatow has written and directed could be viewed as a natural trilogy about common chronological development through the life of a man. “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” is about sexuality, “Knocked Up” is about fatherhood, and “Funny People” is about mortality. If it sounds like deep material for what has been advertised as a raunchy comedy, it is, but that doesn’t mean it works.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Funny People” in our reviews section.

“Funny People” is an undeniably ambitious piece of work about infidelity, regret, death, fame, friendship, and love, but it simply got away from one of the most talented comedy writer/directors of the last decade. The romantic end of “Virgin” and the lessons about responsibility in “Knocked Up” had an emotional resonance that’s missing from the over-long, often-rambling “Funny People,” a film with great parts that never quite develops into a cohesive sum.

Like a lot of successful comedians, George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is kind of an a-hole. Life has left him with no friends and less real love. The star of “Merman” and “My Best Friend is a Robot” learns at the beginning of the film that he’s dying. Looking at the face of death sends George back to his roots, bringing him back to the stand-up stage and regretting the one that got away, Laura (Leslie Mann).

‘Funny People’ stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, and Eric Bana. It was written and directed by Judd Apatow. It opens on July 31st, 2009. It is rated R.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Funny People” review.

(L to R) Ira (Seth Rogen) and George (Adam Sandler).
Photo credit: Tracy Bennett/Universal

Slideshow: 30-Image Gallery For ‘Funny People’ With Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen

BrianTT — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:31:06 -0600

CHICAGO – This 30-image slideshow contains the official press images for “Funny People,” starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza, and Aziz Ansari. It was written and directed by Judd Apatow. The film opens on July 31st, 2009.

Synopsis: “Over the past few years, writer/director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) has shown that nothing?not even losing your virginity or the miracle of childbirth?is sacred. About his third film behind the camera, he says, “I’m trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!” Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in Funny People, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. Photos credited to Tracy Bennett and Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Funny_People_01: (L to R) Seth Rogen as Ira, writer/director/producer Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler as George.
Funny_People_02: (L to R) Ira (Seth Rogen) writes jokes with George (Adam Sandler).
Funny_People_03: Seth Rogen stars as young comic Ira Wright.
Funny_People_04: Seth Rogen stars as young comic Ira Wright.
Funny_People_05: Seth Rogen stars as young comic Ira Wright.
Funny_People_06: (L to R) Family members Mable (Maude Apatow), Ingrid (Iris Apatow), Laura (Leslie Mann) and Clarke (Eric Bana) share dinner with guests George (Adam Sandler) and Ira (Seth Rogen).
Funny_People_07: (L to R) George (Adam Sandler) and Ira (Seth Rogen) share an uncomfortable meal.
Funny_People_08: (L to R) Leslie Mann, Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Eric Bana star.
Funny_People_09: (L to R) George (Adam Sandler), Clarke (Eric Bana) and Ira (Seth Rogen) watch Aussie rules football.
Funny_People_10: Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons.
Funny_People_11: (L to R) George (Adam Sandler) has an awkward conversation with Laura (Leslie Mann) and her husband, Clarke (Eric Bana).
Funny_People_12: (L to R) Ira (Seth Rogen) and George (Adam Sandler) have a tense moment with George’s ex-girlfriend’s family—Mable (Maude Apatow), Ingrid (Iris Apatow), Clarke (Eric Bana) and Laura (Leslie Mann).
Funny_People_13: (L to R) Mable (Maude Apatow) and her sister, Ingrid (Iris Apatow), have a serious conversation with George (Adam Sandler).
Funny_People_14: Clarke (Eric Bana) tries to explain himself to wife Laura (Leslie Mann).
Funny_People_15: (L to R) Ira (Seth Rogen) and George (Adam Sandler).
Funny_People_16: (L to R) George (Adam Sandler) and Ira (Seth Rogen).
Funny_People_17: Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons.
Funny_People_18: Laura (Leslie Mann) flirts with George (Adam Sandler).
Funny_People_19: Writer/director/producer Judd Apatow on the set.
Funny_People_20: George (Adam Sandler) and Laura (Leslie Mann).
Funny_People_21: (L to R) Ira (Seth Rogen) and George (Adam Sandler).
Funny_People_22: (L to R) George (Adam Sandler) and Ira (Seth Rogen).
Funny_People_23: (L to R) Roommates Mark (Jason Schwartzman), Ira (Seth Rogen) and Leo (Jonah Hill).
Funny_People_24: Jonah Hill stars as young comic Leo.
Funny_People_25: Comics Ira (Seth Rogen) and Daisy (Aubrey Plaza).
Funny_People_26: (L to R) Roommates Leo (Jonah Hill) and Mark (Jason Schwartzman) kiss up to George (Adam Sandler).
Funny_People_27: George (Adam Sandler) gives a Thanksgiving toast to his hosts.
Funny_People_28: (L to R) George (Adam Sandler) and Ira (Seth Rogen) discuss a joke.
Funny_People_29: George (Adam Sandler) greets Laura (Leslie Mann) backstage.
Funny_People_30: (L to R) Roommates Leo (Jonah Hill), Ira (Seth Rogen) and Mark (Jason Schwartzman).

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

DVD Review: ‘Fanboys’ For Hardcore ‘Star Wars’ Junkies Only

BrianTT — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:17:11 -0600

CHICAGO – I really want to recommend “Fanboys”. The story behind the film is a David-and-Goliath tale of a young filmmaker bringing his comedic vision to life against all odds and the film is finally being released on DVD after years of delays. Sadly, the drama behind-the-scenes doesn’t change the mediocre quality of the final product.

DVD Rating: 2.0/5.0

Just because the producers behind Kyle Newman’s “Fanboys” meddled with the film and arguably wanted to make it significantly worse, doesn’t mean that what has been released is a good movie to begin with. Everyone involved with “Fanboys” appears to have their hearts in the right place and the film has moments and performances that nearly redeem it, but it ultimately doesn’t click as either a laugh-out-loud comedy or an ode to the Lucas universe. Only hardcore “Star Wars” junkies need rent or buy.

Fanboys was released on DVD on May 19th, 2009.
Photo credit: The Weinstein Company

The set-up for “Fanboys” threw me off before I could even get into the rhythm of the piece. The first act is all cliched arguments about “Star Wars” vs. “Star Trek” and generic jokes about the quarter-life crisis. The film starts in 1998 with the two “straight men,” the Han and Luke of the piece, Eric (Sam Huntington) and Linus (Chris Marquette).

Fanboys was released on DVD on May 19th, 2009.
Photo credit: The Weinstein Company

Eric and Linus have grown distant as the former has given up on his comic dreams to work at his father’s car dealership. Linus clings to his youth by spending time with Windows (Jay Baruchel), Hutch (Dan Fogler), and Zoe (Kristen Bell). When Eric learns that Linus is dying of cancer and may not make it to see the premiere of “Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace,” the gang head to Skywalker Ranch to break in and see an early cut of the film.

The gang takes off and what ensues is a string of episodic encounters with cameos from a diverse array of people including Seth Rogen, Jaime King, Ethan Suplee, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Kevin Smith, and William Shatner. With the all-for-one fun spirit of the piece, it nearly comes together. There’s enough genuine intention on the part of the filmmaker/cast and some strong comic timing from the great Baruchel and gorgeous Bell that “Fanboys” will work as a rental for some people.

For the rest of you, the sad news is that “Fanboys” just isn’t that funny. There are maybe three real laughs. What’s so ironic about the Weinstein Company’s notorious attempt to remove the cancer plotline from the film is that it works better than the humor. The comic timing just isn’t right.

The one thing I took away from “Fanboys” more than anything else is that what Kevin Smith does is not as easy as it looks. Remember the conversation about Death Star construction in “Clerks”? That exchange is more like the ones that “Star Wars” junkies have on a daily basis than anything in “Fanboys” but it’s clearly the kind of dialogue that Newman was going for in his comedy. What sinks “Fanboys” is that none of it - the emotion, the quarter-life crisis, the sci-fi references - feels genuine. It’s forced comedy.

Fanboys was released on DVD on May 19th, 2009.
Photo credit: The Weinstein Company

It’s ironic that years of expectation left many fans disappointed by the “Star Wars” prequels and the same thing is likely to happen to the long-delayed “Fanboys”.

The film may only be slightly disappointing, but the DVD is borderline offensive. Given the long history of “Fanboys,” one would expect a stellar home treatment. Blu-Ray, tons of deleted scenes, featurettes about the troubled road the film took to the big screen, and the story of the fan movement that brought the movie back from development hell, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong.

Is The Weinstein Company waiting for a special edition Blu-Ray? Doubt it. This is probably the final word on “Fanboys” and even though I clearly don’t love the film, the people who fought for it deserved better.

First, the actual transfer and presentation of the film is downright awful. The widescreen video is murky and the English Dolby 5.1 track is lackluster.

Even more annoying, especially given the film’s well-known post-production drama, are the depressingly light special features. The deleted scenes and featurettes all run under ten minutes. “The Truth About Fanboys,” “The Star Wars Parallel,” “4 Fanboys & 1 Fangirl,” and “The Choreography” are nothing more than on-the-set, talking-head pieces. The film and fans deserved more.

The best special feature, by far, is the commentary with cast & crew. If some more of the breezy, enjoyable cameraderie on display in that track had made it into the film, perhaps The Weinstein Company would have treated it better in its theatrical and home release.

‘Fanboys’ was released by The Weinstein Company and stars Jay Baruchel, Dan Fogler, Sam Huntington, Christopher Marquette, and Kristen Bell. It was written by Ernest Cline and Adam F. Goldberg and directed by Kyle Newman. The film was released on May 19th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video Game Review: ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ Will Entertain Fans of Film

BrianTT — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:07:12 -0600

Video Game Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Even part-time game players have a movie tie-in horror story to share. Show me one blockbuster that produced a quality video game companion and I’ll show you ten that failed to do so. So no one’s more surprised than this writer at how enjoyable Activision’s “Monsters vs. Aliens” is from start and nearly to finish.

It’s not a perfect game, but judged on the scale of movie tie-in releases, “Monsters vs. Aliens” is a very pleasant surprise. To be blunt, I enjoyed my experience with the game more than the film itself, something incredibly rare in the world of movie tie-ins.

Monsters vs. Aliens
Photo credit: Activision

“Monsters vs. Aliens” features 25 stages over four levels of the game. No, it’s not very long. Even an average player shouldn’t take more than five hours although there are also mini-game challenges and a point structure that makes the replay value of the actual levels a bit higher. But it should be clear that, like the movie, this is a game primarily for children or young adults. Don’t expect nail-biting action.

Monsters vs. Aliens
Photo credit: Activision

Each level alternates between one of the three primary characters from the movie - Ginormica (Reese Witherspoon in the film), The Missing Link (Will Arnett), and B.O.B.(Seth Rogen). Each character has a different skill set and each level is designed a little differently.

For example, all of the Ginormica levels play off the scene in the film in which she uses cars as roller skates. They are all race levels and all require a combination of jumping and dodging attacks as the players speeds from point A to point B. The Missing Link’s levels are a little more action-based as the player punches, spins, and leaps his way to safety. Finally, B.O.B.’s levels are more strategy, as the amorphous blob has to swallow boxes and enemies to avoid slipping through grates. The final B.O.B. levels are literally mazes.

The alternating strategies of each level - the speed of Ginormica, action of Link, and strategy of B.O.B.- make for an experience that rarely feels stale. By the final levels, “MvA” does get a bit too repetitive for its own good, but most movie tie-in games are repetitive before the first hour is over, so a little boredom by hour five can be forgiven.

The graphics on “Monsters vs. Aliens” are a mixed bag. The film itself looks so amazing that some people might be turned off by some of the graphic problems in the tie-in but the gameplay is remarkably smooth. There are no glitches to be found and while the 2-D style may be a turn-off at first for fans of the 3-D movie, one quickly gets accustomed to the look of the game.

Monsters vs. Aliens
Photo credit: Activision

What’s wrong with “Monsters vs. Aliens”? The multi-player, which allows a second player to join in as Dr. Cockroach and help out player one with a targeted shooting system is a little weird. It feels like an afterthought. I can’t imagine anyone would enjoy playing the Cockroach role for too long. It seems like a way to crowbar the character into the game.

It also feels like “MvA” could have had a lower price point than $49.99 for the PS3 version. $10 an hour with no online multiplayer capability is a stretch. Especially when hours 3-5 feature as much repetition as this title. Activision should have either cut the price in half or double the game length.

Your enjoyment of “Monsters vs. Aliens” will come down to your tolerance for repetition - using the same gameplay devices in increasingly difficult situations - and your acceptance of the brevity of the title going in. This gamer, one who grew up in an era when Mario could really just jump and occasionally shoot fireballs, is more tolerant of repetition than a lot of other critics, especially when what’s being repeated is as enjoyable as the action in “Monsters vs. Aliens”.

The fact is that kids, the main target audience for a game named “Monsters vs. Aliens,” don’t care about repetition. They’ll watch the same movie and show over and over again and listen to the same “High School Musical” and “Miley Cyrus” records until their parents’ heads explode. The fact that “Monsters vs. Aliens” is only moderately repetitive for this older critic means it will likely be even less of a problem for younger gamers. “MvA” could have been better, but I’ll admit that I expected it to be much, much worse.

‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ was released and developed by Activision. It is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older). The version reviewed was for the PS3, but the title is also available for the Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PS2 and PC. It was released on March 24th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Seth Rogen Delivers in Controversial, Hilarious ‘Observe and Report’

BrianTT — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:12:28 -0600

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – The hysterically misleading TV spots for Jody Hill’s “Observe and Report” make it out to look like another broad comedy that might even have a cute romance between stars Seth Rogen and Anna Faris. There’s nothing cute or predictable about “Observe and Report”. And that’s precisely why it works.

Those ads are like suckering family viewers into a Kevin Smith movie by advertising that he did a voice in the animated “Doogal” or pitching “Tropic Thunder” to the crowds that really liked that family-friendly Ben Stiller in “Night at the Museum”. Audiences have no idea what they’re in for.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Observe and Report” in our reviews section.

Drug use, extensive frontal nudity, extreme violence, date rape - this is material that’s not for the faint of heart. If you were remotely offended by last year’s Rogen vehicle (“Pineapple Express”) find another movie for this weekend’s date night. “O&R” pushes the envelope to a level that will be well beyond the breaking point for a lot of viewers and I understand that. It’s not a movie for everyone.

However, if you’re like me and you think that comedy should be dangerous every once in a while just for the health of the genre, then get in line. Sometimes, humor should make you uncomfortable. I would never dare to suggest that everyone will fall for the very dark jokes of “Observe and Report,” but aren’t you exhausted by the predictability of modern movie comedy? Don’t you sometimes want to see something completely different? Aren’t you tired of movies that you could write yourself simply based on watching the TV spots?

‘Observe and Report’ stars Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Collette Wolfe, and Celia Weston. It was written and directed by Jody Hill. It opens on April 10th, 2009. It is rated R.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Observe and Report” review.

Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
Photo credit: Peter Sorel and Warner Brothers