Adam McKay

DVD Review: ‘Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush’

BrianTT — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:49:28 -0700

CHICAGO – When I first heard about Will Ferrell’s one-man Broadway show in which he would deliver a nearly-90-minute monologue as outgoing President George W. Bush, I was both excited at the potential and nervous as to how on Earth the talented comedian could keep it interesting for its full running time. Wouldn’t it play like an extended “Saturday Night Live” sketch? “You’re Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush” not only justifies its running time but is smart, clever, and well-written enough that I wished it was twice as long.

DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0

In his first-ever HBO special, Ferrell brings his Tony-nominated portrayal of George W. Bush to audiences who couldn’t make it to New York City earlier this year. Timed to coincide with Bush handing over the reins of the country to Barack Obama, “You’re Welcome America” is a searing, satirical look at not just the Presidency of George W. Bush but his entire misunderestimated life.

Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush was released on DVD on November 3rd, 2009.
Photo credit: HBO Home Video

Of course, if you’re in the 29% of Americans who approved of the job Bush was doing when he left office, I’m not naive enough to think that you’ll get as much enjoyment out of “You’re Welcome America” as the rest of us (although I think even supporters of Bush would recognize the comic ability on display in what Ferrell has accomplished). This is not a kind portrayal of our former leader, as Ferrell skewers every aspect of the life, legend, and legacy of the recently unemployed 43rd U.S. President.

The DVD release of “You’re Welcome America” is what one would expect for what is essentially a stand-up special. There are, naturally, not going to be copious special features or remarkable technical specs. The piece pretty much speaks for itself.

Having said that, fans will find an interesting mini-featurette called “Road to Broadway,” a mildly amusing piece called “Bush on Bush Interview” in which Ferrell plays Dubya interviewing himself, and a disturbing true or false game called “It’s Time Has Come of Being a Decider, America”.

‘Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush’ is released by HBO Home Video and stars Will Ferrell. It was written by Ferrell and directed by Marty Callner. The show was released on DVD on November 3rd, 2009. It is rated TV-MA.

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

Interview: Jeremy Piven Delivers ‘The Goods’ on Chicago Red Carpet

PatrickMcD — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:04:14 -0600

CHICAGO – In the midst of a new season of ‘Entourage’ on HBO, actor Jeremy Piven walked the red carpet during the Chicago premiere of ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard,’ the newly released comedy in which he plays a lead role.

HollywoodChicago.com was there, and got some bonus Q&A action with the director of The Goods, Neal Brennan, and Jeremy Pivens notable acting teacher mother, Ms. Joyce Hiller Piven.

Jeremy Piven, star of ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’

This long-time character actor broke through as a lead character six TV seasons ago, playing the unforgettable Ari Gold, super-agent for the characters of ‘Entourage.’ Expanding his film career, he plays Don Ready in The Goods, and talks about the filming experience.

Jeremy Piven Walks the Red Carpet at the Chicago Premiere of ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ on August 13, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: Taking the lead role in a comedy is tremendously exciting. Did you feel you had to take more of a leadership role on the set with its large cast then previous films to keep the morale and energy up?

Jeremy Piven: I been in a lot of comedies, and this is the funniest one I’ve ever been in, bar none. Even though I’m lucky enough to have the lead, Will Ferrell and Ed Helms are among the best in the business, so they all made me look really good.

I’ve just been doing ensemble work forever, and [Producer] Adam McKay gathered this cast together, and they are just cool guys to hang out with…I had the time of my life.

HC: What is different about a Chicago or Midwestern actor in Los Angeles than actors from other parts of the country and why?

JP: I’m lucky enough to do Entourage right now with a fellow Chicago actor named Gary Cole. And what you get with a Chicago actor is a fellow who is willing to do anything, try anything and doesn’t have an ego. He looks you in the eye and does his thing.

Whenever there is a Chicago actor on set I am so happy. We had this great moment when David Schwimmer was there and Gary Cole, so the whole atmosphere was Chicago guys. That was pretty cool.

HC: Anything you can tell us about what will happen to Ari Gold in the rest of Entourage’s season?

JP: Ari is going to bottom out and take over the town. It’s kind of going to be ripped from the headlines.

Neal Brennan, director of ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’

Screenwriter (”Half Baked”) and a former comedy scribe for “Chapelle’s Show,” Neal Brennan makes his film directorial debut with The Goods.

Neal Brennan at the Chicago Premiere of ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ on August 13, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: What did you do on the set to keep up the energy on this very manic comedy?

Neal Brennan: I didn’t have to do much. I tried not to cut too much. I feel as a director that when you yell ‘cut,’ all the actors think ‘did he cut because of me?’ I try to keep the camera rolling as long as I could.

Somebody told me it adds 200 grand in film costs. They did tell me to start shooting less, but Will Ferrell and Adam McKay were behind them telling me don’t stop shooting.

HC: How much improvisation do you allow on-set? Is that hard to control with comedians?

NB: The great Harold Ramis once told me that he uses the script as a last resort. We do a couple takes with the script, but then we tried something else.

HC: As a director, what is your favorite camera shot or movement and why?

NB: With this movie in particular, I tried to keep up camera movement as much as possible. I shot in what is called a ‘lensing style,’ which is to shoot a scene from far away so it seems more real and documentary-like.

Most of the time I wanted to be about the actors and the jokes, but there were some moments where I thought, ‘I can show off a little here.’

Joyce Hiller Piven, Co-founder of the Piven Theatre Workshop

The mother of Jeremy Piven is a famous name in Chicago, co-founding her Evanston-based acting studio with her late husband Byrne Piven.

Joyce Hiller Piven at the Chicago Premiere of ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ on August 13, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: Since you are a student and teacher of acting, what do you observe about the cutthroat business end of the type of productions that Jeremy participates in, and how do you think that business effects the art of acting overall?

Joyce Hiller Piven: I don’t think anything is compromised when Jeremy is involved. Because he is artist and is true to himself. So I can’t speak to a general kind of statement involving the industry overall.

HC: How have movies and the type of acting done for them effected the work you see coming out of your students over the years? Has it made a significant difference in them and why?

JHP: I am a little prejudiced about the Workshop. What we are noted for is trying to cultivate the individual voice. So when students go through the Workshop they find that true voice. The original voice. Not trying to be like anyone else.

We have a healthy atmosphere and I think artists thrive on health. I don’t think artists have to suffer and be neurotic. They may be neurotic in life, but under on our program they’re not that way on stage. They have comfort and feel easy in a stage presence.

HC: Finally, as an instructor and mentor, what is your best one sentence advice to student actors?

JHP: Cultivate your own voice, your own originality, your own creativity and love what you are doing.

’The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ opened August 14, 2009 at theaters everywhere and features Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, Ed Helms, James Brolin, Rob Riggle, David Koechner and Kathryn Hahn, directed by Neal Brennan.

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

DVD Review: HBO’s Hilarious ‘Eastbound and Down’ Gets Great Release

BrianTT — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Danny McBride (“Pineapple Express,” “Land of the Lost”) gave one of the best TV performances of the last several years as the over-the-top anti-hero of HBO’s hysterical “Eastbound & Down,” a sitcom about a raging a-hole sports star brought back to Earth and forced to work as a gym teacher in the small town he grew up in, now available on DVD.

DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0

Kenny Powers is a giant, raging, alcoholic catfish in a small pond. He used to have it all - endorsements, trophies, a million-dollar contract. As his steroid-enhanced skills declined, the fact that Kenny Powers was also a total a-hole came to the surface and he was run out of professional sports (MLB fans familiar with the true story of John Rocker will see some of that in this fictional take).

Eastbound and Down: The Complete First Season was released on DVD on June 30th, 2009.
Photo credit: HBO Home Video

After leaving baseball, Kenny returns home to live with his brother (John Hawkes) and sister-in-law (Jennifer Irwin) and teach at the North Carolina middle school that he once attended. He tries to work his way back into the life of his teen-years girlfriend (the underrated Katy Mixon), who also teaches at the school and happens to be engaged to the dorky principal (Andrew Daly).

Eastbound and Down: The Complete First Season was released on DVD on June 30th, 2009.
Photo credit: HBO Home Video

Powers also operates under the delusion that not only is he still famous but that he will one day pitch in the majors again. So, he tries to use his fame at events like one at a local car dealer (a fantastic Will Ferrell, appearing in two episodes) and takes steroids again in his pursuit to re-find his fastball. Drugs, cheap sex, unbelievable profanity, and general obnoxiousness are a way of life for a man who listens to his own audio book (“You’re F**kin’ Out, I’m F**kin’ In”) for inspiration.

Over six hysterical episodes, “Eastbound & Down” feels like nothing else on television. It’s more like a six-part, three-hour comedy feature film, a feeling enhanced by the superstar cast and great team behind the camera, including producers Ferrell and Adam McKay and directors Jody Hill (“Observe and Report”) and the great David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express,” “Snow Angels”). One of the best American filmmakers of his generation directed a half-hour comedy earlier this year. Even if you’re not a TV fan, you should see it.

The DVD from HBO treats Kenny Powers like the star he is in his own mind. The episodes look better-than-average for standard DVD in 16x9 widescreen and the sound is more than adequate in English 5.1 Dolby Surround. HBO has long led the way in TV and produced some amazing DVD season sets, but they really should be offering every show, especially one as acclaimed as “Eastbound & Down,” on Blu-Ray. It’s disappointing that this is only available on standard, even if it’s a great standard release.

The special features are extensive and interesting, including several audio commentaries, some very funny outtakes and deleted scenes, “Making Eastbound & Down,” “Kenny Powers: Greatest Hits,” “Schaeffer Motors Commercials,” and “Steve’s Dark Secret”.

It’s unlikely, but if there’s any Emmy justice, “Eastbound & Down” will get a couple of nominations later this month (check out our feature about that) and season two has already been announced. Check out the great first season DVD and jump on the bandwagon before Kenny Powers really becomes a household name again.

‘Eastbound & Down: The Complete First Season’ was released by HBO Home Video and stars Danny McBride, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes, Andrew Daly, Ben Best, Jennifer Irwin, and Steve Little. It was created by Ben T. Best & Jody L. Hill & Danny R. McBride. The show was released on June 30th, 2009. It is rated TV-MA.

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