Film Junk » Comedy http://www.filmjunk.com Blog and Podcast Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:09:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en Let the Bullets Fly Trailer Starring Chow Yun Fat http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/09/let-the-bullets-fly-trailer-starring-chow-yun-fat/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/09/let-the-bullets-fly-trailer-starring-chow-yun-fat/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:09:56 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70963 China's highest grossing movie of all-time is finally coming to North America, but as this trailer clearly states, it "ain't no Avatar." The movie is called Let the Bullets Fly and it is a period action movie set in the 1920s. There's no wuxia to be found here; instead it's filled with bloody fist fights and violent shootouts. It looks to be a Western of sorts, perhaps in the vein of Kim Ji-woon's The Good, The Bad, The Weird. Indeed, I was pretty surprised by how gruesome and off-the-wall the first domestic red band trailer is. The movie stars Chow Yun Fat as a local mobster in a remote provincial town who butts heads with a bandit (Jiang Wen) masquerading as the town's mayor. The two engage in a deadly mind game that ends up leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. The movie debuted in North America at the Tribeca Film Festival last year and will be released by Well Go USA next month. Let the Bullets Fly hits select theatres on March 2nd; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> China's highest grossing movie of all-time is finally coming to North America, but as this trailer clearly states, it "ain't no Avatar." The movie is called Let the Bullets Fly and it is a period action movie set in the 1920s. There's no wuxia to be found here; instead it's filled with bloody fist fights and violent shootouts. It looks to be a Western of sorts, perhaps in the vein of Kim Ji-woon's The Good, The Bad, The Weird. Indeed, I was pretty surprised by how gruesome and off-the-wall the first domestic red band trailer is. The movie stars Chow Yun Fat as a local mobster in a remote provincial town who butts heads with a bandit (Jiang Wen) masquerading as the town's mayor. The two engage in a deadly mind game that ends up leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. The movie debuted in North America at the Tribeca Film Festival last year and will be released by Well Go USA next month. Let the Bullets Fly hits select theatres on March 2nd; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/09/let-the-bullets-fly-trailer-starring-chow-yun-fat/feed/ The Artist Review http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/08/the-artist-review-2/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/08/the-artist-review-2/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:29:52 +0000 Shannon http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70917 I’ve been frantically trying to catch up on every movie that I should see before Oscar night, but for some reason, I have continuously shoved The Artist to the bottom of the screener pile for months. I found it difficult to conjure up much enthusiasm for a film that is not only silent but filmed entirely in black and white. What’s the big deal? Why is this film a frontrunner for the heated Best Picture race? It looked dull and tedious. Wrong, on both accounts. The Artist is one of the most charming films I have ever seen. It’s a wonderful tribute to the golden age of film, all the while managing to feel wholly original and exhilarating. It’s little wonder it has emerged as a critical darling this season. There’s nothing else quite like it. A dashing hero (Jean Dujardin) and a coquettish ingénue (Berenice Bejo) whirl their way through a tale of romance, melancholy, loss and redemption. Dujardin is George Valentin, the debonair reigning king of silent film who stars in swashbuckling adventures that enthrall the audiences who are devouring this new form of entertainment. Valentin is a contract performer for a major film studio, and expertly uses his good lucks and charisma to market whatever film project he is promoting. The result is mass chaos whenever he shows up on a red carpet event. He knows how to work the crowd, and women strain to catch a glimpse of him. One day a clamoring cutie named Peppy Miller finds herself face to face with her idol when she stumbles out from behind the velvet rope, and it is Kismet. The two have instant chemistry, and take the opportunity to ham it up for the camera. The next day the photos are splashed across the front page of every newspaper across the nation, and everyone wants to know who the mystery girl is. Peppy’s brush with fame inspires her to pursue her dreams of being a star, and she auditions for bit part in George’s next film. Not only does she snag the part, but she gets to spend some stolen (though chaste) moments with George, who offers some words of advice to the ambitious starlet. Though he is obviously transfixed by Peppy, he is married, and honors that commitment. This all takes place on the crux of a development that will change the future of film forever: the arrival of “talking pictures”. George eschews the new type of movies being made as a silly fad, while Peppy embraces the future, and becomes one of the fresh faced performers at the same studio that represents George. In an ironic twist of fate, George sees his star plummet to the ground at the very same time Peppy’s explodes. After several years, the once proud George finds himself penniless and broken, while Peppy is at the toast of Hollywood. However, Peppy has never forgotten her crush. It’s wonderfully romantic. Dujardin and Bejo are magnificent in their respective roles. Since there is no spoken dialogue in the film, the two must convey every single emotion with highly nuanced facial expressions and body language. There are some subtitles that provide sparse bits of dialogue, but the movie relies almost completely on the performances of the two principals. Director Michel Hazanavicius (Bejo’s real-life husband) coaxes some magic from the pair; they also deliver one hell of a dance sequence in the movie that left me giddy. It’s a throwback to the musicals of the 50s, something we don’t see today. I can imagine the nostalgia it will inspire in older Academy members, so I think its chances for taking home the big prize are better than ever. Though this film deals with the transition from silent to speaking film, it reminded me of the times when big actors were under contract with major studios like MGM, then gradually a new model was adapted. Gone today are the days when a particular actor guarantees a big box office opening. Even recent heavyweights like Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks are capable of faltering at the box office. We’re on to the next era, where actors are plucked from obscurity in order to cut budget costs and studios cross their fingers that every once in a while they will hit the bulls-eye with a mega franchise like Twilight or Fast Five. Someday we’ll be waxing poetic about the stars of the '80s and '90s (I’ve already begun doing so). Despite the lack of color, The Artist boasts sumptuous cinematography. You won’t even notice that it is in black and white. The characters pop on the screen, and Hazanavicius perfectly frames the shots so that you can focus on their faces, which are the centerpiece of the story. I’m not even going to touch on the controversy swirling around the score of The Artist, but as far as I am concerned, it’s perfect for the film; punchy and kicky at times, soft and subtle at others. This is one of those films in which the score actually becomes an integral character. I would be remiss without mentioning some of the excellent supporting players in the film. John Goodman plays Al Zimmer, George’s longtime boss and friend who agonizes over releasing George from his contract. Then there is Uggie, the Jack Russell dog who has catapulted to fame after his endearing performance as George’s loyal canine companion (and co-star). Do yourself a favor and believe the hype - The Artist is one of the most entertaining films of the year. -- Shannon

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]]> I’ve been frantically trying to catch up on every movie that I should see before Oscar night, but for some reason, I have continuously shoved The Artist to the bottom of the screener pile for months. I found it difficult to conjure up much enthusiasm for a film that is not only silent but filmed entirely in black and white. What’s the big deal? Why is this film a frontrunner for the heated Best Picture race? It looked dull and tedious. Wrong, on both accounts. The Artist is one of the most charming films I have ever seen. It’s a wonderful tribute to the golden age of film, all the while managing to feel wholly original and exhilarating. It’s little wonder it has emerged as a critical darling this season. There’s nothing else quite like it. A dashing hero (Jean Dujardin) and a coquettish ingénue (Berenice Bejo) whirl their way through a tale of romance, melancholy, loss and redemption. Dujardin is George Valentin, the debonair reigning king of silent film who stars in swashbuckling adventures that enthrall the audiences who are devouring this new form of entertainment. Valentin is a contract performer for a major film studio, and expertly uses his good lucks and charisma to market whatever film project he is promoting. The result is mass chaos whenever he shows up on a red carpet event. He knows how to work the crowd, and women strain to catch a glimpse of him. One day a clamoring cutie named Peppy Miller finds herself face to face with her idol when she stumbles out from behind the velvet rope, and it is Kismet. The two have instant chemistry, and take the opportunity to ham it up for the camera. The next day the photos are splashed across the front page of every newspaper across the nation, and everyone wants to know who the mystery girl is. Peppy’s brush with fame inspires her to pursue her dreams of being a star, and she auditions for bit part in George’s next film. Not only does she snag the part, but she gets to spend some stolen (though chaste) moments with George, who offers some words of advice to the ambitious starlet. Though he is obviously transfixed by Peppy, he is married, and honors that commitment. This all takes place on the crux of a development that will change the future of film forever: the arrival of “talking pictures”. George eschews the new type of movies being made as a silly fad, while Peppy embraces the future, and becomes one of the fresh faced performers at the same studio that represents George. In an ironic twist of fate, George sees his star plummet to the ground at the very same time Peppy’s explodes. After several years, the once proud George finds himself penniless and broken, while Peppy is at the toast of Hollywood. However, Peppy has never forgotten her crush. It’s wonderfully romantic. Dujardin and Bejo are magnificent in their respective roles. Since there is no spoken dialogue in the film, the two must convey every single emotion with highly nuanced facial expressions and body language. There are some subtitles that provide sparse bits of dialogue, but the movie relies almost completely on the performances of the two principals. Director Michel Hazanavicius (Bejo’s real-life husband) coaxes some magic from the pair; they also deliver one hell of a dance sequence in the movie that left me giddy. It’s a throwback to the musicals of the 50s, something we don’t see today. I can imagine the nostalgia it will inspire in older Academy members, so I think its chances for taking home the big prize are better than ever. Though this film deals with the transition from silent to speaking film, it reminded me of the times when big actors were under contract with major studios like MGM, then gradually a new model was adapted. Gone today are the days when a particular actor guarantees a big box office opening. Even recent heavyweights like Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks are capable of faltering at the box office. We’re on to the next era, where actors are plucked from obscurity in order to cut budget costs and studios cross their fingers that every once in a while they will hit the bulls-eye with a mega franchise like Twilight or Fast Five. Someday we’ll be waxing poetic about the stars of the '80s and '90s (I’ve already begun doing so). Despite the lack of color, The Artist boasts sumptuous cinematography. You won’t even notice that it is in black and white. The characters pop on the screen, and Hazanavicius perfectly frames the shots so that you can focus on their faces, which are the centerpiece of the story. I’m not even going to touch on the controversy swirling around the score of The Artist, but as far as I am concerned, it’s perfect for the film; punchy and kicky at times, soft and subtle at others. This is one of those films in which the score actually becomes an integral character. I would be remiss without mentioning some of the excellent supporting players in the film. John Goodman plays Al Zimmer, George’s longtime boss and friend who agonizes over releasing George from his contract. Then there is Uggie, the Jack Russell dog who has catapulted to fame after his endearing performance as George’s loyal canine companion (and co-star). Do yourself a favor and believe the hype - The Artist is one of the most entertaining films of the year. -- Shannon

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/08/the-artist-review-2/feed/ Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson to Reunite for Interns http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/08/vince-vaughn-and-owen-wilson-to-reunite-for-interns/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/08/vince-vaughn-and-owen-wilson-to-reunite-for-interns/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:58:26 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70880 There was a time when the so-called "Frat Pack" was on top of the comedy world, back when actors like Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Luke and Owen Wilson were all collaborating in some of the funniest and most successful films of the past decade. However, recently their output has slowed and dropped off in terms of both quantity and quality as they've been surpassed by Judd Apatow's "Jew Crew", among others. Most of the Frat Packers have gone on to experiment with more artistic fare like Stranger Than Fiction, Greenberg and Midnight in Paris to varying degrees of success, but most of their actual comedies have become pretty uninspired (Little Fockers and The Big Year being the latest group efforts). But could they be hatching a plot to reclaim the comedy crown from all these young upstarts who starred in movies like The Hangover and Horrible Bosses? This year Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn will star in a promising sci-fi comedy called Neighborhood Watch, and now it looks like Wedding Crashers buddies Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson will also be teaming up for a new movie called Interns. Is this something that could actually be worth getting excited about? According to Vulture, Interns revolves around two forty-something company guys who both get laid off from their jobs and decide to become interns at a dotcom startup, competing for promotions with all the younger employees who are fresh out of school. It sounds like an inspired idea, almost like an update of Mike Judge's Office Space, and Vaughn himself wrote the script. The project is being set up at Fox and Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum) is currently attached to direct. Vince Vaughn has had a long string of pretty bad comedies over the past few years (Fred Claus, Four Christmases, Couples Retreat and The Dilemma), but I have to admit that I kind of miss the guy and I really hope this is the start of a comeback for him. Owen Wilson hasn't done much better, although his performance in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris seems to be turning things around a bit. What do you think, do these guys still have what it takes to be funny or have they long since passed their prime? Are you looking forward to Interns?

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]]> There was a time when the so-called "Frat Pack" was on top of the comedy world, back when actors like Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Luke and Owen Wilson were all collaborating in some of the funniest and most successful films of the past decade. However, recently their output has slowed and dropped off in terms of both quantity and quality as they've been surpassed by Judd Apatow's "Jew Crew", among others. Most of the Frat Packers have gone on to experiment with more artistic fare like Stranger Than Fiction, Greenberg and Midnight in Paris to varying degrees of success, but most of their actual comedies have become pretty uninspired (Little Fockers and The Big Year being the latest group efforts). But could they be hatching a plot to reclaim the comedy crown from all these young upstarts who starred in movies like The Hangover and Horrible Bosses? This year Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn will star in a promising sci-fi comedy called Neighborhood Watch, and now it looks like Wedding Crashers buddies Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson will also be teaming up for a new movie called Interns. Is this something that could actually be worth getting excited about? According to Vulture, Interns revolves around two forty-something company guys who both get laid off from their jobs and decide to become interns at a dotcom startup, competing for promotions with all the younger employees who are fresh out of school. It sounds like an inspired idea, almost like an update of Mike Judge's Office Space, and Vaughn himself wrote the script. The project is being set up at Fox and Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum) is currently attached to direct. Vince Vaughn has had a long string of pretty bad comedies over the past few years (Fred Claus, Four Christmases, Couples Retreat and The Dilemma), but I have to admit that I kind of miss the guy and I really hope this is the start of a comeback for him. Owen Wilson hasn't done much better, although his performance in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris seems to be turning things around a bit. What do you think, do these guys still have what it takes to be funny or have they long since passed their prime? Are you looking forward to Interns?

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/08/vince-vaughn-and-owen-wilson-to-reunite-for-interns/feed/ Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Make Directorial Debut with Scarlett Johansson Co-Starring http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/joeseph-gordon-levitt-to-make-directorial-debut-with-scarlett-johansson-co-starring/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/joeseph-gordon-levitt-to-make-directorial-debut-with-scarlett-johansson-co-starring/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:14:50 +0000 Aaron http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70843 The trend of actors turning to the director's chair continues this week as we've learned that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will soon be making an effort behind the camera. The untitled film is described as a romantic comedy about a modern day Don Juan who attempts to become less of a "selfish dick." In addition to directing, Gordon-Levitt wrote the script and will play the lead role. Scarlett Johansson has also been announced as a lead, although her role was not specified. While directing might seem like a big turn for Gordon-Levitt, he's had aspirations to helm features for quite a while and has made several short films that have played on the festival circuit, in addition to launching a collaborative production company called hitRECord.org. The script for the film took three years to complete, finishing around the time 50/50 was shooting. Gordon-Levitt has a crowded year ahead of him since he'll presumably be out promoting The Dark Knight Rises, Premium Rush, Looper, and Lincoln. And now with his directing debut set up, it's questionable whether he will be able to fit his small part in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained into his schedule. As for tackling the challenge of feature-directing, Gordon-Levitt seems ready, saying, “I spent a year working with Chris Nolan, Rian Johnson, Steven Spielberg, and I did my best to pay attention." That experience, along with his short film work, should serve him well. Will you be looking forward to a film written, directed, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, or does that combination sound like a little too much JGL for you?

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]]> The trend of actors turning to the director's chair continues this week as we've learned that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will soon be making an effort behind the camera. The untitled film is described as a romantic comedy about a modern day Don Juan who attempts to become less of a "selfish dick." In addition to directing, Gordon-Levitt wrote the script and will play the lead role. Scarlett Johansson has also been announced as a lead, although her role was not specified. While directing might seem like a big turn for Gordon-Levitt, he's had aspirations to helm features for quite a while and has made several short films that have played on the festival circuit, in addition to launching a collaborative production company called hitRECord.org. The script for the film took three years to complete, finishing around the time 50/50 was shooting. Gordon-Levitt has a crowded year ahead of him since he'll presumably be out promoting The Dark Knight Rises, Premium Rush, Looper, and Lincoln. And now with his directing debut set up, it's questionable whether he will be able to fit his small part in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained into his schedule. As for tackling the challenge of feature-directing, Gordon-Levitt seems ready, saying, “I spent a year working with Chris Nolan, Rian Johnson, Steven Spielberg, and I did my best to pay attention." That experience, along with his short film work, should serve him well. Will you be looking forward to a film written, directed, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, or does that combination sound like a little too much JGL for you?

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/joeseph-gordon-levitt-to-make-directorial-debut-with-scarlett-johansson-co-starring/feed/ Robert Rodriguez’ Machete Sequel to Shoot in April http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/robert-rodriguez-machete-sequel-to-shoot-in-april/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/robert-rodriguez-machete-sequel-to-shoot-in-april/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:58:06 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70815 The end credits of Machete hinted at the possibility of not one but two sequels, although at the time it was unclear if this was merely a joke or if it was for real. However, when you consider that the movie itself was a self-fulfilling prophecy that grew out of a fake trailer created for Grindhouse, it only makes sense that both Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again would eventually become a reality as well. That being said, it is a little bit surprising that they are happening so soon. For a guy who has been attached to so many different projects over the past few years, you'd think that Robert Rodriguez would be far too busy to bother with another Machete movie right now. That doesn't appear to be the case, as it is now being reported that the first sequel will begin shooting as early as this April. According to Deadline, Machete Kills will be produced and financed by Russian-Ukrainian producer Alexander Rodnyansky, and Danny Trejo is already in talks to reprise the title role. The script was written by Kyle Ward (Kane & Lynch) and finds the U.S. government recruiting Machete to "take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space." I am assuming that Robert Rodriguez will actually direct it himself, but it's unclear if his editor Ethan Maniquis will also be co-directing again. I enjoyed Machete, but I do worry that this burgeoning franchise could easily run out of steam if they don't find some creative ideas and an interesting supporting cast to surround Trejo with. Considering that the budget for these movies will probably continue to decrease, I'm not sure we'll get anyone like Jessica Alba, Robert DeNiro or even Steven Seagal in the next one. On the bright side, it seems that from the plot synopsis, it should be an easy transition to the third film, the full title of which has been revealed to be Machete Kills Again ... in Space. What do you think? Are you looking forward to a Machete sequel or is Robert Rodriguez wasting his time by churning out so many quick and easy sequels on the cheap?

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]]> The end credits of Machete hinted at the possibility of not one but two sequels, although at the time it was unclear if this was merely a joke or if it was for real. However, when you consider that the movie itself was a self-fulfilling prophecy that grew out of a fake trailer created for Grindhouse, it only makes sense that both Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again would eventually become a reality as well. That being said, it is a little bit surprising that they are happening so soon. For a guy who has been attached to so many different projects over the past few years, you'd think that Robert Rodriguez would be far too busy to bother with another Machete movie right now. That doesn't appear to be the case, as it is now being reported that the first sequel will begin shooting as early as this April. According to Deadline, Machete Kills will be produced and financed by Russian-Ukrainian producer Alexander Rodnyansky, and Danny Trejo is already in talks to reprise the title role. The script was written by Kyle Ward (Kane & Lynch) and finds the U.S. government recruiting Machete to "take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space." I am assuming that Robert Rodriguez will actually direct it himself, but it's unclear if his editor Ethan Maniquis will also be co-directing again. I enjoyed Machete, but I do worry that this burgeoning franchise could easily run out of steam if they don't find some creative ideas and an interesting supporting cast to surround Trejo with. Considering that the budget for these movies will probably continue to decrease, I'm not sure we'll get anyone like Jessica Alba, Robert DeNiro or even Steven Seagal in the next one. On the bright side, it seems that from the plot synopsis, it should be an easy transition to the third film, the full title of which has been revealed to be Machete Kills Again ... in Space. What do you think? Are you looking forward to a Machete sequel or is Robert Rodriguez wasting his time by churning out so many quick and easy sequels on the cheap?

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/robert-rodriguez-machete-sequel-to-shoot-in-april/feed/ Kevin Smith Announces Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/kevin-smith-announces-jay-silent-bobs-super-groovy-cartoon-movie/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/kevin-smith-announces-jay-silent-bobs-super-groovy-cartoon-movie/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:38:07 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70785 Last week Kevin Smith held a live podcast and interactive Q&A in Toronto that was simulcast to movie theatres across North America called Kevin Smith: Live from Behind. As you might expect, the Q&A featured some new information about upcoming projects from Smith, one of which was his hockey movie Hit Somebody (which he plans to debut in hockey arenas across Canada), and the other was a brand new movie called Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie. Unbeknownst to me, there had been a brief mention of this film in the SModcast Pictures press release from last month, but it stated only that it would be "a blend of live action footage and R-rated animation." Smith confirmed this fact during Live From Behind, although he did not reveal a heck of a lot more. The details are still pretty scarce, but according to Smith, they are aiming to have Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie premiere at the Midnight Madness program at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. That would seem to indicate that the project is already in production, especially since animation can take a lot longer to complete than a low budget film. Movie Buzzers also reports that the movie is partially being developed by Jason Mewes, and that the live action elements will include Smith and Mewes in their superhero outfits, most likely as Bluntman and Chronic. If you ask me, it sounds like it could end up being something in the vein of Rob Zombie's The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, which seemed kind of cool but ultimately ended up getting mixed reviews. I'm also guessing that Steve Stark, the guy who does The SModCo Cartoon Show (previously known as SModimations 2D) will be involved, and that it will feature the same art style. I was a fan of the short-lived Clerks animated series back in 2000, and I'd still like to see what else Smith could do with the medium, particularly if it's rated R. On the other hand, if this project is mainly the brainchild of Jason Mewes, that could be a bad sign. What do you think, are you interested in Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie?

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]]> Last week Kevin Smith held a live podcast and interactive Q&A in Toronto that was simulcast to movie theatres across North America called Kevin Smith: Live from Behind. As you might expect, the Q&A featured some new information about upcoming projects from Smith, one of which was his hockey movie Hit Somebody (which he plans to debut in hockey arenas across Canada), and the other was a brand new movie called Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie. Unbeknownst to me, there had been a brief mention of this film in the SModcast Pictures press release from last month, but it stated only that it would be "a blend of live action footage and R-rated animation." Smith confirmed this fact during Live From Behind, although he did not reveal a heck of a lot more. The details are still pretty scarce, but according to Smith, they are aiming to have Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie premiere at the Midnight Madness program at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. That would seem to indicate that the project is already in production, especially since animation can take a lot longer to complete than a low budget film. Movie Buzzers also reports that the movie is partially being developed by Jason Mewes, and that the live action elements will include Smith and Mewes in their superhero outfits, most likely as Bluntman and Chronic. If you ask me, it sounds like it could end up being something in the vein of Rob Zombie's The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, which seemed kind of cool but ultimately ended up getting mixed reviews. I'm also guessing that Steve Stark, the guy who does The SModCo Cartoon Show (previously known as SModimations 2D) will be involved, and that it will feature the same art style. I was a fan of the short-lived Clerks animated series back in 2000, and I'd still like to see what else Smith could do with the medium, particularly if it's rated R. On the other hand, if this project is mainly the brainchild of Jason Mewes, that could be a bad sign. What do you think, are you interested in Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie?

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/07/kevin-smith-announces-jay-silent-bobs-super-groovy-cartoon-movie/feed/ Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Dictator Super Bowl Trailer http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/02/sacha-baron-cohens-the-dictator-super-bowl-trailer/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/02/sacha-baron-cohens-the-dictator-super-bowl-trailer/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:35:17 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70520 Well if you're not too concerned about spoiling the Super Bowl experience for yourself, you can watch yet another Super Bowl trailer a few days before it airs during the big game. Paramount clearly has high hopes for Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator this summer, but unfortunately so far the marketing has been pretty underwhelming. This new TV spot doesn't add much aside from a quick Super Bowl-specific one-liner from Sacha Baron Cohen that is sure to inspire groans at Super Bowl parties everywhere. I'm hoping to be surprised by this one, but something tells me it could be Sacha Baron Cohen's first real misfire. The Dictator hits theatres on May 11th, 2012; check out the TV spot after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> Well if you're not too concerned about spoiling the Super Bowl experience for yourself, you can watch yet another Super Bowl trailer a few days before it airs during the big game. Paramount clearly has high hopes for Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator this summer, but unfortunately so far the marketing has been pretty underwhelming. This new TV spot doesn't add much aside from a quick Super Bowl-specific one-liner from Sacha Baron Cohen that is sure to inspire groans at Super Bowl parties everywhere. I'm hoping to be surprised by this one, but something tells me it could be Sacha Baron Cohen's first real misfire. The Dictator hits theatres on May 11th, 2012; check out the TV spot after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/02/sacha-baron-cohens-the-dictator-super-bowl-trailer/feed/ High Road Trailer Starring Lizzy Caplan http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/01/high-road-trailer-starring-lizzy-caplan/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/01/high-road-trailer-starring-lizzy-caplan/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:40:04 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70457 What does it take to make a good stoner comedy? Does it only have to be funny if you watch it when you're high, or does it require a few extra laughs for those lame sober folks as well? Is it a prerequisite that the title has the word "high" in it somewhere? I don't have the answer to these questions, but I do know that I'm sort of on the fence with the trailer for the upcoming comedy High Road. It stars a ton of funny people including Lizzy Caplan, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, Horatio Sans, Abby Elliott, Kyle Gass, Joe Lo Truglio and Zach Woods, but a lot of the jokes somehow seem to miss the mark. The plot revolves around Glenn "Fitz" Fitzgerald (James F. Pumphrey), a young man who starts dealing pot after his band breaks up. When one drug deal goes bad, he takes a little road trip to try and escape his problems. High Road is co-written and directed by Matt Walsh, one of the founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade, and apparently it is largely improvised. In my experience, that can be either a blessing or a curse. High Road hits VOD, DVD and Blu-ray on March 6th; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> What does it take to make a good stoner comedy? Does it only have to be funny if you watch it when you're high, or does it require a few extra laughs for those lame sober folks as well? Is it a prerequisite that the title has the word "high" in it somewhere? I don't have the answer to these questions, but I do know that I'm sort of on the fence with the trailer for the upcoming comedy High Road. It stars a ton of funny people including Lizzy Caplan, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, Horatio Sans, Abby Elliott, Kyle Gass, Joe Lo Truglio and Zach Woods, but a lot of the jokes somehow seem to miss the mark. The plot revolves around Glenn "Fitz" Fitzgerald (James F. Pumphrey), a young man who starts dealing pot after his band breaks up. When one drug deal goes bad, he takes a little road trip to try and escape his problems. High Road is co-written and directed by Matt Walsh, one of the founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade, and apparently it is largely improvised. In my experience, that can be either a blessing or a curse. High Road hits VOD, DVD and Blu-ray on March 6th; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/01/high-road-trailer-starring-lizzy-caplan/feed/ Adam Sandler to Star in Candy Land Movie http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/01/adam-sandler-to-star-in-candy-land-movie/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/01/adam-sandler-to-star-in-candy-land-movie/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:13 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70452 As we all await the shameless Transformers clone that looks to be Peter Berg's Battleship, it appears that the pieces are already being set up for Hasbro's next board game movie. No, unfortunately it's not Ridley Scott's Monopoly that we're talking about, but rather Candy Land, based on the popular game where you embark "on a magical journey through fantastical lands made of candy, sweets, and ice cream: the Peppermint Forest, the Gum Drop Mountains, and the Lollypop Woods." Kevin Lima (Enchanted) has been attached to direct for a while now, but the project will be changing hands from Universal to Sony. More importantly, they've also secured a pretty big star in order to guarantee the movie's success: the Sandman himself, Adam Sandler. The Candy Land movie will be co-produced by his company Happy Madison Productions. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hasbro is currently in negotiations to move the project from Universal to Columbia Pictures, where Adam Sandler typically hangs his hat. They had a four-year deal set up at Universal where they were planning to develop four or more movies based on board games and toys, but the only one that actually got off the ground was Battleship. Sony has already been developing a Risk movie with Hasbro, and now that they had a big hit with The Smurfs last year, they are also looking to do more family-oriented films. Sandler will star in the film and also co-write the script with his buddy Robert Smigel, which means they'll probably just be throwing out the old script that was penned by Tropic Thunder writer Etan Cohen. Although this might seem like the latest in a long line of lowest common denominator cash grabs for Sandler, the idea doesn't seem all that different from a movie he did back in 2008 called Bedtime Stories. It's definitely an opportunity for some unique and vibrant visuals, although something tells me there will be plenty of fart jokes as well. What do you think, could a Candy Land movie actually be good? Does Adam Sandler have any interesting movies left in him or has he long since stopped caring about quality?

FOR MORE DAILY MOVIE GOODNESS, VISIT FILMJUNK.COM!

]]> As we all await the shameless Transformers clone that looks to be Peter Berg's Battleship, it appears that the pieces are already being set up for Hasbro's next board game movie. No, unfortunately it's not Ridley Scott's Monopoly that we're talking about, but rather Candy Land, based on the popular game where you embark "on a magical journey through fantastical lands made of candy, sweets, and ice cream: the Peppermint Forest, the Gum Drop Mountains, and the Lollypop Woods." Kevin Lima (Enchanted) has been attached to direct for a while now, but the project will be changing hands from Universal to Sony. More importantly, they've also secured a pretty big star in order to guarantee the movie's success: the Sandman himself, Adam Sandler. The Candy Land movie will be co-produced by his company Happy Madison Productions. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hasbro is currently in negotiations to move the project from Universal to Columbia Pictures, where Adam Sandler typically hangs his hat. They had a four-year deal set up at Universal where they were planning to develop four or more movies based on board games and toys, but the only one that actually got off the ground was Battleship. Sony has already been developing a Risk movie with Hasbro, and now that they had a big hit with The Smurfs last year, they are also looking to do more family-oriented films. Sandler will star in the film and also co-write the script with his buddy Robert Smigel, which means they'll probably just be throwing out the old script that was penned by Tropic Thunder writer Etan Cohen. Although this might seem like the latest in a long line of lowest common denominator cash grabs for Sandler, the idea doesn't seem all that different from a movie he did back in 2008 called Bedtime Stories. It's definitely an opportunity for some unique and vibrant visuals, although something tells me there will be plenty of fart jokes as well. What do you think, could a Candy Land movie actually be good? Does Adam Sandler have any interesting movies left in him or has he long since stopped caring about quality?

FOR MORE DAILY MOVIE GOODNESS, VISIT FILMJUNK.COM!

]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/02/01/adam-sandler-to-star-in-candy-land-movie/feed/ Get the Gringo Trailer Starring Mel Gibson http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/31/get-the-gringo-trailer-starring-mel-gibson/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/31/get-the-gringo-trailer-starring-mel-gibson/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:22:03 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70434 Ladies and gentlemen, the Gibber is back! Even P.R. blunders and underperforming Jodie Foster movies can't possibly keep this guy down. His new movie looks like an R-rated action / thriller / comedy in the same vein as the ones he used to make back in the '80s and '90s. It's called Get the Gringo (previously it went under the working title How I Spent My Summer Vacation), and it revolves around a career criminal who gets nabbed by the U.S. Border Patrol and ends up in Mexican prison, only to learn the ropes from a 10-year-old kid. It is co-written and directed by Adrian Grunberg, who was also the second unit director on Gibson's Apocalypto. Now before you get too excited, it's worth noting that the movie will apparently forgo a traditional theatrical release and will debut on DirecTV instead, followed by a DVD and Blu-ray release later in the year. Is this an indication that the movie is sub-par or is it a bold new distribution move? That remains to be seen. According to Harry Knowles, who is hosting a special premiere screening of the film in Austin, Mel Gibson "once again challenges the status quo by bringing this authentic Peckinpah-ian pulpy tale directly to fans." That sounds like something Harry Knowles would say. Get the Gringo will hit DirecTV on May 1st at a cost of $10.99 per home viewing. Will this be a day one rental for you? Check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> Ladies and gentlemen, the Gibber is back! Even P.R. blunders and underperforming Jodie Foster movies can't possibly keep this guy down. His new movie looks like an R-rated action / thriller / comedy in the same vein as the ones he used to make back in the '80s and '90s. It's called Get the Gringo (previously it went under the working title How I Spent My Summer Vacation), and it revolves around a career criminal who gets nabbed by the U.S. Border Patrol and ends up in Mexican prison, only to learn the ropes from a 10-year-old kid. It is co-written and directed by Adrian Grunberg, who was also the second unit director on Gibson's Apocalypto. Now before you get too excited, it's worth noting that the movie will apparently forgo a traditional theatrical release and will debut on DirecTV instead, followed by a DVD and Blu-ray release later in the year. Is this an indication that the movie is sub-par or is it a bold new distribution move? That remains to be seen. According to Harry Knowles, who is hosting a special premiere screening of the film in Austin, Mel Gibson "once again challenges the status quo by bringing this authentic Peckinpah-ian pulpy tale directly to fans." That sounds like something Harry Knowles would say. Get the Gringo will hit DirecTV on May 1st at a cost of $10.99 per home viewing. Will this be a day one rental for you? Check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

FOR MORE DAILY MOVIE GOODNESS, VISIT FILMJUNK.COM!

]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/31/get-the-gringo-trailer-starring-mel-gibson/feed/ Bobcat Goldthwait’s God Bless America Trailer http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/30/bobcat-goldthwaits-god-bless-america-trailer/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/30/bobcat-goldthwaits-god-bless-america-trailer/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:40:22 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70314 After rising to fame as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s and starring in several '80s comedies including the Police Academy series, Scrooged, and Hot to Trot, Bobcat Goldthwait re-invented himself as a director in the early '90s with Shakes the Clown. He waited another decade before directing his next film, but now he seems to be focusing his career almost exclusively on being a filmmaker. His 2009 flick World's Greatest Dad starring Robin Williams was probably his most well-received film to date, and now he has returned with another dark comedy entitled God Bless America. The premise almost seems like a cross between James Gunn's Super and Mike Judge's Idiocracy. A 45-year-old man named Frank (played by Joel Murray) snaps one day after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has been witnessing all the stupidity surrounding him until finally his rage boils over and he goes off on a killing spree. Along the way, he meets up with Roxy (Tara Lynn Barr), a hyperactive teenaged girl who thinks Frank is the best thing since sliced bread. The movie seems almost juvenile in its glorified violence, but at the same time it's fun to see Goldthwaite try to push the envelope. God Bless America hits VOD on April 6th and select theatres on May 5th; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

FOR MORE DAILY MOVIE GOODNESS, VISIT FILMJUNK.COM!

]]> After rising to fame as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s and starring in several '80s comedies including the Police Academy series, Scrooged, and Hot to Trot, Bobcat Goldthwait re-invented himself as a director in the early '90s with Shakes the Clown. He waited another decade before directing his next film, but now he seems to be focusing his career almost exclusively on being a filmmaker. His 2009 flick World's Greatest Dad starring Robin Williams was probably his most well-received film to date, and now he has returned with another dark comedy entitled God Bless America. The premise almost seems like a cross between James Gunn's Super and Mike Judge's Idiocracy. A 45-year-old man named Frank (played by Joel Murray) snaps one day after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has been witnessing all the stupidity surrounding him until finally his rage boils over and he goes off on a killing spree. Along the way, he meets up with Roxy (Tara Lynn Barr), a hyperactive teenaged girl who thinks Frank is the best thing since sliced bread. The movie seems almost juvenile in its glorified violence, but at the same time it's fun to see Goldthwaite try to push the envelope. God Bless America hits VOD on April 6th and select theatres on May 5th; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/30/bobcat-goldthwaits-god-bless-america-trailer/feed/ Monty Python Members to Reunite for New Sci-fi Film http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/27/monty-python-members-to-reunite-for-new-sci-fi-film/ http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/27/monty-python-members-to-reunite-for-new-sci-fi-film/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:51:35 +0000 Sean http://www.filmjunk.com/?p=70234 Although I'm not a huge Monty Python fan, I am getting the distinct feeling that this is next bit of news could be a pretty big deal. After decades of concentrating on their own solo careers, it appears that England's most influential comedy troupe will once again come together for a new big screen collaboration. The plan is for Terry Jones (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life) to direct a new feature film called Absolutely Anything, described as "a sci-fi farce combining CGI and live action." Terry Gilliam, John Cleese and Michael Palin have all agreed to be involved, and the producers are currently in talks with Eric Idle as well. If they are successful, the only missing member would be the late Graham Chapman, who died in 1989. Clearly it could never be a true Monty Python film without him, but Jones assures us that "it certainly has that sensibility." According to Variety, the movie revolves around a group of aliens who conduct an experiment by bestowing an earthling with the power to do "absolutely anything", just to see what a mess he will make of things. The Pythons will each voice one of the aliens, while Robin Williams will apparently voice a talking dog named Dennis. The script was written by Terry Jones and Gavin Scott (Small Soldiers), who worked on it together over the past two decades. The last movie that Jones directed was The Wind in the Willows starring Steve Coogan in 1996, but he was disheartened that Sony gave it such a small release and took a long hiatus from directing as a result. The Monty Python troupe recently worked together on A Liar's Autobiography, an animated adaptation of Graham Chapman's memoir, although Eric Idle sat that one out as well. It sounds like they might be counting their eggs before they've hatched, but I'm guessing Monty Python fans will still be following the project with great interest. What do you think, will Eric Idle actually sign on, and more importantly, could this actually be good or are the Pythons just too far past their prime?

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]]> Although I'm not a huge Monty Python fan, I am getting the distinct feeling that this is next bit of news could be a pretty big deal. After decades of concentrating on their own solo careers, it appears that England's most influential comedy troupe will once again come together for a new big screen collaboration. The plan is for Terry Jones (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life) to direct a new feature film called Absolutely Anything, described as "a sci-fi farce combining CGI and live action." Terry Gilliam, John Cleese and Michael Palin have all agreed to be involved, and the producers are currently in talks with Eric Idle as well. If they are successful, the only missing member would be the late Graham Chapman, who died in 1989. Clearly it could never be a true Monty Python film without him, but Jones assures us that "it certainly has that sensibility." According to Variety, the movie revolves around a group of aliens who conduct an experiment by bestowing an earthling with the power to do "absolutely anything", just to see what a mess he will make of things. The Pythons will each voice one of the aliens, while Robin Williams will apparently voice a talking dog named Dennis. The script was written by Terry Jones and Gavin Scott (Small Soldiers), who worked on it together over the past two decades. The last movie that Jones directed was The Wind in the Willows starring Steve Coogan in 1996, but he was disheartened that Sony gave it such a small release and took a long hiatus from directing as a result. The Monty Python troupe recently worked together on A Liar's Autobiography, an animated adaptation of Graham Chapman's memoir, although Eric Idle sat that one out as well. It sounds like they might be counting their eggs before they've hatched, but I'm guessing Monty Python fans will still be following the project with great interest. What do you think, will Eric Idle actually sign on, and more importantly, could this actually be good or are the Pythons just too far past their prime?

FOR MORE DAILY MOVIE GOODNESS, VISIT FILMJUNK.COM!

]]> http://www.filmjunk.com/2012/01/27/monty-python-members-to-reunite-for-new-sci-fi-film/feed/