Jul 9 2009 New 'Funny People' Trailer: It's Funny

My computer's MMX processor isn't powerful enough to properly watch it, but hey, there's a new, red-band (cussin'!) trailer for Funny People! From what I could tell through the stuttered audio and slideshow-esque video that I was able to see, this film still looks funny (but not too funny, you know?) and genuine, so try to look past your seemingly-arbitrary resentment of Judd Apatow & Friends and let's all agree this looks pretty good:

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Jun 17 2009 'Funny People' Provides New Entry in 'Little Man' Genre

In Judd Apatow's Funny People, Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a comedian-turned-comic actor starring in primarily broad comedies--obviously a role that hits fairly close to home for the Waterboy. So, to promote the film, Apatow and Sandler, along with Justin Long, put together this depressingly believable clip for one of Simmons' fictional films, Re-Do. Description:

Craig, a workaholic lawyer, never made time for his relationships. Alone and depressed on his 40th birthday, he wonders about the life he could have lead. But be careful what you wish for...you might just find yourself in diapers! When a wizard gives Craig a second chance at his youth, he discovers that sometimes it takes becoming a baby to learn how to be a man.

It's really good. They've topped Yo, Teach...!:

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May 29 2009 'Yo Teach...!' Clip and Behind-the-Scenes!

Every group of underachieving, inner-city high schoolers needs a Michelle Pfeiffer, or a Pryzbylewski, or a Steve Harvey to show them that someone cares, that rapping is like funky poetry, and that dice is like math. This fall on NBC, one such group will get theirs in Mark Taylor Jackson, the "wise-cracking mentor of Yo Teach...!"

As this clip and behind-the-scenes featurette demonstrate, the show looks hilarious. And heartwarming:

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Mar 2 2009 Judd Apatow's 'Ghostbusters'

Looks like Judd Apatow will be adding Ghostbusters 3 to the sometimes inconsistent line-up of Pineapple Express, Drillbit Taylor, Knocked Up and others. Apatow Productions is officially attached to produce the third G. Busters film:

Judd Apatow's name has been attached the rumors about Ghostbusters 3 since they first began, with all reports saying he would be the producer for the film written by The Office writers Lee Eisenberg and Greg Stupnitsky. Now the production has gotten so close to actually happening that Production Weekly is listing it-- and wouldn't you know, Apatow Productions is right there in charge.

Does this mean the trailers will triumphantly announce that Ghostbusters 3 is "from the guys who brought you The 40-Year-Old Virgin"? Because the far more impressive part is still that it's '"from the guys who were the Ghostbusters--even Bill Murray, I shit you not!" I don't think other claim should attempt to usurp how unbelievable and possibly tragic that is.

Apatow Productions Officially In Charge Of Ghostbusters 3 [CinemaBlend]

Feb 23 2009 'Funny People' Trailer is Going to Live After All

Is there a second Adam Sandler movie I want to see in my adult life? I think there might be! Funny People may be a formulaic finally-truly-living-after-nearly-dying romantic comedy, but how can you resist Adam Sander, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, and others all acting not-that-hammy in a Judd Apatow film? You can't. Unless you're one of the people who are sick of the overexposure of Judd Apatow and all of his cronies, in which case you'll hate this:

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Jan 21 2009 A New Horror/Comedy from the Guys Who Brought You 'Knocked Up'!

Judd Apatow is producing a slasher film? YES. I wouldn't make such an sophisticated, detailed graphic if that weren't the case. CHUD ran into Bill Hader at Sundance, where the SNL star revealed he and Simon Rich have written a horror/comedy that they aren't sure will ever get made:

Says Bill: 'It's partially Straw Dogs meets Halloween meets Home Alone meets Monster Squad.' It's hard to argue against that.

'I don't know if it's even going to get made,' Hader told me. 'Judd met with us and said "I want to do a horror movie with you. I want to see you in a slasher movie."'

Straw Dogs meets Halloween meets Home Alone meets Monster Squad? So like a babysitter is forced to use bear traps and paint cans-on-ropes to defend a home from every classic movie monster at once? There's genuinely nothing negative to say about that as a concept.

Nov 13 2008 'Funny People', Dull Poster

After so many movies ripped-off the look of Judd Apatow posters, he's decided to just go ahead and make the most boring poster possible. Steal this one, a-holes. See if he cares.

I know Funny People is supposed to be more of a drama than a typical Apatow production, but unless it's also a mid-'90s ABC series about best friends/roommates coming to terms with adulthood (Weds, 10/9 central), this is awful.

Judd Apatow's Funny People Teaser Poster [/Film]

Sep 8 2008 Harold Ramis Gives 'Ghostbusters 3' Update, Understands Email

Harold Ramis emailed Chicago Tribune writer Mark Caro confirming that Ghostbusters 3 is being made, and suggesting we'll probably see some Apatowians involved, as is the likelihood in every modern comedy:

yes, columbia is developing a script for GB3 with my year one writing partners, gene stupnitsky and lee eisenberg. judd apatow is co-producing year one and has made several other films for sony, so of course the studio is hoping to tap into some of the same acting talent. aykroyd, ivan reitman and i are consulting at this point, and according to dan, bill murray is willing to be involved on some level. he did record his dialogue for the new ghostbusters video game, as did danny and i, and ernie hudson. the concept is that the old ghostbusters would appear in the film in some mentor capacity. not much else to say at this point. everyone is confident a decent script can be written and i guess we'll take it from there. best, harold

Yeah, Bill Murray, you'd better be involved "on some level." You were in Garfield. You were in Garfield 2: A Tail of Two Kittes. You were in Osmosis Jones. You were in Get Smart. You were in Larger Than Life. As much as I don't want there to be a third Ghostbusters, you'd better be in a third Ghostbusters, because you definitely aren't better than that.

Aug 14 2008 Sandler Turned Down Chance of Being 'Inglorious Bastard'

Speaking to Irish television, Adam Sandler confirmed he will not be appearing in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards, instead choosing to do another movie with Judd Apatow (because Don't Mess with the Zohan worked so well):

Sandler had long been rumoured to take a major role in the Tarantino-scripted movie which the director has been planning for nearly a decade.

Asked had he been in talks with Tarantino, he told RTÉ.ie: "Yeah it's true. It is, and I read the script, it's fantastic. But I'm shooting at the very same time. I won't be able to do it. I'm doing a movie with Judd Apatow at the same time so that's not going to happen, but I did read it. It is awesome."

"I know Quentin for a long time. We've been talking about doing it for years, for like five, six, seven years. Yeah, it's definitely disappointing. I'd love to do it, but I just can't."

Now where is Quentin Tarantino going to find another Jewish comedian? (There are many Jewish comedians.)

Adam Sandler Turned Down Inglorious Bastards [Flick News] (Thanks, Siobhan)

Aug 8 2008 'Superbad'/'Pineapple Express' Crossover Movie? Really?

Freddy and Jason, Alien and Predator, that time Urkel was on Step by Step: if there's one thing audiences will tolerate, it's pointless crossovers. So how about a Pineapple Express/Superbad crossover, even though Seth Rogen is in both films playing different roles, which would probably lead to some kind of confusing, Tommy Westphall-style paradox? Well, regardless, James Franco says it might be happening. From MTV:

Even before ‘Superbad’ came out, I think the studio was trying to get [Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg] to write a sequel, but they really didn’t want to write a sequel. I guess the kids would go to college or something like that [that was the studio's idea],” Franco said. “And so, an answer to that was to do a ‘Superbad’/'Pineapple Express’ crossover, an unprecedented crossover movie with two directors, Greg Motolla and David Gordon Green, each directing half of the movie and somehow these characters get together, which doesn’t make sense at all, but could work.”

I have to agree that this doesn't make sense at all, but, yeah, it could work--especially if they follow the example of crossovers that worked in the past. Because Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen definitely read this blog, I've helpfully made a list of the top five crossovers of all time. Study these, guys, and you can do no wrong. Thank me later.

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Jun 13 2008 Eric Bana is 'Funny People,' Proves It by Wearing Wigs

Nowadays, we tend to think of Eric Bana as Munich, The Guy From Troy Who Wasn't Brad Pitt, or Oh, Right, The Hulk. But prior to any of those stateside roles, Bana was a comedian, and even had his own sketch show--like Amanda Bynes! Thus, he's been cast alongside other well-known funnies in Judd Apatow's Funny People, a dramedy looking at the world of standup comedy. From Variety:

Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill have joined the ensemble of "Funny People," which will be co-financed by Universal Pictures and Columbia Pictures, with Universal distributing worldwide next summer.

Apatow set Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in the comedy earlier this year.

The filmmaker, who last wrote and directed "Knocked Up," was deliberately vague about subject matter, allowing only that the movie takes place in the world of standup comedy and the focus is on a comedian who has a near-death experience.

Below the cut, see a promo for 1997's silly-wig filled The Eric Bana Show, and learn that, as it turns out, Bana does an alright Columbo.

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Apr 25 2008 Need Another Reason to Not See 'You Don't Mess with the Zohan'?

How about this new trailer? It's one thing to offend Israelis and anyone with a sense of humor, but to bring Technotronic's 1989 hit "Pump Up the Jam" as a backing track to this disaster? Now you're messing with Ya Kid K. Not cool, Zohan. Not cool.

It is here.

Feb 13 2008 'Pineapple Express' R-Rated Trailer Good Even Non-Stoned

The stoner-buddy-action-comedy genre is not, inherently, a good one. When someone likes weed enough to write an entire movie about being stoned, there's an implication that they were most likely stoned while writing it, meaning there's a good chance the jokes are only funny when stoned. (e.g., in stoned reality, it's f***ed up how birds can fly! In reality reality, birds: not f***ed up.)

I have no evidence whether or not Superbad writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg were stoned while writing Pineapple Express, but after seeing this trailer, I can safely say it doesn't matter. It pretty much looks really, really good--funny, action-filled, and includes that laugh where you just make a noise. Along with producer Judd Apatow, these guys had already proven their talent, but bringing along indie-favorite David Gordon Green for directorial duties has added a level of naturalism reminiscent of vintage Ivan Reitman.

Highly recommended for viewing, and it's below the cut. (Thanks to everyone who sent this.)

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Feb 5 2008 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' Dirty Stuff Trailer

I'm not a Judd-Apatow-as-Possible-Comedy-God believer, but as I've said before, Forgetting Sarah Marshall looks really good, and this R-rated trailer makes it look even better in that special way only athletic intercourse and ass-shots can.

Watch it here, but only away from bosses and the elderly.

Dec 20 2007 More Apatow Funny With 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' Trailer

Dare I say, Judd Apatow has done it again? In the tradition of Knocked Up and Superbad, Apatow and his crew look to have created yet another comedy full of goofy situations and characters that still remain true-to-life enough to stay believable and absolutely relatable. With both Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Pineapple Express coming in the next year, it's nearly forgivable that he's also involved in the Zohan thing. At least until I'm exposed to it again.

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Dec 18 2007 'Walk Hard' Viral 'Backlash' Video Creates Laughter

Between all the amusing videos about cats doing human things you'll probably watch today, I strongly recommend squeezing in this promo for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. I doubt you'll find a funnier combination of Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow, Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, anti-semitism, self-aware viral marking, Garage Rock Band, and obnoxious techno action music this calendar year. Merry Christmas, guy who made the terrible theme to Mortal Kombat; your long-awaited royalty check is on its way.

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Dec 3 2007 'Pineapple Express' Preview Feels Like It's Totally Long, Man

Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen continue their tradition of making funny things to watch with Pineapple Express, a jaunt into the world of stoner buddy action comedy. This clip looks funny enough, but it seems pretty slow-paced for something being called an action comedy. Unless it's some kind of post-modern stoner thing, where the pacing is meant to replicate the sense of prolonged time when stoned, in which case it's amazing.

And can you believe this is directed by David Gordon Green? If you know who that is, you wouldn't believe it.

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Nov 29 2007 First Look at 'The Zohan'

When I heard that I would be getting my first look at "Zohan" today, my excitement reached an all-time high. What new man, whose name clearly begins with a Z, would be walking alongside Lindsey Lohan's thinly-tighted legs? Billy Zane? Soccer star Zinedine Zidane? The animated corpse of Zero Mostel? The anticipation was palpable.

So imagine my disappointment when I learned "Zohan" was not, in fact, the cutesy name of Lindsey Lohan and a mysterious Z-man, but rather a new Adam Sandler comedy co-starring Mariah Carey and Rob Schneider (inevitably playing another half-retard with a shouted catchphrase, I assume) and helmed by the director of I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

In You Don't Mess with the Zohan, Sandler plays an Israeli Mossad agent who fakes his death to move to New York and become a hairstylist, a concept that will hilariously allow for both racial and gay jokes, and maybe even an enraging goofy accent. Then again, it's written by Judd Apatow and Robert Smigel, so I don't know what to think.

First look at Zohan! [JoBlo]

Nov 28 2007 AM Poster Post: 'Walk Hard' For Your Consideration, Again

The Walk Hard Oscar campaign has made a smooth transition from the first Variety ad, a middle finger in the face laced with dick jokes, to this new one, the belligerent shouting of a crazed braggart. It seems the series is following the theme of a night out drinking with me. Keeping with this pattern, the next ad should either be inappropriate amorousness or something about being passed out and naked in a Shell station toilet.

For Your Consideration [Defamer]

Nov 20 2007 'Walk Hard' Trailer Better With Chimp Hatred

There's probably never been a better case to be made for red-band, unrated trailers than in this one for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Until this, I had complete disinterest in watching John C. Reilly pretend to be Will Ferrell as he sings through a series of cock jokes. But throw in a shot of him cutting his young brother in half with a machete and yelling "f*** you" at a chimp and this is suddenly looking like a much better movie.

So maybe it's actually less a case for red-band trailers, more support for the destruction of children and chimps.

Thanks for the tip, Kyle. Trailer under the cut.

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