Jun 29 2009 Another 'Invention of Lying' Trailer: See Lying's US-tailored Invention

Remember the Invention of Lying trailer on Friday? Good, because I'd hate having to explain the premise again, and there's now a domestic trailer for the comedy.

I particularly like Louis CK's reaction to Gervais's claim that he's an Eskimo. I thought I was the only one to ever express an unnaturally positive reaction to learning they've accidentally befriended an Inuk:

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Jun 26 2009 'Invention of Lying' Trailer: Prepare for ELO to Tell You to Feel Good

Hey, there's a trailer for the high concept, first-man-to-ever-lie comedy, The Invention of Lying. Something of a "We Are the World" of comedies, with appearances by all sort of people you don't expect to see all in one place--including Louis CK, Tina Fey, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, Jason Bateman, Christopher Guest, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hodgman, Patrick Stewart, Stephen Merchant, Freaks & Geeks's weirdest geek, and more--the film stars Ricky Gervais as the first man to conceive of untruths in a world that's never thought to lie.

I really wanted to like this, but about halfway through, around the time I started wondering why Robin Williams wasn't the star, my worries began. Hopefully this is just a bad, really broad trailer:

Continue Reading " 'Invention of Lying' Trailer: Prepare for ELO to Tell You to Feel Good "

Mar 24 2009 'This Side of the Truth' Update: Release Date! Title Confirmation!

On Ricky Gervais's blog, the comedian has posted a new video with himself and This Side of the Truth co-writer/co-director Matt Robinson. The two clear up a couple things:

1. Contrary to reports otherwise, the title is still This Side of the Truth, not Truthy Truthness.

2. The tentative release date is September 25, 2009.

Apologies for previously reporting the title had been changed to The Invention of Lying, and that the film would be released in 2010. Sometimes I forget the internet is a liar.

In case you want to hear it yourself, having learned your lesson about trusting internet words, here's the video:

Continue Reading " 'This Side of the Truth' Update: Release Date! Title Confirmation! "

Feb 18 2009 A Couple On-the-Nose Title Changes

If you've been confused about some upcoming movies because their concepts weren't completely spelled out in their titles, I've got some helpful, clarifying news for you. Nottingham, Ridley Scott's cryptically-titled Robin Hood tale, has been re-titled Robin Hood. Not as easy-to-understand as my title choice, The One About Robin Hood, but probably catchier.

Also, it appears Ricky Gervais's comedy about the invention of lying, previously titled This Side of the Truth, appears to have been renamed Invention of Lying and pushed back to an undetermined date in 2010. Hardly a death knell, but hardly a mitzvah.

(Thanks, Kevin.)

May 28 2008 Ricky Gervais Goes Folkie for 'This Side of the Truth'

Ricky Gervais has again updated his This Side of the Truth blog, this time with an image that reveals his character eventually devolves into a chubby Devendra Banhart. I really want to see some footage from this.

May 13 2008 Gervais's 'This Side of the Truth' Production Blog Still Entertaining

Ricky Gervais's This Side of the Truth production blog has quickly become the standard by which I'm judging all other production blogs (besides Aaron's uniquely retarded Street Fighter blog, of course). Focusing on his mock disrespect and Nerf gun assaults of his co-stars, Gervais has found a formula that is far more entertaining than the usual fare of storyboards and interviews with the costume department. In his latest video entry, he attacks Jason Bateman's bare ass with foam darts, then proceeds to remind us the Arrested Development actor is, first and foremost, Teen Wolf Too. If the finished film is anywhere near as entertaining, we're in for a treat.

'This Side of the Truth' Blog [Official Site]

Mar 24 2008 Teen Wolf Too Joins 'This Side of the Truth'

After adding the esteemed likes of John Hodgman, Tina Fey, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christopher Guest to This Side of the Truth, how could Ricky Gervais make his cast any more comically desirable? How about another Arrested Development alumnus--say, a Bateman? Yes, that does it.

This is sizing up to be either one of the greatest successes in comedy history or a disappointment comparable to when the 2004 U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team, composed of NBA pros like Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson, only managed to capture a bronze medal after a devastating loss from the Argentinean Team. I think we're all still reeling from that one.

'This Side of the Truth' Casting Update [RickyGervais.com]

Mar 20 2008 Quartet of Comedy Titans Join 'This Side of the Truth'

Unabashed love for Ricky Gervais is well-documented in the archives of this blog. However, even after the sublime The Office, hilarious Extras and repeat listen-friendly The Ricky Gervais Show, I was getting worried that Gervais' in production film This Side of the Truth would amount to little more than Liar Liar turned on its head. My fears have been assuaged considerably today with the casting of four mighty, and varied, comedic voices: John Hodgman, Tina Fey, Jeffrey Tambor and Christopher Guest. Surely these consistently funny individuals wouldn't simultaneously involve themselves with a project that wasn't anything but hilarious. I mean, it's not like these people would pimp themselves out to an unworthy cause. Right?

This Side of the Truth: Ricky's Blog' [rickygervais.com]

Mar 10 2008 Gervais Blogs, Giggles About 'This Side of the Truth'

The usually funny (if not self-indulgent) Ricky Gervais has started a video blog covering the production of This Side of the Truth, his upcoming comedy about the first man to lie in a world where no one has. Only three are up so far, and, typical of Gervais's home videos, they mostly focus on his shrill laughter and ridiculing his underlings. Still, it might be worthwhile if you're a fan of Gervais, and at least he doesn't call it a "vlog".

This Side of the Truth: Ricky's Blog... [RickyGervais.com]

Sep 13 2007 Ricky Gervais Plans to Lie, Like Your Parents Did

Do you like the British The Office, HBO's Extras, or comedy involving a plump Englishman getting in painfully awkward situations? Then have I got news for you! Ricky Gervais, star and creator of at least two of those three, is making a feature film about the first man to discover lying:

"This Side of the Truth" is set in a contemporary world where no one has ever lied. Gervais will play a performer who tells the first lie and harnesses its power for personal gain.

"My character works in the film industry, where actors are really readers who tell completely factual stories," Gervais said. "My character's a loser who's about to lose his job, and who's lumbering through the 1300s. All he's got to work with is the Black Death. But once he lies and pretends he's found lost stories, he becomes the greatest storyteller in the world."

Man, I'll tell you what I'd do if I were the first person who discovered lying. First, I'd get really drunk and reenact pivotal scenes from Jurassic Park, eventually knocking over and breaking my roommate's Nintendo Wii while imagining myself as one of those raptors in the kitchen scene. Then, when he asked me what happened to his Wii, I would lie and say a stranger ran in and knocked it over, also eating the last of his Doritos. Then he would believe me, having never heard of a lie before.

As it stands, with my not being the first person to lie, only the first two were able to occur.

Ricky Gervais to star in 'Truth' [Variety]