The Screening Log - blogging film

Seen on: August 11, 2009

The players: Director: Neal Brennan, Writers: Andy Stock, Rick Stempson, Cast: Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn, Tony Hale, James Brolin, Ed Helms

Facts of interest: Will Ferrell and Adam McKay produced "The Goods."

The plot: Salesman Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) heads to a failing car dealership to set up a massive three-day sale event and save the place.

Our thoughts: Jeremy Piven’s got the goods and delivers tons of big-screen fun in Neal Brennan’s “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard,” a surprisingly amusing comedy about an eccentric salesman who heads out to save a failing car dealership and ends up saving himself in the process. Let’s find out what this guy is all about.

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Wednesday

12Aug2009

'Hangover' star Ed Helms boards 'Central Intelligence'

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 1:54AM | By

Ed Helms, who's currently on-screen in "The Hangover" and will next be seen in the surprisingly funny comedy "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard," is set to star in Universal's upcoming comedy "Central Intelligence."

Written by Ike Barinholtz and Dave Stassen, the film follows an accountant pulled into the world of espionage after he catches up with a friend on Facebook, according to Variety.

Helms' credits include "The Daily Show" and "The Office." Besides "The Goods," in which he delivers another hilarious performance, the actor will soon be seen in "Cedar Rapids."

Of course, Helms is also attached to return in the sequel to "The Hangover." The guy sure has a funny face, and so far, his performances have succeeded. Here's a guy who can make audiences laugh, and I bet we'll see a lot more from him soon.

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Tuesday

04Aug2009

New red band clip from 'The Goods' debuts online

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7:11PM | By

Do you have the goods? If not, don't worry. Jeremy Piven will teach you what you need in Neal Brennan's upcoming comedy "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard," due in theaters Aug. 14, 2009.

A red band clip from the flick has just debuted online, and I suggest you check it out below. It features Piven giving a quick speech during a dinner, and yes, it's kind of funny too.

Piven stars as Don Ready, an eccentric salesman hired by a flailing auto dealership to turn their Fourth of July sale into a majorly profitable event.

Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, T.J. Miller, David Koechner, Ving Rhames and Kathryn Hahn co-star. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay ("Step Brothers," "Anchorman") are producing.

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Thursday

16Jul2009

This and that in film news: 'Half-Blood Prince' pulls $104M worldwide; Ed Helms picks 'Rapids'

Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 10:07PM | By

Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 17, 2009:

• While David Yates' "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" collected $58.1 million domestically, the sixth installment in the popular series picked up a solid $45.9 million on the international circuit. That brings the one-day total for "Prince" to a huge $104 million. (Variety)

• Scott Speedman, Bruce Greenwood and Macha Grenon are the latest to join Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Rosamund Pike and Rachelle Lefevre in Richard Lewis' "Barney's Version," based on the book by Mordecai Richler. The film follows a man who's been through three marriages, had two kids, and seems to be involved in the disappearance of one of his buddies. (THR)

• Ed Helms from "The Hangover" is set to star in Miguel Arteta's "Cedar Rapids." Helms plays an insurance agent heading to a convention to save his colleagues' jobs. Phil Johnston wrote the script. Helms, who also stars on "The Office," will soon be seen in "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard." Arteta recently wrapped "Youth in Revolt." (Variety)

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Friday

05Jun2009

Movie Review: “The Hangover”

Friday, June 5, 2009 at 8:34PM | By

Seen on: June 5, 2009

The players: Director: Todd Phillips, Writers: Scott Moore, Jon Lucas, Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha

Facts of interest: A sequel to "The Hangover" has already been confirmed.

The plot: Three guys take their best friend to Vegas to throw him a bachelor party... and then they loose him.

Our thoughts: Todd Phillips’ “The Hangover” is a comedic masterpiece stuffed with huge laughs, crazy surprises and a bunch of extraordinary performances that quite simply propel the movie into a state of excellence. It is by far the funniest film I’ve seen so far this year, and believe it or not, it’s also one of the best.

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Friday

05Jun2009

'The Hangover' web reviews

Friday, June 5, 2009 at 10:39AM | By

Todd Phillips, director of "Old School," returns to the big screen with a comedy about four friends who go to Vegas to party and end up in the biggest mess they can imagine. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha star, and here is what some of the Web's critics have to say about the flick:

The Hangover • Katey Rich at CinemaBlend: "You may laugh so hard that you're a little ashamed of enjoying something so silly. And after quoting all the best lines with your friends, you may still be laughing so hard that you want to see it again."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "It's been a long time since I actually found a traditional comedy this funny."

• Joblo's JimmyO: "As much as I liked these guys, I would have loved to see a little bit of the black humor continue up until the end. It seemed much too polite, and a tad bit predictable."

• George Roush at LatinoReview: "Everyone has their own Vegas stories and this comedy will remind you of how nuts things can get out in Sin City. While it may have some slight problems, this is one hangover I won't mind having again and again."

• Matt Golrberg at Collider: "'The Hangover' may not end up being THE funniest film of the year, but it’s certainly a contender."