The Screening Log - blogging film

Seen on: October 6, 2009

The players: Director: Peter Billingsley, Writers: Dana Fox, Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman, Jean Reno.

Facts of interest: None.

The plot: Four couples travel to a resort on a tropical island and soon realize they are forced to partake in therapy sessions.

Our thoughts: “Couples Retreat” is a totally forgettable comedy. There, I said it. It’s neither refreshing nor really funny, spending more than 100 minutes focusing on four simpleminded couples incapable of dealing with the problems in their relationships. Despite a couple of decent moments, this one’s a big drag, folks.

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Tuesday

06Oct2009

This week's new movie releases - October 9, 2009

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 6:19PM | By

It's a quiet weekend, and the only wide release to open Friday is "Couples Retreat" with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis, Faizon Love and Kristen Bell. "Good Hair' opens in limited release.

COUPLES RETREAT (with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau)

Synopsis: Four Midwestern couples embark on a journey to a tropical island resort. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the other three set out to jet ski, spa and enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon discover that participation in the resort's couples therapy is not optional. Suddenly, their group-rate vacation comes at a price.

First thoughts: To be honest with you, I don't know what to think about this one right now. The premise of course sounds funny, and the cast sounds great too. That said, recent previews and TV spots failed to win me over, as this looks just like another silly couple comedy filled with rather primitive humor.

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Friday

25Sep2009

Jason Bateman not yet in for 'Hancock 2'?

Friday, September 25, 2009 at 9:21AM | By

Earlier this month, news came out of Hollywood that Columbia hired Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara to write "Hancock 2." It was then reported Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman would return for the sequel.

As it turns out, this is not entirely true. When speaking with Coming Soon recently, Bateman at least said no one has contacted him yet about reprising his role in the follow-up to the disastrous "Hancock."

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Thursday

10Sep2009

Interview: Mike Judge on 'Extract'

Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 8:29PM | By

Just recently, I had the chance to participate in a brief round-table interview with writer/director Mike Judge, creator of "Office Space," "Beavis and Butt-Head" and "King of the Hill." He was in town to promote his latest comedy "Extract," and here's the most important stuff we talked about.

Describing "Extract," which opened nationwide last week and stars Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis and Ben Affleck, Judge said, "It’s like 'Office Space' but this time it’s sympathetic to the boss, the guy who owns the place."

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Wednesday

09Sep2009

Amazing trailer for 'Up in the Air' with George Clooney debuts

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 1:11PM | By

It has finally landed online: a special internet trailer for Jason Reitman's upcoming drama "Up in the Air," based on Walter Kirn’s novel of the same title. Check it out after the jump. It arrives via /Film.

Let me first say that this one blew me away. It's different from regular trailers in that George Clooney basically narrates the whole thing via a speech he gives in the movie as the lead character.

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Sunday

06Sep2009

Review: “Extract”

Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 3:21PM | By

Seen on: August 12, 2009

The players: Director: Mike Judge Writer: Mike Judge, Cast: Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, J. K. Simmons

Facts of interest: Mike Judge also directed "Office Space" and created "Beavis and Butthead."

The plot: Joel (Jason Bateman) is an extract plant owner who's having big problems at home and at work.

Our quick thoughts: Mike Judge, creator of “Office Space,” returns to the big screen with “Extract,” a deliciously funny comedy about a desperate white-collar guy who just doesn’t know how to handle his troubles at home and at work.

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Friday

04Sep2009

'Extract' web reviews

Friday, September 4, 2009 at 5:20PM | By

Mike Judge, the creator of "Office Space," heads back to work with "Extract," a new comedy starring Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, Clifton Collins Jr. and J.K. Simmons. Find out what some of the Web's film critics have to say about "Extract" right after the jump.

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Monday

31Aug2009

This week's new movie releases - Sept. 4, 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009 at 4:40PM | By

Opening this week are Phil Traill's "All About Steve" with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper; Mike Judge's "Extract" with Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis; and "Gamer" with Gerard Butler and Michael C. Hall:

ALL ABOUT STEVE (with Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper)

Synopsis: Despite the fact that she has only gone on one short date with the man (Cooper), a love-struck puzzle creator (Bullock) becomes enamored with a successful cameraman and follows him to a series of media events in hopes that the feeling is mutual.

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Saturday

22Aug2009

Two funny clips from Mike Judge's 'Extract'

Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 4:05PM | By

In case you missed them, here are two funny clips from Mike Judge's new comeody "Extract." I'm not really allowed to share my full review you quite yet, but what I can say is that this one's really hilarious. Judge fans should be able to easily appreciate the humor in "Extract," and I can only recommend you check it out when it opens Sept. 4, 2009.

Starring Jason Bateman in the lead role, the film follows an extract factory owner who's having a whole lot of trouble at work and at home. Mila Kunis, David Koechner, Dustin Milligan, Kristen Wiig, Clifton Collins Jr., Matt Schulze, J.K. Simmons and Ben Affleck co-star. It's a great cast, and you'll love the characters they're portraying.

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Wednesday

01Jul2009

Trailer for 'Couples Retreat' with Vince Vaughn

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 12:38AM | By

How about an awkward vacation with Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman and Jon Favreau? That's what's on the menu in Peter Billingsley's upcoming comedy "Couples Retreat," which is due in theaters Oct. 9, 2009.

A first trailer for the comedy has popped up online, and you can check it out below. The footage did not entirely win me over, but I believe this is actually something that could be pretty funny.

The film follows four couples who spend some time at a tropical island resort, where they quickly find out that participation in a couple therapy program is mandatory. Jean Reno plays a therapist and the owner of the resort.

The interesting cast also includes Faizon Love, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman, Tasha Smith and Kristin Davis. Favreau wrote the film based on an idea by Vaughn.