Watch: Red Band 'I Love You Phillip Morris' Trailer

I never thought it would happen, but Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's "I Love You Phillip Morris" is finally coming to North American theaters this December, and it's about damn time. Watch the new trailer below.

It's a red band version, so be prepared for explicit content. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, a conman who ends up in a Texas prison, where he falls in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).

The film looks hilarious, and I'm sure we're in for a pair of solid performances. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the guys behind "Bad Santa," certainly know their stuff when it comes to generating dark comedy.

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Leslie Mann joins 'Change Up' comedy

Just recently, Olivia Wilde joined David Dobkin's upcoming comedy "The Change Up," and now the charming and talented Leslie Mann has also jumped on board. The film is set to bow next summer. 

Jon Lucas and Scott Moore wrote the script, and the story sounds rather familiar: it follows a responsible guy (Jason Bateman) who switches bodies with his buddy, a lazy man-child (Ryan Reynolds).

Mann recently starred in "Shorts," "Funny People" and "17 Again." She will soon be seen in "I Love You Phillip Morris," and she did some voice work on the upcoming animated adventure "Rio." (Source: Variety)

Judd Apatow produces another comedy

Judd Apatow, the guy behind recent comedies "Funny People" and "Knocked Up," is set to produce Universal's upcoming comedy "Business Trip." Deadline reports Apatow's wife Leslie Mann will star.

The story follows a bunch of women who go on a business trip but end up doing no business at all. Details are unknown, but my guess is they'll get into big, silly trouble while having a bunch of fun.

Stacey Harman wrote the script, and it looks like "Business Trip" will shoot early next year. No word yet on who will direct the thing. Mann, by the way, had a pretty big role in "Funny People" as well.

Movie Review: "Shorts"

Seen on: August 21, 2009

The players: Director: Robert Rodriguez, Writer: Robert Rodriguez, Cast: Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Leo Howard, Leslie Mann, William H. Macy, Jolie Vanier

Facts of interest: Robert Rodriguez also directed the "Spy Kids" films.

The plot: A small community slips into chaos when a bunch of kids find a magical rock that grants wishes to the one holding it.

Our thoughts: Robert Rodriguez returns to the family genre with “Shorts,” a goofy big-screen adventure I wouldn’t recommend to anyone but younger cinemagoers. The film is eccentric and colorful enough to entertain those with the same age as its main protagonists, but as far as I’m concerned, this one failed to win me over.

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'Funny People' web reviews

"Funny People" marks Judd Apatow's third directorial effort, and it stars Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Leslie Mann and Jason Schwartzman. Here's what some of the Web's critics have to say about the drama-comedy:

• Katey Rich @ CinemaBlend: "The best we can hope for is that Funny People is a necessary middle ground between Apatow's adolescent experiment and the more adult stories he has yet to tell."

• RopeOfSilicon's Brad Brevet: "Apatow's ability to keep me curious as to where he was going to take things next was this film's saving grace in my case."

• LatinoReview's Ron Henriques: "Though the third act is problematic, 'Funny People' works when Sandler and Rogan are either interacting humorously or discussing gag material and the nature of comedy."

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Movie Review: “Funny People”

Seen on: July 31, 2009

The players: Director: Judd Apatow, Writer: Judd Apatow, Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman

Facts of interest: Apatow also directed "Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."

The plot: A stand-up comedian has a near-death experience that will prompt him to change his life and look at things from a different perspective.

Our thoughts: I wouldn’t go as far and call Judd Apatow’s “Funny People” one of the year’s best, but as a dramatic comedy carefully examining the impact a near-death experience has on a desperate stand-up comedian, the film works marvelously. “People” may not be Apatow’s most entertaining project, but it sure is as sincere as his previous efforts.

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Apatow's 'Funny People' receives three TV spots

Judd Apatow's third movie "Funny People" opens in theaters July 31, 2009, and I just stumbled across three new (and funny) television spots for the comedy, which stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana and Jason Schwartzman. Check them out below, and have a good laugh.

Even though most of the footage in these spots is taken straight from the feature trailer, you'll be able to catch one or two new jokes here and there. In the film, Sandler stars as George Simmons, a standup comedian whose life changes after he has a near-death experience.

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Movie Review: “17 Again”

Seen on: April 18, 2009

The players: Director: Burr Steers, Writer: Jason Filardi, Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry, Michelle Trachtenberg, Melora Hardin

Facts of interest: Burr Steers also directed "Igby Goes Down."

The plot: Mike is 37 and pretty much hates his life, until he's transformed back into his 17-year-old self.

Our quick thoughts: I never thought I’d write this, but Zac Efron’s latest teen comedy “17 Again” is not as bad as I expected. The film doesn’t offer viewers anything new in terms of story or its morals, but the plot moves along smoothly and even carries a bunch of funny moments that occasionally made me laugh.

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Wanna be in Apatow's 'Funny People'?

Judd Apatow wants you to be part of his next movie! And no, it's not a joke. Apatow is currently shooting his next comedy "Funny People," and he'll give someone out there a chance to win a short walk-on role in the flick.

All you have to do is head over to the film's MySpace page and briefly describe why should win the role. It's a very simple task, and if you're lucky, you may soon share the same set with Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler, Leslie Mann and others.

At this point, we don't know that much about "Funny People," except that it's set in the world of standup comedy and focuses on a comedian who has a near-death experience.

In addition to the contest and a personal message from Apatow, you'll also find a teaser poster over on the MySpace page. I've included it right after the jump.

Look for "Funny People" in theaters July 31, 2009.

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