The Screening Log - blogging film

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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Friday

31Jul2009

'Funny People' web reviews

Friday, July 31, 2009 at 8:09PM | By

"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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Friday

31Jul2009

Movie Review: “Funny People”

Friday, July 31, 2009 at 7:09PM | By

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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Tuesday

19May2009

Apatow's 'Funny People' receives three TV spots

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:28AM | By

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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Saturday

18Apr2009

Movie Review: “17 Again”

Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 2:31PM | By

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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Thursday

13Nov2008

Wanna be in Apatow's 'Funny People'?

Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 3:40PM | By

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.