The Screening Log - blogging film

Ready for some more big-screen penguin action?

Twentieth Century Fox has acquired the rights to develop a film version of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book "Mr. Popper's Penguins."

Variety reported Sean Anders and John Morris will write the screenplay. The duo recently collaborated on "Sex Drive."

The story of the book follows Mr. Popper, a house painter whose life takes a major turn when he receives a real penguin in the mail.

Shortly after, Popper finds himself housing 12 penguins, which he plans to train for use in a stage act called Popper's Performing Penguins.

Anders and Morris most recently completed the script for Jim Field Smith's comedy "She's Out of My League."

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Tuesday

09Dec2008

'Sex Drive' duo to direct 'Hot Tub'

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 3:24PM | By

The makers of this summer's passable comedy "Sex Drive" are back in action with "Hot Tub Time Machine," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Sean Anders and John Morris as set to direct the film, which follows a group of adults who visit a hot tub they once used and realize it can transport them back in time, to their younger selves.

Jason Heald is writing the script. I don't know how he came up with the idea of having a hot tub serving as time machine, but okay, why not?

Anders' "Sex Drive," which I enjoyed more than I originally expected, didn't do that well at the box office ($8.3 million).

As a screenwriting duo, Anders and Morris also wrote "She's Out of My League," an upcoming comedy starring Jay Baruchel and Lindsay Sloane.

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Saturday

18Oct2008

Review: "Sex Drive"

Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 9:30AM | By

Seen on: October 17, 2008

The players: Director: Sean Anders, Writers: John Morris, Sean Anders, Cast: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, James Marsden, Charlie McDermott

Facts of interest: Based on the book "All the Way" by Andy Behrens.

The plot: A loser who's never had a girlfriend before drives to Knoxville, Tenn. to hook up with a babe he met online.

Our thoughts: Sean Anders’ comedy “Sex Drive” is not as embarrassingly stupid as several other recent flicks of the same genre, but its conventional story line and dull characters prevent it from finding the road out of mediocrity. The movie is entertaining, sure, but its lack of originality causes great damage to what could have been a refreshing ride.

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Friday

17Oct2008

'Sex Drive' web reviews

Friday, October 17, 2008 at 11:01PM | By

It's not the most original premise: a loser meets a babe online, poses as a cool guy, and decides to meet her in person although he doesn't know how to tell her the truth. Welcome to Sean Anders' comedy "Sex Drive," starring Josh Zuckerman, James Marsden, Seth Green, and others. I will post my review later on, but for now, let's check in with the Web's movie reviewers:

• Jimmy O at Joblo: "Sex Drive is not a bad movie, but it is a major case of déjà vu that just didn’t inspire guffaws."

• At Cinema Blend, Katey Rich: "So while 'Sex Drive' isn't original, creative or consistent, it's a step or two above average, and the pleasure lies in being surprised when the movie overcomes its own limits."

• Cinematical's William Goss: "And you'll know when Sex Drive gets into inevitable conflict territory, and not just because you've likely seen dozens of other similar and superior movies."

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Thursday

16Oct2008

Now playing: 10 minutes of 'Sex Drive'

Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 3:48PM | By

If you haven't made up your mind yet whether to see Sean Anders' comedy "Sex Drive" this weekend, maybe this will help. MySpace TV just posted a 10-minute clip from the upcoming film, which kicks off its North American release tomorrow.

In the flick, Josh Zuckerman plays a loser who meets a babe online and decides to drive to Knoxville, Tenn. to meet her. Clark Duke, James Marsden and Seth Green co-star. If you like the genre of stupid comedies, this may be for you. Enjoy the footage just below.

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Thursday

02Oct2008

Watch a new 'Sex Drive' red band clip

Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 12:55PM | By

Based on what I've seen in the trailer and clips, Sean Anders' upcoming comedy "Sex Drive" really looks like crap. That said, I admit I have not seen the film yet, which is why I will definitely give it a chance. Anyway, here is a new red band clip from the film, which follows wannabe lover Ian (Josh Zuckerman) on a road trip to hook up with a chick he met online.

As you can see in the footage above, Ian likes to hump air and a punching bag. "Sex Drive" co-stars Seth Green and opens Oct. 17, 2008. Enjoy.

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Thursday

28Aug2008

New ‘Sex Drive’ stills surface on web

Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 2:31PM | By

Coming Soon scored several new stills from Sean Anders’ upcoming comedy “Sex Drive,” which focuses on an 18-year-old guy who embarks on a cross-country drive to hook up with a woman he’s met online. Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke and Seth Green star.

In the synopses I’ve read, main character Ian is apparently heading to Knoxville, our current home base. Whatever happens on his trip, I sure hope we won’t make it here. The trailer for “Sex Drive” promises nothing but a primitive comedy about a dufus trying to get laid.

Anyway, the flick hits Oct. 17, 2008. Click here to check out those new screenshots.