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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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.

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Thursday

18Dec2008

A first look at 'Couples Retreat'

Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 5:14PM | By

The folks at USA Today recently posted a first image from Peter Billingsley's upcoming comedy "Couples Retreat," a film written by Jon Favreau based on an original idea by Vince Vaughn.

"I had the concept a while ago, and Favreau did the first draft of the screenplay with specific actors in mind," Vaughn told the newspaper.

Starring Vaughn, Favreau, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman, Tasha Smth, Kristin Davis on board, and Jean Reno, 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.

Check out the gang in the pic above, and watch out for "Couples Retreat" in theaters some time next summer.

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Friday

28Nov2008

Review: “Four Christmases”

Friday, November 28, 2008 at 10:43AM | By

Seen on: November 27, 2008

The players: Director: Seth Gordon, Writers: Caleb Wilson, Matt Allen, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Noah Munck, Haley Hallak, Robert Duvall

Facts of interest: Gordon also directed "The King of Kong."

The plot: Every year, Kate and Brad go on vacation to avoid spending Christmas with their families. This year however, they accidentally find themselves paying a visit to all of them.

Our thoughts: Seth Gordon’s “Four Christmases” is not exactly a glorious feast, but then again, the movie isn’t that terrible either. The film’s story line is forgettable and most of the gags are too cheap to really impress, but a fast-paced plot and a bunch of refreshing performances make it a lot easier to sit through this comedy than expected.

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Wednesday

26Nov2008

'Four Christmases' web reviews

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 7:43AM | By

In Seth Gordon's latest comedy "Four Christmases," Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon team up as a couple trying to avoid family gatherings on Christmas. But when all their flights get cancelled and their parents see them on television, the two feel obliged to pay them all a visit. Here's how online critics respond to it:

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "This flick won't become a holiday classic, but I am sure it will entertain those that go see it."

• Cinema Blend's Josh Tyler: "It’s not boring enough to be irritating and not funny enough to be entertaining."

• Brian Orndorf at Collider: "If Vince Vaughn wants to ruin Christmas, he's going about it the right way."

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Wednesday

29Oct2008

Vince Vaughn to star in ‘Sunny and 68’

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 7:36AM | By

Vince Vaughn will take over the world of poker in “Sunny and 68,” a project Universal is acquiring for Gavin O’Connor to direct.

According to Variety, Vaughn will play a poker superstar whose alcoholism (among other things) causes him to loose $500,000 in an instant. With no money in his pocket, he decides to head home to retrieve some cash he’s been sending his mother.

Upon his return to New York, however, he discovers his mom is dying of cancer. Additionally, he finds out she’s been raising a 5-year-old girl who’s actually his daughter.

O’Connor, whose “Pride and Glory” opened last weekend, is directing a script he wrote with Anthony Tambakis.

Vaughn will next star alongside Reese Witherspoon in “Four Christmases.” He’s also gearing up for Peter Billingsley’s comedy “Couples Retreat.”

O’Connor, whose credits include Walt Disney’s ice hockey drama “Miracle,” is prepping “Warrior,” an action flick he’ll shoot next year.

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Wednesday

15Oct2008

‘Couples Retreat’ guys find their women

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 3:22PM | By

Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman and Kristin Davis are in for Peter Billingsley’s upcoming comedy “Couples Retreat,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The plot follows four couples who spend some time at a tropical island resort. Although one of them is there to work on their damaged marriage, the other couples soon discover that participation in the resort’s couple therapy program is mandatory.

Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman and Faizon Love are already on board. Favreau also wrote the screenplay, based on an idea by Vaughn.

Bell teams up with Bateman, Davis stars as Favreau’s wife, and Akerman hooks up with Vaughn.

Bell most recently starred in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” She recently wrapped Mark Steven Johnson’s “When in Rome,” and she’s currently doing voice work for “Astro Boy.” Davis’ last big-screen appearance was in “Sex and the City.”

As for Akerman, she was last seen alongside Katherine Heigl in “27 Dresses.” Her next major role is Laurie Juspeczyk / Silk Spectre II in Zack Snyder’s “Watchmen.”

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Friday

19Sep2008

Vaughn, Favreau gear up for ‘Retreat’

Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9:38AM | By

Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman and Faizon Love (cool name!) have signed on to star in Peter Billingsley’s comedy “Couples Retreat,” according to Variety.

Written by Favreau, the plot follows four couples who spend some time at a tropical island resort. Although one of them is there to work on their damaged marriage, the other couples soon discover that participation in the resort’s couple therapy program is mandatory.

As the trade reports, Vaughn apparently came up with the idea for the flick. He did that before for 2006’s disastrous comedy “The Break-Up.” Let’s just hope Favreau’s screenplay has got what it takes to deliver some laughs.

Favreau and Vaughn can next be seen together in Seth Gordon’s “Four Christmases,” which also stars Reese Witherspoon and Robert Duvall. Following “Retreat,” Favreau will launch into the development of the anticipated “Iron Man” sequel.

Bateman recently starred in Peter Berg’s “Hancock.” His upcoming projects include “This Side of the Truth” and “State of Play.” As for Love, he’ll show up in Cess Silvera’s comedy “G.E.D.”

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Saturday

13Sep2008

Trailer for 'Four Christmases' debuts on Web

Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 8:12AM | By

Just like every year in the U.S., the first Christmas flicks start hitting theaters in November already (don't ask me why). One of them this year is Seth Gordon's "Four Christmases," in which Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon play a couple struggling to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.

Although this trailer did not really win me over, I have to admit Vaughn and Witherspoon look like a solid enough team to handle this kind of cheap screwball comedy. Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam and Sissy Spacek co-star. "Four Christmases" opens Nov. 26, 2008. Enjoy the preview just above.

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