Jason Bateman to star in ‘Insane Laws’

Jason Bateman ("Horrible Bosses" & "Arrested Development") is in negotiations with Universal Pictures to star in the upcoming comedy “The Insane Laws” alongside Vince Vaughn. The project will mark the directorial debut of screenwriter Jeremy Garelick. 

In the film, Bateman and Vaughn will play best friends who went to college together, got married at the same time and had kids at the same time. Now their children have grown up and are, without their parents knowing, falling in love with each other.

The relationship between Bateman and Vaughn is severely tested when Vaughn’s daughter turns up pregnant. According to Deadline, the film will most likely be in production before the end of the year.  Bateman has "The Change-Up" coming soon.

Trailer for Ron Howard's 'The Dilemma'

The trailer for Ron Howard's upcoming comedy "The Dilemma" has landed online, and you can check it via the embed below. It definitely doesn't look like andy of the recent stuff the filmmaker has done.

That said, I'm interested to find out more. I'm always wary of big-screen comedies starring Kevin James, but with Howard at the helm, this simply can't be as bad as something like that "Chuck & Larry" crap.The

film stars Vince Vaughn and James as best buddies. Trouble ensues when Vaughn discovers James' wife (Winona Ryder) is cheating on him and he simply doesn't know whether he should say something.

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Vince Vaughn teams up with Ron Howard for film

An occasionally funny actor and acclaimed director team up for a relationship comedy

Ron Howard and Vince Vaughn may soon be working together on a comedy. Wait! A comedy? Yes, a comedy indeed. Okay, Howard is no stranger to comedy (he helmed "Edtv"), but it's definitely been a while since he directed one.

This new project, according to the Hollywood Reporter, follows a dude who finds out his best friend's wife is cheating. He then tries to figure out what he should do with this knowledge. The film is described as a comedy focusing on the dark sides of relationships.

Allan Loeb, whose credits include "21" and "Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps," wrote the script. Vaughn was last seen in the disappointing comedy "Couples Retreat." As long as this new project isn't as disastrous as "The Break-Up," I'll give it a fair shot. 

Howard last directed "Angels & Demons," a film I admit I still haven't seen. To be honest, I have no desire to watch it, although I probably will one day. Howard is also developing "The Parsifal Mosaic" at Universal, which also handles this untitled project.

Movie Review: “Couples Retreat”

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

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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Trailer for 'Couples Retreat' with Vince Vaughn

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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A first look at 'Couples Retreat'

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.

Review: “Four Christmases”

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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'Four Christmases' web reviews

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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Vince Vaughn to star in ‘Sunny and 68’

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.