Wednesday, June 10

• In Praise of Shadows Next for James Franco

  Actor James Franco has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments since his notable performance as Daniel Desario in Freaks and Geeks, most recently winning an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role as Scott Smith in Milk. With disarming charm and the acting chops for anything from drama to comedy to action pics, Franco pretty much has his pick of roles.

  Before heading off to Ireland to star opposite his Pineapple Express co-star Danny McBride in Your Highness, Franco will star in the indie film In Praise of Shadows, written and directed by Jay Anania, head of the directing program at NYU, where Franco just completed his first year of graduate school. Franco is also producing the film through his Rabbit Bandini Prods. banner. Said Anania about Franco:

  In Praise of Shadows tells the tale of William Vincent (Franco), a man who returns to New York City after years in exile to rescue the woman he loves from mobsters. The budget for the film is less than $10 million.

  
  
  Next Showing: In Praise of Shadows goes into production June 15

  Posted 06/10/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: James Franco | Danny McBride | Jay Anania | Pineapple Express

Thursday, June 4

• Ferrell Open to a Land of the Lost Sequel

  

  The new film by comedy impresario Will Ferrell, Land of the Lost, hasn't even been released yet, but there's already talk of a sequel. Loosely based on the 70's Saturday morning adventure program, the Land of the Lost movie leans more toward satire than homage, but the producers are banking on the unique union of Ferrell's humor and CGI dinosaurs to build a franchise.

  When asked about his interest in filming a sequel, Ferrell said:

  I would love to. You never know, but I love working with (director Brad Silberling) and this cast. It was so fun to actually work with a small cast. I've done ensemble films for so long, so it was nice. Given the opportunity, it would be fun.

  Apparently, Silberling made a big impression on Ferrell, even before he had the job:

  When we were meeting with potential directors, (Brad) immediately set himself above everyone, just because he was like, "You know, whether you hire me or not, you should use these two stages on the Universal lot because they are the biggest ones." He had so much knowledge about how to shoot this film, and he was so willing to help. He was like, "If I don't get the job, that's fine, but here are the things you should probably do to make sure you do it the right way."

  We were so impressed by how he had the whole thing laid out. We had been looking at some comedy guys who didn't necessarily have a handle on a movie of this scope and, in the end, I think we made the best decision because Brad, obviously, was okay with anything we wanted to throw in, comedically. He's got a better sense of humor than he gets credit for, with the types of movies he's done. So, it was actually a great marriage. Plus, he put together this team of amazing people that another director might not have been able to do.

  Ferrell plays Dr. Marshall, a disgraced scientist who -- along with his assistant, Holly (played by Anna Friel), and Will, a backwoods survivalist (Eastbound & Down's Danny McBride) -- tumbles through a space-time vortex and ends up in a mysterious place. Land of the Lost also stars Jorma Taccone as Chaka and Matt Lauer as himself.

  
  
  

  Land of the Lost - Clip

  Chaka warns the trio of a Sleestak

  Posted 06/04/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Anna Friel | Will Ferrell | Danny McBride

Wednesday, June 3

• Land of the Lost Is Not for Little Kids

  The original Land of the Lost TV series was a tame, Saturday-morning adventure program. The new movie starring Will Ferrell and Danny McBride is a slightly different story, though, mixing sexual innuendo and raunchy slapstick in with the dinosaurs for a movie clearly meant for older audiences.

  When asked about the more adult aspects of the film, McBride said:

  There is definitely a subversive nature to it. On face value, you'd think it would be something just for kids, but it's pretty racy. There's stuff in there where you're like, "Oh, okay, I don't know if I'd really want my kid watching that." But, what I liked about this film was that it was unexpected. It takes some turns that you don't expect, with the tone and even with some of the comedy. When you see that the special effects are done for real and it's not like the old TV show, I think it's definitely unexpected where it goes, tone wise. I think it's cool.

  Apparently, some of the scenes were so "racy" that they ended up on the cutting room floor:

  There was a great rape joke that didn't make it. Anna was translating Chaka and, when she was translating what he was saying, she was like, "I think he's raped an apple," and raping apples is not cool. That would turn people off. So, Chaka doesn't rape an apple in the movie, anymore.

  In a separate interview, director Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events) said that the adult humor would "fly over" the heads of most kids:

  I think more about kids' not getting traumatized because one of the things we were excited about was really committing to the photo-realism of these dinosaurs and the action.

  McBride stars as Will Stanton, a redneck survivalist who stumbles through a space-time vortex with a bumbling scientist (Ferrell) and his assistant (Anna Friel). Fans of the television series should also be happy to see Jorma Taccone, of The Lonely Island fame, starring as Chaka.

  
  
  

  Land of the Lost - Clip

  Dr. Marshall is bitten by a mosquito

  Posted 06/03/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Anna Friel | Will Ferrell | Danny McBride | Jorma Taccone

Wednesday, April 8

• Anna Faris Stuns at Observe and Report Premiere

  The co-star of Seth Rogen's latest vehicle, Observe and Report, Anna Faris turned heads at last night's premiere in Los Angeles. An actress since the age of 9, Faris has appeared in more than a dozen feature films, including the four Scary Movie movies, and with two comedic performances alongside Ryan Reynolds in Waiting and Just Friends. Faris appeared in several episodes during the final season of Friends and she received wider recognition as an actress following her appearnce in Brokeback Mountain.

  Written and directed by Jody Hill, Observe and Report also stars Ray Liotta (Revolver) and features an appearance by up-and-coming comedic actor Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down). While superficially similar to Kevin James' latest project, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Observe and Report has been described as a darker, more mature film, with Rogen commenting:

  They're totally different movies.

  Observe and Report synopsis courtesy of Warner Bros.:

  At the Forest Ridge Mall, Head of security Ronnie Barnhardt (SETH ROGEN) patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. The master of his domain, he combats skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun.

  Ronnie's delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven by his personal duty to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution to the crime will earn him a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive girl Brandi (ANNA FARIS), the hot makeup counter clerk who won't give him the time of day.

  But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison (RAY LIOTTA) of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.

  
  
  Next Showing: Observe and Report opens Friday, April 10

  Posted 04/08/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Anna Faris | Ray Liotta | Danny McBride | Seth Rogen | Jody Hill | Tropic Thunder | Scary Movie | Just Friends | Waiting ... | Pineapple Express

Wednesday, March 5

• Learn the Foot Fist Way, find happiness

  You might recognize Danny McBride from his small, largely unmemorable roles in alleged comedies The Heartbreak Kid and Hot Rod. But don't let those unfortunate missteps fool you -- McBride is actually quite the talented funnyman, as anyone lucky enough to have seen his independently-produced comedy The Foot Fist Way would attest.

  Thankfully, The Foot Fist Way is finally making its way to theaters this May, courtesy of Paramount Vantage, the studio behind such laugh riots as No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood. Head over to the flick's official site and check out the naughty, R-rated Red Band trailer in all its beautiful, child-pummeling glory.

  Source: thefootfistway.com

  
  

  Posted 03/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: Danny McBride | The Foot Fist Way