September 7, 2009
Five Favourite Films with Richard Curtis
Richard Curtis has a plan. "What I've decided is to choose recent films," he explains to RT. "I do think that often people get stuck in always saying the five greatest films of all time, films they saw between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two, because that's when you're forming your opinions. I think I'll talk about modern films, which aren't necessarily the greatest films ever made, but are five great films." The Boat that Rocked is out on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK this week and is soon to hit US cinemas retitled Pirate Radio. Read on to learn about the five films he can't do without.
More...
August 2, 2009
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Funny People Leads Sluggish Weekend
Comedy heavyweights Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow claimed the number one spot with their new dramedy Funny People which debuted to only moderate results leading the entire top ten to slump to its lowest point of the summer. Two other new releases, the kidpic Aliens in the Attic and the horror film The Collector, both struggled to find ticket buyers helping the North American box office once again fall below year-ago levels for the fourth consecutive weekend.
Universal claimed the top spot with Funny People which debuted to an estimated $23.4M making for the lowest gross for a number one film all summer. Playing in 3,007 locations, the R-rated story of a Hollywood superstar facing death averaged a healthy $7,795 per theater. Reviews were mixed for the reported $75M production.
More...
July 31, 2009
Friday Harvest: TRON Legacy, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and more!
Happy Friday Harvest, a weekly round-up of the best pictures, posters, and videos that have become available for viewing/download on Rotten Tomatoes. Each section features the favorite or most interesting item we've added for the week, along with several other new highlights. Enjoy!
More...
July 30, 2009
Critics Consensus: Funny People Is Ambitious But Uneven
This week at the movies, we've got the tears of a clown (Funny People, starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen), extra-terrestrial visitors upstairs (Aliens in the Attic, starring Kevin Nealon and Tim Meadows), and a robbery gone wrong (The Collector, starring Josh Stewart and Madeline Zima). What do the critics have to say?
With Funny People, Judd Apatow is attempting to walk a fine line: keep 'em laughing while documenting the trials of a famous comedian staring death in the face. Critics say the results are uneven: the film is stellar (and hilarious) for much of its running time, but stumbles in its long third act. Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons, a famous (but lonely) funnyman who's been diagnosed with a terminal disease.
More...
July 30, 2009
Box Office Guru Preview: Sandler & Apatow to Score Funny Money
For the second straight Friday, Hollywood studios serve up a new release menu packed with an R-rated comedy, a family-friendly action pic, and a horror entry although the top film will be nothing like last weekend's. The Adam Sandler comedy Funny People leads the way looking to give director Judd Apatow another hit with adult audiences. Pulling in less business will be the kidpic Aliens in the Attic and the fright flick The Collector. But for the fourth consecutive frame, the overall marketplace should lag behind last year's scorching hot July results further eroding the year-to-year gain the industry has enjoyed for most of 2009.
More...
July 30, 2009
Total Recall: Best Judd Apatow Productions
They may not have as much control over a film as they did during the days of Hollywood's studio system, but producers still wields a great deal of clout, and despite the behind-the-scenes nature of the job, a great producer can draw audiences to a movie just as powerfully as a name director or major star. One such current producer is Judd Apatow, whose name has become a signifier for a certain brand of smart (and thoroughly bankable) comedy; since producing Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy in 2004, he's been on an impressive roll, one he hopes to continue with this week's Funny People.
More...
June 18, 2009
See Clips from the Films of Funny People's "George Simmons"
George Simmons, the world-famous (yet quite lonely) comedian and movie star played but Adam Sandler in Judd Apatow's "Funny People," won't be formally introduced to moviegoers until the film bows on July 31. In the meantime, however, you can get an early peek at some of the films that made Simmons a star, thanks to just-released clips from a few of his best-known hits, including "Sayonara Davey," "Dog's Best Friend," and "Re-Do." It's all part of the promotional rollout for "Funny People," centered around the launch of Simmons' official website. Ready to experience the latest and greatest in viral campaigns?
More...
January 14, 2009
A Night of Funny People
Judd Apatow hosted a night of stand-up comedy to get some footage for his upcoming "Funny People" this week, and Collider's Peter Debruge was one of the lucky attendees.
More...
