Category Archives: The Big Screen

2010/10/18 · 4:57 pm

Muppet Monday: Rashida Jones May Join ‘Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made’, Moving Us Closer To A State-Muppet Movie Directed By Judd Apatow

In things-that-I-love-meeting-other-things-that-I-love news, reports indicate that Rashida Jones is close to joining Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller’s forthcoming Muppet motion picture, The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made (in addition, the adorable Amy Adams and the cute Chris Cooper are also in talks to come on board).  Now that Jones appears to be in, we can only assume that Paul Rudd will not be far behind.  And when you have Paul Rudd and Rashida Jones there’s a pretty good chance that you’re eventually going to see Judd Apatow and at least one member of The State.  Rudd, we all know, is one of the key faces of Apatowian comedy, as well as frequent a collaborator with State members David Wain and Ken Marino (see: Role Models, Diggers).  Jones, in addition to appearing in the Apatow-esque I Love You Man with Segel and Rudd (plus State member Tom Lennon), had a small role in Apatow’s masterwork Freaks and Geeks, and has shown up in State related productions Stella, The Ten and Wainy Days.  So from there it’s only a matter of time before Jones, Rudd, Segel, Apatow, The State and the Muppets all team up.  We already know that The State and the Muppets have a history together:

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One complaint:  Sources say that Jones would portray an ABC exec in the movie.  Between her roles on The Office and The Social Network, we think we’ve seen enough of her in business attire.  No more blazers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information, please consult the Judd Apatow Chart

via Vulture

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Filed under Discos and Dragons, Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam, Freak Out Control, Intersection of the venn diagram of things that I love, Judd Apatow, Muppet Mondays, Muppets, The Big Screen, The State, Yasmine Bleeth

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2010/02/02 · 7:19 pm

Muppet Movie Monday Tuesday: The Muppets Inch Closer to the Judd Apatow Chart, Ball’s In Your Court, James Bobin

Very delayed but very exciting Muppet news:  while most of our Muppet Monday posts have focused on the recent rise of Muppet visibility in Disneyland and on TV, as well as a few classic clips, we finally have some Muppet movie news!

Vulture reports that Flight of the Conchords co-creator James Bobin has been offered to direct a new Muppet movie in the works for Walt Disney Pictures.  However, there might be a snag, as Bobin has apparently also been asked to helm Bridesmaids, a Kristen Wiig penned (and we’re assuming starring) comedy produced by Jumped The Snark legend Judd Apatow.  But really, do you think Bobin should attach himself to a movie described as “two women battling to plan their friend’s wedding party?”  I think the Casey Wilson-penned Bride Wars kinda covered this ground, and between that and 27 Dresses, I’m not sure that the discerning comedy masses are clamoring for another slapstick/rom-com wedding flick (although, if it’s more like Baby Mama, then maybe I’ll revise that statement).  Plus, would you choose to work with a bunch of petulant divas* over the seasoned professionals that are the Muppets?

But maybe you’re thinking to yourself that Bobin should choose Bridesmaids for the chance to become part of the Judd Apatow fraternity and secure on a place on my chart.  Okay, fair.  However, this Muppet movie will be based on the script penned by Jason Segel and his Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller.  Both men have several ties to Apatow, so Bobin can join team Apatow either way, and if this movie is produced it’s definitely going on the chart.  So, James Bobin, if the main factor in deciding which movie to direct is earning a spot on the Judd Apatow chart, then I can assure you that if you take the reins to the Muppet movie you’ll get your due.  Plus, you have about an equal chance of working with Paul Rudd on either movie (actually, with this in mind, the odds might actually be a little better with the Muppets)

And with that out of the way, you can make a measured, smart decision.

Fozzie Bear or Gilly?

I think the choice is easy.

*Just assuming.  Cause that’s what I imagine Katherine Heigl is like and I’m assuming she will be in this movie.

Vulture Exclusive: Flight of the Conchords Co-Creator May Direct the New Muppet Movie

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Filed under Judd Apatow, Muppet Mondays, Muppets, The Big Screen

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2010/01/11 · 11:54 am

Muppet Monday: VoluntEar Video and Peoples is Peoples

Only two Mondays into 2010 and things are already shaping up for the Muppets in the new decade. When we decided to institute Muppet Mondays we feared that we wouldn’t have enough material each week, or at least enough relevant material. But with Disney making the Muppets the face of their new volunteerism initiative, it seems like there’s a new Muppet story every day, and certainly no lack of content for Muppet Mondays. So thanks, Disney! And keep it up!

Speaking of Disney and Volunteerism, Disney was nice enough to post some rehearsal video of the new “Honorary VoluntEars Calvacade,” which, of course, stars Kermit and Miss Piggy (and, somewhat surprisingly, Sweetums). I was fortunate enough to get down to Disneyland last month, but it looks like I’ll have to make another trip (pilgrimage?).

However, while I previously emphasized the abundance of current Muppet news, I think for today we’ll highlight a classic clip, Pete’s insightful words of wisdom from The Muppets Take Manhattan:

Really makes you think, no?

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Filed under Mickey Mouse Club, Muppet Mondays, The Big Screen

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2009/12/19 · 12:41 pm

Hanukkah: The End

I initially resisted including this video in our Hanukkah clipdown, but since it’s really the be-all, end-all of Hanukkah faire in pop culture, really the only viable Festival of Lights carol.  Plus, I needed something to wash out the taste of “Kosher Face.”  And, you know what, when I watch it, I am overcome with a wave of warm Hanukkah cheer (followed quickly by the requisite Jewish Guilt).

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However, if you like your Jewish-related content a little more series (and a little more depressing) I cannot recommend A Serious Man enough.  Just make sure you study your Torah portion beforehand.

Hope you had a great Hanukkah and got all the socks your heart desired!  Next year in Jerusalem!

Off to Disney on Ice.

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Filed under Saturday Night Live, The Big Screen, Woody Allen, Bar Mitzvahs & Bagels

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2009/12/02 · 3:00 pm

The Connection Between Wes Anderson, Mario Batali & ‘Top Chef’ Revealed

(Hint: It’s the Crocs)

And speaking of these things, Top Chef finally returns tonight!  Until then, play the Match the Tattoo game! (guess they didn’t have enough Croc-wearers for a Match the Crocs game.  Shame)

And if you still need more Wes Anderson you can check out a recent profile done on him by New Yorker (subscription required), and if you’re feeling a little less elitist, then click over and read Videogum’s effusive praise for Fantastic Mr. Fox.  Agreed!

More later y’alls!

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Filed under Team Zissou, The Big Screen, The Sixth Taste, Top Scallop

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2009/11/20 · 12:43 pm

Aliens vs. Nazis and the NBA Playoffs

Over at the Awards Picks Red Carpet Blog I contributed a piece comparing Inglourious Basterds and District 9, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tarantino’s revenge fantasy is the superior film, and is more deserving of a possible Oscar nomination.

Also, why did I ever get excited about a video game like this:

Really was the slowest, most boring product in the entirety of the EA Sports catalog.  The complete opposite of its hockey brother.

I want my scalps!  Or at least a bloody Wayne Gretzky.

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Filed under Commodore 64, The Big Screen

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2009/11/12 · 5:02 pm

Out of Curiosity: ‘The Love Guru’

So a couple months back I was adding some items to the Netflix queue and on a lark I decided to include The Love Guru, just out of sheer curiosity.  I never thought it’d actually come though, I assumed we’d keep bumping other more important things up to the top.  But then lo and behold one day the mail arrived and my roommate exclaimed “Guess what came?!”  Immediately I was overcome with a sense of immense guilt.  Yep, The Love Guru.  Still, even then, I was skeptical that I’d ever watch it.

But then I decided to give it a go, just to find how bad it might be.  And at a crisp 87 minutes, at least it’ll be quick and maybe not painless.  And then I thought, why not blog about it?  So here we go.

I watched it so you don’t have to! Read on….

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Filed under Bad Humor, Masochism, Saturday Night Live, The Big Screen

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2009/10/22 · 8:11 pm

Other Things That Have Not Jumped the Shark: Will Ferrell

Last week Variety reported that Will Ferrell has signed on to star in a small indie comedy called Everything Must Go.  In response to this news Spout posted a round-up of blogger’s comments on Ferrell’s “retreating career move.”  The feedback seemed to indicate that Will Ferrell is at an important crossroads, that maybe his best days are behind him, and that perhaps this is a redemption project after “all of his recent crap like Land of the Lost.”

Continue reading →

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Filed under Analysis, Good Humor, Jumped the Shark, Saturday Night Live, The Big Screen

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2009/10/20 · 1:34 am

It’s One Thing To Mess With Roman Polanksi, But Seymour Cassel? No!

Bert & MaxWell, no, Seymour Cassel has not been detained by Swiss officials on 32-year-old charges of raping a 13-year-old girl.  He has, however, been suspended from the Screen Actors Guild after being found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a member,” stemming from a May incident in which he allegedly sexually harassed staff members during a May meeting.  It should be noted that he was found guilty by an “internal trial board,” so it seems that SAG is its own sovereign nation or is part of the fleet of human survivors fleeing the Cylon pursuit.

It’s just hard to believe that this kind of behavior is capable by the man who stole our (my) heart as Bert Fischer, beloved father of Max and devoted husband to the late Eloise (in Jumped The Snark favorite Rushmore).

Oh no! Apparently him and Polanksi are buds.  Maybe this isn’t so outrageous after all.

Well, hopefully the only thing they have in common is a love for cigars.

Let’s just cross our fingers that Wes Anderson doesn’t shoot his next film in Switzerland (although even if he does Anderson might not show either).

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Filed under Team Zissou, The Big Screen, Who's the Boss?

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