Funny People Trailer II

Seriously?

By Brian Prisco | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (28)

Judd Apatow’s only actually written and directed three films: The 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and the forthcoming Funny People. However, like an internet meme or frathouse crabs, he’s spread across the movie landscape with his all-too-familiar band of household cronies, popping up in every fucking comedy released and about as welcome as a wedding day herpsore.

I like Judd Apatow. He’s good. I also enjoy pizza. But if forced to eat pizza every day, sometimes twice a day, I’m going to get sick of it. Even it’s some primo gourmet shit. It happened with “Arrested Development,” where they got huge, we all loved them, Fox tanked the show, and then the cast popped up in every fucking movie made for the past five years. Michael Cera isn’t the only male teen actor, Hollywood. Will Arnett’s amazing — in concentrated doses — otherwise, he’s like drinking cough syrup. Jason Bateman was an underappreciated gem, don’t put him in every fucking necklace, dammit.

And now, if it’s a comedy, it’s gotta have Seth Rogen or Paul Rudd (it’s the former), and then two or three of the also-rans like they were toppings at Subway. And I dig those guys, but they’re in everything now. And it’s getting hard to tell them apart.

But now, Apatow’s coming at us with what looks like a solidly funny dramedy. It’s got a pretty amazing cast — Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwarzmann finding a nice balance between Cool Ethan and Max Fischer, Leslie Mann (watch out for turning her into Sheri Moon there, Juddski), and the Adam Sandler from Punch Drunk Love. A bunch of comedians are in it, sort of bestowing their blessing — Sarah Silverman, Andy Dick, Dave Attell. Dustin swears he saw Paul Reiser in the trailer, and I would expect to see a ton of surprise cameos.

The trailer’s red band — but after watching the dick-frenzy of The Hangover this is pretty tame by comparison. Apatow tends for the Kevin Smith dialogue-play rather than the big-time gross-out slapstick, so I wasn’t expecting big fiery titties to rain out of the sky. I think this could be pretty fucking great — but I’m a little worn-out on Apatow. Fortunately, that’s why Dan and Dustin review the big marquee flicks — that and the whole competence thing.

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Comments

RZA's line killed me.

Posted by: TSF at July 9, 2009 11:09 AM

Wow, that was much better than the first trailer, and it didn't give away the whole plot!

Posted by: Macafee at July 9, 2009 11:20 AM

"Apatow tends for the Kevin Smith dialogue-play rather than the big-time gross-out slapstick"

Kevin Smith is waaaay too classy to incorporate big-time gross-out slapstick in his movies. And his dialogue is always terrific and witty. Also, I've never seen a Kevin Smith movie and I am retarded.

Posted by: Tiffany at July 9, 2009 11:28 AM

This might be a case where I only want to see the trailer. It just fills me with love and whatnot.

Posted by: JakesAlterEgo at July 9, 2009 11:29 AM

I'm a little concerned that this movie is creeping towards the 140 minute mark. Apatow's films are normally overlong, and the extra footage added to the "40 Year Old Virgin" cut completely ruined the movie. I guess he has not been reading my Facebook pleas that he track down an editor pronto. Comedies, even dramadies, have a hard time keeping up the momentum over two-hours.

Posted by: Drew Morton at July 9, 2009 11:41 AM

I rented The 40 Year Old Virgin, and it was the director's cut with all the extra footage, and I turned it off after 20 minutes and mailed it back. I didn't get why everyone thought the movie was so good. The extra footage sucked, only since I've never seen the theater version, I have no idea which bits were extra.

Posted by: BWeaves at July 9, 2009 11:52 AM

The heart of "40" is in the relationship between Keener and Carell. The director's cut takes nearly an hour and fifteen minutes to get to their coupling... Far too long and far too much "You're gay because you listen to Coldplay." Yes, I know these are talented comedians who can riff off one another, but that doesn't mean I want to watch it for 65 minutes.

Posted by: Drew Morton at July 9, 2009 12:05 PM

Wilco AND Dr. Dog songs used in the trailer?! Nice.

This looks like a good movie.

Posted by: SkortBrun at July 9, 2009 12:17 PM

I've always had a weakness for schlubby, funny Jewish guys. I'm kinda depressed that Rogan has gotten so thin. He was adorable in Knocked Up. I always though HE could do better than Rainbow Killer.

Posted by: superEdna at July 9, 2009 12:44 PM

I second Dustin's Paul Reiser sighting. Not sure if that works in the movie's favor or not, but there it is.

Also Jonah Hill is wearing a Beirut shirt. Nice.

Posted by: stewey at July 9, 2009 12:54 PM

Michael Cera isn’t a ~~the only~~ male teen actor, Hollywood.

Fixed that for ya.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at July 9, 2009 12:59 PM

It looks pretty OK, but the part at the end where they are fucking around with the Swedish doctor had me rolling (I even LOL'd!!!).

Posted by: canology at July 9, 2009 1:28 PM

I honestly don't understand the exhaustion with Apatow. Particularly because, as you mentioned, he's only written and directed three films, one of which isn't even out yet. He produced lots of films, but the actors from his films have been taken in by everyone because they're likable and hilarous. Paul Rudd is a great example. He had a hard time breaking through for years. Then he shows up in the Apatow films, everyone realizes that he's funny as hell, and he gets his due. And I recall the Kevin Smith interview on this site where he referred to Seth Rogen as this generation's Bill Murray, which, considering the careers of both men, I totally see, and welcome with open arms.

I guess I'm just not overloaded on these movies yet. I tend to find them funnier than any other (non-Pegg-and-Frost-related) comedy these days, and when a whole series of films can make me laugh, well, that just makes me feel better inside.

Posted by: ChristianH at July 9, 2009 1:29 PM

I wouldn't say I'm overloaded, as I enjoy watching them. The director's cuts kill me though because of the pacing. Apatow is a great writer and at times even a good director, but he needs a focus. I almost feel "I Love You, Man" or "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" are better films. 1. They're more tightly constructed. 2. Jason Siegel is a much better lead than Seth Rogen. Rogen is snarky nearly 100% of the time and that keeps me from feeling empathy for him. On the other hand, there is something genuine about Siegel that has been with him since "Freaks and Geeks."

Posted by: Drew Morton at July 9, 2009 1:53 PM

It makes me so damn sad that Eric Bana is playing second fiddle to Adam FUCKING Sandler. The world is a horrible, dark place and there is no justice in it.

I'm going to dress all in black for today.

Posted by: figgy at July 9, 2009 2:02 PM

I looooooove me some Jason Schwartzman.

Posted by: grace b at July 9, 2009 2:44 PM

yay jason!!

Posted by: maxpurr9 at July 9, 2009 3:25 PM

Oh how I love me some Rogen.

So I met this guy that was basically a dark haired version of Seth Rogen at a bar, got drunk, took him home and had sex with him. My real life version of Knocked Up minus the whole illegitimate child thing.

True story.

Posted by: ashes at July 9, 2009 3:30 PM

Hmm, I told that story just to show how much I love me some Rogen. In going back and reading it I think it just shows that I'm a whore.

Posted by: ashes at July 9, 2009 3:32 PM

So now I gotta go out and get a "who writes this stuff" shirt.

Posted by: io at July 9, 2009 3:33 PM

That Sheri Moon comment was harsh, Brian. At least Leslie Mann has some acting ability. Sheri Moon's career is predicated on fucking her husband and being willing to show her increasingly depressing ass.

Posted by: David at July 9, 2009 4:57 PM

Can someone tell me who needs Andy Dick's blessing for anything worthwhile? He's one of the most useless human beings on the planet. Being an obnoxious fuckface to everyone does not a comedian make.

Posted by: Recondite at July 9, 2009 4:57 PM

I looooooove me some Jason Schwartzman.
Posted by: grace b at July 9, 2009 2:44 PM

Ditto. Yummers.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at July 9, 2009 5:58 PM

"Don't put me in a corner where I have to fuck my way out."

I love you Mr. Schwartzman. So very much.

Posted by: Alex at July 9, 2009 6:35 PM

Oh wow. A sweet-girl-who-got-away-then-returns-with-a-dickhead-husband story line. What, is that supposed to make Sandler's character likeable and relatable? Sandler is as likeable as the slime on old lettuce heads. He is a mold spore.

Sandler is the ass swiffer of comedians. He's the ergonomic, hygienic and reasonable-priced tool you use when you just can't be bothered to reach yourself. And he smells like poo. /End Adam Sandler-Ass Swiffer theory.

P.s. Did anybody else notice Eric Bana in a St. Kilda shirt watching the Saints play those mongrels Collingwood Magpies on telly? Up the Saints!

Posted by: igor at July 9, 2009 6:47 PM

Igor - I'm going to let that one slide because you called Collingwood mongrels. Carn the Crows!

Posted by: Seraf at July 9, 2009 7:58 PM

I barrack for the Richmond Tigers, and therefore don't talk about football.

I will, however, totally see this movie.

Posted by: Daniel Hall at July 12, 2009 12:14 AM

Fuck Adam Sandler! He is the worst. However...everyone else...is...very funny...dammit. I'll totally see this. Fucking Sandler. I had the misfortune of renting the world's crappiest car this weekend and the whole drive all I could think of was, "piece of shit car...I gotta piece of shit car". Thank you, me of college, for owning that CD, and thank you Adam Sandler, for sucking balls.

I third the Reiser sighting. He's sitting at the table right before the Swedish doctor (nice Ikea joke but fuck Adam Sandler!)

Posted by: Cara at July 12, 2009 9:50 PM

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