Hot Tub Time Machine Trailer

It's Too Hot in the Hot Tub

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (18)

MGM is pinning a lot of hopes on Hot Tub Time Machine, and after seeing the trailer, I’m not entirely sure why. It’s a good cast — Rob Corddry, John Cusack, and Craig Robinson — and it comes from long-time Cusack collaborator, Steve Pink (who directed Accepted, and co-wrote both High Fidelity and Grosse Point Blank). But aside from the stronger language, the amusing high-concept (a time traveling hot tub!), and a cast that appeals to “The Daily Show” crowd, I can’t help but think it looks like a time-machine version of Wild Hogs: An R-Rated mid-life crisis comedy.

Hopefully, I’m wrong. Hopefully the trailer is not particularly indicative of what we can expect. Because it would be nice to see John Cusack return to the brand of comedy that made him so appealing in the 80s and 90s (his starring role in Roland Emerich’s 2012 certainly isn’t going to win back any of his cred). But this, really, it’s not doing much for me.

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Comments

This looks like a pile of unmitigated shit. Did you wake up with a rainbow up your ass this morning or does fondness for Say Anything and High Fidelity cause one to become a John Cusack apologist? Aside from the vagina, I AM this movie's target audience (in my early 20's, Daily Show devotee, frequently curses and enjoys a bit of the absurd in my humor) and I wouldn't get near this movie if someone paid me.

Seriously, Hot Tub Time Machine? Why not just call it Do You Love It's Always Sunny In the Office At 30 Rock Fidelity Show? Than You'll Love This!.

Posted by: Genny (actually Rusty now) at July 27, 2009 11:17 AM

Hey, it's also got Clark Duke! (The dorky kid from Greek.) I love that kid! Oh, and according to IMDb, a little someone by the name of Crispin Glover!

I'm in.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at July 27, 2009 11:32 AM

Although, to be fair, I didn't actually listen to the trailer.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at July 27, 2009 11:34 AM

Yes! Clark! He was great in Sex Drive! And did anyone see his show with Michael Cera? Also good!

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at July 27, 2009 11:42 AM

Whoa, wait? 2012 isn't gonna be legit? But, it looks so...disastrous. I thought that me and the guys could just go and watch some disaster porn for a few hours after some vague doomsday bullshit. Well, shoot!

Posted by: Kevin Longrie at July 27, 2009 11:44 AM

Yeah, that trailer was horrendous. If you're going to make a trailer to sell the film, have it actually represent the film in some way. If that trailer actually did represent the film, then the preceding statement is less relevant than the following statement; if you're going to make a stupid film, don't hire really funny people to act in it and waste their time and our respect for them.

Seriously, if this were an audition tape from the first time those actors got together on the film, it'd be enough to redlight this picture.

Posted by: laredo at July 27, 2009 11:49 AM

Did I hear Stargate fan fiction? This appeals to me! I am so there.

Posted by: Chugga at July 27, 2009 11:52 AM

Okay...uh...Christ in a Chicken Basket. Seriously?

In film school one of the biggest things a couple of my professors tried to hammer into us is that the movie industry's bottom line is making money. Plain and simple. It didn't matter the quality of the subject matter, the productions values, or artistic ability- if the project ended in the black, the studios were happy. So while some of the crap produced defies logic of success, there are times where I will reluctantly acknowledge there's a market for some of the garbage out there. Then, there are bits like this turd souffle.

The film industry is so legitimately impossible to break into and remain in already. These are moments where I cannot fathom why any filmmaker would even think about squandering their career by making such craptacular projects. I can figure why studio executives do and it usually falls under two reasons; A) They are insane or B) they've just watched Mel Brooks' "The Producers" and want to see if they can apply the same plan towards film. Obviously nothing could ever top "Springtime for Hitler", but dammit if everyone is always trying to find something comparable. "Chasing Hitler" if you will. And no that wasn't me offering up an idea for a new movie...and yet it already has the potential of being better that the this (probable) celluloid suppository.

Posted by: bleujayone at July 27, 2009 11:54 AM

"Because it would be nice to see John Cusack return to the brand of comedy that made him so appealing in the 80s and 90s"

you lost me there, dustin. cusack has never been appealing.

Posted by: gem at July 27, 2009 11:58 AM

Damn, Genny, that was some heavy vitriol for a Monday morning. Miami not going so well? Hehehe.

Posted by: Snath at July 27, 2009 12:02 PM

Say what you will, but there's one upside to this trailer...the YouTube embed links to a Back to the Future 2009 Cast Reunion. And that my friends, is the power of love. (Oh, and the trailer was meh, but I still got some decent laughs out of it. Why do you think it's being released in February?)

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at July 27, 2009 12:56 PM

Hey, it's also got Clark Duke! (The dorky kid from Greek.)

Yeah. I remember seeing him in Sex Drive and then I saw Superbad and he was in the background in a couple of scenes and I was like, "Holy shit that's the same fucking guy." Never saw "Greek," but now this. The dude looks the same in everything, everything. I think those must be his actual glasses.

Posted by: Deistbrawler at July 27, 2009 2:11 PM

Ok really? The trailer takes place in about an area of 30 square feet, probably the producers cabin, and plays 'Obsession' by Animotion. Mix that in with a couple 'F' bombs and unmatching jump cuts. Am I missing something, or did you all miss your coffee's this morning, because you have to be the only people on Earth taking this film seriously.

Posted by: J Stride at July 27, 2009 2:46 PM

Actors, yes (for now).

Film? No.

Posted by: laredo at July 27, 2009 5:35 PM

J Stride, I noticed the sloppy editing and did wonder if it was a joke trailer for a movie that will never ever be made, but I trust that Pajiba would not mislead me that badly.

Snath, Miami is beautiful. It's the lack of job and transportation that's getting me down. Also I just don't like John Cusack all that much and seem to be the only one who realizes that his good to shit ratio tipped in favor of shit a while back.

Posted by: Genny (actually Rusty now) at July 27, 2009 6:35 PM

this is a teaser. with about a minute of footage. and its not really that bad. everybody needs to breath a bit.

also... saw clarke duke at the comic con in footage of the new kick-ass movie.. and he was awesome!

Posted by: joe at July 27, 2009 7:59 PM

I swear to god on all that is holy, some weird kid in my high school creative writing class wrote many a short story about the 'HTTM', or 'Hot Tub Time Machine'.

Twenty. Years. Ago. I hope to hell he's getting paid.

Posted by: JS at July 27, 2009 8:39 PM

Actually I liked the teaser trailer and like ‘Joe’ said the film doesn’t look that bad. I’m looking forward to it as Sebastian Stan is in it too.

Posted by: Neena at July 28, 2009 6:43 AM

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It's Too Hot in the Hot Tub

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