Posts Tagged ‘Andy Samberg’
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As far as R-rated comedies go, I Love You, Man is kind of like a sheep in wolf’s clothing.
Sure, it tries to convince you that it’s a raunchy sex farce with it’s jokes about masturbation stations, oral sex and grandma’s riding Sybian machines. But in actuality, it’s an adorable little film about the difficulties of making friends in your 30’s.
I Love You, Man tries frequently to shock you into laughing, but is undercut by the sweetness and likability of it’s principal players.
After proposing to his girlfriend, real estate agent Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) realizes that he doesn’t have a lot of guy friends and goes on a series of “man dates” in an effort to make friends. After a series of set-ups and disasters, Peter meets the enigmatic Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) and hijinks ensue.
The ever-agile Rudd takes his character’s earnestness and propensity for inventing half-cooked slang and nicknames (“See you later, Joben!”) beyond the socially awkward situations he finds himself in. Rudd’s character is pathetic in a way that you root for, not laugh at.
Segel as Sydney is meant to come off like some kind of latter-day hippie. We don’t know what he does for a living or why he dresses like a pawn shop refugee. Later, when Sydney asks Peter for an $8,000 loan, we’re meant to question if his intentions are honorable. But Segel’s sincerity as a performer shines through. And even though Sydney is a bit of an odd duck, he operates within the parameters of a very specific, laid back personal philosophy. He’s never really as outrageous or dangerous as the movie wants you to think he is.
These are not criticisms meant to convince you that I Love You, Man is a bad movie. In fact, it is a very tidy, effective and humorous examination of making friends later in life and the importance of male bonding.
Certainly it is buoyed by the strength of it’s phenomenal supporting cast. Writer/Director John Hamburg did an excellent job of gathering talent. Everyone from the adorable Rashida Jones as Rudd’s fiance, Andy Samberg, Jaime Pressly, Jon Favreau, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtain, Human Giant’s Rob Huebel and The State’s Thomas Lennon and Joe Lo Truglio make appearances.
On Blu-ray, the movie looks spectacular. You can see every last freckle on Jason Segel’s face. Although, I’m starting to become concerned that between this movie and Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Blu-ray, I’m becoming a little too knowledgeable about Segel’s dermatological landscape.
Extras on the disc are everything you would expect. Deleted scenes, extended scenes, a gag reel, a “making-of” documentary and audio commentary from Hamburg, Rudd and Segel.
The extended scenes and gag reel demonstrate not only the large amount of quick-fire improvising that was happening during production, but also Rudd’s aparant inability to keep a straight face at any given time.
Then again, when you have Rob Huebell (as Peter’s real estate rival) sitting across from you ad-libbing all of the celebrities he’s sold homes to, it’s kind of hard not to laugh “Gary Coleman, Emmanuel Lewis, Jaleel White, Donald Sutherland…”
In fact, everything about these extras seems to indicate that the production of I Love You, Man was one of the most loose, playful, happiest experiences ever captured on film. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Next time, don’t try to compete with Bruno for shock value. There’s nothing wrong with making a sweet natured comedy and playing to those strengths.
For people looking for some relaxed laughs with a couple of sex jokes thrown in, I Love You, Man fits the bill.
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Jun12
GUEST STRIP – BOB DAHLSTROM
June 12th, 2012 |- Comics »
- Comics »
- Guest Strip
(1 votes, average: 10.00 out of 10)
I was really hoping to get a new comic to you today, but the responsibilities of fatherhood got in the way.
I had just finished penciling and inking the last panel of what’s supposed to be a new 7-panel strip for you guys and Pearl was crying her head off. We couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. We tried rocking her, consoling her, reading stories, laying down with her – everything.
Eventually, we decided that we’d let her in our bed with us, but even that didn’t work. She didn’t have a fever, she didn’t need a drink, she had a clean diaper… we couldn’t figure it out. She kept writhing around and crying all night.
So, yeah. The comic didn’t get finished.
Thank goodness for this guest strip from Bob Dahlstrom!
I’ve known Bob a good long while. He used to have a comic called Think Tank that I used to really, really enjoy. These days he’s got a new comic called Egomaniac; an journal comic which… I think I enjoy more!
It had kind of been a while since I checked in with Bob, so I was really surprised by his work. His line work has really improved. His inking, too. It’s always really cool to watch how people’s techniques evolve.
Bob actually hit on something I wanted to discuss, kind of by accident by bringing up Adam Sandler and That’s My Boy.
First, take a look at the trailer.
Shamefully, I’m going to admit that looks kind of funny to me. Although I think a lot of this film’s success is going to be attributable to Andy Samberg.
Oh, I know exactly what Sandler is doing here. Irresponsible man-child shows uptight square how to let loose a little while learning something about responsibility on the way. Pepper the script with a couple fringe members of society and add a liberal dash of butt jokes. Step 4: PROFIT.
But here’s the thing… I think Adam Sandler might be this generation’s Jerry Lewis.
Hear me out.
Both of them started in nightclubs before moving up to venerable comedy institutions. Martin and Lewis and Saturday Night Live, respectably.
Both of them went solo, starring in a string of successful films heavy on slapstick. The Delicate Delinquent, Cinderfeella and The Bellboy for Lewis. Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer for Sandler.
In later years, their popularity waned and the both took several hits from the critics. But both continued to be box office successes. Lewis’ film Hardly Working made $50 million at the box office in 1981 despite being panned by critics. That’s almost $120 million today.
Sandler continues to be a bankable movie star today. His last movie, Jack and Jill swept The Razzies last year and had a 3% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes but it still made almost $75 million at the box office.
Both men are philanthropists. Lewis’ name is synonymous with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His annual telethons have raised over $2.6 billion to fight the disease. He hosted those telethons for 44 years. Sandler is just getting started in this arena. In 2007, Sandler donated $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Look, all I’m saying is that Sandler is about 15 years away from the French calling him a genius. Wait and see if I’m right.
Anyway, that’s it for now. Thanks again to Bob for the fantastic guest strip! Keep your eye on the site in the next day or two. I should have my comic finished shortly!
And, by the way, if you want to submit a guest strip to me in the last few weeks the site is up, feel free. I’m basically opening the flood gates and giving everyone the chance to contribute. Think of it as a big going away party!
If you’re interested, send your comic to theaterhopper@hotmail.com. 525 pixels wide, JPG format, and no swears. Other than that, feel free to come up with whatever you like!
Talk to you soon!
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