It seems the going cringe rate associated with Happy Madison Productions is far too high lately. They haven’t been able to crank out one honestly good movie since 2006 when Grandma’s Boy just couldn’t stop bringing the laughs. While Nick Swardson was featured in that film, not to mention almost all of them along the way, it’s no surprise he finally gets his own chance to star. Even if the trailer just makes you want to run away, run away. Starring as the son of two porn stars, his character Buck Larson finds out who his parents really are and feels that he’s Born to Be a Star as well. With director Tom Brady at the helm, it’s no surprise this looks dreadful. When you’ve only got The Hot Chick and The Comebacks on your resume, you leave no hope for audiences. But with an R-rating and co-writers Adam Sandler and Allen Covert behind you, maybe the boys will finally manage to make a filthy hilarious movie we can embrace. Unfortunately for Brady, he’s the odd man out here so expectations are running below sea level.
September 16
A trio of flicks make their way this day and two look better than the third. First up there’s another remake rearing its head. This time its Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs’ turn. James Marsden and Kate Bosworth replace Dustin Hoffman and Susan George with Alexander Skarsgård stepping in as Del Henney terrorizing a man and wife who’ve relocated themselves from Los Angeles to the South in place of Peckinpah’s not-so-jolly England. With director Rod Lurie making his name in indie film territory there’s hope to be had even if the film looks to take an even more voyeuristic approach than Peckinpah even came close to.
Meanwhile, Sarah Jessica Parker still continues getting roles in a film whose title seems tailor made for ridicule: I Just Don’t Know How She Does It. If you were talking about landing lead actress roles, this one looks more like Bridget Jones than another Carrie Bradshaw. Maybe director Douglas McGrath can keep this more Devil Wears Prada or even Morning Glory than Laws of Attraction or 27 Dresses as it comes from yet another Aline Brosh McKenna screenplay just to keep the boys away and give the girls another reason for a night out.
This day another indie auteur tries his hand at balls-to-the-wall action with Ryan Gosling in the driver’s seat for Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. Having just won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for this humdinger of a looking film, it seems to be looking at winning over the rest of the world upon its release. With a supporting cast consisting of Ron Perlman, Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan, and Albert Brooks, this film sound primed and ready for action. While it may not have won the Palme d'Or, that doesn’t mean it’s not ready to steal the money from your wallet.
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