"Problem Island"

A lot of man-boobs in this thing, which is always cause for concern if you share my psychology. Otherwise Couples Retreat (Universal, 10.9) feels like a possible return to Wedding Crashers-level humor for Vince Vaughn. The downside is that it also feels a bit like the Hawaiian resort section of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, partly, I suppose, because Kristen Bell costars. Other topliners: Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Ken Jeong, Jason Bateman, Jean Reno, Kristin Davis, John Michael Higgins.



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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 2, 2009 at 1:24 PM

comment #1

KC Author Profile Page says ...

Wow at these couplings, Bateman and Veronica Mars are similarly attractive but it wouldn't be a huge stretch to have them playing father and daughter. Vaughn's and Favreau's voices are like someone is playing an electronic keyboard set to "douche"

Posted by KC Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 2:00 PM

comment #2

MilkMan Author Profile Page says ...

Good Christ, does Vaughn schedule his vacations around the films he makes or vice versa? I've always thought he was nothing more than the new Chevy Chase, and the movies he makes do nothing to change my mind about that. In ten years he will be bald, fat, and angry about having to host a talk show, but it will be his own fault. Dude is fucking lazy.

Posted by MilkMan Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 2:15 PM

comment #3

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

i now have no hope of Favreau/Vaughn ever finishing my beloved Swingers/Made/blank trilogy. They've crossed over and are just strictly talent for hire now. Too bad.

I cosidered Vaughn more closer to Bill Murray. if you were casting Vacation and Groundhog Day, you'd choose Will Ferrill and Vaughn, respectively, no?

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 2:21 PM

comment #4

Noah Redfield Author Profile Page says ...

Apart from the appearance of the underrated Peter Serafinowicz at 1:03, this trailer did absolutely nothing for me. It's like they've assembled a talented group of actors and have paid them to go on vacation and read a script for the camera.

Posted by Noah Redfield Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 2:33 PM

comment #5

lipranzer Author Profile Page says ...

You know, ever since Veronica Mars got canceled, it seems Kristen Bell has done nothing but comedies, aside from her being the narrator on "Gossip Girl" and her brief turn on "Heroes." I wish she'd go back to doing darker, or at least edgier, material.

Posted by lipranzer Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 2:54 PM

comment #6

drbob Author Profile Page says ...

This looks like another movie that will try to break new ground for full frontal male nudity. When will this trend end?

Posted by drbob Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 2:55 PM

comment #7

EdHavens Author Profile Page says ...

Well, it's sure nice to know all little Ralphie Parker needed to do to have a second career was become buddies with Favreau and Vaughn. How do I get to become buddies with Favreau and Vaughn, so I too can become a movie director?

Posted by EdHavens Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:01 PM

comment #8

MilkMan Author Profile Page says ...

The remake of Seems Like Old Times would star Vince Vaughn and Kate Hudson, not Will Ferrel and Kate Hudson. If you were going to do a remake of Caddyshack, who would you cast as Ty? Vaughn.

There's nothing wrong with being the new Chevy Chase, although I'm sure some would argue that there is definitely something wrong with being the old Chevy Chase.

Posted by MilkMan Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:03 PM

comment #9

KC Author Profile Page says ...

Wedding Crashers was pushing it to begin with, but then I saw like 25 minutes of Fred Claus and ever since the sound of Vince Vaughn being breezy and bantery has sent bugs crawling underneath my skin

Posted by KC Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:11 PM

comment #10

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

Well, if they recast Seems Like Old Times, they'd probably go Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon.

And Ryan Reynolds would play Ty.

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:15 PM

comment #11

p.Vice Author Profile Page says ...

Too bad they didn't include the scene in which all the quirkily dysfunctional couples are forced to watch a depressingly banal Hollywood comedy about quirkily dysfunctional couples learning lessons on how to Grow Up via crude sexual innuendo and withering slapstick.

SPOILER - The scene ends with everyone downing a case of Jack Daniels and committing ritual suicide ala Letters From Iwo Jima.

Posted by p.Vice Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:16 PM

comment #12

Josh Massey Author Profile Page says ...

This one has been on my radar ever since I saw the cast listing, but that trailer does nothing for me.

And Mark, you liked Made?

Posted by Josh Massey Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:16 PM

comment #13

Breedlove Author Profile Page says ...

Didn't watch the trailer but a few observations:
-FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL is a great little movie. Really like it and prefer it by a mile to both PINEAPPLE EXPRESS and TROPIC THUNDER, which were both disappointing.
-Malin Ackerman convinced me in WATCHMEN that she might have the greatest ass in the history of motion pictures.
-I'm way over John Michael Higgins. Not funny. Annoying.
-Jason Bateman is awesome. When is this guy gonna blow up for real and start headlining his own movies?

Posted by Breedlove Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:22 PM

comment #14

MilkMan Author Profile Page says ...

Mark: No, they wouldn't.

Posted by MilkMan Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:22 PM

comment #15

Gabriel Author Profile Page says ...

"i now have no hope of Favreau/Vaughn ever finishing my beloved Swingers/Made/blank trilogy. They've crossed over and are just strictly talent for hire now. Too bad."

Considering how many of the "Made" players are involved (Ralphie and Big Worm) and the way Favreau/Vaughn are headed career-wise, they probably think this IS that sequel.

I also mourn the fact that a real one will never come. "Made" is one of the funniest films I've ever seen.

Posted by Gabriel Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:22 PM

comment #16

caslab Author Profile Page says ...

While it looks pretty weak. this film should be hailed for deliberately avoiding both the "fat word / skinny word" and "big red text on white" title treatments. Although I don't think "plain white on aqua" is particularly pleasing to the eye, a little variety is nice.

Posted by caslab Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:27 PM

comment #17

115thDreamer Author Profile Page says ...

Ehhh...looks a little to cutesy - makes Wedding Crashers & Forgetting.... look dark & subversive by comparison. Still, Kristen Bell in bikini and/or underwear multiple times = 115thDreamer pay $12 to see movie please.... But, finally, will the fat-guy-married-to-improbably-hot-wife thing ever end? I guess not. Favreau married to Kristen Davis? I'm not seeing it, unless his character is some kind of obscenely rich real estate tycoon or something....

Posted by 115thDreamer Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 3:32 PM

comment #18

scooterzz Author Profile Page says ...

not sure you can say favreau/vaughn have 'crossed over' and 'are strictly for hire now'....
they did write the script, after all......

and...this could be the greatest comedy ever but somehow the universal marketing team will find some way to screw it up......just my opinion....

Posted by scooterzz Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 4:06 PM

comment #19

Ulysses Author Profile Page says ...

If Favreau is considered fat, then I am morbidly obese.

Posted by Ulysses Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 4:24 PM

comment #20

frankbooth Author Profile Page says ...

That was a tough sit at two-and-a-half-hours, but I did it.

Two-and-a-half minutes? Just the trailer?

Jesus wept.

Posted by frankbooth Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 4:28 PM

comment #21

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

Didn't Ryan Reynolds already play Ty in ADVENTURELAND?

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 5:37 PM

comment #22

/3rtfu11 Author Profile Page says ...

-Jason Bateman is awesome. When is this guy gonna blow up for real and start headlining his own movies?

He did already in TeenWolf Too! I miss 80s and Michael Jackson.

Posted by /3rtfu11 Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 5:54 PM

comment #23

Stringer Bell Author Profile Page says ...

Kristen Davis is so bland! How does she have a career? She should be on the CW playing the nagging wife.

Posted by Stringer Bell Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 6:27 PM

comment #24

dinovelvet Author Profile Page says ...

Ah so that IS Peter Seraf...er, the Look Around You guy. One of the funniest shows I've seen in recent years, glad to see he's appearing in some big league stuff.

Posted by dinovelvet Author Profile Page at July 2, 2009 9:09 PM

comment #25

moorish Author Profile Page says ...

Peter Serafinowicz is a GENIUS.

Posted by moorish Author Profile Page at July 3, 2009 1:48 AM

comment #26

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