Posted by Jeffrey Wells on November 13, 2009 at 5:45 PM

comment #1

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

I guess Tina Fey's 15 minutes are over at this point. If it were made in the 80s, it might be more memorable, but it just looks average now.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 5:58 PM

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 6:00 PM

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 6:01 PM

comment #4

Glenn Kenny Author Profile Page says ...

Not to horn in on DeeZee or anything (and my, he really is a bit of a jagoff, isn't he?) but what struck me watching this trailer was its generic plot resemblance to...my God..."Mystery Date," the long-forgotten Ethan Hawke/Teri Polo thingie. This DOES look funnier, though.

Posted by Glenn Kenny Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 6:14 PM

comment #5

Sean Author Profile Page says ...

James Rocchi has already coined "North by Northworst."

Posted by Sean Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 6:38 PM

comment #6

VoiceOfReason Author Profile Page says ...

Jeeze, way to spoil every cameo in the trailer.

Posted by VoiceOfReason Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 6:41 PM

comment #7

azmoviegoer Author Profile Page says ...

I hope that no Audi R8s were harmed during the making of this movie. That looks awful.

Posted by azmoviegoer Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 7:16 PM

comment #8

Caustic712 Author Profile Page says ...

I do like Carell and Fey, but this doesn't look promising.

So we're all clear on this, Deezy -- are you saying you can recognize when someone has worn out his/her welcome? When an act has grown stale? When novelty has been stripped away, and the same old shtick is no longer welcome in the marketplace?

Posted by Caustic712 Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 7:40 PM

comment #9

lipranzer Author Profile Page says ...

I don't understand how Carrell and Fey, who each work on a smartly-written sitcom (well, The Office supposedly has fallen on hard times recently, but I haven't been watching regularly this season), can sign up for movies that look as dumb as this. I know everything is soft until principal photography, but still. The only good part of the entire trailer was Mark Wahlberg - it's nice to see him play this type of role.

Posted by lipranzer Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 7:40 PM

comment #10

Geoff Author Profile Page says ...

Those were some funny gags. I liked the Mark Wahlberg bit. I'm hoping they didn't put the best parts in the trailer.

Posted by Geoff Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 7:45 PM

comment #11

Manitoba Author Profile Page says ...

If my memory is correct, I believe Samantha Bee and Jason Jones from The Daily Show make cameo appearances.

Posted by Manitoba Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 8:23 PM

comment #12

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Caustic: No one's buying, so I'm not selling, just giving away.

Oh, and Nick Cage loses two more homes. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nicolas-Cage-loses-2-homes-in-cnnm-1304107173.html?x=0&.v=2

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 8:27 PM

comment #13

CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page says ...

Yeah, the Wahlberg cameo looks promising, but that's, what, 10 minutes, tops? Not nearly enough to save the tired plot, lame gags, and awful music (Nickelback, really???) in this presumed P.O.S. It all adds up to a big fat skip for me.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 9:51 PM

comment #14

LexG Author Profile Page says ...

Nickelback is awesome.

Surprised this is a Shawn Levy joint, since his "style" is usually blaring NBC sitcom brightness, and this is in that curious, grimy, comedy-killing "Get Smart" cinematography.

Also reminded me a little of those mid-80s yuppies on the run movies like "After Hours," "Something Wild" and "Into the Night."

Posted by LexG Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 10:01 PM

comment #15

CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page says ...

Nickelback is like the 00s version of The Eagles, Poison, or Creed. Sold a shitload of records in their respective decades, but everyone looks back now and wonders how the hell they ever kept convincing themselves they were actually buying good music.

You're literally the first person I've ever seen describe Nickelback as "awesome." Then again, you probably like the new Creed disc, too.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 10:15 PM

comment #16

LexG Author Profile Page says ...

CREED RULES. MY OWN PRISON is the best thing ever. I have no idea if they have a new disc or not though. Didn't they break up?

Plus I love Poison. Who doesn't love Poison? I was two years too young for "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" to be OUR senior prom ballad... so we instead got 1990's "Something to Believe In."

All slow-dancing to this depressing ballad about suicidal Vietnam vets. That and that fucking "Unchained Melody" which was back because of "Ghost."

KROEGER POWER.

Posted by LexG Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 10:28 PM

comment #17

LexG Author Profile Page says ...

And on the topic of this movie, gee, do you thing this exciting night of peril will get them to rekindle the romantic spirit? Like THAT happens.

If this movie was honest about life they'd both DTB and it would end on a freeze-frame of Carell banging Mila Kunis and giving Fey the finger.

Or vice versa with Fey and one of the cameo dudes. That would be an honest depiction of humanity.

As opposed to the ABSURD concept that you can suddenly get a boner for your old, annoying, neutered spouse again just because you got in a car chase from The Male Scarlett Johansson Guy From Zodiac Who Was Still 27 Years Old 24 Years After the Zodiac Killing He Survived.

Posted by LexG Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 10:34 PM

comment #18

Terry McCarty Author Profile Page says ...

lipranzer wrote:
I don't understand how Carrell and Fey, who each work on a smartly-written sitcom (well, The Office supposedly has fallen on hard times recently, but I haven't been watching regularly this season), can sign up for movies that look as dumb as this.

Re THE OFFICE: it seems like it could go one to two more seasons depending on how the writing holds up. At least season hasn't been plagued by a plethora of premise-stretched-too-far one-hour episodes.

Posted by Terry McCarty Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 11:08 PM

comment #19

Terry McCarty Author Profile Page says ...

LexG wrote:
Also reminded me a little of those mid-80s yuppies on the run movies like "After Hours," "Something Wild" and "Into the Night."

Nope. This was probably pitched as TRUE LIES meets NORTH BY NORTHWEST.

Posted by Terry McCarty Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 11:10 PM

comment #20

LexG Author Profile Page says ...

Yes, The Office isn't as bloated as it was the last couple seasons with those mega-episodes...

But it's taken on this weird, unpleasant vibe since Kra-douche-ski's Jim got promoted to Michael's co-boss. Jim was always kind of a tool anyway, but at least he was harmless when he was just mugging and hitting on Pam. Now he's an insufferable asshole, and the show just has a mean, depressing streak.

Not to mention, like almost all sitcoms, it's gotten progressively more far-fetched and cartoonish... I'm sure the very special episode where Michael and Dwight get visited by aliens or travel back in time isn't too far off

Posted by LexG Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 11:12 PM

comment #21

Terry McCarty Author Profile Page says ...

Presuming the final OFFICE episode will involve Dunder Mifflin being bought out by a consortium headed by David Brent--who fires everyone but Creed.

Posted by Terry McCarty Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 11:32 PM

comment #22

googs Author Profile Page says ...

Was that Nicklelback playing? Dear god, thats not a good sign.

Posted by googs Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 11:33 PM

comment #23

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Lex: This Mila Kunis is kind of frumpy. I'd rather it'd be the Mila Kunis from Extract.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 13, 2009 11:56 PM

comment #24

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Lex: Though that actress playing Bateman's wife was even hotter than Kunis at times. I brought this up on IMDB, but other than Idiocracy, how does Judge snag such attractive actresses to do his LA flicks, when they know they ain't gonna make big bank in 'em, or even get better parts through 'em? Sure, working for Judge doesn't carry the stigma of working for Uwe Boll, but you still have to really like his cartoons and his scripts to want to do be in his movies, because there's no real incentive, otherwise.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 12:00 AM

comment #25

thatrader Author Profile Page says ...

LexG, "that curious, grimy, comedy-killing "Get Smart" cinematography" is called shooting a big budget movie on an HD camera, the mother of all stupidity if it's not Michael Mann's "Collateral" because it looks video.

Posted by thatrader Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 1:15 AM

comment #26

arnold stang Author Profile Page says ...

This looks painful.

I had high hopes for this one, but it doesn't look like it's grounded in reality at all. Again, Hollywood comes up with a great idea and takes the formula way out.

There was a 1987 movie with Martin Short and Annette O'Toole entitled CROSS MY HEART. It dealt with a couple who are going out on thei all important thrid date and the sex that is expected. No means a great movie, but at least it dealt with grounded characters, organtic humor and as a plus Annette got naked. That's what I was hoping for here -- real characters (I can skip seeing Tina naked).

Posted by arnold stang Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 5:41 AM

comment #27

moveable hype Author Profile Page says ...

Looked promising until the alley scene...then it got progressively worse.

Carrell and Fey should know better.

Posted by moveable hype Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 6:44 AM

comment #28

dinther Author Profile Page says ...

I don't get the cynicism on this board.

This is a harmless movie; Yeah, the plot is a bit overexposed and a shade predictable, but it's got a decent premise and two likable actors - the kind of thing you see when you don't want to think so hard. It doesn't pretend to be breaking ground, or something it's not. Harmless, amusing light popcorn fair.

Lighten up. There's no reason to man the 2012 ark.

Posted by dinther Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 10:14 AM

comment #29

prairie_oysters Author Profile Page says ...

Interesting that you picked up on the HD photography thatrader. Interesting that the difference in quality can be spotted on a tiny internet trailer. It's particularly unpleasant in the shots with the rowing boat - presumably because it was very low light and some genius decided to open up the electronic shutter; cue smeary, queasy, motion blur.

Interesting as well that you compared it to Michael Mann's foray into HD. Until this year I'd also hold him up as the high water mark of well used HD cinematography but after the visual debacle of Public Enemies that mantle has been passed on to Fincher.

I still don't understand why any of these people are giving themselves the uphill struggle of creating pleasing cinema imagery on HD formats though. It isn't as though they lack the resources to use 35mm film.

Posted by prairie_oysters Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 10:18 AM

comment #30

Blepyrus Author Profile Page says ...

hack director

Posted by Blepyrus Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 11:04 AM

comment #31

DetectiveMills Author Profile Page says ...

This is kinda like the middle of Quick Change with the mistaken identity, stealing from shady mob characters.

Posted by DetectiveMills Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 1:20 PM

comment #32

the400blows Author Profile Page says ...

LexG: Loved AFTER HOURS. If this movie is half-way as good as that--I'm there.

Posted by the400blows Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 2:51 PM

comment #33

lawnorder Author Profile Page says ...

Reminds me of Landis' INTO THE NIGHT as well. Very 80s in vibe. But I like the "whacked off" bit.

Posted by lawnorder Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 4:15 PM

comment #34

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

arnold: I agree. The concept sounded better in print than in execution. It could work, if they just stuck with the comedy angle, but FOX just had to turn it into a Get Smart clone.

prairie: It's because theater chains and studios wrongly bet on that "digital film is the wave of the future" bullshit [3-d's next.], and now they're forced to use these cameras in most of their productions, because they can't return 'em.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 4:36 PM

comment #35

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Oh, and I'm surprised no one mentioned Bruce Willis' Blind Date.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 14, 2009 4:41 PM

comment #36

lawnorder Author Profile Page says ...

DeeZee: theater chains and studios have nothing to do with whether a filmmaker shoots on digital. Studios don't own digital cameras (they rent them from camera houses) and theaters can digitally project shot on film source material just as easy as shot on digital. Pretty much every film gets a digital intermediate these days and they can create a digital cinema file at the same time, which is becoming more and more common. Filmmakers tend to like the digital workflow (like Fincher and Mann), and the downside to shooting on film is that the entire locked cut has to be scanned for the digital intermediate process (as well as all footage transferred to HD and standard def for viewing of dailies, previewing and editing). But the upside is beautiful, motion perfect pictures and not that motion blur, jittery clown vomit that people mistake for cutting edge cinema. The choice to shoot on digital is usually a director's choice or a budgetary one (although I personally don't see where they're saving that much - especially since most shot on digital films look like dog shit and the sacrifice hardly seems worth it on the savings).

Posted by lawnorder Author Profile Page at November 15, 2009 2:21 AM

comment #37

raquelswell Author Profile Page says ...

I like it. Everything was ok until Nickelback came on.

I still don't get all the fuss over Tina Fey's work. The Knights of Prosperity was funnier than 30 Rock.

Posted by raquelswell Author Profile Page at November 15, 2009 3:10 AM

comment #38

COCO Author Profile Page says ...

I like Fey, she has this Palin thing going for her.....
Mary Mark is always fun to watch....Steve is funny....but the movie does look 1980's out of date and the stretch is from NYC to Beantown......can I buy a "N"....(NO).....meh....popcorn anyone?

Posted by COCO Author Profile Page at November 15, 2009 7:51 AM

comment #39

BaxterPeanut Author Profile Page says ...

Does this remind anyone of "Blind Date", Bruce Willis' first film? "Wild night out followed by crazy hilarity". Formulatic, but will probably be fun. Carrell usually delivers, Michael Scott repetativeness notwithstanding...

Posted by BaxterPeanut Author Profile Page at November 15, 2009 9:41 AM

comment #40

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

lawn: " Studios don't own digital cameras (they rent them from camera houses) "

That doesn't make sense to me. Why would you pay millions of dollars for equipment you'd only rent?

"and theaters can digitally project shot on film source material just as easy as shot on digital. "

They only can do so because they upgraded their projectors that way, because they thought audiences would somehow buy into DV the way they're hoping they can hook us with 3-d. Either way, it was just an excuse to justify higher ticket prices for the same old crap.

"But the upside is beautiful, motion perfect pictures and not that motion blur, jittery clown vomit that people mistake for cutting edge cinema."

They look grainy as hell and home-video-ish to me...

Baxter: Yeah, I mentioned it earlier.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at November 16, 2009 4:12 PM

Posted by beijing20082009 Author Profile Page at May 19, 2010 11:24 PM

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