The TV Addict 

During the summer everyone is always talking about anticipating this film or other, but a lot of times the reason we’re looking forward to a particular film is not just its concept, but the acting performances it promises. So with my Top 10 Most Anticipated Summer Movies list already up, I thought I’d highlight a few of the actors – in no particular order - whose work I’m most looking forward to seeing this summer season.

Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly, STEP BROTHERS
These two are a perfect comedic duo, and the concept of STEP BROTHERs – purportedly devised by the two actors themselves – is a perfect, simple vehicle to let their humor shine. Above all else, I’m just so happy to see John C. Reilly finally breakout, even if after years of solid character roles it turned out to be comedy that would get him noticed.

Robert Downey Jr., TROPIC THUNDER
It’s really hard to imagine Downey Jr. could top his performance in IRON MAN, but I’m incredibly curious to see how he is going to pull off playing a white Australian actor who in the film is in turn playing an African American. Inherently it seems like a politically incorrect disaster (then again, the Wayans did turn themselves white a while back), but based on all the trailers it looks like he pulls it off perfectly and – most importantly – hilariously.

Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
Before you get the wrong idea, I’m not morbidly looking forward to Ledger’s performance in THE DARK KNIGHT because it was his last. I’m looking forward to it because it looks phenomenal. Based on the trailers, it just blows my mind how Ledger all but disappears into the role of the Joker, both in manner and appearance. It seems like such a seamless melding with the psychopathic spirit of the villain, that HYPERLINK “http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/14/discuss-could-heath-ledger-land-an-oscar-nod-for-his-dark-knig/” some are already wondering whether it may deserve an Oscar nomination.

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Word on the street, by which I mean the intersphere (I made that up, what do you think) is that we may be getting that ANCHORMAN sequel sooner than Will Ferrell last led us to believe. Collider recently interviewed director Adam McKay who had the following to say:

Adam McKay: I’m looking to do another movie, I might do this other movie called Channel 3 Billion which is kind of this science fiction/Brazil type comedy. Then after that, Will and I are like let’s do Anchorman 2…so you’re talking like 2 years maybe we’ll do it. But we’re going to do it, for sure.

Collider: That’s like 100%?

Adam McKay: Yeah, yeah, yeah. We’re dying to do it. Unless we can’t get the cast together, which is always kind of a tricky thing. But, I think, with that cast we’re all friends, so yeah, we want to do it.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of ANCHORMAN, and considered it one of the greatest comedies I’ve ever seen (it’s also incredibly quotable). That of course means on the one hand I’m pretty excited about the prospect of a sequel, on the other hand I’m worried that a sequel would just fail to live up to its predecessor and just screw everything up. It’s always hard as a big fan of something to ask yourself whether you want more of something you love, or just want to stick with what you got, and know is good. Sort of like a commitment phobic boyfriend.

Dear Mr. Ferrell,

Before I say anything, I do want to emphasize that I mean only the best. My words are not meant to cut. Given the underperformance of your most recent film, SEMI-PRO, at the box office this past weekend, my intentions are not to kick you while you’re down. If anything, it’s to attempt to pick you up off the ground, brush you off, pat you gently on your butt, and send you on your way in a direction that doesn’t end up with you running into a wall.

So let me cut right to the chase: you need to stop making sports movies. After KICKING & SCREAMING, TALLADEGA NIGHTS, BLADES OF GLORY, and now SEMI-PRO, enough is enough. Heck, I might even suggest you steer clear of films that rest solely on making fun particular professions, whether they be sports-related or not (i.e. ZOOLANDER, BEWITCHED, and ANCHORMAN). It’s not that you’re not funny in them, or that they are horribly bad, it’s just that you’ve proven you can do more, and we all know (from your SNL days) that you’re more versatile than this. Also, you tell a good joke too many times, eventually (and inevitably) it stops being funny.

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GET SMART
I loved GET SMART as a kid, so when I heard that particular television show was yet the latest to receive a feature film treatment, I was wary. Then I heard Steve Carell was cast in the role of bumbling, inept spy, Maxwell Smart, and small hopes were kindled, because if anyone was perfect for the role it was him. Now that the trailer has come out, I can even say I’m a little excited, because it looks like those involved totally nailed the silly spirit of the original show. It’s also the ideal vehicle for someone with Carell’s comedic talents, if the “I’m so happy” scene doesn’t prove it. Also I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard anyone in a film ever say “We’re not people who jam staples into other people’s heads,” let alone see someone actually do that. On a totally unrelated note, when did Anne Hathaway turn into such a hottie?
Watch the trailer here.

THE LOVE GURU
It’s been five years since Mike Myers last live-action performance (I don’t really count 2003’s THE CAT IN THE HAT, because he basically was an animated character in it), so you would think the guy would make a bit of an effort to bring something new to the table in his new film THE LOVE GURU. Instead, based on this trailer, we just get the same old Mike Myer jokes recycled. Again, there’s dance numbers, the border-line embarrassing comedic use of a little person, there’s a spin on the “Mole” spiel he did in AUSTIN POWERS: GOLDMEMBER, and your run of the mill penis jokes. Sure, there are some gems here (The “Then my Mom got a job” bit, for example), but it’s all just jokes we’ve seen him do too many times before. Actually, the funniest thing going in this trailer is – of all things – Justin Timberlake’s humorous Québécois impression.

As a Canadian though, I do have to chuckle at the fact that long-time Toronto Maple Leafs fan Mike Myers found a way for his team to actually be Stanley Cup contenders, even if it’s in a fictional world. Sure, a bit hard to believe, given the current state of the team, but no more unbelievable then Jessica Alba playing their general manager or Romany Malco playing their star player (seriously, he looks ridiculous in the Leafs uniform).
Watch the trailer here.

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