Tag Archives: Judd Apatow

Comedy, Drama

THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND (2020): New Trailer From Judd Apatow, Starring Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, mARISA tOMEI,sTEVE bUSCEMI…

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The King of Staten Island (2020), Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Universal Pictures
The King of Staten Island (2020), Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Universal Pictures

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The King of Staten Island (2020).

In new comedy/drama The King of Staten Island, standup comic Pete Davidson is Scott, a young man who’s been dealing with a case of arrested development ever since his father died.

Scott spends his days smoking marijuana and dreaming of being a tattoo artist, until eventually, he has to face his grief and take charge of his life.

Directed and cowritten by Judd Apatow; additional key cast includes Bill Burr, Steve Buscemi and Marisa Tomei.

I’m in to see how closely what happens in this movie is linked to Davidson’s actual life story. So far, it looks like a lot is the same except they’ve swapped Davidson’s pursuit of a stand-up comedy career with a career as a tattoo artist.

I also want to see this for the comedy greatness of Apatow and Burr; the latter being one of my absolute favourite comedians. He’s just so good! I know he’s not doing standup in this movie, but simply seeing one of my favourite funny people, especially while he’s rocking that notable moustache is guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

Maude Apatow, Bel Powley, Pamela Adlon, Kevin Corrigan, Machine Gun Kelly, Jimmy Tatro, Moises Arias, Adriana DeMeo, Hank Strong and Domenick Lombardozzi also star.

The King of Staten Island Release Dates: June 12th, 2020 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

JUDD APATOW – THE RETURN (2017): Fun…

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Judd Apatow - The Return (2018)
Judd Apatow – The Return (2018)

I really enjoy great comedy. I particularly love it when it’s obvious that the comic is undoubtedly smart because of their unique perspective and the way they construct and effectively deliver their stories and observations to the audience.

My favourites of the bunch are so good that they make it hard for me to find comics that I consider ‘just OK’ watchable.

Judd Apatow – The Return; a standup special featuring Apatow, a funny man better known for being a great producer, writer and director of several hit comedy films is not a bad comedy special. There were a few moments where I laughed heartily. Overall though, since standup isn’t the craft Apatow has focused most on for the last 25 plus years, the whole experience felt more like a fun catch up with a funny friend I hadn’t seen for ages rather than the really clever standup specials I often get very excited about.

I smiled at Apatow’s stories in the beginning, eventually a few funnier stories and observations were shared. The most memorable for me being the story about pitching at the baseball game. When the whole thing was over, I found myself especially happy for Apatow because he got to fulfil his childhood dream.

I’m quite sure that Apatow will always be one of my favourite comedy filmmakers. Where standup is concerned, however, the place he occupies in my heart is akin to a funny ‘friend’ I don’t get to catch up with very often.

Watch it if you’re so curious.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

TRAINWRECK (2015): The Good Things…

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Trainwreck (2015), Amy Schumer, Bill Hader
Trainwreck (2015), Amy Schumer, Bill Hader

Trainwreck stars Amy Schumer, the comedienne behind one of my favourite shows on Comedy Central, Inside Amy Schumer. 

Written by Schumer and directed by someone I like to refer to as ‘comedy film king’, Judd Apatow, Trainwreck is a romantic comedy I had high hopes for.

Overall, the film isn’t bad. The scenes I enjoyed most are in the middle of the film, including the conversations between the characters played by Bill Hader, LeBron James and Amy Schumer. Ezra Miller’s Donald is also particularly memorable.

Trainwreck (2015), LeBron James, Bill Hader
Trainwreck (2015), LeBron James, Bill Hader

Unfortunately, some scenes in the first twenty minutes of Trainwreck felt overly long, and the ending left me craving creative disruption of the romantic comedy genre – probably more than I ever have before.

I often find that whenever comics star in their comedy films, the narrative moves too slowly for my liking. It probably has something to do with me being used to the sketch show/standup comedy format where the point is rarely dragged out unnecessarily, at least not by the good comics.

Part of the problem with Trainwreck is that I already enjoyed a good number of the funniest moments in the trailer. So, once again, I may have liked the trailer more than I did the film. Those who are not already quite familiar with Schumer’s comedy will likely love the movie more because of the general newness. The rest of us might end up doing more smiling than laughing.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy

TRAINWRECK (2015): Always Ready For A Judd Apatow Comedy

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Trainwreck (2015), Bill Hader, Amy Schumer
Trainwreck (2015), Bill Hader, Amy Schumer

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Trainwreck (2015).

I love New York and I love film. When a promising new comedy is set in New York city, the joy that occurs within me is very real.

Trainwreck, the latest Judd Apatow-directed comedy, is my ‘can’t wait to see’ film of the moment because it looks like just the kind of fun I need.

I have a feeling you’re in agreement.

Trainwreck Release Dates: July 17th 2015 (US); August 14th, 2015 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (2008): A Definite Seth Rogen Win

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This is absolutely not a horror film, but who knew that Seth Rogen playing scared out of his mind could be so entertaining?

Coming from the same team that delivered comedy hits Superbad (2007), Knocked Up (2007) and most recently, This Is The End (2013); Pineapple Express is an action-packed comedy/bromance. One focused on two mid-twenties, weed-smoking males, played super well by Seth Rogen and James Franco.

Pineapple express (2008), Seth Rogen, James Franco
Pineapple Express (2008), Seth Rogen, James Franco

There’s plenty to enjoy in this movie, including the dialogue, well-choreographed action sequences and a series of oddball characters; not to forget the undeniable beauty of James Franco’s Smile… 🙂 …something I hadn’t been aware of until this movie. Oh yes.

Last but absolutely not least, should you find yourself to be a fan of writer/director, Judd Apatow before watching this movie, then you know you’re in good hands.

Happy Film Loving,

G