Though it’s never been a ratings powerhouse, finishing outside the Nielsen Top 50 in each of its five seasons, NBC’s “The Office” has everything else a network could want in this increasingly fragmented era of television entertainment: Mountains of great reviews, a likable cast that stays in the public eye with budding film careers, plenty of opportunities for product placement, and a devoted following among the coveted 18-49 demographic. In fact, if you didn’t have any idea what the Nielsen rankings were, you might think “The Office” was a phenomenon of “Cheers” proportions, when in fact it hasn’t even managed “Night Court”-sized ratings. More after the jump:

Currently playing in limited release is director Sam Mendes “Away We Go”. The movie stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph and it’s unlike anything Sam Mendes has ever done as the film is part road trip/part trying to figure out who you are.

In the film, John and Maya play a couple that discovers they’re going to have a baby. After deciding to live in an area close to John’s parents so they can help take care of the child, they’re all of a sudden told his parents are moving away and their only reason for staying is gone. After processing the news, they decide to go on an ambitious trip to visit friends and family to try and decide where they want to raise their child. Along the way, they meet some very eccentric characters who each have their own ideas about where they should live and how they should raise a family.

While I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, “Away We Go” has everything going for it - including a great and original script by novelists Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida.

So to help promote the film, I was able to talk with the two writers and our conversation is after the jump. They talked about where they got their inspiration, how much were the characters based on real people, their writing process and a lot more. If you’re a fan of these writers, you will love the interview.

Finally, here’s some movie clips from “Away We Go” and here’s Matt’s review.

Director Sam Mendes is only as good as his script.  He’s got a good eye for compelling visuals and works well with actors, but overall his skill is in knowing how to fully inhabit a genre.  However, he never manages to leave his own mark on that genre and his work feels, as a result, generic.  It’s a major drawback when he’s working with a script like “Revolutionary Road” and produces a film that feels like fifth-rate Douglas Sirk melodrama, but with Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida’s warm, outrageous, and gentle script for “Away We Go”, Mendes takes his biggest weakness and uses it to keep the film steady when the script begins throwing the audience for some emotional loops.

Opening this Friday, in limited release, is director Sam Mendes new movie “Away We Go”. The movie stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph and it’s unlike anything Sam Mendes has done as the film is part road trip/part trying to figure out who you are.

In the film, John and Maya play a couple that discovers they’re going to have a baby. After deciding to live in an area close to John’s parents so they can help take care of the child, they’re all of a sudden told his parents are moving away and their only reason for staying is now gone. After processing the news, they decide to go on an ambitious trip and visit friends and family with the ultimate goal of deciding where they want to raise their child. Along the way, they meet some very eccentric characters who each have their own ideas about where they should live and how they should raise a child.

While I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, “Away We Go” has everything going for it - from a great script by novelists Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida, to beautiful cinematography by Ellen Kuras, and a great set of songs by singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch. I loved Sam Mendes latest and absolutely recommend checking it out when it gets released in your area.

And if you’ve ever thought about all the places you could live and wondered which one would make you the happiest, this film will really get to you.

Anyway, I recently got to speak with John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph and the videos are after the jump - along with a full synopsis. Take a look:

Opening this Friday, in limited release, is director Sam Mendes new movie “Away We Go”. The movie stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph and it’s unlike anything Sam Mendes has ever done as the film is part road trip/part trying to figure out who you are.

In the film, John and Maya play a couple that discovers they’re going to have a baby. After deciding to live in an area close to John’s parents so they can help take care of the child, they’re all of a sudden told his parents are moving away and their only reason for staying is now gone. After processing the news, they decide to go on an ambitious trip to visit friends and family to try and decide where they want to raise their child. Along the way, they meet some very eccentric characters who each have their own ideas about where they should live and how they should raise a family.

While I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, “Away We Go” has everything going for it - from a great script by novelists Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida, to beautiful cinematography by Ellen Kuras, and a great set of songs by singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch. I was absolutely pulled in by Sam Mendes latest and recommend checking it out.

And if you’ve ever thought about all the places you could live and wondered which one would make you the happiest, this film will really get to you.

Anyway, I recently got to speak with Sam and the video interview is after the jump. And if you’d like to watch some movie clips from “Away We Go”, click here.

Opening on June 5^th is director Sam Mendes new movie “Away We Go”. Since all reviews are under embargo for a few more weeks, I need to be careful what I say.

However, I don’t think anyone at Focus Features will mind me saying that I loved the movie. Loved. “Away We Go” has a brilliant script, beautiful cinematography, great acting, and Sam Mendes directed this thing to perfection. While the film isn’t some big budget summer extravaganza, it’s a film absolutely worth checking out when it gets released. Especially if you’re in your twenties or thirties and still trying to figure life out.

Anyway, to help promote the film, we’ve been given 5 clips from the movie and the trailer, so check them out after the jump.