The journey of Sam Mendes is an awkward one. A talented stage director, his first film came to win best picture, and fueled a (not undeserved) backlash against him. His second film was coolly received, while his next two pictured showed a lessening presence. Revolutionary Road was delayed for a year and was not the academy bait that was hoped for. For the summer of 2009 his most personal, and most satisfying film was released, Away We Go, and it shows a mellowed director dealing with personal issue is a way more satisfying way. My review after the jump.

Universal Studios has released synopses  for some of their major 2010 films and the two that are especially worth reading are “MacGruber” and Ridley Scott’s “Untitled Robin Hood Adventure”. While it might surprise you to hear this, a few people have told me “MacGruber” is going to shock everyone next year as it’s a super-violent, hard-R movie. Also, I’ve heard there are many lines that we’re all going to quote. Did I mention Val Kilmer plays the villain and his name is Dieter Von Cunth? I know, I know–I am just as shocked to report SNL’s “MacGruber” might be a great movie.

As for Ridley Scott’s “Untitled Robin Hood Adventure”, this synopsis is the first real story details I’m hearing about the plot. Since I haven’t watched every version of “Robin Hood”, I’ll let the synopses  do the talking, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to get a better version than Kevin Costner’s “Prince of Thieves”.  Hit the jump for not only “MacGruber” and “Untitled Robin Hood Adventure”, but “Green Zone” starring Matt Damon, “Get Him to the Greek” starring Russell Brand and Jonah Hill, and “Your Highness” starring Danny McBride, James Franco, and Natalie Portman.

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.