One of my big films in 2010 is director Edgar Wright’s “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”.  As the director of “Spaced”, “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”, Edgar Wright has proven that he’s one of the best directors working today.  While I’d be interested in whatever project he chose to do as his next film, the fact that he’s making the fantastic comic book series by Bryan Lee O’Malley is just awesome.  Anyway, people have been shown footage from “Scott Pilgrim” and the mini-reviews have been crazy.  Director Jason Reitman pretty much lost his mind after seeing 30 minutes.  And I’m beginning to figure out why.

I think the reason people are so excited for the film is Edgar Wright is pushing the boundaries of narrative storytelling.  While every movie has moving cameras and interesting shots, I’ve heard rumors that “Scott Pilgrim” is going to use a lot of split screens and animation to help tell the story.  And after speaking with Jason Schwartzman the other day, I can now confirm it.  While I do not know how many scenes use split screens, I think it’s a big part of the movie. Perhaps it’s all about trying to make comic book frames work on a movie screen. Anyhow, if you’d like to see Jason Schwartzman talk about seeing the first 19 minutes of the movie, working for Edgar and with Michael Cera, and what’s up with “Bored to Death”, hit the jump to see the interview.

It has often been said that a film is not simply the sum of its parts. Well in “Year One”, starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, featuring a slew of star cameos, and directed by Harold Ramis, this is proven true. This not very funny comedy is not simply the sum of its parts. It’s much less. We know Jack Black can be funny. We know Michael Cera can be funny. We know Harold Ramis can write, direct AND be funny. However, these talents just fail to add up and as a consequence, “Year One” is not only a bit of an incomprehensible mess, it’s also not funny. Hit the jump for the rest of my review.

Every time I have to report an “Arrested Development” movie story as the film languishes in perpetual early pre-production, I feel like I’m Lucy re-setting the football so that all AD fans (myself included) can get ready for another humorous-yet-educational parable.  Well, here’s the football again: “Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz and co-executive producer James Vallely are working on a screenplay for the “Arrested Development” movie.    Hit the jump to think that this time you really are going to kick the football.

Last week, at the Toronto Film Festival, I did interviews for the Weinstein Company’s “Youth in Revolt”. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because the film is based on the novel by C.D. Payne and it’s the story of Nick Twisp -  a teen with a taste for the finer things in life like Sinatra and Fellini - and he’s played by Michael Cera. While the film is still many months from getting released (Jan 15th, 2010), I really enjoyed the film and want to start building some buzz….so I’m posting the interviews now. Also, there will probably be another press day closer to release, so these interviews would be very old

Anyway, after the jump you can watch my interview with Michael Cera and director Miguel Arteta. They talk about how they worked together to make the film, why Michael really wanted to be involved, and you can see Michael try and copy what’s written on my shirt. It’s a funny interview so take a look.

Last week, at the Toronto Film Festival, I did interviews for the Weinstein Company’s “Youth in Revolt”. If the title sounds familiar, that’s because the film is based on the novel by C.D. Payne and it’s the story of Nick Twisp -  a teen with a taste for the finer things in life like Sinatra and Fellini - and he’s played by Michael Cera. While the film is still many months from getting released (Jan 15th, 2010), I really enjoyed this movie and want to start building some positive buzz…so I’m posting the interviews now. Also, there will probably be another press day closer to release, so these interviews would be very old. Anyway, after the jump you can watch my interview with Portia Doubleday. She plays Michael Cera’s love interest and she’s the reason Michael’s character does some pretty crazy stuff. During the interview she talks about getting the part, making the movie, and how she got into acting.

The Weinstein Company has just announced they’re moving “Youth in Revolt” to January 15, 2010 from their previously announced October release date. While moving a release is sometimes the sign of a troubled film or production, I saw a screening a few days ago at the Toronto Film Festival and have to say…it’s a great movie. The film is based on acclaimed novel by C.D. Payne and it’s the story of Nick Twisp -  a teen with a taste for the finer things in life like Sinatra and Fellini - and he’s played by Michael Cera. Actually, I posted a video blog about the movie yesterday where I sang the films praises. For more on the film and why it probably moved, hit the jump:

Peter (from Slashfilm) and I usually record our video blog’s in separate locations through the magic of the internet, but since we’re both attending this year’s Toronto Film Festival, we’ve decided to record some video blogs talking about some of the movies we’ve seen at the festival. We’ve tried to keep the video blogs short and to the point, but, as always, it sometimes goes longer than planned. But if you know us, that’s to be expected.

Anyway, after the jump you can watch Peter and I talk about the new Michael Cera movie “Youth in Revolt” and The Spierig Brothers vampire film “Daybreakers”. We liked both of the films, and you can find out why in the video blogs. Also, while some movies at the festival won’t hit theaters for another year, “Youth in Revolt” arrives in late October and “Daybreakers” hits theaters this January.

I started to anticipate “Scott Pilgrim VS  The World” the moment that Edgar Wright was announced as the director.  I’ve been a fan of the graphic novels for awhile now and its been fun being a fan and seeing this project come to life over the past year or so.  With every new casting announcement or blog post on the film’s website, the film just kept looking better and better.  If the film didn’t already sound like it was going to be as great as it could be, today Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley revealed that Beck has “recorded like 50 songs for my movie, or something”.  Beck making music for “Scott Pilgrim VS. The World”?  This is just too awesome.  You can hit the jump to find out the full details.

Once again, with the Toronto Film Festival set to begin in a few weeks, I’ve been provided with a ton of new images from the many films that are premiering at the festival. So rather than waste any time, after the jump take a look at new images “Jennifer’s Body”, “The Road” and “Youth in Revolt”. All three look like they could be really good.

I’m not sure what to make of this one. It’s obvious that Michael Cera needs to branch out if he’s going to keep a steady career going, and he’s certainly doing that with “Youth in Revolt.” Cera plays a 16-year-old who desperately wants his “dream girl,” Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday), to notice him. As any sane person would do, he creates a bad-ass alter-ego for himself who can get the job done and secure the girl. Check out the trailer after the jump.

Opening tomorrow is director Harold Ramis’ new comedy “Year One”. To help promote the film, our partners at Omelete were invited to New York City to interview everyone involved and they sent me. So thanks to them, after the jump you can watch our exclusive video interview with Michael Cera and Jack Black.

During the interview, we talked about Brazil, working for Harold Ramis and Judd Apatow, the huge sets that were built for the film and the costumes. Also, Jack gave me an update on “Gulliver’s Travels”, Michael talked about “Scott Pilgrim”, and they talked about massages. Seriously.

If you’re a fan of these two, you’ll love the interview. And if you missed the movie clips from “Year One”, here’s a link to watch them.

I know I was laughing throughout “Year One” but I think it’s only because I have a good sense of humor and I enjoy the rush of endorphins that laughter provides.  Trying to remember what exactly I laughed at, I couldn’t tell you.  It’s a film that vanishes from your memory the second you leave the theatre and you’re left wondering what happened to the last hour and forty minutes and why your pants are missing (I have recently been informed that I am no longer invited to screenings of Sony films).

I am literally at 28,000 feet as I type these words. The reason for that is I’m flying back to Los Angeles from the international junket for Sony’s upcoming comedy “Year One” and my plane has internet. How amazing is technology.

Anyway, just a few hours ago I participated in a roundtable interview with Michael Cera as a reporter for our partner website Omelete. In the coming days I’ll have video interviews with Michael Cera, Jack Black, David Cross and director Harold Ramis. But with everyone clamoring for info on the “Arrested Development” movie, I figured you’d like to hear what he said right now. Unfortunately, the news is not good.

When I asked Michael if he thought the “Arrested Development” movie would ever happen, his response was:

“I think it will. Yeah. I don’t see why it wouldn’t. I don’t think it will happen for awhile.”

I then said a lot of the cast members have said Mitch is working on the script and maybe you’d be shooting later this year.

Michael then replied, “But there is no rush. I think he should take his time. I know it means a lot to Mitch. There is no rush, really. I don’t think.”

So if you were excited the film would be going in front of the cameras sometime soon, it’s probably time to extinguish that dream. As a huge fan of the show, I’m more than happy to wait for writer/director Mitch Hurwitz to get it right. I just hope it’ll eventually happen.

If you’re excited for the “Arrested Development” movie, say it in the comments below. And come back later this week to hear what his AD co-star David Cross said about the upcoming movie.

Opening next weekend is director Harold Ramis’ “Year One”. The film stars Jack Black and Michael Cera as a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers that are banished from their primitive village and are forced to set off on an epic journey through the ancient world.

The screenplay is by Harold Ramis & Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg (”The Office”) from a story by Harold Ramis. The film is produced by Harold Ramis, Judd Apatow, and Clayton Townsend and it also stars David Cross and Hank Azaria.

So to help promote the film, we’ve been provided with 8 clips and you can watch them after the jump. Take a look:

In their latest video blog, “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” is having a party and you’re not invited.  Okay, you’re invited but don’t go cock-blocking me.  Just stand in the corner, watch, and learn.

Party scenes are tough since you have to direct so many people at one time and I imagine this one is even tougher since the crew isn’t working on a sound stage but have taken over a frat house (containing what Michael Cera notes is probably one of the filthiest couches in all of Toronto).  Co-writer/director Edgar Wright jokes that these frat guys have been relocated during the three days of shooting but when they find out that all these cute actresses were in their house, they’re gonna wish they hadn’t left.

Sit back and enjoy yet another video blog where we see everyone looking like they’re having a blast and tantalizing glimpses of scenes from the comics.  When do we get the video of nothing but angry conflict set on the surface of the moon?

Check out the new video blog after the jump.