Christopher Guest Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Terrific Trailers: This Is Spinal Tap
Filed under: Comedy », Trailers and Clips », Stars in Rewind », Scenes We Love »
I had completely forgotten about this trailer of brilliance until I caught Unwigged and Unplugged Thursday night -- the excellent acoustic tour that has Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer playing tunes from their days as Spinal Tap and The Folksmen. (Go see it if you have a chance!)In the middle of the show, they aired the trailer below. Shot by Shearer, it's not like any other trailer, and not at all like This is Spinal Tap. But it does tap into the excellence that would make them wacky comedic icons. Rather than show clips of the film and how they take it up to 11, the trailer features Rob Reiner talking about the film, and how he's still editing. Since he isn't ready to show a clip, he has something else to share -- footage of a Scandanavian Cheese festival. Oh yes, Shearer, McKean, and Guest pop up in parts, and you're sure to recognize the King of Cheese. But do you also recognize the little tyke in the middle? They say it's a young Jake Gyllenhaal.
Not every movie could pull it off, in fact, most couldn't. But for these guys, and this film, it's absolutely perfect. I'm just glad I was too young to catch this trailer when it first aired. I can't imagine waiting twelve years until Waiting for Guffman.
Note: This is the super-long and complete version. There was also a shorter version.
Why Mock When You Can Rock? Spinal Tap Gears Up to Go Unplugged
Filed under: Music & Musicals », Fandom », Exhibition »
Man, a few hours after I mourn the fact that crappy Leonard Cohen tickets were too rich for my blood, there's word that Spinal Tap is going back on tour -- Unwigged and Unplugged. It might sound unnatural since these are the guys who like to crank it up to 11, but Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer are getting ready to tour as themselves -- just three guys and their guitars.
If it's anything like the clip above, expect a good mixture of Spinal Tap and The Folksman (you know, A Mighty Wind). It makes sense -- there comes a time in life when long hair and rockin' outfits just looks all wrong (sorry, David Lee Roth). Along with the spanky clip above, Collider has posted video of the entire Q&A and the tour schedule for this Unwigged and Unplugged tour.
I'm itching for my chance to see the trio live, but what about you? Are you in for an unplugged and unwigged Spinal Tap?
Is Guest Done with the World of Mockumentary?
Filed under: Comedy », RumorMonger »
There's not much that I love more than the comedic mind of Christopher Guest. No man, not even retro Mel Brooks, has made me cry with laughter like Guest -- the wacky dancing of Corky St. Clair, the dysfunctional yuppiedom of the Swans, the bleary sadness of Mitch Cohen, and the plastic surgery of Marilyn Hack. But For Your Consideration might be the end.In a discussion with MTV, Jane Lynch revealed some good, and not so good news about the world-o-Guest. On the bright side, it seems like Waiting for Guffman might be headed to Broadway, which is just about the best idea to come out of the world of movies-on-Broadway. Unfortunately, she also says that she thinks Guest's done making movies: "I haven't heard any rumblings. Parker Posey and I have put our heads together and decided we think it might be over." Granted, this is only rumor at this point, but while I'd be terribly saddened by it being confirmed, I wouldn't be surprised.
But I'd rather see him go out on top. For Your Consideration had some brilliant moments, but it wasn't the film his previous efforts were. I've always held out hope that one of these days, he'd bring wife Jamie Lee Curtis into the fold, so hopefully he's not done yet. But if he is, maybe we can at least see the old cast come together for the first run of Guffman on Broadway? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would travel anywhere and give my first born for the chance to see Guest, Eugene Levy, David Cross, Parker Posey, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard, Larry Miller, Bob Balaban, Matt Keeslar, Don Lake, Michael Hitchcock, and Deborah Theaker reprise their roles on the stage. But if not, and Lynch got her wish to be in Guffman, who should she play?
First Look: 'Night at the Museum 2'
Filed under: Comedy », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Family Films », Movie Marketing », Remakes and Sequels », Images »
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In anticipation of what's sure to be the first trailer (or teaser) for Night at the Museum 2, USA Today has unloaded the first official batch of photos -- most of which show off a few of the new characters, a couple of returning characters and a cameo from Jonah Hill (who plays a security guard). Above, you'll see Ben Stiller, returning as the bumbling guard, and Bill Hader, who's playing General George Custer. Director Shawn Levy and Stiller both chat up the film, claiming it's definitely better than the first one. And with a cast that includes Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais (all of whom are returning), Christopher Guest, Hank Azaria, Craig Robinson, Ed Helms, Eugene Levy, Bill Hader and Amy Adams, you can't really go wrong.
In the sequel, Stiller's Larry Daley goes in search of his friends (and museum pieces) Octavius (Coogan) and Jedediah (Wilson) after they're mistakenly shipped to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. On whether this will turn into a franchise for the studio, Levy says, "There are rumblings of another installment. We would love to take this premise (further). But even to say there's a likely third film is premature. We're not going to jinx things." We've included a few more images below, then feel free to hop on over to USA Today for the rest.
Night at the Museum 2 hits theaters on May 22.
Guest Stars in 'Night at the Museum 2'
Filed under: Comedy », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Casting », 20th Century Fox », Family Films », Remakes and Sequels »
If the sequel to Night at the Museum wanted to retain the level of accuracy seen with the original, it would have a Chinese actor playing Russian Czar Ivan IV (aka Ivan the Terrible). But while I'm sure there will still be historical errors abound in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, the honor of playing Ivan has gone instead to pale-enough actor/filmmaker Christopher Guest (Best in Show), according to the Hollywood Reporter. And since Guest is actually a far more serious man than you'd expect, despite all those silly mockumentaries he writes and directs, here's hoping he studies his Eisenstein for inspiration.A bunch of other actors have also joined Ben Stiller in the fantasy film, including Jon Bernthal (World Trade Center) as Al Capone, Bill Hader (Superbad) as General Custer, Alain Chabat (The Science of Sleep) as Napoleon and the franchise's screenwriters, Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, as the Wright brothers. This makes for a very packed cast, considering most of the first movie's co-stars are apparently returning, including Robin Williams, Steve Coogan, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Dick Van Dyke, Jake Cherry and Patrick Gallagher, the guy who looked all wrong for the part of Atilla the Hun. Other newbies to the series include Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart and Hank Azaria as Egyptian pharaoh Kah Mun Rah.
The sequel is currently filming in Vancouver, which seems a bit far away from the actual Smithsonian Institute, but reportedly the production will have access to shoot a few scenes in the actual museum, which is located in Washington, D.C. Maybe it will actually look like it takes place there, too.
Photos From Ricky Gervais' 'This Side of the Truth'
Filed under: Comedy », Site Announcements », Warner Brothers », Movie Marketing », Images »
If I wasn't already sold on Ricky Gervais' comedy, This Side of The Truth, then this picture alone would convince me to shell out my hard earned dollars -- and keep in mind, I don't normally say that kind of thing about a film starring Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe. Over at Gervais' production blog, the comedian has posted some new photos from his film about a writer who invents the art of lying. Gervais has always been a big fan of all things web-related, including his massively successful podcast series, and various blogging endeavors. So to be expected, Gervais has been pretty consistent with updates, with only a few of his trademark diversions here and there.
Truth was written by Matthew Robinson and Gervais, and the cast includes a nice helping of comedic heavyweights. Monika already brought us the news about Christopher Guest and Tina Fey signing on. The two will be joining Jonah Hill, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hodgman, and Louis C.K. in what is shaping up to be what I would call a comedy 'dream team'. This is Gervais' first attempt at directing a feature film, and according to reports coming off the set, everyone is having a fine old time. Filming will wrap in the next couple of weeks, and then Gervais is off to England to put the final touches on the film.
This Side of the Truth will arrive in theaters in 2009.
Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels Joining Untitled Sam Mendes Comedy
Filed under: Comedy », Casting », Focus Features »
Great day in the morning! Two of my favorite actors on the planet are joining the cast of Sam Mendes' increasingly promising 2009 comedy, which has yet to find a title. According to a Focus Features press release that landed in my inbox, Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara will round out an ensemble that already includes John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Toni Colette, Cheryl Hines and Allison Janney. The screenplay was co-written by McSweeney's founder and Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius author Dave Eggers and novelist Vendela Vida. The film "follows the journey of an expectant couple as they travel the U.S. in search of a place to put down roots and raise a family."O'Hara is probably the funniest woman on the planet, and Daniels can bring heart and humanity to any film, so this is good news indeed. With Christopher Guest taking a break from making the movies that have been her bread and butter over the years, O'Hara can use the high-profile work; her only screen appearance this year or last has been in the underrated Penelope.
Mendes also has the DiCaprio-Winslet reunion movie Revolutionary Road in the works -- it will headline the 2008 Oscar season -- but this new project will be his first stab at comedy. Eggers co-wrote the adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are with Spike Jonze, which should finally see the light of day next year as well.
Tina Fey & Christopher Guest Want In on Ricky Gervais' 'Truth'!
Filed under: Comedy », Casting »
I was drawn into this whole story by the thought of Tina Fey, but be still my comedic heart, she's not the only one involved. As Jessica posted earlier this month, Ricky Gervais has a blog for his upcoming comedy, This Side of the Truth, and he's just announced the final casting. He writes in an entry: "We are trying to avoid the 'Hollywood actor look'. No botox, perma-tans, or unfeasibly white teeth..." Who could that mean for casting? Well, there's a short little blip that says Tina Fey and Christopher Guest have signed on, along with Jeffrey Tambor and John Hodgman (The Daily Show). This flick sounded good, but now it's downright irresistible! While I would rather have Guest do more mockuwonders, I won't pass up the chance to see him reunite with Gervais, with a helping of Fey, Tambor, and Hodgman. And, we can't forget the already-cast players -- Louis CK, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, and Jennifer Garner.
Just the thought of these actors taking on Gervais's deceit-creating character... Are there any of you out there who are not itching to see this now?
[via Empire]
Hollywood Looking for Talent on YouTube?
Filed under: Comedy », Independent », Shorts », Cinematical Indie »
Stop using that YouTube account In the 1980s, Hollywood supposedly looked at MTV for potential new clients -- this was spoofed in Christopher Guest's first Tinseltown parody, The Big Picture. (Would producers really have been interested in that horrible "Pez People" music video? I doubt it). In the late 1990s, the internet became a new place for agents to scan, as sites like iFilm showcased and popularized new short films. Remember the hype over 405? Well, its filmmakers haven't really blown up yet, but another buzzed-about internet filmmaker, Joe Nussbaum (George Lucas in Love), did break into Hollywood and has been somewhat successful (making teeny-bopper comedies, anyway).
Getting on MTV was often expensive, though, and most early shorts on the internet (the quality ones anyway) also cost a good amount. The thing about YouTube, however, seems to be that anybody can produce a cheap video and put it up for everyone, Hollywood included, to see. The Guardian has an article up this weekend about the new online unit of the United Talent Agency. The plan is not only to find the next big thing for TV and feature film work, but also, as UTA's Head of Digital Media, Brent Weinstein, puts it, to find ways to help internet talent, "monetise their interests and pursuits online." Weinstein doesn't exactly say what online outlets exist for such profits, though.
TIFF Review: For Your Consideration
Filed under: Comedy », Independent », Warner Independent Pictures », Theatrical Reviews », Toronto International Film Festival », Cinematical Indie »
Note: This review originally ran during the Toronto International Film Festival. It is being run again in conjunction with the film's limited release this weekend. For Your Consideration opens in wider release November 22. - ed.
With his films Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind, director Christopher Guest took the mockumentary approach he used in This Is Spinal Tap and brought it to a whole new generation. Guest assembled a cast of remarkable talent in Guffman, including Michael McKean (with whom Guest has worked for some 40 years), Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Bob Balaban and Parker Posey, and worked with the same cast (adding some new talent along the way, including the spectacularly funny Jennifer Coolidge and perfectly deadpan Jane Lynch, building an almost unbeatable ensemble of comedy.
Guffman, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind all took the mockumentary approach, dealing, respectively, with a play in a small town, an eclectic group of characters taking part in a national dog show, and the reunion of 1960s folk singers for a concert. Guest's previous three films with this ensemble worked, not just because of their mockumentary style, but because of the brilliance and energy of the cast, who worked improvisationally, with very little script. With his latest effort, For Your Consideration, Guest and co-writer Levy break away from the mockumentary mold to take a narrative approach, while still retaining the improvisational freedom that give the cast the room to make their characters their own.
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