spaced Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Just like films that keep us guessing in exasperation (I'm looking at you, Mr. Richard 'Before Sunset' Linklater!), television shows often tap into the curious determination of fandom. But often it's after a myriad of seasons and at least a few years worth of investment into a group of characters. But then there are shows that inspire rabid fandom without many years on the little screen, and not because of fan loyalty to a certain star, or director (like, say, Joss Whedon's Firefly). I'm talking about Spaced.

The show only has 14 episodes, dating all the way back to 1999, and yet it's become a huge phenomenon recently. Why? Because it's just that good. Centered on the idea that two almost-strangers decide to pretend that they're a couple to secure a new apartment, Spaced is a cornucopia of geek fandom, weirdness, and laughs. And intermingled in the buzz that the show has captured recently, there's been talk of a continuation. But the big question is: Will it continue on the boob tube, or on the big screen?

It's not some big, gasp-worthy piece of news here, but if you are among the masses who love Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Jessica Hynes, and devour all things Spaced, you should check out the Pegg-run interview over at Collider.

Why would he run the interview? Well, Collider head Steve Weintraub got smacked in the head by a falling, curtain-holding beam as the back of Hall H collapsed at Comic-Con. Since this world isn't one of brief birdies and quick, 100% recoveries, Pegg agreed to take over the interviewing duties.

As you can imagine, this is no well-paced interview or thought-provoking questions and serious responses. This is full-force Pegg, Wright, and Hynes. Imagine a lot of jokes, riffing on Weintraub, and a neverending sea of media references in true Spaced form. Should Pegg's career ever tank, or slow down a bit, that man could make a fortune with his own reality show -- Simon Pegg and the Ultimate Geek Showdown.

This is a pretty slow week for DVDs, but there are two more TV-themed releases just perfect for the movie world with slices of celebs and Star Wars content.

Spaced
Tim and Daisy are two strangers who meet while trying to find a new place to live. When they find the perfect apartment, one that requests a couple, they fake it and move in together. The pair try to keep this from the alcoholic landlady while dealing with their dysfunctional romantic lives and spending time with downstairs neighbor Brian, Tim's best friend Mike, and Daisy's best friend, Twist. It sounds fun enough, but add in a ton of geeky cultural references, and names like Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost, and then the rabid fandom starts to make sense.

While it's a number of years old, Spaced has created a whirlwind in the last year -- one that has stretched well beyond its UK borders. And now, finally, we've got the saucy new DVD. You've probably heard about this release over the last few months, because it's not your everyday DVD release. It's a star-studded event.

The packed disc offers not only commentary from people like Pegg, Hynes, and Frost, but also commentaries from Diablo Cody, Matt Stone, Quentin Tarantino, and Kevin Smith, plus Pegg teaming up with a few others -- Patton Oswalt and Bill Hader. There's also biographies, homage-o-meter, teasers, outtakes, featurettes, alternate endings... and even more.

Buy the DVD

I have a really cheap DVD player that I was able to convert to "region free" by entering one of those 1-2-up-down-3-4 codes, which means this news is only slightly less awesome for me -- but it's freakin' GREAT news for anyone who loves Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz and has yet to experience the very first experiment from sirs Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Nick Frost. Now, in most cases I wouldn't cover TV shows (mainly because TV Squad does such a kick-ass job of covering TV shows), but seeing as how most of America "met" these guys through the movies, I figure it's news worth doing at Cinematical.

I'll keep it brief: The two-season Spaced set will be released on Region 1 DVD by BBC Video. Release date is July 22. (One certainly hopes that none of the music has been altered. Allegedly, "music rights" is the reason it took so long for Spaced to make its North American debut.) For those who have yet to experience the blissful magic of Spaced, here's a recap that makes it sound like a moronically conventional sitcom. (It's not.) "Two young 'grown-ups' pose as a married couple in order to rent a very attractive flat." (Yep, that's it.) Mr. Pegg's fantastic co-star is Ms. Jessica Stevenson (now Jessica Hynes), and the supporting cast features Julia Deakin, Mark Heap, Katy Carmichael, and (of course) Nick Frost -- all of whom you'll love after about six episodes.

Fans of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (i.e. pretty much everybody) rejoice! The stars of those films, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are teaming up again for a movie called Paul. Pegg and Frost are writing the screenplay, but this one will not be a full Shaun/Fuzz reunion, as director Edgar Wright is not involved. The director for Paul has yet to be chosen. Pegg tells MTV Movies Blog the film is "a road movie about two British geeks in America," and it will be shot here in the U.S. Sorry, I know that doesn't tell you much! The film will not have the usual Pegg-ripping-on-Frost dynamic they've perfected. Pegg says, "No, it's different actually. I'm the bitch in this one. This time Simon's the bitch!"

For my money, Pegg is not quite as hilarious as his British comedian compatriots Ricky Gervais (I bow to The Office) and Steve Coogan (just now getting into It's Alan Partridge and loving it), but he does make me laugh. He's becoming a major player in the states, starring in the new romantic comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run (you can read James' not-quite-a-rave-but-not-quite-a-pan review here), and co-starring in the upcoming How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. I loved Shaun, and was on the fence with Hot Fuzz until the glorious shoot-em-up finale made me a believer. Speaking of Pegg and Frost, does anyone have any idea how to get their television program Spaced on DVD here in America? I know it's online here and there, but I detest watching anything longer than two minutes on my computer. Thanks!

It took nearly two hours to get from my apartment in Queens to the New York City Police Museum in lower Manhattan. But seeing as I was about to hang out with Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright, I would've gladly waited longer. Apparently, Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were all gathering at the museum for some sort of press conference later that afternoon -- so, when I arrived, I was ushered into a back room where two folding chairs were waiting. It took me a minute, but when I finally decided to look around I realized I was in the "gun room." Yes, I was surrounded by over 150 different guns. On top of that, several tourists -- there to visit the museum -- were shuffling about, leaving Wright and I somewhat awkwardly stuffed in the middle of it all.

If you don't know who Edgar Wright is, then I suggest doing some research. One of the hottest up-and-coming directors in the UK, Wright -- along with his partner-in-crime Simon Pegg -- are responsible for the hit show Spaced, as well as one of the best horror-comedies in recent memory, Shaun of the Dead. For Hot Fuzz, Wright once again teams up with Pegg and Frost for another genre satire; this time, they're going after those big-budgeted action flicks like Point Break and Bad Boys II. I spoke with Wright about the film, the cast and the comedy. Is Hot Fuzz part of a trilogy? When will Wright cross the pond and direct a Hollywood film? Read on to find out ...

Cinematical: Who did you make this film for? Fans of Shaun of the Dead? Fans of Jerry Bruckheimer? Fans of Michael Bay? None of the above?

Edgar Wright: Well generally, what you have to do with films is you have to make them for yourself. You kind of have to imagine yourself as the target audience, and I think if you try to imagine what might go down well then it could turn out to be a disaster -- you might not end up pleasing anyone. So the only thing you can do is approach every decision and every element at that level ... and see how it goes.

Cinematical: Personally, I think Shaun of the Dead is one of the best horror-comedies of all time ... and I know a lot of people feel the same way. So, going into Hot Fuzz was there any pressure to provide fans with a film that's as good or better than Shaun of the Dead?

EW: Well, you always want to do more good work. In a way, there's a very similar sense of humor -- you know, we first saw Hot Fuzz as a bit of a departure, really. We got so many offers to do another horror film; even do a sequel to Shaun. But we didn't want to do that, so we needed to find a way to do a different kind of story ... and this kind of basic premise is something we've wanted to do for awhile.

You could say that the Cinematical team is excited about Hot Fuzz. But you would be making a terrible understatement. Erik and Scott are going to fight mano-a-mano for review privileges. Martha is probably re-watching all the Hot Fuzz video blogs on a daily basis as she counts down the days until April 13. As for me, I might actually need to fly to London next month for the earlier UK release date.

The major worry is that Hot Fuzz will not live up to the hype. After all, it is going to be pretty difficult for the movie to please all of us Shaun of the Dead fans. How many highly anticipated follow-ups have been met with disappointment? And how many have actually been as popular or more beloved than their predecessor? All we can do is try not to overdo it with our expectations and just try to enjoy the damn thing without any unreasonable demands.

Thankfully some early reviews are trickling onto the net, and so far they all seem to agree that if you like Shaun of the Dead, you'll also like Hot Fuzz. Only the first report, posted on Aint it Cool News last November, featured some slight criticisms, although the overall response there was great. Another person reacting from a more recent preview screening claims the movie will certainly be one of his top 10 of 2007 -- a strong claim from someone who also says he doesn't want to over-hype the thing.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The BBC has decided to produce comedies! Oh yeah, and Hollywood is planning to make some blockbuster action films, too. No, but really, BBC Films is on the search for some funny new talent with which to start new relationships. In a joint venture with the BBC's television production department, BBC Films is hoping to find this talent, nurture them on TV and then eventually work with them on feature film ideas. Basically they're looking for "the British Steve Carrell," to one day star in "mainstream comedy feature film hits."

Honestly, I don't know what the BBC is talking about. Haven't they been doing this, less intentionally, for years? Let's see, there was Monty Python. Oh wait, BBC Films didn't make their movies. Okay, so I'm not that familiar with BBC television comedies since then and before The Office, but seeing as how Ricky Gervais will probably get wooed by Hollywood, perhaps BBC Films does have a fresh idea. Especially since the funniest British TV talent cum movie talent, Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, came out of Channel 4. Anyway, I am always open to more comedies, particularly British comedies, but the British Steve Carrell? That's like EMI Records in the 1960s looking for the British Monkees.