Tag: Eddie Kaye Thomas

AMERICAN REUNION – The Review

Before all the big Summer vacation escapes and adventures, some folks want to take time to remember the past and re-connect with old friends. The same is true for the characters in one of the last decade’s most influential comedies. Building on the return of the R rated sex comedy begun with the big box office of THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY in 1998, AMERICAN PIE exploded at the cineplexes in 2000. As SCREAM did with the slasher genre ( or as Siskel and Ebert referred to them, ” the dead teenager movie ” ), PIE brought back to life another genre from many years ago: the youth-oriented sex comedy ( or as S & E called them, ” the horny teenager movie ” ). In the years since the original, its theatrical sequels and a few direct to DVD flicks, the HANGOVER films and BRIDESMAIDS have shot to the top of the list of movie grossers ( in money and raunch ). So can the old PIE gang return in AMERICAN REUNION and show these cinema upstarts a thing or two ( I mean they’re ” gasp ” in their thirties now! ) ?

As with the original  AMERICAN theatrical trilogy, Jim Levenstein ( Jason Biggs ) is the main focus of this installment. He’s working for a big Chicago company and has made a home with his ” band girl ” Michelle ( Alyson Hannigan ) and his adorable three-year old son. But it seems that the couple have lost that ‘ spark ‘. What could rekindle, or re-ignate said spark? How about a trip back to their home town for the big thirteenth high school reunion ( Hmm, thought most classes get together in five-year increments. Oh well )? They’ll stay with Jim’s dad ( Eugene Levy ), a widower of the past three years who may try to get back out in the dating scene, and meet up with the old gang. Kevin ( Thomas Ian Nicholas ) is a house-husband to a very successful woman. Finch ( Eddie Kaye Thomas ) arrives with tales of globe-trotting adventure. Oz ( Chris Klein ) has perhaps made the biggest splash as a TV sports talk show host. He’s living the LA high life in an opulent mansion with a hot blonde girlfriend ( Katrina Bowden ). Except for an embarrassing stint on a TV reality / talent competition , Oz seems to have it all. And then there’s Stiffler ( Sean William Scott ), still a wild man even in the corporate world. All’s going well with the big get-together prior to the main event, until the ladies from their pasts shake things up. With Kevin, it’s old high school sweetheart Vicky ( Tara Reid ) and Oz meets his former flame, ‘ choir girl’ Heather ( Mena Suvari ). Jim is stunned, not by a former girlfriend, but by his next door neighbor. Turns out the little girl who Jim babysat is now a very stunning 18-year-old woman who wants to celebrate her birthday by acting on that crush she had on her old sitter. What’s going to happen to all these relationships during this long wild weekend back home?

So, is this reunion worth attending? The script hits a few bumps ( The Jim and Michelle conflict is a bit tired ), but there are some big laughs ( although we can see the set-ups sometimes ) and the cast is very eager to please. In the last few years, many of them have fought their demons publicly , so here they’re given another chance to show us their comedic skills. Biggs is still a master of embarrassment and humiliation ( this time, the now chunkier actor is referred to as an Adam Sandler clone! ). Kudos for the addition of Dania Ramirez as Michelle’s old band geek buddy who’s now a smokin’ hot bartender ( a bit of ethnic diversity helps spice things up ). Most get their chance to shine, although several orignal classmates only have glorified walk-ons ( you could miss them if you go on a bathroom break ). John Cho does return as the guy who launched ‘ MILF ‘ into cinema lexicon. Speaking of that term, the cougar queen, Stifler’s Mom ( Jennifer Coolidge ) is back too and has some great scenes with her Christopher Guest team-mate Levy ( be sure and stick around for the end credits for a great bonus bit ). The most dependable laugh-getter of the bunch maybe Scott as the oddly endearing Stifler. By all rights this coarse, clueless oaf should be the villain, but somehow we feel bit protective of him ( to paraphrase one of his pals, ” Stifler may be a d**k, but he’s our d**k” ). The guy’s like an overly frisky puppy that goes right for your leg, Annoying, but still lovable. This may be in part because of the zeal the talented Mr. Scott infuses into every line reading ( look for him as a sweeter, but still dense  guy in GOON ). The movie’s a tad too long at just under two hours, but you’ll have a good deal of fun spending time with the old crew. They’re not horny teenagers anymore, but as the Who classic ( and recent film ) states, the kids are all right

Overall Rating: 3.5 Out of 5 Stars

 

AMERICAN REUNION Needs You!

The fourth installment in the American Pie franchise, American Reunion, is coming to theaters in 2012. The beloved cast of American Reunion has taken to Tout, the social video sharing platform, to share the trailer and ask for your thoughts.

Check out American Pie star Thomas Ian Nicholas asking for YOUR feedback: http://tout.com/m/q6nfme

Reply to his Tout and maybe one of the stars will reply to you! http://www.tout.com/m/2pewep

SYNOPSIS:
In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago return to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship.

It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.

This is your chance for 15 seconds of fame and to share your thoughts on the upcoming American Reunion.

About Tout

Tout is a San Francisco-headquartered social video sharing platform/free app that allows users of a variety of devices -including Android, iPhones and webcams – to easily shoot and share real-time 15-second videos. Users are able to share these videos through Facebook, Twitter, email or SMS with just one click.

FOR MORE INFO:

WEBSITE: http://www.americanpiereunion.com

 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Reunion

 

A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS – The Review

Once again the magic of the holidays revives the third installment of a comedy movie franchise. In 1989 the Griswald family bounced back from their dismal European vacation with NATIONIAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, and now after their lackluster Guantanamo Bay escape those best buds are back in top form with A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS. I’ll warn you that this film isn’t the family friendly romp with Chevy Chase’s clan-it earns that R rating, but it’s a return of the same kind of smart ‘ dumb’ comedy craftsmanship that imbued that original quest for “sliders”. And since it’s ” the most wonderful time of the year’, there’s a little extra to tug at your heart-strings ( to offset those sore-from-laughter ribs ).

 After their last misadventure things have radically changed for one half of this doper-duo. Harold ( John Cho ) is now a successful Wall Street investor complete with fawning assistant ( Bobby Lee ) and a group of protesters outside his building ( like our current occupiers in the news ). He’s got a spacious house in the suburbs he shares with his Latin bombshell wife Maria ( Paula Garces ), who’s VERY ready to start a family. Speaking of family, her kin, headed by her intimidating dad ( Danny Trejo ) are spending the holidays there. Meanwhile things are not going so well with Kumar ( Kal Penn ). After failing his medical school drug test and getting dumped by his gal Vanessa, he spends most of his days getting high and watching TV. That is until a package for Harold mistakenly gets delivered to his apartment. His attempt to get the package to Harold begins a chain of events that encompasses a quest for the last perfect Christmas tree, an internet virgin, her Ukrainian mobster poppa, the must have holiday toy- the Wafflebot, and good ole’ Saint Nick himself. And could there be a Harold and Kumar epic without some quality time spent with the great NPH-Neil Patrick Harris?

After the glut of 3D flicks this year it was great to see a movie having fun with and poking fun at the format. The producers knew to really slow down the objects coming toward the viewer. This may be the most entertaining use of the technology since last year’s PIRANHA 3D or JACKASS 3D. The film makers are also having fun with the trappings of the Christmas movies with the gaudy decorations, tacky musical numbers, goofy Santa, and that crazy waffle-making droid. Hey, there’s even a great homage to Bob Clark’s A CHRISTMAS STORY. Cho and  Penn are in fine form ( there are in-jokes about the actors’ jobs since the last H & K outing ), and they’ve got some terrific comedic backup players. Trejo is funny and frightening ( can you imagine having Machete for a father-in-law? ). Elias Koteas also brings the brutality in his mob kingpin role. Before they re-unite our heroes have both made new best buds. Thomas Lennon scores big laughs as Harold’s wimpy, eager to please, single dad neighbor who tries to protect his toddler daughter from the chaos. And Kumar’s next door neighbor pal is the nerdy sex-crazed Adrian played by the manic Amir Blumenfeld. But of all these great performers, the movie’s MVP is once again NPH. This time we’re treated to his exceptional musical skills before we get another visit with the maniacal horndog of the previous films. He doesn’t appear till after the midway point, but it is so worth the wait. Sure the film’s crude, lewd, and politically incorrect, but unlike several recent R-rated comedies ( looking at you again CHANGE -UP!) this doesn’t have a cruel, mean bent to it. Well, maybe in the clay-animated sequence, but ,hey it’s just a big dream. If you’re in the mood for some raunch with your reindeer then this is your perfect stocking stuffer ( if the boys didn’t already stash their herbs there )!

Overall Rating: Four and a Half Out of Five Stars

AMERICAN REUNION Red Band Trailer

From Universal Pictures, carefully check out the red band trailer for AMERICAN REUNION starring Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jennifer Coolidge and Eugene Levy.

In the comedy AMERICAN REUNION, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.

Directed by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg, AMERICAN REUNION will be in theaters April 6, 2012.

http://americanreunionmovie.com

“Like” it on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanPie

Follow it on Twitter: @americanpie #AmericanReunion

In case you missed it … ‘On the Road with Judas’

‘On the Road with Judas‘ (2007) is a peculiar little film, written and directed by J.J. Lask. It’s kind of difficult to explain exactly what this movie is about or exactly what happens in the movie and why. The story follows two New York guys, who grew up stealing all sorts of stuff from antique door knobs to valuable paintings. Now Judas lives a second adult life of stealing people’s computers to support his business endeavors.

The film tells it’s story in a very unique way, jumping from one chapter of the character’s story to another, from one character’s point of view to another and inter-cutting between the version of himself from his book, to the version of himself in the movie adaptation of his book and so on. The story as a whole revolves around a talk show in which Judas is being interviewed, in addition to the other characters from his book. ‘On the Road with Judas’ could be called a quasi-docu-dramedy that melds the “real” world with the variant worlds of created reality.

The style of the movie can be a bit overwhelming to a viewer who approaches it with the casual intent of letting it wash over them. While this movie is entertaining, it does require a level of concentration that does pay off if you’re willing to ride it out. If you’ve seen ‘I Heart Huckabees’ or any number of Michel Gondry movies, you’ll probably like ‘On the Road with Judas’… just maybe not as much as a Michel Gondry film.

Judas has a preoccupation, perhaps even a slight obsession with Van Halen (of the David Lee Roth years). The old school Mac computer has a nostalgically cool role in the movie as well. There’s an intimate, getting to know a close friend better than you though sort of feel to it as it delves into topics of romantic relationships and the internal question of how one lives a “moral” life.

The acting is low-key and sincere and the various players mesh well together. The cinematography is ever-so-slightly washed out but maintains a subdued but colorful palette that compliments the colorful story. Simple special effects scenes of stolen items floating in mid-air as if on display pop up between segments adding an element of surrealism, which is also enhanced by the film’s great soundtrack.

‘On the Road with Judas’ stars Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie), Aaron Ruell (Napoleon Dynamite), Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express), Alex Burns (Garden State), Amanda Loncar, Leo Fitzpatrick and Eleanor Hutchins. The movie is based on the book of the same title, written by J.J. Lask and is available on DVD.

DVD Features:

  • Director’s Commentary
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Deleted Scenes