Making his directorial debut, Jason Bateman says bad words and does very bad things in the new BAD WORDS trailer. Check it out below.
Bateman stars as Guy Trilby, a 40-year old who finds a loophole in the rules of the National Quill Spelling Bee and decides to cause trouble by hijacking the competition. Contest officials, outraged parents, and overly ambitious 8th graders are no match for Guy, as he ruthlessly crushes their dreams of victory and fame.
As a reporter attempts to discover his true motivation, Guy finds himself forging an unlikely alliance with a competitor: awkward 10-year old Chaitanya (Rohan Chand of ‘Homeland’), who is completely unfazed by Guy’s take-no-prisoners approach to life.
The movie also stars Alison Janney, Kathryn Hahn and Phillip Baker Hall.
BAD WORDS opens in select theaters March 14th/ Nationwide on March 28th.
Jason Bateman gets NSFW in his directorial debut, BAD WORDS, and we have the red band trailer for you.
Bateman stars as Guy Trilby, a 40-year-old who finds a loophole in the rules of The Golden Quill national spelling bee and decides to cause trouble by hijacking the competition. Contest officials, outraged parents, and overly ambitious 8th graders are no match for Guy, as he ruthlessly crushes their dreams of victory and fame. As a reporter (Kathryn Hahn of We’re the Millers) attempts to discover his true motivation, Guy finds himself forging an unlikely alliance with a competitor: awkward 10-year-old Chaitanya (Rohan Chand of Homeland), who is completely unfazed by Guy’s take-no-prisoners approach to life.
BAD WORDS also stars Ben Falcone (Bridesmaids), Philip Baker Hall (Argo), and Allison Janney (The Help). The original screenplay is by Andrew Dodge, and the producers are Mr. Bateman, Mason Novick, Sean McKittrick and Jeff Culotta.
A Focus Features and Darko Entertainment presentation of a Darko Entertainment/Aggregate Films/MXN production, BAD WORDS, is MPAA-rated “R” (for crude and sexual content, language, and brief nudity) .
Filming has begun in Los Angeles on New Line Cinema’s HORRIBLE BOSSES 2, directed by Sean Anders (“Sex Drive”). The follow-up to the 2011 hit comedy HORRIBLE BOSSES reunites stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis as everyone’s favorite working stiffs Nick, Dale and Kurt.
Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey also reprise their starring roles, while Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz star as new adversaries standing between the guys and their dreams of success.
Fed up with answering to higher-ups, Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to become their own bosses by launching their own business in HORRIBLE BOSSES 2. But a slick investor soon pulls the rug out from under them. Outplayed and desperate, and with no legal recourse, the three would-be entrepreneurs hatch a misguided plan to kidnap the investor’s adult son and ransom him to regain control of their company.
Sean Anders directs from a screenplay by Anders & John Morris (“We’re the Millers”), and by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”), who also served as writers on the first film.
HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 is being produced by Brett Ratner, Jay Stern, John Morris, John Rickard and Chris Bender, with Diana Pokorny and John Cheng serving as executive producers.
The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Julio Macat (“Pitch Perfect”), production designer Clayton Hartley (“We’re the Millers”), editor Eric Kissack (“The Dictator”) and costume designer Carol Ramsey (“Identity Thief”).
Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film in theaters.
If you never saw the original film, check out the trailer below and read Travis Keune’s review HERE.
The number one comedy blockbuster IDENTITY THIEFis ready to steal a space on your Blu-Ray and DVD shelf, and in support of its June 4th release, WAMG was invited out to Dodger stadium to watch star Genesis Rodriguez, who plays Marisol in the film, throw out the first pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. While there, I got the chance to speak to her about the film. I might have also watched my home team Cardinals win. What can I say? You can take the girl out of St. Louis, but you can’t take the St. Louis out of the girl. Check out my interview with Genesis below!
Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) lead an all-star cast in this hilarious blockbuster hit. Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Orlando. There’s only one glitch: she’s financing her shopping sprees with an ID stolen from Sandy Patterson (Bateman), an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Patterson is forced to extreme measures to clear his name.
First off, how long did you practice that pitch?
GR: I practiced two days, about a week apart. If I made a fool out of myself, fine – but at least I tried, in my head. I don’t know what I did. I have no idea. (Laughs)
You play quite the badass in this film. How did you become involved with this film?
GR: The producers had seen CASA DE MI PADRE, and really loved it, and they asked if I would be willing to read for a part. I was like “Yeah, sure!”. I had no idea what they wanted, really, so I just kind of winged it. I came in with a super heavy accent – they didn’t ask for an accent… I came in “batshit crazy”. I remember, in my audition, I had this part where I was just talking, and I throw my things… I just went all out with it, and they were like “Ok. We really like this! You got the job!” and I was like “Ok. I had a really great time!” If I have a great time auditioning, I know I’m going to have a great time in the movie. That was the case. I had a great time. I’m not a badass. I mean, I can hardly throw a baseball for crying out loud. (Laughs) I like to be able to do that and push myself, and act, because that is total acting. I could not be like that.
You get to play around with guns in some of your films. Did you have to do any sort of training for that?
GR: I had done THE LAST STAND right before, so I had a little bit of gun training, then I jumped into this one right afterwards, so I was like “Sure. Yeah. Why not man?” They’re fun.
You’re known for your roles in soap operas. How was the crossover for you into film, and comedy?
GR: Well, I never really trained for comedy. I trained for saying ridiculous things very seriously. Like, my whole life I would have to say things like “I lost my vision” and be dead serious about it. That shit doesn’t happen! Excuse me for saying shit.
Oh no, you’re fine. I have the mouth of a sailor. You’re great! (Laughs)
GR: That was my training for comedy. To take it very seriously, and to deliver as intensely, and seriously as possible. That was pretty easy for me to do. That’s kind of what I’ve been doing in all the comedies like CASA… It was just “say ridiculous things very seriously”. This one was super intense. She didn’t even know how to pronounce her J’s (laughs) so, it was just a very easy transition.
You got to spar a bit with Melissa McCarthy in this. Did you get to improv with her, or with Tip (T.I.)?
GR: With her, no. With Tip I did. All the time. With Melissa we had to be more on book. She got to improvise a little bit more, just because of the way the story had to be told and played out.
This is his first comedic performance. He’s mostly known for his music career and his drama roles. What was your relationship with him like on set?
GR: At first I was like “How is he going to be?” because he’s this huge hip hop artist. “Is he going to be a diva? Is he going to be obnoxious? Is he not a team player?”. He was awesome. Just so easy to work with… He’s an actor! I didn’t know to how full of an extent I was ready for improv. So smart, so quick – just giving you something to feed off of. That’s what he should be doing. He should be doing more comedies. He’s hilarious.
You said you were worried about it. Have you ever had a problem with someone on set? Have you ever encountered someone being a diva?
GR: More so in my Spanish soap opera work. That was brutal. The biggest divas in the world were there. I probably had myself a diva moment there too because it was just horrible hours. You kind of get fed up. The 18 hour work days Monday through Saturday – about 7 months in you’re like “Ok, I gotta go! Let’s get this take done!”. That’s the type of attitude you start getting, but in movies it’s totally different! I don’t know. I never meet anyone like that. I certainly don’t have those feelings. It’s a Monday through Friday job, a 12 hour day – It’s pretty awesome! You get a trailer! You get to read books! You can eat candy and catering! It’s like “Dude, I don’t have to work today if you don’t want me to. I’ll wait!” I could not care!
You grew up with a singer/actor father, and a model for a mother. Do you feel like you were destined to do this? To be a part of the entertainment world? Or, was there something else you envisioned yourself doing?
GR: You know, I thought maybe I was going to be a lawyer, which is kind of acting as well. (Laughs) I was really good in school. I was in the honor program, I was in robotics, I was good in sciences… Honestly, I never took myself seriously. I never realized that I was in the public. My parents were the most humble and simple people ever. So, I never thought of myself as anything really different. I thought it was normal, what they did. I never was really interested until I took a drama class, and I realized “Holy moly! I can be different people?”. My drama teacher noticed. He never really told anyone this in class but he said “Gen, you should really consider this as a profession.” I said “I never really thought about that.” and he said “Get some training. Get some training. Go do that. I think you’ll be ok.”
Take Home the Hilarious Unrated Edition of IDENTITY THIEF today on Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack Including UltraViolet™, DVD & Digital Copy with Alternate Takes, a Gag Reel & More
HORRIBLE BOSSES’ Jason Bateman and BRIDESMAIDS’ Melissa McCarthy lead an all-star cast of IDENTITY THIEF in this first trailer for the comedy. The film is centered around a regular guy who is forced to extreme measures to clear his name. With everything to lose after his identity is stolen, he’ll find out how crazed you can get trying to settle a bad credit score.
I already like the chemistry between the two. Melissa McCarthy is at the top of her game now and this type of physical comedy is tailor made for the Academy-Award® nominated actress. Plus who doesn’t love a good laugh after the first of the year to help relieve some of those winter doldrums. With the additional cast and crew, IDENTITY THIEF looks hilarious. The movie is directed by HORRIBLE BOSSES’ Seth Gordon, nevermind it’s from the producer of this summer’s funniest movie TED – Scott Stuber. Also producing are Bateman and Pamela Abdy (upcoming 47 RONIN). The film co-stars Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Genesis Rodriguez, Morris Chestnut, John Cho, Robert Patrick and Eric Stonestreet.
Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retail buys whatever strikes her fancy. There’s only one glitch: The ID she’s using to finance these sprees reads “Sandy Bigelow Patterson”…. and it belongs to an accounts rep (Bateman) who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles to Denver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is to get your name back.
IDENTITY THIEF will hit theaters February 8, 2013.
Aurelio and Luigi De Laurentiis’ Italian distribution company, Filmauro, acquired Italian rights from Exclusive Media to Henry-Alex Rubin’s ensemble drama DISCONNECT, prior to its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival where it received a 12 minute standing ovation, it was announced today by Alex Walton, Exclusive Media’s President of International Sales and Distribution.
The film features an all-star cast including Jason Bateman (THE CHANGE UP, UP IN THE AIR), Hope Davis (REAL STEEL, HBO’s “Mildred Pierce”), Frank Grillo (GANGSTER SQUAD, THE GREY), Paula Patton (PRECIOUS, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL), Michael Nyqvist (THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO), Andrea Riseborough (BRIGHTON ROCK, W.E.), Alexander Skarsgård (HBO’s “True Blood,” MELANCHOLIA) and Max Thieriot (JUMPER), as well as Jonah Bobo (CRAZY STUPID LOVE), Colin Ford (WE BOUGHT A ZOO) and Haley Ramm (X-MEN).
Set for its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11th, the drama is produced by Mickey Liddell and Jennifer Monroe of LD Entertainment and William Horberg of Wonderful Films from an original screenplay by Andrew Stern. LD Entertainment will release the film in the US in spring 2013.
Exclusive Media’s Alex Walton negotiated the deal with Filmauro’s Giovanna Fulvi, Head of Acquisitions. Exclusive Media is handling international rights to the film.
“We are delighted to have Filmauro on board. They reacted so passionately in a highly competitive environment to acquire the film. We look forward to this passion driving their release plans in Italy,” said Alex Walton.
Aurelio and Luigi De Laurentiis continued, “We are extremely happy with the success of the film and how it was perceived by the public and the press at the Venice Film Festival. The film marks the debut of a new and talented director and we wish the film similar success at the Toronto Film Festival, where the film will be shown next week on September 11th.”
Shot with eavesdropped naturalism, it marks the first fiction feature film from Henry-Alex Rubin, director of the Oscar-nominated MURDERBALL.
A hard-working lawyer, attached to his cell phone, can’t find the time to communicate with his family. An estranged couple uses the internet as a means to escape from their lifeless marriage. A widowed ex-cop struggles to raise a mischievous son who cyber-bullies a classmate. An ambitious journalist sees a career-making story in a teen that performs on an adult-only site. They are strangers, neighbors and colleagues and their stories collide in this compelling drama about ordinary people seeking a human connection.
Helmed by Co-Chairmen Nigel Sinclair and Guy East, Exclusive Media is a major force in the production and international distribution arena. The highly anticipated END OF WATCH produced by Exclusive Media with John Lesher and director David Ayer and starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña, is world premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set for domestic release on September 21st through Open Road Films. The company recently wrapped production of CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE? starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, James Corden and Catherine Keener directed by John Carney (ONCE) and Hammer’s THE QUIET ONES directed by John Pogue and starring Jared Harris and Sam Claflin. Also in post-production is Ron Howard’s epic RUSH starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl produced with production partners Cross Creek Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Working Title, Brian Grazer, and Revolution Films with Universal Pictures set to release theatrically in the US; and SNITCH starring Dwayne Johnson and Susan Sarandon to be released by Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment; and teen action comedy SO UNDERCOVER starring Miley Cyrus.
Upcoming Exclusive Media productions include AGENT: CENTURY 21 starring Cameron Diaz and Benicio del Toro; THE WOMAN IN BLACK: ANGELS OF DEATH, a follow up to the box office hit THE WOMAN IN BLACK starring Daniel Radcliffe; and A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES starring Liam Neeson produced with Cross Creek Pictures, Double Feature Films and Jersey Films from writer/director Scott Frank.
Exclusive Media also represents a dynamic slate of third party productions including ROBOT & FRANK starring Frank Langella and Susan Sarandon currently in release through Samuel Goldwyn Films; AT ANY PRICE, starring Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron selected for both Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals; LOOK OF LOVE, starring Annette Bening, Ed Harris and Robin Williams currently in post-production; THÉRÈSE also from producers Liddell and Horberg, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jessica Lange, Oscar Isaac and Tom Felton; and GREEN INFERNO to be directed by Eli Roth.
Additionally, Exclusive Media is handling international sales and servicing for Scott Pictures International’s slate of films, all to be produced under the Scott Pictures banner, including Lynne Ramsey’s newly announced JANE GOT A GUN written by Brian Duffield and starring Natalie Portman.
I ended up skipping the festival yesterday due to feeling pretty crumby when I woke up. I slept most of the afternoon away and then caught a few films in the online press screening room at night. Feeling much better today, I made my final trip into the city for the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.
Being a big fan of James Franco, I was looking forward to checking out FRANCOPHRENIA despite the intensely mixed reactions. It is not an easy film to judge. Very experimental and free form, I’m still not quite sure what I watched even after the Q & A with Ian Olds (co-director, co-writer) & Paul Felton (writer). It starts out as a fairly regular behind the scenes look at the making of a special episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL cut together from the mundane stuff usually left on the cutting room floor. Then it switches into something quite weird through the magic of strange editing & sometimes hilarious voice-over done by Ian Olds. I wouldn’t call it anything you must see but it is certainly a strange curiosity that I am glad to have watched once. After the surprisingly long Q & A, a final pit stop at the press lounge, another super cheap NY pizza lunch & a 30-minute walk to the other theater, I settled in for my final screening of the festival.
MANSOME is a documentary by Morgan Spurlock although he does not appear in the film as often as you would assume based on his previous work. In fact, Jason Bateman & Will Arnett appear much more often, in little comedic vignettes setting up the subject for each section of the doc. The main focus of the film is modern men’s grooming techniques and as you can imagine, it is far more entertaining than enlightening. There are some truly fascinating personalities put on display for each section and talking head pieces of people weighing in, including Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow, and Zach Galifianakis. Unfortunately no one was on hand for a post screening Q & A so after the credits rolled, I left the theater and made my way to the bus home. Of course there was massive traffic downtown, which doubled my commute time. A perfect way to cap off a great festival.
Lesson of the Day: Sometimes enjoying copious amounts of free water can come back to bite you on the ass, like when you are stuck in massive traffic on your bus home.
Here’s an interesting cinematic mash-up. Let’s not do a remake of a specific 1980’s movie like the upcoming FRIGHT NIGHT re-imagining, but instead make a modern version of the popular body-switching comedy genre from that decade ( VICE VERSA, LIKE FATHER LIKE SON, 17 AGAIN ). And since THE HANGOVER was such a huge hit, let’s add a lot of R-rated spice. A whole lot. We’ll toss in a couple of likable comedy stars, turn on the blender, and we’ve got THE CHANGE-UP. Is it a tasty cocktail? Bottoms up ( and a lot of tops too ) !
We first meet harried, single dad Dave ( Jason Bateman ) as he gets up at 3 AM to feed and change his set of toddler twins. Of course while a CG effects moppet bangs it’s head against the crib headboard the other has a messy accident while getting a new diaper. Soon we meet Dave’s old buddy Mitch ( Ryan Reynolds ) , an aspiring actor and party animal. Mitch’s late morning breakfast is interrupted by his father ( Alan Arkin ). The old fella’s losing patience with the flighty, irresponsible Mitch ( and tired of helping him out financially ), but asks him to speak at his upcoming nuptials. Cut to Dave in his job at a big law firm. The only relief from the high pressure position is the chance to ogle his lovely assistant Sabrina ( Olivia Wilde ). Mitch calls Dave there to remind him of their boys night out later. That evening Mitch picks up Dave from his home, after flirting with Dave’s wife Jamie ( Leslie Mann ). At a sports bar both men compare notes, and complain, about their lives. Returning to Mitch’s car they stop off at a park’s sculpture fountain to relieve themselves ( public urination is so funny! ). As they whiz both men say in unison, ” I wish I had your life!”. Cue the thunder, lightning, and close-ups of the statue. Spooked, both men return to their homes. The next morning they awake to discover that they’ve switched bodies. Re-uniteing they race back to the park to discover that the fountain has been moved! And the city workers can’t tell them where it ‘s gone until next week. Dave’s in charge of a big upcoming merger at his law firm . Mitch is starting work on a movie. Can these guys take charge of he other’s respective jobs and homes without wrecking their lives?
I’d been looking forward to this film since I’d seen the trailer months ago. I’ve been a fan of the two male leads for a while particularly Mr . Bateman after his work on the much beloved and missed TV series ” Arrested Development”. And Mr. Reynolds has been doing some great work ( he shouldn’t be help responsible for the dreary GREEN LANTERN ). Unfortunately their talent and charm can’t triumph over this crude, coarse script. In the first half hour they’re spraying the soundtrack with F-bombs like they’re loaded in a Tommy gun. I’m not easily offended, but the overuse seems very lazy. Also phrases and situations seem to be included not to induce laughter, but to shock and offend ( a Down’s Syndrome joke? Really? ). I would’ve tossed Mitch’s character out of my home for his behavior around my kids. I guess we’re supposed to embrace his rebellious nature when he lights up a blunt while driving! Twice! The other actors don’t fair much better. Mann alternates between being a MILF and her KNOCKED UP character. As Mitch’s dad Arkin is sorely underused-he just looks disappointedly at Mitch in their scenes. Like many of her recent film roles, Wilde is there for eye candy and to temp the hero ( as in THREE DAYS LATER ). I think she’s could be a great comic actress if given the oppurtunity. At the midway point the writers decide to play up the pathos and redeem the guys in time for a teary reunion ( this after letting the toddlers play with electrical sockets, blenders, and cutlery ). I’ve got no problem with raunch ( loved BRIDESMAIDS and Bateman in the much superior HORRIBLE BOSSES ), but this wants to shock and leave us with a war, fuzzy, ending. I think the old switcheroo flick can still work, but it’s got to be made with more thought and care than this.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to change places with someone for a day? Well. now you can see for yourselfbecause we are giving away free passes to the new film THE CHANGE-UP.
The screening for THE CHANGE-UP will be TUESDAY AUGUST 2nd at the RONNIES 20 THEATER at 7 PM.
THE CHANGE-UP HAS BEEN RATED R (RESTRICTED – UNDER 17 REQUIRES ACCOMPANYING PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN) FOR PERVASIVE STRONG CRUDE SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE, SOME GRAPHIC NUDITY AND DRUG USE.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. FILL OUT YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW. REAL FIRST NAME REQUIRED.
3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: If you could change places with someone for a day… who would it be and why?
WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.
ANYONE CAUGHT REPRINTING TICKETS FOR DISTRIBUTION WILL BE BANNED FROM OUR CONTESTS! DUPLICATE TICKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
SYNOPSIS:
Growing up together, Mitch (Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman) were inseparable best friends, but as the years have passed they’ve slowly drifted apart. While Dave is an overworked lawyer, husband and father of three, Mitch has remained a single, quasi-employed man-child who has never met a responsibility he liked. To Mitch, Dave has it all: beautiful wife Jamie (Leslie Mann), kids who adore him and a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm. To Dave, living Mitch’s stress free life without obligation or consequence would be a dream come true.
Following a drunken night out together, Mitch and Dave’s worlds are turned upside down when they wake up in each other’s bodies and proceed to freak the &*#@ out.
Despite the freedom from their normal routines and habits, the guys soon discover that each other’s lives are nowhere near as rosy as they once seemed. Further complicating matters are Dave’s sexy legal associate, Sabrina (Olivia Wilde), and Mitch’s estranged father (Alan Arkin). With time not on their side, Mitch and Dave comically struggle to avoid completely destroying each other’s lives before they can find a way to get their old ones back.
HORRIBLE BOSSES is directed by Seth Gordon, a name to be watching out for in the future. Gordon actually had his big break with the 2007 feature documentary THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS. Since then, he’s been involved with popular TV series including The Office, Community, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family.
Let’s set aside the notion that anyone with a job these days should be grateful, and instead assume we’re all employed, making the bad boss scenario much more relevant. HORRIBLE BOSSES hopes to capitalize on the current economic woes by appealing to the audience’s need for a good laugh. Let me just say, if HORRIBLE BOSSES were an IPO and stock prices were measured in laughs, this would be the best film to invest in since BRIDESMAIDS and THE HANGOVER.
HORRIBLE BOSSES is about three almost middle-aged, middle-class white guys with good jobs, but who all hate their boss. Jason Batman (PAUL, EXTRACT) returns in an all-too-familiar, but still enjoyable, performance as Nick Hendricks. Nick is a smart guy, but he takes more shit from his boss Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey) than the average self-respecting human being ever should. Nick does this in hopes that he’ll get a major promotion, until Harken reveals a whole new level of evil that finally sends Nick over the edge. Kevin Spacey once again proves he has an uncanny skill for playing assholes, first evident from his performance as Buddy Ackerman in SWIMMING WITH SHARKS.
Jason Sudeikis (HALL PASS, THE ROCKER) plays Kurt Buckman, the one guy of the three who actually likes his boss (Donald Sutherland) until he dies of a heart attack, leaving his obnoxious cokehead son Bobby Pellitt (Colin Farrell) to run the company into the ground. Kurt is sort of a milder, less annoying and slightly more intelligent Stiffler-type character. Nick and Kurt are the Moe and Larry of these three stooges.
Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) plays Dale Arbus, the Curly. Dale is a dental assistant. Day’s performance is often like watching a younger Robin Williams stand-up, only not as refined. If this movie was cast with animated animals, Dale Arbus would be the squirrel from ICE AGE on a case of 5-Hour Energy Shots. Then, Dale Arbus inadvertently inhales cocaine.
Jennifer Aniston (THE BOUNTY HUNTER) plays Dale’s boss Dr. Julia Harris. Dr. Harris is hell-bent on getting Dale into bed, to put it very mildly, despite his engagement and commitment to monogamy. In all honesty, I hardly recognized Aniston at first, with her hair dyed dark, but that veil quickly passed. I find it difficult to look past Aniston’s choice to portray a shameless nymphomaniac in an R-rated raunchy comedy, yet still refrain from showing any more skin than a little harmless cleavage. Sure, it’s not about the nudity, but I’d like to see her take some kind of risk in her craft. For now, certain members of the audience will have to make due with Aniston spouting countless passages of pornographic playfulness. Unfortunately, she’s the weakest link in HORRIBLE BOSSES.
Jamie Foxx appears in a relatively small role, serving as a misguided mentor for the stooges as they plan the deaths of their unwelcome employers. Comedian Ron White adds another element of unpleasantness with his cameo as one of two detectives. He has an uncanny lack of talent as an actor, making Aniston look good, as an actress. One surprise cameo saves itself for the end, but falls a little flat compared to the natural flow of the film as a whole.
HORRIBLE BOSSES rewards the audience for their investment, paying dividends in laughs. There’s no better workout than a good, fun comedy that has you red-faced and breathing heavy for the majority of the film’s duration. This isn’t the absolute best comedy of 2011, but it certainly ranks in the top five.
