Over his storied career, Judd Apatow has elevated a series of promising young comedy talents to their first major big-screen performance, including Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Amy Schumer and Kumail Nanjiani.
This year, Apatow directed Saturday Night Live breakout Pete Davidson in THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND, the bracing comedy about love, loss and laughter on Staten Island.
Now THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND is available on Blu-ray and you can win a copy as well as Blu-rays of Apatow’s previous comedies THIS IS 40 and THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN.,Just leave a comment below telling us what your favorite Judd Apatow movie is. (mine’s KNOCKED UP! It’s so easy!)
1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES. NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.
2. WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.
Scott (Davidson) has been a case of arrested development ever since his firefighter father died when he was seven. He’s now reached his mid-20s having achieved little, chasing a dream of becoming a tattoo artist that seems far out of reach. As his ambitious younger sister (Maude Apatow, HBO’s Euphoria) heads off to college, Scott is still living with his exhausted ER nurse mother (Oscar® winner Marisa Tomei) and spends his days smoking weed, hanging with the guys—Oscar (Ricky Velez, Master of None), Igor (Moises Arias, Five Feet Apart) and Richie (Lou Wilson, TV’s The Guest Book)—and secretly hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley, Apple TV+’s The Morning Show).
But when his mother starts dating a loudmouth firefighter named Ray (Bill Burr, Netflix’s F Is for Family), it sets off a chain of events that will force Scott to grapple with his grief and take his first tentative steps toward moving forward in life.
(from left) Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson) and Papa (Steve Buscemi) in The King of Staten Island, directed by Judd Apatow. Courtesy of Universal
At 24, Scott (Pete Davidson) is stuck in perpetual adolescence, living with his mother Margie (Marisa Tomei) in the Staten Island home where he grew up. Traumatized when his firefighter father was killed trying to rescue someone when Scott was seven, he has never recovered despite years of therapy and in fact, has built his persona around the trauma. His well-meaning, kind-hearted mother, an overworked ER nurse, has built her life around her son’s care, treating him as if he were a fragile patient. If fact, everyone seems to tip-toe around Scott as if he might break from his childhood trauma.
Scott himself embraces this view, dodging jobs and hanging out with high school pals Oscar (Ricky Velez), Igor (Moises Arias) and Richie (Lou Wilson), playing video games and smoking pot. Scott’s mom sent him to art college but he dropped out and now dreams of being a tattoo artist. When he encounters someone who calls his dad a hero or praises his bravery, Scott reacts with anger, as he blames firefighting for his father’s death.
When Scott’s long-widowed mother starts
to date a guy named Ray (Bill Burr), a firefighter no less, big
changes are in store for Scott.
Director Judd Apatow works his comedy
magic once again in a story about another guy facing long-overdue
change. Scott’s mother’s new life forces changes that he has avoided
all his adult life, and Pete Davidson does an excellent job of
mining this man-child character for comedy, while sensitively
exploring the dramatic side of Scott’s his childhood pain, his dreams
and his tentative steps towards adulthood.
The story, co-written by Apatow, Davidson, and Dave Sirus, has some semi-autobiographical elements for Pete Davidson. Davidson grew up on Staten Island, and the childhood loss of his firefighter father Scott Davidson, who was killed in 9/11, had a profound effect on his life.
Pete Davidson’s Scott is on the
crazy-impractical side, a fellow with a dream of opening a
combination tattoo parlor and restaurant, a concept only he thinks is
a good idea. But he also has a certain loopy charm, and a good heart,
which eventually shines. Forced into a job walking his mom’s
boyfriend’s two kids to and from school, Scott finds a grown-up role
that fits him. Hanging out with the kids, where Scott’s childlike
view helps him bond with them, also forces him into the unfamiliar
role of caring adult. Another twist brings Scott to the firehouse,
where he discovers things about his dad and himself he never
expected.
Davidson is aided by a supporting cast that includes Steve Buscemi as a veteran fireman called Papa, who sort of takes Scott under his wing. But the real supporting cast standouts here are the women, Marisa Tomei as Scott’s solicitous mother Margie, who has to work through her own long-delayed issues, and Bel Powley is a scene-stealer as Scott’s funny would-be girlfriend Kelsey. While Kelsey is part of the gang of Scott’s childhood friends, unlike the guys, she has plans for her life that she is putting in place. Her mix of down-to-earth practicality, bluntness, and acceptance of Scott for who he is, makes her a memorable character, one who lights up every scene she’s in. Tomei, as always, brings her charm and energy to the role, making her both a sweet, supporting person and a funny, fun-loving one. Maude Apatow plays Scott’s younger sister Claire, a version of Davidson’s real-life sister, who is one of the few who does not coddle him, while still being a supportive, teasing sister.
THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND is classic
Apatow and an excellent showcase for Pete Davidson’s comic talents,
as well as an appealingly warm portrait of working-class Staten
Island. It is available to stream on demand on Amazon Prime on June
12, 2020.
Available On Demand June 12 is THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND.
“This movie is, like, a love letter to my mom…and trying to end that part of my life…” – Pete Davidson
Check out the new featurette now.
Over his storied career, Judd Apatow has elevated a series of promising young comedy talents to their first major big-screen performance, including Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Amy Schumer and Kumail Nanjiani.
This summer, Apatow directs Saturday Night Live breakout Pete Davidson in a bracing comedy about love, loss and laughter on Staten Island.
(from left) Margie Carlin (Marisa Tomei) and Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson) in The King of Staten Island, directed by Judd Apatow.
Scott (Davidson) has been a case of arrested development ever since his firefighter father died when he was seven. He’s now reached his mid-20s having achieved little, chasing a dream of becoming a tattoo artist that seems far out of reach. As his ambitious younger sister (Maude Apatow, HBO’s Euphoria) heads off to college, Scott is still living with his exhausted ER nurse mother (Oscar® winner Marisa Tomei) and spends his days smoking weed, hanging with the guys—Oscar (Ricky Velez, Master of None), Igor (Moises Arias, Five Feet Apart) and Richie (Lou Wilson, TV’s The Guest Book)—and secretly hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley, Apple TV+’s The Morning Show).
But when his mother starts dating a loudmouth firefighter named Ray (Bill Burr, Netflix’s F Is for Family), it sets off a chain of events that will force Scott to grapple with his grief and take his first tentative steps toward moving forward in life.
(from left) Igor (Moises Arias), Oscar (Ricky Velez) and Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson) in The King of Staten Island, directed by Judd Apatow.
The film also stars Steve Buscemi as Papa, a veteran firefighter who takes Scott under his wing, and Pamela Adlon (FX’s Better Things) as Ray’s ex-wife, Gina.
The King of Staten Island is directed by Apatow (Trainwreck, Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) from a script by Apatow, Davidson and former SNL writer Dave Sirus. It is produced by Apatow for his Apatow Productions alongside Barry Mendel. Together, the duo shared producing credits on the Academy Award®-nominated films The Big Sick and Bridesmaids, as well as This Is 40, Trainwreck and Funny People. The film’s executive producers are Pete Davidson, Michael Bederman and Judah Miller.
(from left) Kelsey (Bel Powley) and Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson) in The King of Staten Island, directed by Judd Apatow.
Jason Sudeikis (Booksmart), Josh Gad (Frozen II), Bill Hader (Inside Out), Danny McBride (TV’s “The Righteous Gemstones”), and Peter Dinklage (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) reprise their roles from 2016’s The Angry Birds Movie in the hilarious family-friendly sequel, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2, debuting on Digital October 29 and coming to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on November 12, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Joining the all-star cast is Leslie Jones (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”), Rachel Bloom (TV’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’), Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians), Sterling K. Brown (TV’s “This Is Us”), and Eugenio Derbez (Dora and the Lost City of Gold).
The flightless angry birds and the scheming green piggies take their beef to the next level in THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2! When a new threat emerges that puts both Bird and Pig Island in danger, Red (Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (Josh Gad), Bomb (Danny McBride), and Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage) recruit Chuck’s sister Silver (Rachel Bloom) and team up with pigs Leonard (Bill Hader), his assistant, Courtney (Awkwafina), and techpig, Garry (Sterling K. Brown), to forge an unsteady truce and form an unlikely super team to save their homes.
THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 is currently perched atop Rotten Tomatoes’ ranking of the best-reviewed video game films of all time and has critics chirping its praises with Deadline’s Pete Hammond calling it “a wacky, fast-paced delight” and Variety’s Guy Lodge claiming “one sequence may just be funnier than any scene from a comedy in the last year.”
Bonus materials for THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 include an all-new mini movie “Live Stream” and six adorable Hatchling shorts, three Family Fun DIY activities inspired by the film, a collection of behind-the-scenes featurettes with cast and crew, an exciting visit to the LA Zoo to meet some amazing feathered friends, a holiday themed sing along and much more! The IMAX® Enhanced 4K Ultra HD edition features digitally remastered content presented with High Dynamic Range and DTS:X® audio for a more immersive at-home entertainment experience.
THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 has a runtime of approximately 97 minutes and is rated PG for rude humor and action. BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL BONUS MATERIALS
ALL NEW MINI MOVIE! – “Live Stream”: When Silver attempts her first livestream, Red is the ultimate Angry Bird while the adorable Hatchlings get into mischief.
6 Classic Hatchling Mini Movies
DIY Family Fun!:
“Hangry Birds: Popcorn Balls”: No need to be angry or hangry with this simple, fun cooking tutorial. Follow along to make Red’s go-to comfort food and enjoy these tasty popcorn balls at home.
“Smarty Birds: Crafty Volcano”: From the volcano on Eagle Island, Zeta plots her sinister plan and sends her lava balls flying. But why should Zeta have all the fun? Build your own volcano and watch it erupt combining crafts and science in this brainy how-to video!
“Crafty Birds: Pig Snot!”: Ready to roll up your sleeves and get a little messy? It’s time to mix a few ingredients and create your very own pig snot (slime!). Just make sure to keep it away from Bomb…he likes to drink it. (Eeeew!)
“Bird Watching”: In this hilarious “birds-eye” view of the real-life species that inspired the artists, we take a trip to the LA ZOO to get up close and personal with real-life Mighty Eagles, Blue Birds, Toucans, and more. With fun reactions from the cast intercut throughout the piece – get ready to laugh, learn and meet some amazing avian friends
“Meet The New Birds & Pigs”: Join the returning cast and meet the unique new cast members giving voice to the hilarious characters in Angry Birds 2. In exclusive BTS recording sessions and interviews, we’ll see how Leslie Jones, Rachel Bloom, Eugenio Derbez, and Sterling K. Brown bring these unforgettable characters to life.
“Hatching the Hatchlings”: The Hatchlings are soooooo cute! And in Angry Birds 2, we get to join them on their very own adventure! Meet these mischievous little troublemakers as we talk to filmmakers about the creation of the Hatchlings and their expanded storyline in the film, and hear from cast members about their love for these adorable baby birds.
“Flocking Together: Making The Angry Birds Movie 2”: Go behind the scenes with the flock of talented artists who worked together to make The Angry Birds Movie 2.
“Happy Thanks-pigging”: Zeta is not a fan of the traditional Thanksgiving menu!
“Jingle Birds: A Holiday Song From The Cast of Angry Birds 2”: Sing along with Rachel Bloom and Jason Sudeikis with a new twist on this holiday classic.
4K ULTRA HD AND DVD BONUS MATERIALS
ALL NEW MINI MOVIE! – “Live Stream”
DIY Family Fun!:
“Hangry Birds: Popcorn Balls”
“Smarty Birds: Crafty Volcano”
“Crafty Birds: Pig Snot”
“Bird Watching”
“Meet The New Birds & Pigs”
“Hatching the Hatchlings”
“Flocking Together: Making The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Happy Thanks-pigging”
“Jingle Birds: A Holiday Song From The Cast of Angry Birds 2”
CAST AND CREWCast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones, Bill Hader, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown, Eugenio Derbez, Danny McBride, Peter Dinklage, Pete Davidson, Zach Woods, Dove Cameron, Lil Rel Howery Executive Producers: David Maisel, Catherine Winder Screenplay By: Peter Ackerman and Eyel Podell & Jonathon E. Stewart Producer: John Cohen Director: Thurop Van Orman
