It looks like audiences had better things to do than go to the movies this weekend, as only one feature managed to earn over $10 million at the box office. That distinction went to The Expendables 2, which claimed its second weekend on top with a meager $13.5 million. Holdovers made up the remainder of the top five while a mixed bag of new releases struggled over late-summer scraps.

The romantic car chase comedy (yes, it really is!) Hit & Run, from writer/director/star Dax Shepard, tells the story of Charlie Bronson (Shepard), a nice guy with a questionable past who decides to leave the witness protection program to ensure that his fiancée, Annie Bean (played by real-life fiancée Kristen Bell), can accept a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Los Angeles. But, their road trip grows increasingly complicated when they are chased by the gangster friends (led by Bradley Cooper) that Charlie was trying to leave behind.

At the film’s press day, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about how the movie came about, when they realized that it was actually a romantic car chase movie, translating their love for each other to the big screen, and how sincere the characters are no matter how outrageous the situations. Shepard also talked about his next directorial effort, Send Lawyers, Guns and Money, which he hopes to shoot next year, and what fans can expect from the upcoming season of his hit NBC drama series Parenthood, while Bell talked about what a dream come true it is to do the voice work and original songs for the Disney animated feature Frozen, as well as how excited she is to return to her Showtime comedy series House of Lies. Check out what they had to say after the jump.

There is a formula to the chase-romance movie.  It involves a criminal on a getaway, picking up a girl (usually against her will), fleeing the cops and/or bad guys, and then the criminal and girl falling in love.  Hit & Run cleverly flips the genre by going in reverse, putting the romance before the chase, and letting it run on the chemistry of leads Dax Shepard (who also wrote and co-directed the film) and Kristen Bell.  However, as the film moves away from the romance, it begins to swerve on dull chase scenes and an uneven tone.  Hit & Run still manages to be a flighty and fun, but the reliance on coincidence and the difficulty balancing the comedy make Hit & Run a bumpy and forgettable ride.

With writer/director/star Dax Shepard’s new action rom-com Hit & Run opening in less than three weeks, we have a new TV spot to share with you today.  The film features Shepard as Charlie Bronson, a former getaway driver who enters into Witness Protection, but risks his anonymity when he offers to drive his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles.  The duo find themselves chased by not only the Feds, but Charlie’s former criminal crew as well.  Also starring Tom Arnold, Bradley Cooper and David Koechner, Hit & Run opens August 22nd.  Hit the jump to check out the new TV spot.

If you enjoyed the first trailer for Dax Shepard’s action rom-com Hit and Run, you might like the new red-band trailer that just came out.  Shepard, who wrote and co-directed the picture with David Palmer, stars as a former wheelman for a gang of bank robbers.  When he exits the Witness Protection Program to drive his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles, his old crew shows up and makes things a bit more complicated.  The red-band trailer features what you’d expect it to: gratuitous elderly nudity and a fair amount of rape jokes.

The film also stars Bradley Cooper, Kristin Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner, Joy Bryant (Parenthood), and Ryan Hansen (Party Down).  Hit and Run hits theaters on August 24th.  Hit the jump to watch the NSFW red-band trailer.

The first trailer for the action romantic comedy Hit and Run has gone online.  Dax Shepard stars as an ex-getaway driver who exits the Witness Protection program to drive his pretty girlfriend to Los Angeles so that she can land her dream job.  The authorities and his former gang (led by Bradley Cooper) get wind of his reappearance and set out to chase him down.  Shepard wrote and co-directed the film with David Palmer, and it actually looks like a pretty fun comedy.  Cooper appears to be having a blast as a flashy gang member, and real-life couple Shepard and Bell have some excellent chemistry.  Moreover, Tom Arnold is in fine form as a U.S. Marshal who’s trying to protect Shepard’s character.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  The film also stars Kristin Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner, Joy Bryant (Parenthood), and Ryan Hansen (Party Down).  Hit and Run hits theaters on August 24th.

Two on-the-bubble NBC shows have officially been given the order for new seasons.  The critical favorite yet ratings challenged drama Parenthood has been renewed for a 15-episode fourth season (per TV Line).  Showrunner Jason Katims is no stranger to ratings issues despite favorable reviews, as he led the stellar Friday Night Lights through five seasons of “will it be renewed?” drama.  I’m a fan of the ensemble and tone of Parenthood, but Katims will most likely have his hands full next season as his medical pilot County is said to be close to a pick up.  That show will star Jason Ritter, who led the doomed The Event and has been a frequent guest star on Parenthood.

Hit the jump for news regarding renewals for The Office and a final season for 30 Rock, as well as speculation about the fate of Community and Parks and Recreation. [Update: The Office hasn't officially been renewed yet, but with deals almost done for the main cast members a renewal is expected]

Exclusive Media Group has acquired worldwide rights to the comedy Outrun. The “high-octane, action romantic comedy” was written by Dax Shepard, who will also star in and co-direct the film with David Palmer. Joining Shepard in the cast is Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Tom Arnold, Kristin Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner, Joy Bryant (Parenthood), and Ryan Hansen (Party Down). The film centers on an ex-getaway driver (Shepard) who exits the Witness Protection program to drive his pretty girlfriend (Bell) to Los Angeles so that she can land her dream job. The authorities and his former gang (led by Cooper) get wind of his reappearance and set out to chase him down. This isn’t Shepard’s first time behind the camera, as he also co-directed 2010’s Brothers Justice with Palmer.

This is a pretty great cast here, and I can see them having fun with the silly premise. I’m actually surprised Cooper is fitting the film into his schedule, as he’s quite the busy guy at the moment. He’s currently filming David O. Russell’s The Silver Linings Playbook, and he’s set to move on to Alex Proyas’ Paradise Lost next, followed by Steven Soderbergh’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Shepard has actually proved himself to be a solid dramatic actor on NBC’s vastly underrated Parenthood. The show comes from Friday Night Lights’ Jason Katims and if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you check it out. Hit the jump for the full press release regarding Outrun.

Continuing our intense coverage of the American Film Market this week, we’ve got posters and synopses for Step Up 4Ever 3D, Brother’s Justice, Hybrid, and Something Borrowed. In what has to be one of the hardest titles to type in the history of film, Step Up 4Ever 3D lacks a director and hasn’t even started production yet but Summit Entertiainment has released a promo poster and brief synopsis. Underrated actor Dax Shepard (Parenthood) makes his feature screenwriting and directorial debut with the comedy Brother’s Justice, starring Bradley Cooper, Tom Arnold, and Jon Favreau. We’ve also got the Kate Hudson-starred Something Borrowed, directed by Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door), and One Missed Call director Eric Valette’s Hybrid which is about a murderous, serial killer car (seriously). Hit the jump for the posters and fairly thorough synopses.

The theatrical trailer for The Freebie starring Katie Aselton (who also directed the film), Dax Shepard, Bellamy Young, Ross Partridge, and Sean Nelson has landed online.  An official selection at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the low-budget drama tells the story of Aselton and Shepard, who play a husband and wife who agree to allow each other a single one-night stand free of consequence.  As you might expect, when put to the test, the “free of consequence” part doesn’t quite hold up.  After watching the trailer, I’ll admit that I’m intrigued to see Shepard step outside of his proverbial comedic comfort zone as he looks to be quite capable of holding his own with the dramatic material featured here.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer as well as a synopsis.  The Freebie will enjoy a limited theatrical release starting August 27th.

As a remake of the 1989 Ron Howard film of the same name, NBC’s new family dramedy Parenthood will live or die by its cast.  But with a playbill this long and fraught with familiar faces-including Lauren Graham, Peter Krause, Dax Shepard, Craig T. Nelson, Erika Christensen, Monica Potter, and Mae Whitman among others-you’re bound to find a reason to check it out.  The talent behind the camera is perhaps even more encouraging, as creator Jason Katims also serves as the guiding force behind one of the best dramas of the last five years, Friday Night Lights.

Find out whether Parenthood lives up to its immense potential after the break.

Parenthood started out as a successful film from Academy Award-winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer in 1989, went on to be a sitcom featuring Leonardo DiCaprio in 1990 and is now returning as a one-hour drama, premiering on NBC on March 2^nd.

From Friday Night Lights executive producer Jason Katims, this new series re-imagines and updates the production to introduce audiences to the very large, very colorful and imperfect Braverman family, played by Craig T. Nelson, Bonnie Bedelia, Lauren Graham, Peter Krause, Monica Potter, Dax Shepard and Erika Christensen, among others.

While at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour to promote the series, executive producer Ron Howard explained that he was initially hesitant about revisiting a project that he truly cherishes, but that he realized it’s ultimately about parenting and being part of a family, which is universal to everyone. He also updated the status of the Arrested Development film, which he plans to narrate, as well as the development of the Dan Brown film The Lost Symbol and Cowboys and Aliens.

Check out what he had to say after the jump:

Who says all is fair in love and Rome? Kristen Bell stars in director Mark Steven Johnson’s new romcom, When in Rome, as an ambitious young New Yorker disillusioned with romance. On a whirlwind trip to Rome to attend her sister’s wedding and after one too many glasses of champagne, she ends up wading through a fountain of love, gathering coins left there by people who wished for love.

Funny men Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Dax Shepard and Danny Devito play a street magician, an adoring painter, a narcissistic model, and a sausage magnate who chase after her heart when their passion is inexplicably ignited by her gesture. But when a charming reporter (Josh Duhamel) shows up to compete for her romantic attention, she starts to wonder if his love might just be the real thing.

We sat down with Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel to talk about their new movie, When in Rome. After the jump you can read what they had to tell us about their characters, the perils of physical comedy, and how they went about capturing the right rhythm for a romantic relationship. Kristen also updated us on the status of Veronica Mars:

The first trailer for director Mark Steven Johnson’s “When in Rome” has been released and it’s after the jump. The film stars Kristen Bell and it’s a romantic comedy that mixes in the magic angle. Unfortunately, based on the trailer, they didn’t use enough magic as I didn’t find anything funny or romantic. See for yourself after the jump: