Hot Tub Time Machine

John Cusack Talks THE RAVEN, Twitter, THE PAPERBOY, THE FROZEN GROUND, the Experimental NO SOMOS ANIMALES, and More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 25th, 2012 at 8:26 pm

Opening this weekend is director James McTeigue‘s (V for Vendetta, Ninja Assassin) The Raven.  If you’re not familiar with the film, the story takes place in 1840s Baltimore where a series of grisly murders appear to have been inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe (played by John Cusack).  Poe and a detective (Luke Evans) must team up to find the killer before he takes out the woman Poe loves (Alice Eve).  The film also stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Brendan Gleeson.   For more on the film, here’s the trailer and 40 images.

Last week I got to sit down with John Cusack for an extended video interview.  We talked about how The Raven came together, his research, Twitter (you can follow him here), which of his previous films people always want to talk about, if we’ll ever get a sequel to Hot Tub Time Machine, his upcoming projects like The Paperboy, The Frozen Ground, filming the experimental No Somos Animales in Argentina, and a lot more.  Hit the jump to watch.

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE DVD Review

by Gil Kellerman    Posted: June 19th, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Hot Tub Time Machine is way better than it has any right to be.  It’s the story of three forty-something men, Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Cordry) and Nick (Craig Robinson).  Once upon a time, twenty years ago, the guys were best friends who would cut loose at a ski resort in Kodiak Valley.  None of them are happy with the current states of their lives, highlighted by Lou’s recent episode of falling asleep in a parked car/suicide attempt (the exact verdict here depends on who’s making the call).  In an attempt to relive some past glory, the trio – along with Adam’s nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) – rolls to Kodiak Valley.  Only the place is nowhere near what they remembered it as.  It’s now a fallen paradise of boarded up shops and ratty hangouts.  And that’s when a repairman played by Chevy Chase shows up to fix the broken hot tub in their nasty motel room.  After he tinkers with it, the guys hop in and soon find themselves back in 1986 – the last year they rocked it in Kodiak.  More after the jump:

Weekend Box Office – $43.3 Million For HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

by Nicole Pedersen    Posted: March 28th, 2010 at 10:06 am

After siphoning away 30% of Alice in Wonderland‘s precious 3D screens, Dreamworks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon was the big winner this weekend – although its total may have been a bit under what the studio was hoping for.

	Title	Weekend	Total
1	How to Train Your Dragon	$43,300,000	$43.3
2	Alice in Wonderland	$17,300,000	$293.1
3	Hot Tub Time Machine	$13,650,000	$13.6
4	The Bounty Hunter	$12,400,000	$38.8
5	Diary of a Wimpy Kid	$10,000,000	$35.7
6	She’s Out of My League	$3,526,000	$25.6
7	Green Zone	$3,350,000	$30.4
8	Shutter Island	$3,175,000	$120.6
9	Repo Men	$3,048,000	$11.3
10	Our Family Wedding	$2,200,000	$16.7

Friday Box Office – HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Underwhelms with $12.2 Million Debut

by Nicole Pedersen    Posted: March 27th, 2010 at 9:34 am

Audiences have not yet tired of paying 30% more to see a mediocre movie in three dimensions, but if last night’s box office estimates are to be believed the novelty is fading fast. Dreamworks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon opened with $12.2 million from 4,055 theatres and seems destined for a weekend in the $45 million range. That’s significantly under the $40 million Alice in Wonderland opened with on a Friday three weeks back and is even under the $14 million Martin Scorsese’s dimensionally-challenged Shutter Island opened to in February. Considering the big theatre count and the higher prices, this is a disappointment for Dreamworks. And speaking of disappointments, it looks like MGM can’t count on Hot Tub Time Machine to pull them out of their death spiral. The comedy debuted with $4.5 million on Friday and is now expected to come in at around $14 million for the weekend. Full three day details when you check back tomorrow.

	Title	Friday	Total
1	How to Train Your Dragon	$12,200,000	$12.2
2	Alice in Wonderland	$4,700,000	$280.5
3	Hot Tub Time Machine	$4,500,000	$4.5
4	The Bounty Hunter	$4,000,000	$30.4
5	Diary of a Wimpy Kid	$2,900,000	$28.6

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 25th, 2010 at 8:06 pm

It’s no small feat to set a movie in the 80s without drowning in nostalgia, making too many winking asides to decade’s sillier aspects, and poke fun at the time travel genre at the same time, but Hot Tub Time Machine manages to pull it off.  The film is at its best when it’s fearlessly silly and allows its leads to be as disgusting, confused, profane, and as over-the-top as the scene requires.   The triple threat of comedic actors Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke make the movie one that you’ll be laughing steadily throughout and discussing your favorite jokes after you leave.

Rob Corddry, Clark Duke, and Craig Robinson Interview HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 24th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

You’re going to see the phrase “[laughs]” a lot during this interview because Rob Corddry, Clark Duke, and Craig Robinson are, unsurprisingly, hilarious.  They’re all fantastic in their new movie Hot Tub Time Machine, and chances are that if you’re laughing at something in that movie, it’s because one of these guys delivered a joke.

I tried my best to get the tone of the interview right, but I’ll just put it this way: Corddry was cracking jokes left and right, Clark Duke has a wit so fast it will make your head spin, and Robinson was delightfully deadpan.  Among the topics discussed was advertising on porn sites, previous versions of the script, what accent people from the future would talk with, and Craig’s band, Nasty Deliciously, performing in the film.  Hit the jump to read the interview although be warned there are some spoilers.

Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters March 26th.

Director Steve Pink Interview HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 23rd, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Some writer-directors of comedy movies aren’t funny in interviews.  It’s surprising, but it happens.  However, Steve Pink is not one of those people.  He’s also very smart.  He wrote Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity and directed the underrated Accepted. His latest film, Hot Tub Time Machine, is damn funny and he had the skill to pull off a film that embraced the silliness of the 1980s but never insulted it.

I got to interview Pink at a press junket for the film a couple weeks ago.  Among other topics, we discussed the references in the film, how it approached the 80s versus the present, the mechanics of time travel and how to balance it with the comedy, and the film’s fantastic soundtrack.  There was also a long discussion about a moral question the film poses but since that involves the ending, I’ve stationed it off with spoiler alert tags.

Hit the jump to read the full interview.  Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 26th.

Matt Jumps into the HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 80s Party

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 20th, 2010 at 10:58 am

Last weekend, I headed to Lake Tahoe to do the press junket for Hot Tub Time Machine.  Before I continue, let me say that film is damn funny and that’s good because I would have felt conflicted about having an awesome time at the 80s party MGM threw the following night if I hadn’t enjoyed the film.  The reason it was an 80s party is that the film centers on four guys (played by Rob Corddry, John Cusack, Clark Duke, and Craig Robinson) who travel back to 1986 and Corddry, Cusack, and Robinson’s characters get a redo when they discover that their rose-colored nostalgia glasses aren’t worth shit.

After the jump, you’ll find all the photos I took at the party as well as some of the beautiful scenery and the casino in the hotel where money goes away.  I’ve only noted myself and the stars in the photos, but if you attended the party and want to be credited (or if you want your photo taken down), let me know and I’ll update the caption (or take down the photo).

Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 26th.

Two Featurettes and Four Clips for HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 19th, 2010 at 4:07 pm

We just got sent two featurettes and four clips for the upcoming time-travel/80s-parody Hot Tub Time Machine.  One featurette focuses on Chevy Chase who plays an irritatingly (to the characters) cryptic hot tub repairman and the other focuses on Crispin Glover whose character is part of the one of the greatest running gags of all-time.

We also have four clips and they’re good but it looks like MGM is holding the painfully hilarious stuff for those that go to see the movie.  And it’s a movie folks should go see it.  I saw the flick last weekend and it’s damn funny, especially Rob Corddry who has finally found his breakout role.

Hit the jump to check out the featurettes, clips, and official synopsis.  Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 26th. [Update: We have temporarily removed the featurettes at the request of the studio]

Lizzy Caplan in Danny Boyle’s 127 HOURS; Says She’s a “Hallucination”

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 15th, 2010 at 9:51 am

At the Hot Tub Time Machine junket this past weekend, I spoke with Lizzy Caplan who plays John Cusack’s love interest in the film.  Caplan revealed that not only was she cast to play Aron Ralston’s sister in Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, but that her character appears as a hallucination.  Before I get ahead of myself and for those who don’t know, 127 Hours is based on the true story of climber Aron Ralston (who will be played by James Franco), who got trapped under a boulder while climbing and had to amputate his own arm in order to survive.

What’s interesting about Caplan’s revelation about being a hallucination is that other characters, like two hikers he meets before his ordeal (played by Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara), could later reappear in the film as hallucinations brought on by having to slowly amputate your own arm.

Hit the jump for the full transcript of what Caplan had to say regarding her role in 127 Hours, which is scheduled to begin filming next month.  Also, be on the lookout for the full interview with Caplan next week along with all the others I did for Hot Tub Time Machine.

2nd Green-Band Trailer for HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 10th, 2010 at 2:47 pm

After a green-band trailer, a red-band trailer, and today another green-band trailer [via Apple], I can’t help but feel a bit let down by how Hot Tub Time Machine is looking right now.  The film seems built on its funny title and cornball 80s jokes.  Rob Corddry, who I usually think is funny, seems obnoxious and the only saving grace of the film may be Craig Robinson with an assist from Clark Duke.  However, poor marketing doesn’t always equal out to a bad film so I’m trying to keep hope alive that HTTM has some joyful absurd humor past its title rather than noting how different the 80s were since they didn’t have e-mail and the Internet and stuff.

Hit the jump to check out the new trailer along with the official synopsis.  Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 26th.

First HOT TUB TIME MACHINE Movie Poster

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 28th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

The first poster for the R-rated comedy Hot Tub Time Machine has been released and it’s after the jump.  Starring John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson and Clark Duke, based on the trailers, HTTM looks like it could be a really funny comedy.   Here’s the synopsis:

A group of best friends have become bored with their adult lives: Adam has been dumped by his girlfriend; Lou is a party guy who can’t find the party; Nick’s wife controls his every move; and video game-obsessed Jacob won’t leave his basement. After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, the men wake up, heads pounding, in the year 1986. This is their chance to kick some past and change their futures – one will find a new love life, one will learn to stand up for himself with the ladies, one will find his mojo, and one will make sure he still exists!

Look for a lot more on this movie soon:

New Red-Band Trailer for HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

by Keith Demko    Posted: January 21st, 2010 at 3:37 pm

With the most literal title since Snakes on a Plane and the promise of transporting John Cusack back to the ’80s and on skis again, Hot Tub Time Machine had better bring the funny. And  this new red-band trailer for the flick set to open March 19 certainly indicates it will, if you take your laughs the extremely crude way.

Along with Cusack, the movie stars Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry and Clark Duke as four dudes who indeed get transported back in time and find out what they were like in the ’80s. Not to spoil it too much, but the trailer features, among other very funny things, Corddry negotiating with a hooker for a five-way and Robinson sporting an even crazier hair cut than Kid and Play in their prime.  And  just in case you’re watching it at work, be warned: there are some tits in this trailer too.

Hit the jump to check out the red-band trailer plus a brief synopsis.  Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 19th.

Trailer for HOT TUB TIME MACHINE Starring John Cusack, Craig Robinson, and Rob Corddry

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 16th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

The trailer for Hot Tub Time Machine, starring John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, and Clark Duke, just came online and boy is it awful.  I’m trying to take solace in Steve’s report on the red-band trailer he saw at AFM because this green-band version is the kind of that could kill any interest in the movie.  The intro is terrible, the jokes are unfunny (the one about inventing a combination of Twitter and Viagra was painful), and the only glimmer of hope was Craig Robinson being his typical amazing self.

My hope is that the film is so raunchy that they just can’t do a good green-band trailer (although that didn’t stop The Hangover) and a red-band trailer will rekindle the interest that this trailer will most likely kill.

If you’re now curious to see this train wreck of advertising (along with a brief synopsis), hit the jump.  Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 19, 2010.

Can I Interest You in a Legendary Movie Studio? MGM Goes Up for Sale

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 12th, 2009 at 9:54 am

MGM, the studio of The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Singin’ in the Rain and many other classic films, is expected to be headed to the auction block where its library and logo may go to the highest bidder.  The financially troubled company will manage to hold on to Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of The Hobbit, but it’s pretty much anything goes for the 85-year-old company.  Hit the jump for more about who would want to own a constantly growling lion.

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