Jay Baruchel

Seth Rogen’s Directorial Debut THE APOCALYPSE in Negotiations with Sony

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: January 5th, 2012 at 7:13 pm

Hoping to hop on the apocalyptic bandwagon that will surely never get annoying in 2012, Sony Pictures has entered into negotiations to finance and distribute The Apocalypse, an end of days comedy marking the directorial debut of Seth Rogen. Written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg from a story by Jason Stone, the pic was inspired by a short film called Jay and Seth vs The Apocalypse. In it, Rogen and Jay Baruchel play their real life selves while they ride out the end of the world in their apartment. Since two movie stars cooped up during Armageddon clearly isn’t enough, the project has expanded to include James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson now residing in Franco’s (presumably larger?) Los Angeles apartment. We previously reported that the pic would start shooting in February, but it looks as if that will be pushed back until spring. Hit the jump for more on The Apocalypse.

Dimension Picks Up Heist Comedy THE BLACK MARKS Starring Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, and Jay Baruchel

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 4th, 2012 at 9:12 pm

Dimension Films has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to the Canadian production The Black Marks.  Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon and Jay Baruchel star in the heist comedy about “a third rate motorcycle daredevil (Russell) and semi-reformed art thief, [who] agrees to get back into the con game and pull off just one more lucrative art theft with his untrustworthy brother Nicky (Dillon).”  I love a good heist film, and Russell as an oddball at the center sounds delightful.

Jonathan Sobol will write and direct—this is the follow-up to his debut feature A Beginner’s Guide to Endings.  Nicholas Tabarrok and Jeff Sackman are producing.  Hit the jump for the full synopsis:

New Trailer for Hockey Comedy GOON Starring Seann William Scott

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 21st, 2011 at 2:26 pm

A new trailer for the hockey comedy Goon has been released. This is the fourth trailer we’ve seen thus far, but it’s arguably the best yet. Seann William Scott stars as a guy who has a knack for fighting that’s recruited to join a hockey team. While the film doesn’t appear to be anything mind-blowing, there are more than a few laughs in this trailer. Steve and Matt caught the film at TIFF and loved it, so I’m looking forward to checking it out once it’s released.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. The film also stars Jay Baruchel (who co-wrote the movie), Live Schreiber, and Alison Pill.  Goon opens March 30th, 2012.

New Posters for CHRONICLE, COSMOPOLIS and RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: December 18th, 2011 at 7:10 pm

With less than two weeks left in 2011, it’s time to set our sights on movies that will be opening in 2012. Since the coming year is releasing a ton of big budget movies that will dominate media coverage, we thought we’d take a moment to highlight some of the lesser known fare that will be gracing the screens over the  next twelve months. We’ve got some new posters that will be a first look at these projects for some of you and a gentle reminder for others. First up is the superhero “found footage” thriller Chronicle by director Josh Trank (The Kill Point). Trank’s cinematic directorial debut features three teenagers who become imbued with superpowers and how those abilities darken their lives. Next, from David Cronenberg (A Dangerous Method) comes Cosmopolis, starring Robert Pattinson (Twilight). The adaptation of the Don DeLillo’s novel by the same name follows a young billionaire (Pattinson) as his limo traverses Manhattan in search of a haircut (not making this up). Finally, the animated Rise of the Guardians, which has the most charming poster in my opinion, is based off of the “Guardians of Childhood” book series by William Joyce and features childhood legends teaming up to take on the Boogeyman. Hit the jump to check out the posters.

Casting News: Jay Baruchel to Rock in THE REBEL KIND; Nick Swardson and TJ Miller Go Stop-Motion for HELL & BACK

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 13th, 2011 at 5:45 pm

We’ve got a couple of casting stories to share with you this evening. First up, Jay Baruchel is set to star in The Rebel Kind. Based on the memoir by John Armstrong, the film centers around 1980s Vancouver-based band The Modernettes and “chronicles the emergence of the city’s punk-rock scene via a successful band that throws in the towel, realizing the deep cost of pursuing superstardom.” The script by Reg Harkema (Monkey Warfare) also includes a love story between the band’s frontman Buck Cherry and bass player Mary Jo Kopechne. In addition to writing the script, Harkema will also direct. Variety’s report doesn’t specify, but it’s assumed that Baruchel will be playing Cherry (whose real name is John Armstrong). Production will begin next fall in Vancouver.

Baruchel has a number of projects on his plate. He’s set to film Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse with Seth Rogen in February, is attached to the comedy Murder of a Cat, and is poised to adapt Baseballissimo, Random Acts of Violence and Exorcism Diaries with writing partner Jesse Chabot. Hit the jump for casting news regarding the stop-motion pic Hell & Back.

First Trailer for GOON Starring Seann William Scott and Liev Schreiber [UPDATED With Red Band Trailer]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 7th, 2011 at 8:28 am

The first trailer for the hockey comedy Goon has gone online.  The movie centers on a sweet, simple-minded guy (Seann William Scott) with the talent for being the ever-loving piss out of people, which makes him ideally suited for the occupation of hockey thug.  I caught the flick at TIFF and thought it was painfully funny, and I’m glad that it’s coming to a wider audience.  The trailer does a good job covering the plot, showcasing Scott’s terrific performance, and it doesn’t give away too many of the great jokes.  Hit the jump for more. [Update: The red band trailer for the film has just been released, so we've included that after the jump as well.]

Synopses and Info on 2012 Lionsgate Films Including the EVIL DEAD Remake, Spike Lee’s OLD BOY, MURDER OF A CAT, FLIGHT 7500, and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 31st, 2011 at 12:17 pm

Each year, a number of films are presented and sold at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. The 2011 AFM takes place this week, and in preparation for the AFM, Lionsgate has compiled production information and synopses for the properties that they plan to sell at the convention to both domestic and international buyers (for the territories that they have the rights). Lucky for us, that info is now public, and we’ve pulled together cast, director, and writer information as well as official synopses for some high profile 2012 Lionsgate films. We’ve got info on the Evil Dead remake, Spike Lee’s English-language adaptation of the now classic Park Chan-wook film Old Boy, Diablo Cody’s directorial debut, the comedy Murder of a Cat starring Jay Baruchel, Alison Pill, and Rob Lowe, and much more. Hit the jump for all the details.

GOOD NEIGHBORS Blu-ray Review

by Scott Wampler    Posted: October 22nd, 2011 at 8:06 am

In all likelihood, you’ve never even heard of Jacob Tierney’s Good Neighbors, and if you have, it’s probably because you’ve heard that the film features Jay Baruchel (who generally appears in films playing characters that can best be described as “a real-life Professor Frink from The Simpsons”) in a rare (somewhat) dramatic role.  Or maybe you’re a Scott Speedman megafan, and the film ended up on your radar that way.  Doesn’t matter.  Point is, we’re talking about Good Neighbors now, and if you’ll join me after the jump, I’ll tell you why the film’s worth a rental (if not a purchase).

New Posters for JACK AND JILL and GOON

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 23rd, 2011 at 8:44 am

At the end of Scott’s review for Human Centipede 2, you’ll find the film’s poster.  That poster is less horrifying and the movie is probably less horrifying than Adam Sandler’s upcoming “comedy” Jack and Jill.  I’m starting to suspect that Sandler may be some kind of evil genius who is conducting a social experiment to see just how awful he can make his movies and why people keep coming to see them.  Or he just likes money and doesn’t give a shit if his movies are terrible.

There’s also two new posters for Goon, a movie I dug when I caught it at TIFF.  Seeing a close-up of Jay Baruchel miming cunnilingus is also less horrifying than anything related to Jack and Jill.  Hit the jump to check out the posters.  Jack and Jill opens November 11th.  Goon has distribution but no release date has been announced.

International Trailer for GOON Starring Seann William Scott, Magnolia Picks Up Film for Distribution

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 13th, 2011 at 8:18 am

The international trailer for the hockey comedy Goon has gone online. The film is currently screening as part of the Toronto Film Festival, and centers on a bouncer with a penchant for fighting who joins a downtrodden hockey team. The trailer is decidedly goofy, with the flick looking a bit like an R-rated version of The Mighty Ducks. The cast of Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber and Alison Pill is impressive, with Pill getting the bear’s share of laughs from this trailer. Matt caught the film at TIFF and was a fan, calling it “just the right mix of sweetness, vulgarity, and offbeat humor.”

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. Magnolia’s Magnet Pictures recently picked up the film for distribution (via Heat Vision). Michael Dowse (Take Me Home Tonight) directs from a script by Baruchel and Evan Goldberg.

Jay Baruchel and Jesse Chabot to Adapt Comedy BASEBALLISSIMO; Set in the Baseball Capital of Italy

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: September 11th, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Jay Baruchel found success with his first venture into screenwriting, the hockey comedy Goon.  The movie premiered Saturday at the Toronto International Film Festival, and is expected to come out of the fest with a distribution deal.  The actor/writer is not one to rest on his laurels, and is already setting up his next project—another sports comedy—with writing partner Jesse Chabot.  Variety reports Baruchel and Chabot will adapt the 2005 non-fiction book Baseballissimo by Dave Bidini.  The book “charts the author’s family adventures in Nettuno, the baseball capital of Italy, where American G.I.s introduced the game in 1944.”  Rush frontman and “baseball fanatic” Geddy Lee optioned the book last year, and will team with A71 president David Miller and Bidini to produce.

I love a good sports comedy, and given Matt and Steve’s reaction to Goon, Baruchel and Chabot are the right men for the job.  Currently, the duo is also working on Random Acts of Violence and Exorcism Diaries.  Read the synopsis for Baseballissimo after the jump.

TIFF 2011: GOON Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 11th, 2011 at 5:36 pm

 

Hockey, as viewed through the eyes of Michael Dowse’s Goon, is 60 minutes of fighting occasionally interrupted by moving a puck around on an icy surface.  It shouldn’t bother hockey aficionados or anyone else too much since the film is delightfully crass, painfully funny, and grounded by a cuddly performance from Seann William Scott.  The movie has a big place in its heart for George Roy Hill’s Slap Shot but it’s not trying to upstage its predecessor or make itself the heir-apparent.  It’s just trying to make you hurt from laughing so hard.

Seth Rogen Confirms He’s Not in THIS IS FORTY, Says JAY AND SETH VS. THE APOCALYPSE Starts Shooting in February

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 7th, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Judd Apatow is currently deep into production on his Knocked Up spinoff tentatively titled This is Forty. While the film focuses on Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann’s characters from the 2009 comedy, many wonder which other characters would be popping up in the pseudo-sequel. Charlyne Yi and Jason Segel are both confirmed to appear, but Seth Rogen recently revealed that his character doesn’t show up in the film:

“Yeah I’m not in it, but I went to visit the set and it looked hilarious. It was a good choice, honestly, because I think it would’ve confused people. I’m really looking forward to seeing it; I thought the script was unbelievably funny.”

While it could’ve been cool to see where Rogen’s character is now in relation to Rudd and Mann, it’s not like the actor is dire need of projects. In fact, Rogen also revealed that a long-gestating project set to be his directorial debut, Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse, is actually gearing up to start shooting in February. Hit the jump for more.

Canadian Features and Canada First! Line-Ups Announced for 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 9th, 2011 at 8:04 am

The 2011 Toronto International Film Festival has announced the films playing in their Canadian Features line-up and the seven films from first-time filmmakers in the “Canada First!” line-up.  Notable movies in the Canadian Features program include Edwin Boyd (starring Scott Speedman, Kevin Durand, and Brian Cox), Goon (starring Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, and Liev Schreiber), and Guy Maddin’s new film Keyhole (starring Jason Patric and Isabella Rossellini).  Previously announced films A Dangerous Method and Take This Waltz will play as part of the Canadian Galas program.

Hit the jump to check out the full line-up for the Canadian Features and Canada First! programs.  Click here for the Galas and Special Presentations and click here for the Documentaries, Midnight Madness, and other TIFF programs.  The 2011 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 8 – 18th.

First Trailer and Poster for GOOD NEIGHBORS Starring Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, and Scott Speedman

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 18th, 2011 at 7:58 pm

Magnolia has released the first trailer and poster for Good Neighbors, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival late last year.  Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, and Scott Speedman star as three tenants in the same building.  The exact nature of the story is hard to pin down based on the trailer, except that the plot is driven by the secrets and fear of our main characters.  This is the second time writer/director Jacob Tierney has worked with Baruchel following The Trotsky, and he appears to have a knack for harnessing Baruchel’s innate weirdness for the purposes of evil.

I feel like I am doing a terrible job at selling this.  In my defense, the official TIFF description warns, “Good Neighbors may sound like a thriller, but its relationship to the genre is quite complicated.”  So I’ll be more direct: the trailer is worth your time.  Watch it after the jump.

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