In his feature directorial debut, A.C.O.D., Stu Zicherman has taken the premise for the episode of a sitcom, and turned it into a film that’s not only funny, but also surprisingly relatable for audience members represented by the title’s acronym, “Adult Children of Divorce”.  Speaking as an A.C.O.D., my parents never had the comical, over-the top fights featured in the movie, but Zicherman and co-writer Ben Karlin manage to work in a strong, emotional center to a comedy that works in broad strokes.  The movie may share the same plotline as sitcom episode, but thanks to its excellent cast and willingness to push its protagonist to emotionally unpleasant places, A.C.O.D. works for kids from broken and unbroken homes alike.

We’ve got a couple of casting stories to share with you this evening. First up, Clark Duke (Kick-Ass) and SAG President (and frequent 30 Rock guest) Ken Howard are the latest to join the comedy A.C.O.D. The title stands for “Adult Children of Divorce”, and the plot centers on a guy (Adam Scott) who has been caught in his parents’ ugly divorce of the past twenty years, and matters become even worse when his brother gets engaged.  Then the details of the feud are revealed in a definitive new book on children of divorce.

The already stellar ensemble cast includes Scott, Amy Poehler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jane Lynch, Jessica Alba, Catherine O’Hara and Richard Jenkins. Variety reports that Howard will play Scott’s amicable stepfather and Duke will play Scott’s younger brother whose engagement forces the parents to meet once again. Duke is incredibly funny and Howard brings down the house on 30 Rock, so the two are very much welcome additions to an incredibly exciting project. Hit the jump for casting news concerning the next Percy Jackson film.

You are intrigued by J. Edgar.  Leonardo DiCaprio stars as J. Edgar Hoover, the controversial founding director of the FBI.  The supporting cast—Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Josh Lucas, Ken Howard—is more than solid.  And director Clint Eastwood is a reliable octogenarian.  Barring unexpected critical disappointment, J. Edgar is a lock for a Best Picture nomination come Oscar season.

To satisfy that intrigue, Warner Bros. has released 72 (count ‘em, 72) new images from the film.  The collection includes quite a few of DiCaprio in old age makeup (a sight that fascinates me), and several behind-the-scenes shots of Eastwood working out a scene. J. Edgar opens in limited release on November 9, and expands nationwide on November 11.  Bask in the period detail of 72 photos after the jump.