The longevity of Paul Feig and Judd Apatow’s short-lived 1999 series Freaks and Geeks is both astounding and ironic.  The show was ahead of its time and faced considerable opposition from its home network, NBC, throughout its one-season run.  Over the years, though, Freaks and Geeks has amassed a legion of fans and acted as the launching pad for countless careers.  The main cast of James Franco, Jason Segel, and Seth Rogen now reads like an all-star comedy lineup, not to mention the ridiculous number of stars that had bit parts in the series like Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Shia LaBeouf, Ben Foster, Lizzy Caplan, and David Krumholtz.

Most of the show’s cast came together for a reunion at PaleyFest last year, but for the upcoming comedy issue of Vanity Fair (guest edited by Apatow), the entire cast and crew was assembled for “An Oral History of Freaks and Geeks.”  In addition to the fascinating article itself, VF has released a number of cast reunion images.  Hit the jump to take a look.

The first trailer and poster have gone online for director Michael Mohan’s romantic comedy, Save the Date.  Starring Lizzy Caplan (Party Down) and Alison Brie (Community) as sisters with drastically different views on marriage, Save the Date explores the familial and romantic bonds that tie us together and what happens when they break apart.  The trailer suggests that Save the Date might be just the right movie for those of you who despise typical, trite rom-coms with predictably nauseating endings.  It also suggests that it’s a movie to avoid if you despise hipsters.

Save the Date also stars Geoffrey Arend, Martin Starr and Mark Webber and will be available on a variety of online platforms starting November 8th, with a theatrical release beginning December 14th.  Hit the jump to check out the trailer, poster and synopsis.

The outrageous comedy Frankie Go Boom, from writer/director Jordan Roberts, tells the story of Frank Bartlett (Charlie Hunnam), who tells himself that he’s holed up in the desert to write, but in reality is just hiding from his family, namely his brother Bruce (Chris O’Dowd).  A reckless but charming addict, Bruce has always enjoyed secretly filming Frank in all sorts of compromising positions and sobriety isn’t making their relationship any better.  And as much as Frankie tries to move on with his life, family just keeps sucking him back in.

At the film’s press day, actor Charlie Hunnam spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about why he didn’t think he was right for this role, what finally convinced him to sign on, what made Ron Perlman the perfect actor for Phyllis, how it was to work with Lizzy Caplan, and giving CPR to a pig.  He also talked about what it’s been like to be a part of Sons of Anarchy and how bittersweet it is that they’re closer to the end of the show now than the beginning, and his desire to direct a film that he’s written for Tommy Flanagan (who plays Chibs on SOA) to star in.  Check out what he had to say after the jump.

The outrageous comedy Frankie Go Boom, from writer/director Jordan Roberts, tells the story of Frank Bartlett (Charlie Hunnam), who tells himself that he’s holed up in the desert to write, but in reality is just hiding from his family, namely his brother Bruce (Chris O’Dowd).  A reckless but charming addict, Bruce has always enjoyed secretly filming Frank in all sorts of compromising positions and sobriety isn’t making their relationship any better.  And as much as Frankie tries to move on with his life, family just keeps sucking him back in.

At the film’s press day, actress Lizzy Caplan – who plays Lassie, a young woman at a crisis point in her life, that finds a connection with Frankie – spoke to Collider for this exclusive interview about what attracted her to this role, playing with the levels of emotion with her character, the sweetness of the relationship between Frankie and Lassie, having to wear an edible bra, and the most challenging scene for her to shoot.  She also talked about her upcoming Showtime drama series, Masters of Sex, with Michael Sheen, and just how far it will go.  Check out what she had to say after the jump.

Generally speaking, I try and keep the Top 5 opening paragraph as topical as possible (i.e. films, television, posters, etc.). This week that protocol is easier than ever to follow as I recently got my first chance to check out director Gareth Evans‘ The Raid. Keeping this short and sweet, if you’ve yet to partake in The Raid and have ever derived any joy from watching action fare, martial arts, and the like, then you have a giant favor to do for yourself. Quickly find a way to check out this actioner and try to keep a smile from forming across your face while watching.

Movie recommendations aside, this weekend brings you a recap of all of our 2012 Toronto International Film Festival thus far, the first trailer and poster for Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, video interviews with the cast and director of Bachelorette, the inaugural installment of our Hollywood! Adapt This feature spotlighting Disney’s Gargoyles, and The Words video interviews with Bradley Cooper, co-writer/co-director Brian Klugman, and more. A brief recap and link to each awaits on the other side.

We’re happy to host an exclusive clip from debut director Leslye Headland’s Bachelorette as part of the virtual tour in anticipation of the film’s release.  While the footage we’ve seen so far highlights the film’s raunchy humor, this clip touches on a somewhat dramatic moment between Kirsten Dunst and James Marsden.  

Bachelorette, also starring Lizzy Caplan, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson, Adam Scott and Kyle Bornheimer hits theaters September 7th.  Hit the jump to check out the exclusive video along with the red-band and green-band trailers.

Now playing on VOD and opening in limited release this weekend is writer-director Leslye Headland‘s R rated comedy Bachelorette.  Here’s the official synopsis and trailer:

“On the night before an old friend’s wedding, three bridesmaids go searching for a little fun:  Regan (Kirsten Dunst) an overachieving, über-Maid of Honor who’s secretly smarting over the fact that she’s not the first to marry; Gena (Lizzy Caplan), a whip smart sarcastic who’s actually a closet romantic; and Katie (Isla Fisher), a ditzy beauty who loves the good life.  Though the bride to be (Rebel Wilson) insists on keeping the bachelorette party tame, the women proceed with an after-hours celebration of their own.  Bachelorette also stars Adam Scott, James Marsden and Kyle Bornheimer.”

During the recent Los Angeles press day, I got to speak with Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fisher.   We talked about how the movie premiered on iTunes, how the script changed during production, deleted scenes, and I got updates on the Party Down movie, Bling Ring, and The Great Gatsby.  Hit the jump to watch.

The first trailer and poster for the comedy 3, 2, 1… Frankie Go Boom have landed online.  Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), and Lizzy Caplan (Party Down) star in the pic which is described as “a comedy about two brothers a girl with a broken heart, a sex tape, an angel and a pig.”  Though this could very well delve into farce territory, the ridiculous situations in the trailer are actually pretty funny thanks to the innocent charm of Hunnam and overall stupidity of O’Dowd.  We also get the chance to see Ron Perlman playing a transvestite, so there’s that.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  Written and directed by Jordan Roberts, the film also stars Chris Noth, Whitney Cummings, and Nora Dunn.  3, 2, 1… Frankie Go Boom will be available on iTunes starting September 10th and will have a limited release on October 12th.

The red-band trailer for the R-rated comedy Bachelorette has gone online.  The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, and Isla Fisher as three deeply self-centered bridesmaids who go on a hunt to repair their friend’s wedding dress after they ruin it.  I caught the film at Sundance, and thought it was at its best when it was being unapologetically mean-spirited.  However, the movie loses its momentum when writer-director Leslye Headland tried to explain why her characters are such horrible people.  The tame all-audiences trailer didn’t do a very good job of selling the film, but the red-band does a better job of show off the humor, especially the jokes from Caplan.  It still doesn’t want to show how bitter and angry the characters are, which is fine.  Why spoil some of the best jokes?

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film also stars Rebel Wilson, James Marsden, and Adam Scott.  Bachelorette hits VOD on August 10th, and hits theaters in limited release on September 7th.

The first trailer and poster for the comedy Bachelorette have landed online.  The film centers on four high school friends who reunite when the least popular of the group gets engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City.  It’s impossible not to draw comparisons to Bridesmaids based on this trailer, but the promising cast—including a much welcomed Party Down reunion between Lizzy Caplan and Adam Scott—provides quite a few laughs throughout.  Kirsten Dunst looks to be the centerpiece, but it’s Rebel Wilson who once again steals scenes left and right.  Matt caught the film earlier this year at Sundance and praised the candidly despicable portrayal of the main characters (you can read his review here).

Hit the jump to watch the trailer and check out the poster.  Written and directed by Leslye Headland, the film also stars Isla Fisher and James Marsden.  Bachelorette will be available on iTunes on August 10th and hits theaters on September 7th.

Marvel has release a new clip for their One-Shot short Item 47.  Lizzy Caplan and Jesse Bradford star as a hard-luck couple who get their hands on an alien gun that falls from the sky after the events of The Avengers.  In the clip, Bradford wants to back out of whatever plans they have for the extraterrestrial tech before Caplan launches into a passionate explanation of why they must go through it.  The punchline with Caplan’s pink hat is pretty cute.

Item 47 will be on The Avengers Blu-ray/DVD when it drops on September 25.  Make sure to check out recap of the Comic-Con panel/screening and hit the jump to watch the clip.

We were lucky enough to attend the Comic-Con screening of the latest Marvel one-shot Item 47, which will be included with The Avengers Blu-Ray/DVD release, arriving in stores September 25^th.  Fans were invited to participate in a massive scavenger hunt throughout the Gaslamp Quarter that would lead them to the site of the screening.  Directed by Marvel Co-President Louis D’Esposito, the short film follows Jesse Bradford and Lizzy Caplan as a down and out couple who strike out on a bank robbing spree after finding a Chitauri weapon in the destruction caused by the final battle in The Avengers. Meanwhile, two S.H.I.E.L.D.  agents, played by Maximiliano Hernández and Titus Welliver, attempt to track down the desperate duo.

The previous Marvel one-shots The Consultant and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer released on the Thor and Captain America DVDs, respectively, were charming and fun but offered no great revelations.  Item 47 follows in the same vein; though the short is three times longer than the previous two installments and features a great deal more special effects.  To the audience’s delight, Robert Downey Jr. provided a comedic video introduction to the screening, filmed in a restroom stall on set for Iron Man 3 in North Carolina.  The screening was followed by a brief Q&A with the cast and crew; hit the jump for the highlights.

Starting with the Thor and Captain America Blu-ray/DVDs, Marvel has started releasing short films.  The Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) shorts were cute, but nothing particularly groundbreaking.  However, Marvel might be adding some more weight with their latest “One-Shot”, Item 47.  The short film will be available on the Blu-ray/DVD for The Avengers (which hits stores on September 25th), but Marvel will show Item 47 at a special screening at Comic-Con.  The title refers to an alien gun that falls into the hands of a hard-luck couple (played by Lizzy Caplan and Jesse Bradford) after the climactic battle in The Avengers.  Two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents (Maximiliano Hernández and Titus Welliver) are tasked with getting the gun and capturing the couple, who are going on a crime-spree with their new toy.

Hit the jump for more details, and Marvel’s plans for future short films.  The 2012 San Diego Comic-Con runs from July 12 – 15th.

Showtime already has a fine line-up of programming with Dexter, Shameless and The Borgias holding strong, not to mention freshman series Homeland snagging some great awards nominations recently, but that line-up is looking to beef up a bit with the addition of two new series to the pay cable channel. Showtime has just announced a series pick-up for both Ray Donovan, featuring Liev Schreiber in his first series regular role, and Masters of Sex, featuring the spectacular Michael Sheen and the stunning Lizzy Caplan. The two series couldn’t be more different. Details on each after the jump!

It’s rare that a film develops the type of rabid fan-following unique to fare like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but the creative team behind Queens of Country is boasting such a comparison. Having completed their post-production, filmmakers Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke (both from Blood Into Wine) are debating where to premiere the film. The announcement should be made sometime in mid-March. Queens of Country stars Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield), Ron Livingston (Office Space) and Joe Lo Truglio (Superbad) and follows a small town Arizona girl (Caplan) seeking her soul mate, the owner of a lost iPod. Hit the jump to check out the first image from Queens of Country, featuring Caplan as Jolene Gillis.