The Playlist

Will Judd Apatow's 'Knocked Up' Follow-Up 'This Is 40' Break New Ground Or Go Over Old Territory?

By The Playlist Staff
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October 17, 2012 12:57 PM
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4 Comments

Features

Most of the big fall pictures we've looked at the potential pros and cons of so far have been more serious in nature -- unsurprising, considering that films at this time of year tend to be targeting the Oscars. Sure, there's the light-hearted animation "Wreck-It Ralph," but we've also had "Lincoln," "Skyfall," "Flight," "Django Unchained," and "Les Miserables," most of which are likely to be relatively light on laughs (though will probably turn out to be funnier than some of the upcoming so-called comedies like "Playing For Keeps" and "Parental Guidance").

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Review: 'Little Birds' Has All The Insight Of An After-School Special

By Gabe Toro
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August 29, 2012 6:29 PM
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1 Comment

Reviews

There's a misconception about some films that utilize a specific location by gussying it up to be a paradise on camera. Often, the results are "Little Birds," which was shot on location at the Salton Sea of California, a formative place for impetuous Lily (Juno Temple) and Alison (Kay Panabaker). The two teenage girls, both the result of trailer park lifestyles, spend their days visiting the saltine beach, admiring the view and dreaming of boys, handsome dark types who will whisk them away to what can be considered the "big city." They appreciate the picturesque landscape, as does the camera. Does the filmmaker?

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Review: Brilliant Animated Movie 'ParaNorman' Is One Of The Summer's Biggest (And Best) Surprises

By Drew Taylor
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August 4, 2012 10:44 AM
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15 Comments

Reviews

This summer has been full of big, glitzy animated movies from most of the major studios that have made tons of money but left audiences cold. None of them were particularly imaginative, entertaining or emotionally involving, instead choosing to coast on a steady stream of solid (if not exactly dazzling) images and a host of comfortingly familiar celebrity voices. And yet, at the tail end of the summer, along comes a movie proudly told in an old school animation style, from a tiny animation house and distributed by a studio known mostly for distributing arty fare like "Brokeback Mountain," that blows away all the slick studio confections both in terms of sheer visual wonder and (more surprisingly) emotional heft. Laika's stop-motion wonder "ParaNorman" isn't just the best animated movie of the summer, it's one of the best movies of the year. Period.

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Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Goldie Hawn & Leslie Mann Join Adam Shankman's 'This Is Where I Leave You'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 29, 2012 4:49 PM
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0 Comments

News

For the most part, Adam Shankman has been known for big screen spectacle, bringing to multiplexes the likes of "Bedtime Stories," "Hairspray" and this summer's '80s musical "Rock Of Ages." But the helmer is looking to shift gears a bit as earlier this year he signed on to direct an adaptation of Jonathan Tropper's best selling novel "This Is Where I Leave You." Never one lacking for an all star cast, Shankman has gathered up yet another strong group of talent to help him tell the tale.

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First Look Photos: Juno Temple, Leslie Mann & Kate Bosworth In 'Little Birds'

By Simon Dang
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May 23, 2012 10:20 AM
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1 Comment

News

We've talked about Elgin James' colorful past on numerous occasions but we're now finally on the brink of seeing what he can offer with his debut film "Little Birds." Born out of the Sundance Labs, the film premiered to a warm reception at Park City last year but -- possibly due to a recent incarceration -- won't see a theatrical release until this summer.

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Paul Rudd, An iPad & A Toilet: It's The Poster For 'This Is 40' Plus A New Image From The Film

By Edward Davis
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May 8, 2012 2:16 PM
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12 Comments

News

When Judd Apatow's "This Is 40" was first announced, it was described as not a sequel to "Knocked Up" by Universal even though the film is clearly a look at the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) a few years after the events of that film. Now the new poster (like the recent trailer) plays with that tag describing the film as the "sort-of sequel to 'Knocked Up'. " Nice wink at that original claim, Uni.

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Watch: Trailer For Judd Apatow's 'This Is 40' Starring 'Knocked Up' Duo Paul Rudd & Leslie Mann

By Kevin Jagernauth
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April 27, 2012 2:00 PM
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10 Comments

News

This is 38? Middle age comes crashing down hard in "This Is 40," the sort-of-sequel to "Knocked Up," and the first trailer is here to give us a taste of Judd Apatow's latest turn behind the camera, one that finds him once again stretching into dramatic territory while still bringing his trademark laughs, driven by life's uncomfortable, real moments.

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'Warrior' Actor Carlos Miranda Joins Sofia Coppola's 'The Bling Ring' Plus Details On The Script

By Oliver Lyttelton
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March 22, 2012 11:57 AM
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16 Comments

News

While most of us on staff were far from fans of Sofia Coppola's last picture, "Somewhere" (a picture that does have its defenders, nevertheless), the filmmaker is so gifted, and has enough goodwill from her earlier pictures, that we're more than happy to follow her wherever she's going. And in the last few weeks, filming got underway on her latest, "The Bling Ring."

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Leslie Mann, Israel Broussad & Pack Of Newcomers Join Sofia Coppola's 'The Bling Ring'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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March 6, 2012 3:31 PM
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2 Comments

News

Is Sofia Coppola a fan of Judd Apatow films? Man, we hope so, because if that's the case just give us a call Sofia, and we'll bring "Knocked Up" and some Orville Redenbacher.

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First Look: Paul Rudd And Leslie Mann In Judd Apatow's 'This Is 40'

By Simon Dang
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January 15, 2012 10:05 AM
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2 Comments

News

While his production machine has continued to churn out comedies at a steady rate, it's been three years since Judd Apatow himself has been behind the camera with a feature film. 2009 saw the release of his dramedy "Funny People" which was, for the most part, warmly received but it's probably his sophomore feature "Knocked Up" which he is most renowned for. This year will see Apatow return with "This Is Forty," a thus far somewhat mystery spin-off from his 2007 film with the focus shifted towards the characters portrayed by Paul Rudd and Apatow's wife Leslie Mann.

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