Going into Youth in Revolt, I really didn’t have much knowledge about it.  I knew that it was based on a book of the same name.  I knew that there was a pretty big following and excitement for the movie was growing daily. I knew that the cast bench was deep and they were all well known in their own right.  But beyond that, I was in the dark.  Sometimes that’s the best way to see a movie I think.  As the lights dimmed and the movie started, I settled in wondering how it was all going to turn out.

Michael Cera plays Nick Twisp.  An awkward 16 year old who is stuck in a broken dysfunctional home.  Estelle, his mom (played by Jean Smart)is unemployed, dependent on the child support checks she collects from Nick’s dad George (Steve Buscemi).  Estelle mainly focuses her attention on her truck driver boyfriend Jerry (Zach Galifianakis), who doesn’t really want anything to do with Nick, and George is mainly focused on his girlfriend, who isn’t much older than Nick himself.

A botched deal of Jerry’s leads him to flee town for a week with Estelle and Nick in tow.  Taking refuge in a trailer park, Nick meets the girl of his dreams, Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday).  Sheeni is everything Nick wants.  She’s smart, insightful and ambitious.  She also has a boyfriend.  Nick, knowing he must do what it takes to win Sheeni over, develops an alter ego, Francois Dillinger.  Francois is all of the things that Nick isn’t.  He’s daring and willing to do the things that Nick won’t.  Suffice it to say, Francois gets Nick into heaps of trouble, all to win the heart of Sheeni.

I don’t want to give too much away, so I won’t go into any more detail than I already have. Let’s run down the details of the film.

The Cast:
As I mentioned, the cast bench for this was pretty deep.  Not only were the above mentioned in it, but Justin Long, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, M. Emmet Walsh and Mary Kay Place were all in it as well.  Most of the characters were bit parts next to Nick and Sheeni. I actually expected to see more of Zach Galifianakis since I felt they hyped him up in the trailers.

Michael Cera is great at playing the awkward teen boy type, but the problem in that, is that all of his roles will start to resemble one another.  I would really like to seem him play against type just to see what would happen.  Don’t get me wrong, I like him, I just want something different on occasion.  Seeing him play Francois was a bit of a change, but you could still feel that Cera-esque quality.

Portia Doubleday did a good job with Sheeni as well.  She came off older than her age, which was in line with the character and was able to navigate Sheeni’s dialogue easily.  She approached what I can only describe as a blasé calmness.

The rest of the cast were well placed, but I would have liked to have seen more.  I felt Zach Galifianakis was under used and I would have also liked to see more of Steve Buscemi.

The Film:
The film was well paced.  It didn’t feel too long or too short and at no time was I looking at my watch wishing it would end.  There is enough going on to keep it interesting, but not too much to be overbearing.

The comedy is abundant as well.  Given, some of the laughs are out of discomfort, but it’s funny none the less and since everyone else was laughing, I didn’t feel like I was the only one with a warped sense of humor.

The film was inter-cut with bits of animation as well which took me by surprise.  One part utilized clay-mation, while another part reminded me more of the opening credits to Juno.  It was an interesting mix and a fun way to break up the film.

The one thing I can say is I felt like I got a different package than what the trailer suggested.  Mind you, I’m not disappointed at all.  I was expecting some raunchy teen comedy, and in some aspects that is what I got.  But the film was much more endearing than I had expected and while it may fall flat with some, I found it to be a fun way to spend 90 minutes.

Youth in Revolt is directed by Miguel Arteta and will be released in the UK on February 5th.

Happy New Year to one and all.  It’s the beginning of a new month, new year and a new decade.  With the close of 2009, we’ve seen best of lists, worst of lists, and everything in between.  Now that we’re starting fresh with 2010, it’s time to look forward. 

In this post, I’ll be highlighting a handful of films that will be released in January.  Not every single film slated to be released will be mentioned, but I’ll try to hit upon the major titles.

So without further ado….let’s talk January! (I am located in the US so all dates are US release dates unless noted)

January 8th
This date brings 3 wide releases as well as several limited releases. First on the list:

Daybreakers (UK release Jan. 6th)
The newest entry into the vampire genre.  This one stars Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill and Willem Dafoe.  In the not so distant future a virus has turned most of the world’s population into vampires facing a shortage of human blood.  The vamps look for a way to survive while a researcher tries to find a way to save the human race. 

This film had me at “vampire” and Willem Dafoe. That’s a combo that for me, is definitely worth the time.

Leap Year (UK release Feb. 26th)
Starring Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott and John Lithgow.  Anna (Adams) thinks her boyfriend (Scott) is going to propose but he doesn’t.  She then takes matters into her own hands and travels to Ireland determined to follow a tradition where a woman can propose to a man on Leap Day.  She meets up with a local (Goode) and hilarity and chaos ensue.

This film looks to be as formulaic as it can get.  From the looks of the trailer it  follows all of the typical romantic comedy shticks there are.  You know how the story will progress and you know how it’s going to end.  But, it looks cute and possibly good for a laugh, and I like Amy Adams so perhaps it’ll be worth it. 

Youth in Revolt (UK release Feb. 5th)
Oh Michael Cera.  How you make me laugh.  Joined by Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Zack Galifianakis (yes, I had to double check the spelling as I typed that out), Steve Buscemi (I know that one by heart), Justin Long, Fred Willard and, well, the list goes on.  Awkward teenager deals with dysfunctional parents and wants to hook up with the girl of his dreams so he creates an alter ego to help him through it all.

Ok, so I know there’s more to it than just that.  But really, with that cast, that’s all I need to know.  I like Michael Cera and he plays awkward very well.  With Cera and Galifianakis I’m hoping for some serious laughs.  This one looks to be a bit darker with the alter ego, but I’m really looking forward to this one.

Limited Releases: Bitch Slap, Crazy on the Outside, In Search of Memory, Pyaar Impossible, Waiting for Armageddon, Wonderful World

January 15th
The 15th is a bit of a snoozer.  We have two wide releases and just a few limited.  I’m only going to mention one here and that is:

The Book of Eli
Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis.  Set in a post- apocalyptic future, Denzel Washington is Eli, a lone man on a mission to protect a book that holds the secrets to saving humanity.

Denzel + Oldman = unmeasurable awesomeness.  The first trailer sold me.  I love me some post apocalyptic chaos and with both of those actors, it can’t go wrong.  Well, at least I really hope it doesn’t.

Limited Releases: 44 Inch Chest, Fish Tank, The Last Station

January 22nd
The 22nd bring us three more wide releases. 

Extraordinary Measures (UK release Feb. 26th)
This one stars Brenden Fraser and Harrison Ford.  Fraser is a father whose children suffer from a rare genetic disorder.  Ford is the doctor who might hold the key to their survival.

I got excited when I saw Harrison Ford was returning to the screen, but then felt a little let down when I saw Brenden Fraser attached to it.  However, after seeing the trailer, I may go see this one.  It looks heartfelt and like a bit of a tear jerker, but it also looks like it has a good story. 

Legion (UK release Mar. 5th)
Starring Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid and Tyrese Gibson, among others.  Bettany plays the Archangel Michael.  When God decides He doesn’t like the way things are going down here on Earth, He sends His legion of angels to clean things up.  Only the strangers trapped in a middle-of-nowhere diner with Michael can end the reign of destruction about to be brought down.

My first thought was oh, interesting concept.  Paul Bettany has surprised me in the past so I won’t pass judgment just yet.  The trailer looks interesting and really this film could either be good, or a complete waste of time.

Tooth Fairy (UK release May 28th)
Dwayne Johnson continues his assault on family movies with his latest Disney entry.  Johnson plays a minor league hockey player whose sentence for a bad deed is to act as a Tooth Fairy for one week.

I admire that this former wrestler feels free to make these family oriented films.  I have no problem with that at all.  I’ve seen his movies.  I even liked The Game Plan…the first 85 times it aired.  But I really think he should be suited up with guns and knives and explosives.  We need another big ballsy action star and it could totally be him!  But alas, now is not the time.  Perhaps his next film??

Limited Releases: Creation, Drool, The Girl on the Train, The Paranoids, To Save a Life

January 29th

Edge of Darkness
Mel Gibson stars in this thriller about a police detective who investigates the death of his daughter and finds more than he bargained for.  The cast also includes Ray Winstone.

When I saw the trailer for this I had a bit of deja vu from Ransom.  It’s been a while since Mel has done anything so I’m hoping this is a good return to form for him.  He has the intensity to pull off this type of role so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.  Personally I miss the Martin Riggs Mel Gibson of old, but I’ll hold out hope for this one.

When in Rome (UK release Apr. 23)
Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamal star in this romantic comedy about Beth (Bell), a New Yorker who is unlucky in love.  After travelling to Rome for her sister’s wedding, she swipes some coins from a “love” fountain and finds herself inundated with men proclaiming their love for her.  How can she know for sure which man is the one for her?  All of this and more will be answered on January 29th.

Another romantic comedy.  I guess since we are approaching Valentine’s Day, tis the season.  Kirsten Bell really surprised me in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and as well as the bit part she had on a show called Party Down.  She seems to have comedic chops so we’ll see how she does headlining this one.  As for Josh Duhamal, I’ve only really seen him in the Transformers films so I don’t know much about him.  He looks like he can play the part and it looks like he gets to excercise his comedy muscle as well.

Limited Releases: North Face, Off and Running, Saint John of Las Vegas

That’s the story for January.  Which films do you plan on watching?  Let us know in the comments section.  A rundown for films coming out in February will be posted closer to the beginning of the month.  Until then, happy viewing!

It’s a whole new year so why not celebrate with a brand new red brand trailer for one of the movies we’re looking forward to seeing. Michael Cera’s new movie, Youth in Revolt is released 5th February and this new red band trailer gives us a better look at Cera doing what he does best…. making us laugh with his usual craziness!

Youth in Revolt also stars Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Mary Kay Plac and is directed by Miguel Arteta.

Synopsis: Youth in Revolt is a tale of love, drama, and comedy. Twisp sees everyone around him in relationships and more importantly making love. He meets Sheeni and through many failed attempts at seducing her, decides that he must create an alternate persona for himself that can do and be all the things that he can’t. This new persona is older, contemptuous of authority, and irresistible to women. Youth in Revolt seems to continue Cera’s comedic style of awkward situations and quick witted commentary.

You can check out the new trailer below.

It seems to me that as a kid one was able to see a red band trailer preceding an R rated film in the theater.  Now a days they relegated to the Internet, which is kind of a shame I think but at least there is still a place to see them.

Funny or Die has the latest red band trailer for Michael Cera’s new film, Youth in Revolt.  The film centers on 16 year old Nick Twisp who, when vacationing with his parents, meets Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday).  After taking a liking to Sheeni, Nick find out she has a boyfriend and creates a bad boy type alter ego named Francois.  Hilarity and chaos ensue, and Nick gets more than he bargained for thanks to Francois.

Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think.

The ubiquitous Michael Cera is a Youth in Revolt, and having charmed 94% of the planet with his perpetual teenage geekery and now it looks as though the other 6% will have their chance, as the trailer for her next film Youth in Revolt is launched.

The cast for Youth in Revolt is an impressive, if male dominated, one, with Cera teaming up with Justin Long and Zach Galifianakis with veteran support from Steve Buscemi and Ray Liotta. The story has Cera as Nick Twisp falling in distant love with a supposedly unobtainable girl and you can guess the rest, but the source material is well regarded and if Director Miguel Arteta can capture the whistful, random essence of C. D. Payne’s novels then we’re in for a treat. Check out the trailer below.

The film will be released in early 2010.

Youth in Revolt Trailer #2

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