Just three unrelated things is all...

So, I tend to do about fourteen projects at a time. Being insane actually keeps me sane. For instance, I've been shooting small cameo parts in two films (Step Up 3D & Going the Distance), shot a pilot for HBO (Boardwalk Empire), in pre-production for my film Avenue A (which I'm directing), preparing the script for my Romeo & Juliet adaptation, blocking out a new musical I'm writing, and in rehearsals for a swell new show. I love my life. The show I'm rocking out, 1969 style, to is in the new NY Fringe Festival this year. Willy Nilly! is a rollicking psychedelic musical about Charles Manson and his crazy ass killings, only a few names are changed (strictly for the author's amusement).

It's very funny, with a great score by Trav SD, and an awesome ensemble that I'm proud to be a part of. I play many different "Monty Pyton" type parts, including Hippies, a certain Horror Director, a certain "Queen," a hitchhiker, and a few other surprises. We've already been called "this years breakout hit" and we haven't even opened yet! It's exciting to be a part of something exciting (did I actually just write that sentence? Yeah, I did...). And we just might be doing something really cool this coming Wednesday to promote the show... I'll keep ya updated...



PIMPING MY FRIEND ALERT: My good friend Kiirsten (seen here about to hand scissor someone in the face) is an actress. She's also a singer. And in a band. And her band sorta rocks. So you should go vote for her band, "Hip Like (Blank)." They're in a contest. Help her win it by going here. And if you don't vote, well then, the terrorists really have won...

And if by some chance you happen to be enjoying your day and a giant Bollywood number happens in front of you, chances are you're where I was today.


And it was quite entertaining. Oh, Bollywood. You and your dancin'...

Look at that Chris Kattan go! Who knew he was still making movies? Who knew he was even still alive?! Bollywood did, that's who. Bollywood did...

"Funny People" Movie Review

Movies about Comedians usually bring mixed results. The King of Comedy, with Robert DeNiro and Jerry Lewis, is a great example of a movie about comedians done right. Punchline, with Tom Hanks and Sally Field, is not. By finding the right tone to tell a truthful and honest tale of a comedians life, you have to be willing to embrace the drama along with the funny. To have it feel real and not just a story about people who are rich and famous. Who just get to do pretty much anything they want because they're rich and famous and never have any real consequences (I'm looking at you Entourage). Funny People attempts this bold task of showing you rich people with problems and makes it work, makes it "real."

Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons, an actor who sold out by making really terrible Waynes-Brothers esque movies. But the gamble paid off, because he's one of the biggest comic stars in the world. Unfortunately, his life is about to take quite a turn, as he's given news of a rare disease that may kill him. Seth Rogen plays Ira Wright, a young man wanting to be a comedian but has to work all day at a grocery store deli while his two best friends (Jonah Hill & Jason Schwartzman in two very funny smaller roles) have much more success than he does, in varying degrees. One night Simmons sees Ira perform and decides to hire him to write jokes and be his personal assistant.

And so the moves moves forward, not in a montage like rush, but with precision and grace, showing us absolutely everything that is going on with their newly found relationship/sudo friendship. Sandler is great here, just as good as he was in Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch Drunk Love & James L. Brooks' underrated Spanglish. He shows a very tender side, alongside a very abrasive one as well and makes you believe that this man is struggling inside and out (even with his fortunes) and that this disease may be finally opening up his eyes. Rogen also turns in a sharp performance here and you don't question once why he would stay around with this guy, because you would too. Leslie Mann turns the "last act" role of the girl who got away into someone very relatable and, dare I say it again, real. Also, watch out for Aubrey Plaza as the girl of Rogen's dreams, or at least, the girl of his desires, and Eric Bana proves that he can indeed do comedy, and he does it well. There's more, much more (I mean, it's 150 minutes long) to the story, but won't tell you much more in fear of giving away too much of the plot (and I advise you not to watch the original trailer either if you don't want much of the story told to you). Yes, it's a tad long. But it works. Judd Apatow's sweet, personal film is a wonderful meditation on life, death, love, the one who got away, and everyday success and dreams. Again, Apatow shows that he's a master of telling a grown up story with heart and ranchy language. Which is what most of our lives is: a few swear words here, a little heart there, a few more swear words...a few more...a few....). Let Sandler and company entertain you here, make you laugh, make you think, and, thank God, make you feel. - B+

"500 Days of Summer" - Movie Review

An absolute wonderful movie, 500 Days of Summer may be my favorite romance I've seen in years. Here you have the usual boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, girl falls for boy storyline. And even in the beginning, you're told that this is not a love story. But it is. Kind of.

The story follows Tom, a greeting card writer who should be an architect, and Summer, the intern that he immediately falls for. He's always believed in destiny and love. Her, not so much. But together they find something in each other. And then it goes away. What makes "500 Days" so refreshing is, in a sense, everything about it. The dialogue is crisp and real. It actually sounds like real people in real life talking. Go figure. And those random moments you imagine happening around you that never quite match up to your reality? We see those through Tom's eyes as well. The story is also told out of order, jumping from one day to the next, from, say Day 275 to 12 then to 185 and then 2. It's unconventional, and every moment of it's sweetness and romanticism is earned by a top notch directing job, great screenplay, and great performance after great performance. And when it's harsh reality sinks in, it's even more devastating. Plus, find a movie lately that has made Los Angeles look so lovely. I dare you.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues his streak of fantastic characters on screen with Tom, and he charms you, especially in scenes like when he first has sex and ends up in a full blown musical dance number. Zooey Deschanel may be one of the most effortless actresses of her generation. She doesn't beg to charm you, she just does. You feel Joseph's heartbreak with him, you feel Zooey's "little lost girl" reaching out, and you experience it all with them. This is how a romantic comedy should be made. This is it. Are you listening Hollywood? No, you're probably not. But that won't stop me from yelling it... - A+