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2007 Sundance Film Festival: Dramedies

BuzzSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:29:21 PST

The stars seem to be having a great time at the Sundance Film Festival, which kicked off last Thursday in Park City, Utah. You've seen my picks for some of the most promising comedies and dramas at this year's festival, and now it's time for my third installment: dramedies.

One of my favorite dramedies of all time is last year's Little Miss Sunshine. It encapsulated so many aspects of the human experience that I laughed, I cried, I danced to "Superfreak." Perhaps one of these films will be this year's Little Miss Sunshine.

If I Had Known I Was A Genius
Michael (Markus Redmond) is a precocious African-American boy with a genius IQ, struggling to fit in at school and deal with his dysfunctional family. His mother (Whoopi Goldberg) and other family consistently challenge Michael's sense of self-worth, refusing to encourage his abilities. But he finds a mentor in his wacky drama teacher, who gives him the courage to dream of becoming an actor.

Three more, so

read more The Good Life The Good Life tells the story of small-town soul suffocation through the eyes of Jason Prayer (Mark Webber). Jason works two jobs, is regularly bullied, and finds his only relief in the old town cinema, which is on its last legs - as is its owner, Gus (Harry Dean Stanton). His listless routine gets a shock, however, when a stranger (Zooey Deschanel) comes to town and turns around his desperate life. Bill Paxton and Chris Klein also star. Delirious Steve Buscemi has been in countless films, but rarely does he play anything but the weirdo or the hapless goofball. So it's refreshing to see him have a hand in different projects that focus on him instead of shoving him to the periphery of the movie's storyline. In Delirious, Buscemi plays Les, a paparazzo who befriends the amiable and homeless Toby (Michael Pitt). Toby learns firsthand about the world of sleazily staking out celebrities and, in the midst of chasing down photo ops, falls for sexy pop tart K'harma (Alison Lohman). Les grows jealous of Toby's romance, and their friendship is called into question. The Savages The synopsis for this movie on the Sundance site calls it a "coming-of-middle-age" film. A brother and sister (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney) suddenly find themselves having to take care of their ill, aging father, a man who never seemed to care for them. Though stories of youthful growing pains are plentiful, it's refreshing to see a tale about the challenges facing adult children of aging parents, and it's likely to resonate with audiences just as much.

The Descendants: Family Dysfunction Under the Hawaiian Sun

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:05:00 PST

You may not believe me if I told you I saw a movie about a family tragedy that made me laugh out loud, but The Descendants is that film. Alexander Payne's dramedy is a deeply moving story about a man, Matt King (Clooney), who struggles to reconnect with his daughters when a boating accident leaves his wife on life support. The film is filled with raw emotion, but it also finds humor in the realism of how people react and rebuild when life deals them a bad hand.

Matt's bad hand isn't just his wife's accident; he's also got rebellious 17-year-old Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and precocious 10-year-old Scottie to look after, not to mention the fact that he's days away from making a life-changing decision about a plot of land that his family owns. Oh, and did I mention that in the midst of all this he learns that his wife had been having an affair? The premise certainly doesn't sound like a laugh riot - and believe me, it's chock-full of tear-jerking moments - but The Descendants is a gem that perfectly combines tragedy and folly, set against a Hawaiian backdrop.

To see why the film is so poignant, just

read more. Clooney may not play doting dad on a regular basis, but you'd never know it from his engaging performance as a self-proclaimed "understudy parent" who's suddenly thrust into the spotlight of raising two girls. Despite the emotional curve balls that are thrown Matt's way, Clooney's performance keeps you sympathizing for Matt without pitying him. Moreover, his dilemmas - how to confront his wife's lover and how to talk to his daughters about her condition - are the kind of problems that you hope you'll never have to face in your own life, but you still wonder how you'd react in the same position. Without a love interest for Matt, Woodley is the film's leading lady, and her years spent on The Secret Life of the American Teenager seem to have prepped her nicely to play Alexandra. On the surface, Alex is a typical, foul-mouthed, bratty teen, but Woodley brings the underlying issues to light, and we see that Alex is actually a loyal, independent young woman who's just been looking for some attention from her parents. With no one else to turn to, Matt and Alex spar and come closer together as they slowly build a new respect for each other. So where do the laughs come in? Clooney is skilled at deftly creating humor in otherwise unsettling situations, particularly as a clueless parent - he awkwardly spanks 17-year-old Alex in one scene, and tells off her dopey friend Sid in another. Sid, who is more or less a live-action version of Butthead, is a constant source of comic relief. Amara Miller also steals her fair share of scenes as 10-year-old Scottie, whether she's throwing around R-rated language or wearing inappropriate clothing swiped from her sister's closet. The plot of The Descendants moves slowly, as Payne takes his time to immerse us in Matt's Hawaiian lifestyle and carefully map out what he's dealing with. The pace is just part of the film's beauty; Matt initially describes his family as an archipelago, a chain of islands that are slowly drifting away from each other, but what unfolds is quite the opposite. The unforeseen circumstances actually bring each member of the family closer together, in an affecting portrait of the difference between being related and being a family.

Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight

We Bought a Zoo Trailer: Matt Damon Fathers His Kids, Wild Animals

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:45:03 PDT

The simple title of We Bought a Zoo gives only the most minimal hint to what the Matt Damon dramedy is about, but now that we have a trailer, everything makes a lot more sense. Damon plays Benjamin, a widowed father of two kids who's having a rough go of it on his own. When he decides to uproot his family and move, the property they settle into contains a fairly alarming real estate surprise: it's housing a decrepit zoo, exotic animals and all. Benjamin then takes it upon himself to get the zoo up and running again, with the help of his resistant kids, brother (Thomas Haden Church), and a few residents of their new town, like love interest Scarlett Johansson and Elle Fanning.

The touch of director Cameron Crowe is apparent in the beginning of the trailer, from his male protagonist second guessing himself to a scene eerily reminiscent of Crowe classic Jerry Maguire. But in the second half of the trailer, things get decidedly Disney as Damon deals with a roaring lion and a has a run-in with a porcupine. It would all feel a little too cheesy if it weren't based on a true story - and if the warmth the characters display over the final moments weren't so heart-melting. We Bought a Zoo comes out Dec. 23, so watch the trailer when you

Gwyneth Paltrow Will Fall For Sex Addict Mark Ruffalo

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:40:09 PDT

After Contagion, Gwyneth Paltrow will appear in another film about a disease, but this one is decidedly less deadly. Gwyneth Paltrow has signed on to star in Thanks For Sharing, a dramedy about a group of people who are trying to overcome sexual addiction and develop relationships. She joins Mark Ruffalo and Tim Robbins, who are already attached to the film. Paltrow will play Phoebe, a businesswoman who falls in love with one of the recovering sex addicts (Ruffalo). Joely Richardson is also signing on as Robbins's wife in the film, which will be directed by The Kids Are All Right screenwriter Stuart Blumberg.

The Art of Getting By: A Familiar but Sweet Coming of Age

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:05:00 PDT

You've definitely seen a movie like The Art of Getting By before. It's the coming-of-age story of a young man trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, and falling for his dream girl in the process. Though the Manhattan-set dramedy doesn't break new territory, it's still a heartwarming, clever film with a pair of appealing leads in Emma Roberts and Freddie Highmore.

Highmore plays George, a high school senior whose penchant for avoiding his assignments has earned him something of a reputation - and the risk of not graduating. The only things that can keep his attention are his art (well, his very concentrated efforts at doodling) and a girl named Sally (Roberts). Sally is the prototypical high school princess who beguiles George from the moment they start hanging out. Sally is intrigued by George and his talent for slacking, and they become friends, though it's obvious that George has more-than-friendly feelings for her. Even though the course of their relationship is as predictable as that of a Hollywood romantic comedy, watching George and Sally go from friends to something more is a pleasure. To find out what else I thought of The Art of Getting By, just

read more. It's great seeing Highmore graduating from child actor (he was the sweet-faced title character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and growing up. He captures the quintessential teenage experience of feeling like an outsider among your peers but still fearful of what they think. And he's hardly an apple-cheeked youngster that you're constantly rooting for; George is a good kid, but also kind of a jerk at some points. His rudeness to his mother (Rita Wilson) is disconcerting, but it's also spot-on for a moody kid of that age. Another actor who proves he's come into his own with this film is Michael Angarano. As irresponsible artist Dustin, he becomes a mentor of sorts to George. I used to think of Angarano as Jack's young son on Will & Grace, but he leaves his boyishness behind here. He's rakish and morally ambiguous as Dustin, and you're not quite sure if you want George to follow in his footsteps or not. Dustin's success validates George's laziness and belief that he'll be able to make it in life without putting in any effort. Alas, a series of misfortunes finally rouse George from his mindset, and he matures in front of our eyes. It's an ending that you see coming, and really, predictability is the movie's main flaw. Luckily, bright young things Highmore and Roberts are the saving grace. With precocious charisma, they keep the timeworn boy-meets-girl formula afloat.

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Prom

In this earnest high school comedy, Aimee Teegarden stars as an overachieving straight-A student, Nova, who heads the prom committee. When an unfortunate accident ruins the decor she's been working on for the dance, the principal assigns rebellious student Jesse (Thomas McDonell) to help her rebuild the props. The movie also focuses on some of their fellow students as the class prepares for their big night. While you may know what to expect from the story, the film offers a cute look at teenage romance. DVD extras include a blooper reel and seven music videos.

35%

Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family

Tyler Perry returns as titular character Madea in this dramedy about a family facing a number of problems. The sassy matriarch rallies around her niece (Loretta Devine) as she experiences a health scare, and offers her support to other members of the family as they navigate issues ranging from a failing marriage to the temptation to deal drugs. Madea's antics may feel familiar to audiences who have seen films in the franchise before, but fans of the raucous humor won't be disappointed. DVD extras include four featurettes, including "Madea's Family Tree" and "By-Reen: The Baby Mama From Hell."

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The Descendants Trailer: George Clooney Plays Mr. Mom

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:06:37 PDT

For the most part, George Clooney has managed to avoid taking on fatherly roles while putting together his impressive résumé, but it's a refreshing turn to see him as a dad in this preview for The Descendants. Clooney leaves his lothario ways and signature smirk behind to play Matt, a father trying to to reconnect with his daughters when his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident. He has a particularly hard time getting through to teenage Alex (The Secret Life of the American Teenager's Shailene Woodley) - until she reveals that her sassy attitude is rooted in the fact that her mother was having a secret affair.

This indie dramedy looks like just the kind of movie that tugs on your heartstrings but still manages to make you smile. Clooney is always fun to watch, and I'm looking forward to another layered performance from the Oscar-winning actor (the Hawaiian setting is an added bonus). The movie is set for a December release date, but watch the sweet preview when you

Tim Allen Says That Last Man Standing is Like "A Flip-Flop" of Home Improvement

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:13:15 PDT

If you fawned over Jonathan Taylor Thomas on Home Improvement back in the 90s, then I've got some good news for you. No, JTT is not making his return, but his onscreen dad, Tim Allen, is taking on a new comedy in ABC's Last Man Standing. The show offers the same brand of Allen's dad humor, only this time he's got three daughters instead of three sons, and he works for a men's sporting goods catalog instead of on a show about tools. The jokes were copious when Allen was joined by his costars and showrunners at the TCA, as he talked about his new gig and why he wanted to do the same kind of show as Home Improvement.

Allen made it pretty clear that he's fully aware of the similarities between Last Man Standing and Home Improvement. He compared his craft to the way Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer make the same kinds of movies over and over again, and said that though he looked at some dramedies, none of them were of interest to him (well, except for Castle). He also noted that of what he was offered, "it was never the same show [as Home Improvement], and I didn't know why we wouldn't do a version of the same show."
Allen went on to say that what he really wanted to do was "flip-flop" Home Improvement, in replacing his three sons with three daughters. He said he "wanted to investigate what it would be like to be around four women who are intelligent, strong, fun and loving." And he later added, "It isn't rocket science what I'm doing. Instead of tools, it's sporting goods and guns and boats."
Executive producer Jack Burditt made it clear that the audience won't be hit over the head with the "what makes a man a man?" premise, even though it's largely featured in the pilot. Burditt said that at the heart of it, this is "just a family comedy" and that there will be lots of other themes introduced and explored.
One element that won't be woven in, though, is politics. Allen said, "My preference would be to limit that because we learned very quickly on the past show that it lasts longer if you're not talking about political current events. Sometimes it's enticing but if you get too timely then it doesn't last very long."
As for what Allen himself believes makes a man? He brought up a debate he had with Joy Behar when he stopped by her show, saying, "I really think men need stuff to do. You have to have hobbies and you should be able to fix stuff. My grandmother said there's nothing more attractive than a man busy doing something. Maybe it's traditional but I like women who know how to cook . . . the process of letting women taking care of you. It's either old school or it's misogynistic."

4 Reasons Why NBC Should Renew Parenthood

BuzzSugar — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:00:00 PDT

Parenthood was back with a new episode last night, complete with guest star Richard Dreyfus. Though the show has been ratings-challenged since its inception, the family dramedy has consistently received critical acclaim and has a loyal fan base. Don't believe me? Here are four reasons why Buzz readers believe NBC should renew the show for a third season.

It's got heart. "Beautiful show with so much heart. It would be pretty nuts if it was canceled - it's NBC's second highest rated drama demographically. I truly believe Parenthood will be on their fall schedule for a 3rd season. It's such an amazing show."
The characters believable. "Parenthood is probably one of the best shows on television. Anyone can relate to the characters, and the things they go through." - Smashboxchick
It has a great cast. "It is a great show, great acting, I really enjoy it." - erinflower
There aren't any other shows like it on TV right now. "There hasn't been a TV show like it in ages."

Are you a fellow Parenthood fan? If you've got more reasons to watch, we'd love to hear 'em!

Photo courtesy of NBC

Sundance Snapshot: Homework Makes the Grade

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:04:34 PST

Freddie Highmore, the British actor who made a name for himself as the adorable Peter in Finding Neverland, is all grown-up now, and his latest film proves that he hasn't lost any of the raw talent that brought us to tears when he was just a boy. Homework, a teen dramedy of sorts, has already been acquired from Sundance by Fox Searchlight, so here's more on the film that will eventually be coming to a theater near you.

Who's behind it? In addition to Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts, director Gavin Wiesen had plenty of stars to fill his supporting cast, including Rita Wilson, Alicia Silverstone, Blair Underwood, Elizabeth Reaser, and Michael Angarano.
What's it about? Highmore plays George, a teenage loner in New York City who refuses to do his homework assignments despite his obviously sharp mind. Consumed with the idea that all people are going to die eventually anyway, George can't find a reason to commit himself to schoolwork and instead chooses to spend class time nurturing his budding artistic skills. When he meets Sally (Emma Roberts), George finds his first true friend, and his world changes as he begins to experience emotions that he never knew he had - but his graduation from high school hangs in jeopardy.

To see why the film shines, just