DVD Releases: June 3, 2008
June 3, 2008
Semi-Pro
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Actors/Actresses: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Andre ‘Andre 3000′ Benjamin, Jay Phillips, Will Arnett
Synopsis: Over the course of a string of successful comedies that includes TALLADEGA NIGHTS and BLADES OF GLORY, Will Ferrel has perfected a type of swaggering, machismo-fueled character, heavy on ego and severely lacking in intellect of any kind. Typically set in the world of sports, these movies have allowed Ferrel free range to both mock and celebrate idiot masculinity. SEMI-PRO, Ferrell’s homage to the wild, afro-picked splendor of the short-lived American Basketball Association, continues this trend, and finds him embodying yet another larger-than-life hunk a burnin’ love in the form of Jackie Moon, R&B singer-turned-owner/player/coach of the hapless Flint, Michigan Tropics. As sports movies go, SEMI-PRO’s story should be more than familiar to even the most casual fan. The Tropics are a lackluster franchise that place good times and flash over winning. However, when the league announces that they will be merging with the NBA and only taking the top four teams along, the Tropics buckle down and give true ballin’ a shot. SEMI-PRO follows the comedic formula of other Ferrell movies and contains an equal amount of satire (tame-but-effective ‘70s goofs), slapstick (on-court brawls, zany stunts), and surreal non-sequiturs (an improvised poker game provides one of the film’s most deliciously bizarre scenes), but it’s not exactly interchangeable with Ferrell’s other movies. Though the actor cuts loose as Jackie Moon, the film is decidedly an ensemble picture, with Woody Harrelson providing the movie’s true protagonist, in washed up former NBA player Monix, and Andre Benjamin offering a charming turn as flashy NBA wannabe Clarence “Coffee” Black. Perhaps most interestingly, however, is SEMI-PRO’s surprising attention to detail, though the Flint Tropics are a fictional team, the real ABA was every bit as wacky, unhinged, and, yes, entertaining as SEMI-PRO itself.
Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights – Hollywood to the Heartland
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst, Sebastian Maniscalco
Synopsis: Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days and 30 Nights – Hollywood to the Heartland chronicles the journey of Vince Vaughn, star of the hit films Fred Claus, The Break Up, Wedding Crashers, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Old School, and Swingers, and four stand-up comedians as they traverse the country performing in a live variety show. In the spirit of the old west variety shows, Vaughn plays host to the ensemble of comedians and performs improvisational sketches with surprise celebrity and musical guests. Hand picked by Vaughn to perform on the tour, from the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles, are national comedians Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst, and Sebastian Maniscalco. The film provides audiences a rare opportunity to experience Vaughn and his team as they travel over 6,000 miles across the heartland of America and perform 30 shows in 30 days. Traveling to cities that don’t ordinarily attract this type of entertainment, Vaughn and his team bring their unique styles and perspectives to regional audiences throughout Western, Southern and Midwestern states. Through rousing onstage performances and behind-the-scenes interviews, the engaging film breaks down the true essence of each comedian’s life altering experiences and the personal and professional challenges that will unite four comics, one movie star and legions of fans from Hollywood to the Heartland.
Meet the Spartans (Unrated Pit of Death Version)
Genre: Comedy, Spoof
Rating: PG-13
Actors/Actresses: Carmen Electra, Diedrich Bader, Kevin Sorbo, Jim Piddock, Method Man, Sean Maguire
Synopsis: Writers/producers/directors Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (DATE MOVIE, EPIC MOVIE) use the film 300 as the basis for their latest spoof. Born to be the perfect Spartan, Leonidas (Sean Magiure) faces numerous trials en route to becoming a man, including a face-off with the penguin from HAPPY FEET. Once he has proven himself, Leonidas not only becomes king, but also marries superhot (and slightly slutty) Margot (Carmen Electra). When Leonidas learns that Persia’s King Xerxes (Ken Davitian, BORAT) plans to make Sparta his own, he has his captain (Kevin Sorbo, HERCULES) recruit Sparta’s finest and prepare them for battle against invading Persian forces. Unfortunately, that amounts to only 13 half-naked men with painted-on abs who literally prance to their destination. To make matters worse, Spartan councilman Traitoro (Diedrich Bader) is, well, a traitor. Still, Leonidas and his men face their enemy in battle, riffing on STOMP THE YARD, GHOST RIDER, TRANSFORMERS, and numerous other films along the way, as well as the video game GRAND THEFT AUTO. Freidberg and Seltzer poke fun at virtually every recent cultural phenomenon and pop culture personality, including Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, Paris Hilton, DANCING WITH THE STARS, AMERICAN IDOL, and DEAL OR NO DEAL. Even UGLY BETTY makes an appearance. Be prepared for an abundance of gross-out humor, spurts of bodily fluids, some sexual innuendo, and multiple jokes about homosexuality. Stick around after the musical finale as the credits start to roll: the deleted scenes prove to be some of the most amusing in the film.
Mama’s Boy
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Actors/Actresses: Jon Heder, Diane Keaton, Jeff Daniels, Anna Faris, Eli Wallach
Synopsis: Eccentric Jeffrey Mannus is 29-years-old and still lives at home with his angelic mom, Jan. He sees no reason to alter this arrangement, but his perfect world is upended when Jan meets Mert, a motivational speaker. Mert successfully woos Jan and moves in on Jeffrey’s territory, something Jeffrey will not tolerate. Jeffrey enlists the aid of an unlikely ally, an aspiring singer-songwriter, Nora, with an anti-establishment penchant and a soft spot for him. As the war between Mert and Jeffrey escalates, something unprecedented happens–slowly, to both his own surprise and horror, Jeffrey discovers his inner adult.
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