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‘American Reunion’ Poster Recalls Original ‘American Pie’

@coltondaniel — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:30:08 +0000

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American Pie franchise has delivered another slice of nostalgia this week with a throwback to 1999′s original poster.

Even though Jim Levinstein (Jason Biggs) has clothes on, Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) is has swapped her flute for a baby bottle, Oz (Chris Klein) has a receding hairline and although he’s not in the poster, everyone’s favourite neurotic Dad (Eugene Levy) is aboard also.

According to Collider, here is the synopsis: “In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.”

We all remember the franchise’s last attempt, with the direct-to-DVD release of “American Pie Presents Band Camp” in 2005. The only original character in the stereotypical college crap-fest film was Jim’s dad.

However, the previous three “American Pie” movies grossed a total of roughly $755 million at the worldwide box office. The first of the series, 1999?s “American Pie,” grossed $235 million and had an $11 million budget. The second, 2001′s “American Pie 2,” took in $287 million and had a $30 million budget. The third, 2003′s “American Wedding,” grossed $231 million and had a $55 million budget.

“Harold & Kumar’s” Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg also wrote and directed the film – that includes the entire beloved cast of Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Natasha Lyonne, Jennifer Coolidge – and yes, even Tara Reid.

Mark your calendars for April 6, 2012 and check out the original poster for comparison:

Stiffler Commits to Another Slice of ‘American Pie’

@coltondaniel — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:12:56 +0000

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Seann William Scott, who checked himself into a treatment program “to address personal health issues” earlier this week has signed on to rejoin the popular comedy franchise. Nobody can stop the Stifler!

Also on board for aptly titled “American Reunion” are principle characters Jim Levinstein (Jason Biggs) and everyone’s favourite neurotic Dad (Eugene Levy). According to the Wrap, Universal is in negotiations with Thomas Ian Nicolas, Tara Reid, Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, Shannen Elizabeth and Jennifer Coolidge. The studio is also in talks with Alyson Hannigan, best known now for playing Lily Aldrin in CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother”.

The franchise’s last attempt was the direct-to-DVD release of “American Pie Presents Band Camp” in 2005. The only original character in the stereotypical college crap-fest film was Eugene Levy.

However, the previous three “American Pie” movies grossed a total of roughly $755 million at the worldwide box office. The first of the series, 1999′s “American Pie,” grossed $235 million and had an $11 million budget. The second, 2001′s “American Pie 2,” took in $287 million and had a $30 million budget. The third, 2003′s “American Wedding,” grossed $231 million and had a $55 million budget.

“Harold & Kumar’s” Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are writing and directing. Chris Moore and Craig Perry will produce with Adam Herz and Paul & Chris Weitz executive producing.

The movie starts filming on May 24th, and according to his agent, Scott’s treatment is not expected to affect production.

Movie Review: Taking Woodstock

Ilan Mester — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:27:37 +0000

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Ang Lee literally makes Woodstock the backdrop to his latest film. The famous music festival is both seen from a distance and heard from a distance. If you go into “Taking Woodstock” knowing that, you won’t be disappointed (ie. you won’t expect to hear crazy Jimi Hendrix drum solos or Janis Joplin’s electrifying voice).

It’s clear that Lee and his longtime collaborator, screenwriter James Schamus, were less interested in showcasing the ‘60s festival itself and more interested in exposing the impact that Woodstock had and the impression it left on the era. The main problem is “Taking Woodstock” uses stereotypical characters to explain the impact of a larger-than-life event.

Based on the memoirs of Elliot Tiber, this comedy (which has its fair doses of drama) tells the story of Elliot Teichberg (played by Demetri Martin) and his family of struggling Jewish immigrants living in White Lake, NY. In 1969, Elliot stumbled across Woodstock and found a home for the festival without a home.

Elliot, who felt empowered by the gay rights movement, was originally working as an interior designer in Greenwich Village. However, he also felt he needed to lend a helping hand to his overbearing parents and their rundown motel in White Lake called El Monaco. Conveniently enough, Elliot was also the head of the local chamber of commerce, which allowed him to approve a permit for the three day “peace & music” festival.

However, it’s ultimately a shame that most of these characters are presented as mere stereotypes (especially Emile Hirsch’s shell shocked Vietnam vet), because there’s some incredible talent featured in this film. Its cast includes Oscar nominated British actress Imelda Staunton, Eugene Levy (who seems to have taken a break from those “American Pie” sequels) and Liev Schreiber.

Speaking of Schreiber, he could not have picked a more unique role to follow up his superhero performance in “X Men Origins: Wolverine.” The “Defiance” actor plays the security officer (who happens to be a transvestite) that befriends Eliot — who by the way, is brilliantly played by Martin.

The guy deserves major props for pulling off a complex character but most importantly, for taking on a protagonist in one of his first feature films. Martin is known as the comedian who hosts the Comedy Central show, “Important Things with Demetri Martin” and after this movie, he’s bound to be featured in more films.

“Taking Woodstock” is 10 minutes short from being a two hour film, but it feels like it’s well over two hours, partly because of the screenplay. There are some hilarious lines in this film, but it really doesn’t do justice to Martin’s Elliot and the amazing event he was a part of.

Also, you shouldn’t think much of the film’s rating. The main reason it’s not a PG film is due to full frontal nudity. See, some of the characters decide to randomly rip off their clothes at various points (including Emile Hirsch’s character for anyone who’s a fan of his).

At the end of the day, “Taking Woodstock” is still a worthwhile film. This is definitely not one of Lee’s worst films, but it’s also not one of his best. The Academy Award winner has previously set some pretty high standards for himself (and some relatively low ones as well), but rest assured “Taking Woodstock” is far from the flop that was “Hulk”.

SCTV Alums Reunite for a Cause

andPOP Staff — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:51:54 +0000

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Canadian comedy fans had better do some crunches to prepare for some serious laughs.

“SCTV” alums Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Joe Flaherty, Martin Short and Harold Ramis, are performing for a second time tonight at the Second City Theatre in Toronto.

According to the CBC, the reunion is part of the Benefit of Laughter, a fundraiser for Second City’s staff members who need help financially.

Combining some classic sketches and improv sets, the reunion could become an annual event if it is successful.

Eugene Levy, Tragically Hip Honoured By Governal General

Eva Lam — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:38:56 +0000

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Actor Eugene Levy will receive a lifetime achievement award and veteran band The Tragically Hip will be presented with the National Arts Centre award at a ceremony hosted by Governor General Michaelle Jean on May 2.

Levy, who has appeared in such movies as “American Pie,” “Father of the Bride” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” was among six recipients announced Wednesday for what’s described as Canada’s most prestigious artistic honour, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

The annual honour, worth $25,000, is given to Canadians for achievement in theatre, dance, classical music or opera, popular music, film or broadcasting.

Meanwhile, the Hip will receive the National Arts Centre Award, also worth $25,000. The award “recognizes the work of an extraordinary nature and significance in the performing arts by an individual artist and/or company in the past performance year,” according to the Performing Arts Award website.

The Kingston, Ont. quintet will add this award to their many accolades, which include nine Junos, a place on the Canadian Walk of Fame and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

Not ones to rest on their laurels, the band is currently recording a new album. They will also perform at a gala event at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on May 3.