Friday, August 04, 2006

Ferrell and Reilly, stepbrothers?

It seems John C. Reilly, the "character" actor beloved by so many people who spend far too much time watching movies, has finally found a permanent home at the popular kids' table.

With "Talladega Nights" just opening today (stop back tomorrow afternoon for a review, if you'd like), Reilly, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay will race right back to work with a project called "Stepbrothers" (I'll stop now with the racing puns, I promise).

This one sounds just crazy enough to work. McKay and Ferrell will write the script for a story about two grown men who still live with their respective single parents. These single parents meet, fall in love and marry, making these two men (Ferrell and Reilly) stepbrothers.

At his best, Ferrell is just a really big kid, so this should play to his strengths, and Reilly's low-key delivery should be the perfect counterpunch.

According to a recent New York Times profile of Reilly, he was supposed to take Steve Carrell's part in "Anchorman," the first Ferrell-McKay movie, but had to back out because of a competing project. No offense to Mr. Carrell, but Reilly definitely would have made that one better.

As it was, there was no one up to the task of competing with Ferrell for the camera's attention, and his act wore thin way too soon. He's still at his best, to me, in an ensemble, not at the center of attention. For example, he was easily the funniest thing about "Old School," and for a real comedy nugget, seek out his cameo as a speed-addled townie who wrote papers for the college kids on an episode of "Undeclared."

For now, Team Ferrell-Reilly gets it first test run this weekend, and I'll be there to see it.


"Hellboy 2" finds a home

No one as talented as Guillermo Del Toro deserves to be treated so shoddily.

After being rejected by its original financer, his "Hellboy" sequel has finally found a home at Universal, according to Variety. The second installment featuring this Dark Horse Comics hero was rejected by Revolution Studios, which made the original and distributed it through its deal at Columbia Pictures. With Universal on board, it's now slated for a summer 2008 release.

In a script by del Toro, Ron Perlman returns as Hellboy, the demon conjured and raised by Nazis before being rescued and joining up with a covert government agency to battle otherworldly evil. Thankfully, Selma Blair will also return as his pyro-telekinetic love interest.

I just loved the first "Hellboy." Along with a good story and great action, it had humor, something most of our superheroes (Singer's Superman, for example) just seem to lack.

What I would love even more is to See Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth," which played to almost universal praise at Cannes this summer but will probably never make it to my little corner of the world. As best as I can tell, it's in the vein of "Heavenly Creatures" (still my favorite Peter Jackson film), focusing on a young girl who creates her own fantasy world to escape the reality that Franco has just taken power in Spain.

But I'll probably have to wait for that one on DVD, and even longer for "Hellboy 2." Oh well. At least it's Friday.

10 comments:

Terence Towles Canote said...

Honestly, I can't believe the shabby treatment Guillermo Del Toro has received of late. Hellboy 2 was rejected by Revolution Studios. Pan's Labyrinth will probably never make it to local theatres (especially those in small towns). It is difficult for me to see how a director of Del Toro's calibre can be so ill treated.

Of course, I must say that I am biased. I thought Mimic was one of the better films of its type. And Blade II was the best movie in that particular franchise. I love Hellboy dearly. If there is any doubt of Del Toro's talent, one needs only look at El Espinazo del diablo (The Devil's Backbone). It is simply a beautiful film. But even though much of what Del Toro has done has a level of quality not seen among other genre directors, he still gets abused by the industry. There are some things about the film industry that will just remain a mystery to me!

Reel Fanatic said...

Well put, Mercurie .. I had the pleasure of seeing The Devil's Backbone about a month ago, and it quickly rose to the lists of movies I could watch many, many times

Unknown said...

I'm a big fan of Del Toro as well and I'm happy to hear that he finally found a home for Hellboy 2. I really enjoyed the first one and I'm excited to see the next installment.

As for Pan's Labyrinth, I've heard good things about this flick. I can only hope that one of the local "art house" cinemas pick it up.

BklynSoxFan said...

Keith: Thank you for the kind words about my post over at my blog about "World Trade Center." You've got a good website here. And THANK YOU so much for Javier Lopez! I hope your boys from Baltimore can do a number on the Yankees this weekend and help the Red Sox out!!
Thanks again,
John

Reel Fanatic said...

The way they've played this year, it's doubtful, John, but one can always hope!

Jeff Himself said...

Hellboy was a great flick, and there is so many more stories you can tell with this character, just read the sorce material. Glad to see the ball is rolling on this one.

The amzing skrew on head looks really good as well, have you checked it out yet?

Reel Fanatic said...

I haven't yet, Jeff, but I definitely will!

Jack Steiner said...

I like Reilly.

Elisabeth said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I came here for a visit, really enjoyed reading your prose, and learned a few things about what's going on in the movie world. Great review of "World Trade Center," BTW!

Reel Fanatic said...

Thanks, Elisabeth ... come back any time!