No, this isn’t a Pineapple Express reunion. Although we may be getting one. James Franco and Seth Rogen have two big separate films coming out and we have first looks for both. First up is for Rupert Wyatt‘s (The Escapist) upcoming Planet of the Apes prequel Rise of the Apes. You can see James Franco, Freida Pinto, and Andy Serkis (in his motion capture performance suite and camera for facial movements) below via Just Jared. WETA is developing the photo-realistic apes using Avatar-like technology. Read the full story

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Even though it won’t come out til March, Greg Mottola’s Paul, a comedy about two traveling geeks (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) who encounter an alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen).

Here’s the official synopsis (via /Film):

Read the full story

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/Film has reported several release date shifts from Universal, the most notable of which is certainly the continuing delay of George Nolfi‘s The Adjustment Bureau. The film’s trailer, which debuted online in mid-May, impressed me quite a bit, so the fact that the release date is now March 4th, 2011 (previously scheduled as September 17th, 2010) will no doubt bring negative buzz to the surface. The report identifies a series of steady rumors which are all saying the same thing: The movie just isn’t that good. Considering the Philip K. Dick source material, as well as the mutual appeal of lead performers Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, this is rather surprising to me. Did anyone else see this coming?

The other films mentioned in the report include Greg Mottola‘s science-fiction-comedy Paul, starring Seth Rogen, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jason Bateman, and Sigourney Weaver. There were some lofty hopes for a late 2010 release, but an official date has now been set for March 18th, 2011. I am curious to see how this film shapes out, as it is Mottola‘s follow-up to Adventureland, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite romantic tales in recent years.

The last group of films with release date changes include the following:

• Devil (previously titled The Night Chronicles: Devil): September 17th, 2010
• The Dark Fields: January 21st, 2011
• Skyline: November 12th, 2010
• Kids in America: December 3rd, 2010
• Sanctum: February 4th, 2011

Which of these films are you anticipating the most?

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Say this ten times fast: “Important Artifacts and Personal Property From the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry.”

Mouthful, isn’t it? Cumbersome titles aside, The Playlist is reporting that “Important Artifacts” has recently become the next project for Paramount and Greg Mottola, the man in the director’s chair for Superbad and Adventureland (which he also penned). There is no info yet as to whether or not Mottola is set to direct, but to sweeten the pot, both Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman are attached to star and produce the project.

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Comedian Simon Pegg recently announced via Twitter that his next film, Paul, will be delayed. The actor did not specify when the sci-fi comedy would be released just that more extensive CGI work is needed in the following statement.

Due to an extensive post production schedule you won’t be seeing our little desert caper any time soon. Rest assured it will be worth it.

Pegg also announced that Hot Fuzz composer, David Arnold, will be scoring the film. Paul sees Pegg reteaming with Nick Frost as two sci-fi nerds who stumble upon a friendly alien (voiced by Seth Rogen) in the New Mexico desert. The film uses a hybrid of live action and CGI which explains the extended post-production work. Also appearing in the film are Sigourney Weaver, Jane Lynch, Kristin Wiig and Bill Hader.

Are you excited for Paul or does this delay lower your expectations?

Here is our third episode of The Film Stage Podcast in which we review Greg Mottola’s Adventureland. Recorded by Jordan Raup, Dan Mecca and guest John Ranic, you can stream it below or download the mp3:

Download the mp3 (right-click and save as): The Film Stage Podcast Episode 3 – Adventureland Review

You can now subscribe through iTunes! Just click the image below and each episode will download for you automatically as it comes out:

Check out the contents of the podcast >>

Not sure what is coming out this month? Here is my rundown of my most anticipated films coming out:

10. Fast & Furious (Lin, April 3rd)

Plot: As he is released from prison, Brian O’Conner teams up with Dominic Toretto work with the feds to bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: I’m actually not sure if this is a film to watch or avoid. The first one was enjoyable and it looks like a return to the original. I’ve heard early buzz that it is a decent popcorn flick.

Check out the rest of the list >>

By Dan Mecca

If honesty is the best quality, Adventureland is the gem of the cinematic year so far. Written and directed by Greg Mottola (the guy who directed Superbad) this dramedy is a throwback in every way – from the setting of the film (summer 1987) to the laid-back comic delivery. There’s barely anything that can be defined as a joke in this thing.

For the most part, all the movie’s laughs are natural and observatory rather than fed and forced. This is not to say that the latter doesn’t work – see I Love You, Man for proof of this, a film that feeds jokes consistently with a natural rhythm that does not overwhelm.

Read the rest of this review >>

Not sure what is coming out this month? Here is a run-down of my eleven most anticipated films:

11. The Great Buck Howard (March 20th) (limited)

Plot: A law school dropout (Colin Hanks), much to the chagrin of his father (Tom Hanks), becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline (Malkovich). Can the fledgling partnership lead to the comeback of a lifetime?

Trailer

Why You Should See It: Pretty impressive cast and a somewhat interesting premise, this is should be a decent indie comedy/drama.

Check out the rest here >>

Miramax has debuted the Adventureland Red Band Trailer on IGN. The comedy is written and directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad) and stars Jessie Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader, and Ryan Reynolds. Check it out below:

Plot: A comedy set in the summer of 1987 and centered around a recent college grad (Eisenberg) who takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park, only to find it’s the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

I loved Superbad and Adventureland is looking to be just as good. The film got pretty positive reviews at Sundance. It will also be at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March before hitting theaters in wide release on March 27, 2009.

What do you think of the red band trailer for Adventureland?