Judd Apatow has been involved as a writer or producer on about a million comedies over the last few years, enough to make us forget that he’s only actually directed two movies, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.” “Funny People,” opening today, is the third, and it’s a more mature and ambitious film than the last two, with dramatic character arcs mixed in with the bawdy humor.
The other new releases, “Aliens in the Attic” and “The Collector,” were two of Hollywood’s Shameful Secrets®, not screened for critics before opening. I scampered out and saw them both first thing today, though, and I can report that “Aliens” is a harmless, somewhat mediocre family caper about kids defending their summer home from bumbling invading aliens, while “The Collector” is from the writers of the last few “Saw” movies and indeed feels like a rejected “Saw” rip-off. Reviews are forthcoming.
In limited release, you’ll find the pleasant “Adam” (review at Cinematical), about a man with Asperger, a mild form of autism; and “Tetro,” Francis Ford Coppola’s operatic tale of fraternal jealousy and strained family relations. It’s no “Godfather,” but then, what is? (Besides “The Godfather,” I mean.)
To sign up for the “In the Dark” e-zine, which brings you all the new movie reviews, DVD releases, and other pertinent info in one handy weekly e-mail, visit this page.
