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The Big Year: For the Birds

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:05:00 PDT

I have to give The Big Year some credit for straying from the idea that comedies either need to be raunchy, romantic, or dumbed down for kids these days. The film feels more like an old-fashioned comedy, before the genre became overrun with fart jokes and one actor playing every role himself. Though it won't make you roll your eyes, the downside is that The Big Year won't really make you laugh, either.

As three very different birders (that's "bird-watchers" for you amateurs) determined to see the most species in the span of a year - aka, a "big year" - Owen Wilson, Jack Black, and Steve Martin turn in genuine and likable performances. The film has heart and a feel-good message, but watching three dudes check out woodpeckers through their binoculars is about as boring as it sounds.

To find out why The Big Year never really gets off the ground, just

Wilson, Martin, and Black bring their characters to life with ease, because they're all playing roles you've seen them in before. As Brad (who also serves as the film's narrator), Black is an amiable, happy-go-lucky guy who's looking to get his life back on track after getting a divorce and moving in with his parents. He finds happiness in his new friendship with Stu (Martin), who's going after a big year to justify all the years he spent climbing the corporate ladder instead of doing what he really loves. Both guys are trying to take down the cocky current birding champ, Kenny Bostick (Wilson), whose fear of losing his crown is even more encompassing than his commitment to his wife.

The film drifts in and out of each character's personal life, showing how their time spent tracking birds is affecting their loved ones, and more important, their outlook on life as a whole. Brad and Stu are both easy to root for, and even Wilson's Bostick has his moments and one-liners despite some morally reprehensible actions. The problem is that their journeys are all equally anticlimactic. By the time the film reaches December (the end of the year), I wasn't any more invested in the competition than I was at its inception.

The Big Year is a family comedy that steers clear of being offensive, but it's more unremarkable than it is amusing.

Steve Martin Does Not Approve of Clooney-Style Pranks

Mackenzie Wagoner — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:27:00 PDT

Steve Martin chatted about The Big Year at a recent press day in NYC along with his costars Owen Wilson and Jack Black. The trio, who play birders competing for a world record in the film, have great comic chemistry, and they joked about their antics on set and even confessed to a night of debauchery. The Big Year trailer gives a peek of what's to come when the movie is out on Oct. 14. The three get along great, but Steve in particular was happy their on-set time didn't include any out-there pranks. They said:

What was it like on set – were there any pranks?

Steve Martin: I’m not much of a prankster.

Owen Wilson: Oh come on, April Fool's Day - you wait for that to come around like nobody’s business.

SM: On April Fool’s Day, I change people’s calendar to April 2nd.

OW: It wasn’t really a prank-filled set

SM: When I hear about a prank-filled set, I think, "Ugh, I’m so glad I’m not on that movie."

Jack Black: Every time I do a press junket I always regret that I didn’t pull a George Clooney prank, so that I would have a prank to talk about later. We really missed an opportunity there, guys.

SM: We should have hired a writer to come up with some pranks that we could have said we played. We did have fun and we hung out on the set.

To read what else the guys joked about, just keep reading.

The Big Year Trailer: Martin, Black, and Wilson Have a Bird-Watching Bucket List

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:00:10 PDT

The best part about The Big Year trailer is the tacked-on intro, courtesy of stars Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson. It's not that the film looks terrible, but the big draw here is the comedy trifecta headlining the film, and there are more laughs when the guys are making fun of each other out of character. In the film, they star as three men who are a bit adrift in life, and so they embark on a year-long journey together to do all the things they've always wanted to do. Somewhere along the way, things get a bit competitive between the buddies.

I have to admit that I'm a bit confused by the trailer - mostly because the book it's based on, The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession, is about bird-watching. The film, on the other hand, merely references a bird-watching hobby, and instead seems more like a coming-of-age story for grown men. Check out the trailer for yourself when you

Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Anne and Tina Have a Double Date Night at the Museum

Allie Merriam — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:00:00 PST

Anne Hathaway joined a variety of current and former Saturday Night Live stars for the American Museum of Natural History's 2010 Gala yesterday evening. Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Abby Elliott, and more had the evening off from prepping for this weekend's new episode, which Anne will be hosting. Anne made a rare public appearance with boyfriend Adam Shulman on her arm, while Tina Fey also enjoyed a date night with her husband, Jeff Richmond. Lately, Anne has been inseparable from her Love and Other Drugs costar Jake Gyllenhaal, who hit the town instead with Natalie Portman for a charity party. Jake and Anne have been all over in the run-up to Wednesday's release of their movie, and you seem excited to finally see their supposedly steamy chemistry up on the big screen.

To see more from the event, just

View 20 Photos ›

Liz Lemon's Guide to Dating Dealbreakers

PopSugarTV — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:09:38 PDT

This week marks the momentous occasion of 30 Rock's first live episode, and aside from the unpredictable, outrageous highlights we're bound to see, there's also a host of guest stars who'll be stopping by. Two of them include Jon Hamm and Matt Damon, a pair of Liz Lemon's love interests. Liz has had a pretty active dating life over the course of the show's five seasons, but somehow she's still ends up single. Here's why: each of her suitors seems to have a hilarious, (and sometimes horrifying) dealbreaker. Watch this video for clips of her past boyfriends - there's a solid lesson each man can teach us for what not to look for in a mate!

Jake's Flirty Dance Moves, Alec's Emotional Speech, and Shia at Cannes!

Molly — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:30:00 PDT

Jake Gyllenhaal gets flirty with some women on the dance floor, Alec Baldwin breaks down a bit during his speech to NYU grads, and Shia LaBeouf is the latest star to land at the Cannes Film Festival. Plus, the new Eclipse goodies!

PSR 5/13/10: Jake's Flirty Dance Moves, Alec's Emotional Speech, & Shia at Cannes!

PopSugarTV — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:11:31 PDT

Video: Alec Baldwin's Emotional Speech

PopSugarTV — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:24:02 PDT

Alec Baldwin gets choked up when accepting an honorary degree at the NYU graduation ceremony.

What to Rent: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 08:30:00 PDT

Before you bank up your rentals for this weekend, consider these new releases. One is sweet, the other is totally trippy - and both are available for your viewing pleasure starting today.

It's Complicated

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin play Jane and Jake, divorced parents who reignite the old flame in secret and stir up old feelings. Things really get, er, complicated when Jane begins seeing her nerdy architect (Steve Martin), and a love triangle is formed. Streep, Baldwin, and Martin are a delight to watch on screen, and they take this premise beyond typical rom-com schlock. But also rent it for John Krasinski who turns his supporting role as Streep and Baldwin's future son-in-law into a scene-stealer. DVD extras include a commentary track and featurette.

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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

In what is perhaps best known as Heath Ledger's final performance, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a whimsical morality tale about a group of circus-type performers who welcome visitors into one man's messed-up mind. Christopher Plummer plays the title role alongside Ledger and an ensemble made to look like the late actor, including Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Farrell. The cast is solid, but the story itself is a confusing, tangled mess. Even so, you can't do much better when it comes to interesting visual details to ogle, thanks to the creative mind of director Terry Gilliam. DVD extras include a deleted scene and interview with Ledger.

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Link Time! Clint Eastwood Readies His Next Oscar Contender

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:30:29 PST

Clint Eastwood is eyeing a J. Edgar Hoover biopic with producer Brian Grazer. Oscars 2012, anyone? - HitFix
Betty White will host SNL on May 8 - People
The CW takes on two new reality shows: One Mass Dance and Shed to Wed (both are just like they sound) - EW.com
And the next action star is . . . Leonardo da Vinci?! - MTV Movies Blog
This new Robin Hood trailer makes the film look so much better - Cinematical
Elisha Cuthbert gets a comedy pilot for ABC - Inside TV
Found it! Pam's hospital room painting on The Office - CasaSugar
Malin Akerman, Milo Ventimiglia, and Gary Oldman build A Criminal Empire For Dummys - Collider
Steve Martin joins Jack Black and Owen Wilson in The Big Year - Inside Movies
File this under WTF: Amy Winehouse to create a clothing line - E! Online