Robert Downey Jr. Goes to Court in First Trailer for 'The Judge'

The Iron Man and Avengers movies may pay the bills, but when there's a break in his schedule Robert Downey Jr. is dabbling in projects that don't involve superpowers. He recently took time out for an extended cameo in Chef, the small-budget film from his Iron Man director, Jon Favreau, which is doing gangbusters (for an art house film, anyway) at the box office. He also agreed to star in The Judge, a courtroom drama that Downey has previously said has one of the best scripts he'd ever read.

The question is whether audiences will be as interested in him when not in the role of Tony Stark. Certainly, The Judge isn't going to make $1B or anything like that, but at least judging by the first trailer it may earn Downey some awards attention. Directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers) and featuring a solid cast of Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Melissa Leo, David Krumholtz, Leighton Meester, Dax Shepard, and Billy Bob Thornton, the story follows a slick big-city lawyer called back home upon learning of his mother's death. Only when he returns he discovers it's his estranged father, who happens to be the town judge, accused of her murder.

Not only is this something of a change of pace for Downey, but also for Dobkin who is best known for helming comedies. There's certainly a good bit of humor here, as well, along with mystery and family drama elements making for an ambitious combination. Whether it all comes together for The Judge we'll have to wait until October 10th to find out.


The Judge - The Official Trailer HD by thecinemasource

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Review: 'The Big Ask' Starring David Krumholtz and Melanie Lynskey

There’s a pretty big ask at the heart of The Big Ask, and the answers will provide an inquisitive if tonally awkward look at grief, mental illness, and the need for human connection.  Like Lynn Shelton’s brilliant Humpday crossed with Lawrence Kasdan’s The Big Chill, the ensemble film dutifully explores deep psychological questions by wrapping them in the promise of unusual sexual hijinks, and while the answers co-directors Thomas Beatty and Rebecca Fishman come up with don’t amount to much, the honest performances of the cast provide sufficient emotional truth.

David Krumholtz, at his most schlubby, plays Andrew, a man adrift in life after the sudden death of his mother. Along with his concerned wife Hannah (the ever brilliant Melanie Lynskey), Andrew invites fellow couples and best friends  Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Zoe (Ahna O’Reilly) and Owen (Jason Ritter) and Emily (Gillian Jacobs) to a desert retreat for some mental relaxation and bonding time. Or at least that’s what they think the trip is for, only to arrive and find out that Andrew’s real motive is to sleep with all of the women there in one big orgy. The reason, or so he puts it, is to experience a wave of love that will basically wash the depression he feels away.

It’s a ridiculous idea, and to the film’s credit the premise is treated as such, but in the most realistic way as possible. The reactions to Andrew’s request hit the entire spectrum. Hannah is embarrassed and unsure of Andrew’s mental state, Zoe wants to skip town immediately, while Emily seems sort of open to the idea, a fact which drives Owen to start exploring other salacious options.  While these longtime friends ponder whether Andrew is being genuine or just trying to get laid, the close confines force them reevaluate the strength of their own relationships.  Adversity affects them all in different ways, with Zoe and Dave contemplating a move towards marriage while others see it as a doorway to potential infidelity. The small moments, the quiet contemplation of the path to be taken, are where the film finds greatest purchase, strengthened by a cast that is always fully in touch with their characters. Krumholtz plays it close to the vest to maintain the mystery of Andrew’s sanity and authenticity, while Lynskey perfectly captures Hannah’s desperate edge. The picturesque southwest locale and tight-knit cast add a real sense of friendship and camaraderie, which makes the personal betrayals all the more effective.

Where Beatty, who took a solo pass at the screenplay, goes wrong is in attempts to force humor and meaning in a situation that’s already pretty far out. When the guys order up a couple of hookers for Andrew it predictably goes awry, and lame side plots involving a missing dog and a distressed drunk (Dale Dickey) are of little value. There’s a struggle to maintain the already-sluggish momentum and the story meanders with no direction for far too long, becoming an issue when Beatty tries to tie up every thread in a slapdash final act. As a result, some of the decisions made are simple and unjustified, disappointing given the strong character work The Big Ask has to offer.

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Jonah Hill, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, and Kristen Wiig to Voice 'Sausage Party'

The gang behind This is the End have formed their own little stoner brat pack of sorts, and for the most part it's been a formula for success. Last year's apocalyptic comedy made over $120M, not bad for a hard R-rated flick in the middle of summer. Now they hope to recreate that success with the "adults only" animated comedy, Sausage Party.

Hill revealed his plans for the film a few years ago but it took a step forward when Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2) and Greg Tiernan came aboard to direct. Now The Wrap reports Hill, Seth Rogen, James Franco, David Krumholtz, and Michael Dera will lead the voice cast, with Kristen Wiig, Edward Norton, and Nick Kroll joining in. Rogen and Evan Goldberg pitched in on the script which takes place at a supermarket and follows a sausage's quest to discover the truth of his existence after falling out of a shopping cart. With the 4th of July sale approaching, he and his friends must hurry to get back to their aisles in time.

Much like the talking M&M's from the commercials, apparently these anthropomorphic foods don't realize what the end game is.

Sony plans to release Sausage Party some time in 2015.

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