Sure I’m the only person who thinks so, but with each trailer I watch I get more excited to see Hot Tub Time Machine. Granted, the new Red Band Trailer leaves a lot to be desired, but that doesn’t change the fact that this movie is from the guys directly responsible for two of my favorite comedies, High Fidelity and Grosse Pointe Blank. Plus, the new Green Band Trailer contains one of the funniest lines I’ve ever heard.
“Oh then you have to talk to girls with your mouth.”
Every so often a film comes along that sparks its generation to new heights. Inspiring millions to reach for the impossible, that their dreams can be a reality. Finally, a film has come along that aspires to none of these things, yet will be awesome anyways. I am speaking of course, of Hot Tub Time Machine, which is an idea so ridiculously stupid, that the teaser makes sure to let you know that everyone involved on this project is fully aware of it.
But why should anyone care? Especially with a concept so stupid? Because it is directed by Steve Pink, who wrote the screenplays for two of my all time favorite comedies, those being High Fidelity and Grosse Point Blank. Even better? The film stars John Cusack, who for much of the past decade has been floundering in awful rom-coms and gorror films when he should be getting back to his bread and butter, snarky comedies. And make no mistake, Hot Tub Time Machine will be right in his wheel house.
But the cast doesn’t just stop with Cusack, as a host of great comedians show up as well as a few actual actors. Don’t let the title fool you, this is primed to be a great comedy. Just you wait and see.
Allow me for a moment, if you will, to wax rhapsodic about one of my favorite literary organizations, that being McSweeney’s. Every quarter McSweeney’s publishes their Quarterly Concerns, which is not only one of the coolest literary magazines imaginable, and the design of the magazine is often as amazing and fascinating as the works contained within it. McSweeney’s also publishes books from obscure and long forgotten authors, as well as works from widely read and respected modern authors, often times selling these works for ridiculously cheap prices (it is not uncommon that once a month a book be reduced to $.01) and often times donating much or all of the proceeds to various charities. McSweeney’s is an organization devoted to the advancement of art and literature and I am proud to give my money to such an esteemed organization.
Several years ago Nick Hornby (of High Fidelity fame) teamed up with several other writers to produce a new semi-monthly magazine from McSweeney’s entitled The Believer. It was filled with reviews and stories and original works and Amy Sedaris giving sex advice by proxy, everything one would want from a literary magazine. The Believer also accomplished two very important things, at least in my little corner of the world. The April ‘06 issue contained an interview with Paul Giamatti that was so fascinating and enjoyable I can safely call it the best interview I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The Etgar Keret interview in the same issue isn’t half bad either. But that was just the beginning, as later I would read their September ‘06 issue, simply referred to as the games issue. The issue was so captivating I have no qualms in naming it the best issue of any magazine I have ever read. Thus knocking off the July of ‘84 issue of Ranger Rick, a feat I previously deemed impossible. (more…)
Allow me for a moment, if you will, to wax rhapsodic about one of my favorite literary organizations, that being 
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