Darkly cynical comedies about politics, love, and family from major independent studios soon hit theaters.
Paper Heart
A young woman (Charlyne Yi) who doesn’t believe she’ll ever find true love decides to make a documentary about the subject. She and her crew journey across America interviewing ministers, married couples, children, scientists, attorneys, and others in an attempt to explain the mysteries of love. During the quest, she meets an odd young man (Michael Cera) who feels instant chemistry with her. Combining documentary interviews with real people and fantasy (a scripted romance with Cera), this funny little film experiments with a kindler, gentler type of Sacha Baron Cohen filmmaking in which the lines between reality and fiction are blurred.
- Director: Nicholas Jasenovec
- Writers: Nicholas Jasenovec, Charlyne Yi
- Additional Cast: Nicholas Jasenovec, Sarah Baker, Matthew Bass, Matthew Craig, Don Emerson, Seth Rogen
- Rating: PG-13 (for language)
- Studio: Overture Films
- Release Date: August 7, 2009
- Additional Information: This film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance Film Festival (2009), and includes original music by Cera and Yi.
Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself
An overbearing grandmother (Tyler Perry) catches some young delinquents looting her home and confronts their aunt about the situation. With her own life is disarray, their aunt wants nothing to do with the children. However, Madea’s usual well-intentioned interference helps family matters (including love and faith) become more important to all involved. This movie is a follow-up to Perry’s 2009 hit Madea Goes to Jail, and was filmed around Atlanta, Georgia, and at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
- Director: Tyler Perry
- Writer: Tyler Perry
- Additional Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian J. White, Hope Olaide Wilson, Kwesi Boakye, Gladys Knight, Frederick Siglar, Mary J. Blige, Marvin Winans
- Rating: PG-13 (for mature thematic material involving a sexual assault on a minor, violence, drug references)
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Release Date: September 11, 2009
- Additional Information: Perry continues his series of dramatic comedy movies (all based on his plays) starring Madea (Perry in drag), a trash-talking, pistol-packing matriarch of a dysfunctional family.
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Based on the book of the same name, this dark comedy concerns a downtrodden reporter (Ewan McGregor) looking for a good war story. He meets a Special Forces agent (George Clooney) who reveals surprising secrets about a psychic military unit devoted to creating “Warrior Monks” with highly developed paranormal powers to win the war. Some of the training involved with this special unit involves staring at goats for prolonged periods of time. Set in Iraq, the film combines comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, and documentary.
- Director: Grant Heslov
- Writers: Jon Ronson (book), Peter Straughan (screenplay)
- Additional Cast: Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Robert Patrick, Rebecca Mader, Stephen Root, Merik Tadros, Stephen Lang, Nick Offerman, Glenn Morshower
- Rating: To Be Determined
- Studio: Overture Films
- Release Date: November 6, 2009
- Additional Information: The film is adapted from Ronson’s 2004 nonfiction book based on interviews with people who claimed to be involved in these paranormal activities.
To learn more about new fall movie releases, visit the official website for Overture Films.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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