For Your Anticipation: No, Your Head

In a week of three high profile releases, one of them limited, The Hangover: Part II is probably the one I'm least looking forward to. I'd never go so far as labeling it a bad movie, but at this point it seems like so much of a rerun of what we've been through before. I get the feeling they might have fun riffing off that, but it could get annoying at some point. Hell, it probably will.

Teaser Trailer: The Hangover: Part II

For me, this is the epitome of a teaser trailer. It doesn't really give anything away, and doesn't give us much at all, but it doesn't disappoint. It's a simple look at some frames from the film, one rather simple crack by Zach Galifiankis, and the sense that something crazy is going down. The Hangover: Part II is so far being smart about their advertising campaign, and I applaud them for that. I'm sure people are going to call it a cop out, but I think it's what a teaser should be, and yet never is these days. Feel free to disagree in the comments section!

For Your Anticipation: It's Medical Marijuana, Peter

I haven't quite settled on whether or not I trust this film, because while the trailers and clips have been occasionally funny, we haven't seen anything close to The Hangover hilarity. The humor in this film does leave something to be desired, and if people believe they'll be covering some deeper topics because Robert Downey Jr. is in the film, they will not be prepared for what's in store. Due Date looks like a standard buddy-road trip comedy, and it will probably garner quite a few viewers based simply on star talent and the name of the director. I remain unconvinced, but I'll willingly give it a shot.

The Mel Gibson-"Hangover 2" Debacle

Mel Gibson has had his hands in his fair share of debacles, and they've definitely made him a tough sell as an actor for most films. What we didn't see coming was him being denied a role in a film as ballsy as The Hangover 2. The controversial figure was close to busting out a deal to cameo as a tattoo artist in the upcoming sequel. Unfortunately for him, Todd Philips had to turn him down due to issues that members of the cast and crew had with his casting. I guess that despite his character, Zach Galifianakis has some pretty sturdy and honest morals. Though he hasn't exactly announced that he was the one with problems, but it's inferred through this statement he said in an interview:

"I'm in a deep protest right now with a movie I'm working on, up in arms about something, but I can't get the guys to [listen] ... I'm not making any leeway."

Who would have though that Galifianakis would be the one to say no? He certainly just went up a few notches in my books. Though I was worried at first that they wouldn't find a fitting replacement for Gibson, it appears that Liam Neeson is now set to fill the role. Philips certainly has my stamp of approval. What is you opinion on this issue? I want to know what you think of the entire Mel Gibson debacle, including its origins in the audio tape scandal.

Theatrical Trailer: Due Date

Todd Phillips has had a very unexpected film career, creating success out of the simplest of situations. The new trailer for his latest film, Due Date, treads along the same track of humor as The Hangover, but it doesn't quite live up to the first trailer. I imagine that as a full feature it will be very enjoyable, but it feels a little too crammed together as a trailer. I did like the coffee can portion of it, and Zach Galifianakis continues to be brilliantly talented at making these outrageous lines come across with humanity. Still, this trailer doesn't strike so great a chord.