San Diego CityBeat | Movies+TV | AAN.org

Seann William Scott Goes for Substance in 'The Promotion'new

This is a guy who has made his living playing obnoxious blowhards like Stifler in the American Pie films, dudes like the dudes in Dude, Where’s My Car, and, well, Bo Duke in the recent Dukes of Hazard remake, plus another dozen or so other big, broad, and often dumb, comedies.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 06-11-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: comedy, Steven Conrad, The Promotion, Bobby Cannavale, Rick Gonzalez, John C. Reilly, Lili Taylor, Chris Conrad, Fred Armisen, Gil Bellows, Jenna Fischer, Seann William Scott

Writers Come of Age in 'Reprise'new

Young Norwegians strive for artistic success, and question its definition, in the new film Reprise.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 06-04-2008 | Reviews

Tags: Norway, writers, Joachim Trier, Reprise

'Surfwise' Asks If Blood is Thicker Than Seawaternew

At the film's center is the patriarch, Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, an octogenarian who lived a fairly typical early life -- two unsuccessful marriages, an unsatisfying medical practice fueled by a Stanford education -- and lived only to make his way to the beach to go surfing.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 05-28-2008 | Reviews

Tags: documentary, surfing, Dorian Paskowitz, Doug Pray, Israel Paskowitz, Jonathan Paskowitz, Juliette Paskowitz, Surfwise

Actor Danny McBride is About to Blow Upnew

Wait. Danny McWho? How can he be the next big thing if no one's ever heard of him?

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 04-30-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: comedy, Ben Best, Danny McBride, Jody Hill, Mary Jane Bostic, tae kwon do, The Foot Fist Way

Summer Movies for Those Who are More Indie Than Indynew

So, you're one of those artsy types who can't deal with the summer popcorn movies. No worries: There's plenty of small- to mid-size movies sneaking in under the blockbuster radar.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 04-30-2008 | Movies

Tags: indie, independent films

Chris Carter Reopens The X-Filesnew

Carter has been tight-lipped about plot details but says I Want to Believe picks up where things left off.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 04-30-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: David Duchovny, Drama, thriller, Amanda Peet, Chris Carter, Gillian Anderson, Mystery, The X-Files: I Want to Believe

An Illegal-immigration Movie You'll Want to Seenew

Instead of focusing on the traditional movie star, Thomas McCarthy writes for performers he admires who aren't the traditional leads and then lets them flex their acting muscles. In The Visitor, it's Richard Jenkins' turn.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 04-23-2008 | Reviews

Tags: comedy, The Visitor, Thomas McCarthy, Drama, Danai Gurira, Haaz Sleiman, Hiam Abbass, Richard Jenkins

In 'Sarah Marshall,' Jason Segel Doesn't Forget the Sex Scenesnew

Segel isn't your standard movie star: He's goofy and tall and built not particularly well. But in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, he has multiple sex scenes with multiple partners, including Kristin Bell and Mila Kunis. Maybe that's because Segel, in his first leading role, also wrote the screenplay.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 04-16-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Nicholas Stoller

Is 'Zombie Strippers' Any Good?new

Look, this movie is called Zombie Strippers, and it delivers on its title. It has zombies, and it has strippers; there are bitings and boobies, a few killer jokes and some that just drop dead. If that's your thing, this is your movie, especially if you drink heavily ahead of time.

San Diego CityBeat | Anders Wright | 04-16-2008 | Reviews

Tags: Jay Lee, Zombie Strippers