INTERVIEW: THE CAST OF "PROJECT X" - THOMAS MANN, OLIVER COOPER & JONATHAN DANIEL BROWN

Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper & Thomas Mann

"I think it's definitely a Comedy until you turn 35, then it's a Horror Movie", says Oliver Cooper, in Toronto to promote Todd Phillips' latest-produced Comedy, Project X along with his Co-stars, Thomas Mann and Jonathan Daniel Brown. The three young Actors are on the verge of a major breakthrough if Phillips' previous track record as Producer is any indication of success. Old School, Due Date, The Hangover and The Hangover Part II are just a few of the little known Films to which he prior has lent his name.

Project X by first-time Director Nima Nourizadeh, centers around three nerdy High School Seniors who decide to throw a Birthday Bash for Thomas (Mann), led by wisecracking and potty-mouthed Costa (Cooper).  J.B. (Brown) tags along and might deliver a few laughs of his own.  Desperate for popularity, there is no holding back. E-mails are blasted, Text Messages are sent and Craigslist Ads are posted. Before they know it, the Party - which v. loosely is inspired by Australian Party Boy Corey Worthington, among others - spirals wildly out of control, maybe to disastrous proportions.

If it seems that the Boys had a blast making the Movie, well, it's because they did.  Although Joel Silver and Phillips held a nationwide Talent Search to cast for Project X back in 2010, ultimately they found Brown on the Internet through an Open Call, after having auditioned rather late in the process.  Being relatively unknown Actors, how do they stand out in a crowd of Fresh Faces, I ask?  "We're just that good" Cooper jokes, revealing "I've never actually auditioned for anything before.  I had a Friend named Shaun Weiss (also an Actor)  get me an audition for Project X through Judd Apatow, which was really strange because I didn't know what I was doing".  On the other hand, Mann explains "I just submitted through an Agent and didn't really audition, but I'm glad I got it. It was a really long process over several months and we did several mixes and matches.".

BRIDESMAIDS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Bridesmaids

Easily one of the best Films of 2011, Bridesmaids is equal parts heartfelt as it is hilarious. The Paul Feig (Superbad) Film centers around Annie (Kristen Wiig), a single lovelorn Woman who is coping with the failure of her Bakery which recently went Bankrupt. Her BFF since childhood Lilian (Maya Rudolph) then suddenly names her Maid of Honour at her upcoming wedding, but Annie really hasn't a clue what to do. Above this, she must deal with the menacing presence of the socially graceful Helen (Rose Byrne), who over the past eight months has become quite close to Lilian, threatening her role as BFF/Maid of Honour.

Annie is involved with Tim (Jon Hamm), a Playboy who takes advantage of her and has no plans to commit to her. Getting pulled-over while driving one day, she encounters Nathan (Chris O'Dowd) who just might the right Guy for her. Being challenged by her own personal Demons and insecurities, Annie finds herself caught in a cycle of self-sabotage and with Lilian's wedding looming, we are concerned whether ultimately she'll  be able to pull herself out this slump.

Although Judd Apatow fills the role of Producer here, his influence is palpable even with Feig helming the Film.  As normally is the case with Apatow's films, they often clock-in past the two-hour mark, yet on that note the characters in his stories are thoughtfully crafted with genuine struggles.  Bridesmaids is no exception.

"BRIDESMAIDS" IN THEATRES SOON

 

This looks absolutely amazing!  Bridesmaids from Veteran Actor/Director Paul Feig, centers around Annie (Kristen Wiig), who is asked by Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her Maid of Honour.  Annie, broke and single, is forced to put on a brave face and tough her way through the pre-wedding rituals and what ensues is a series of antics almost sure to draw laughter.  She doesn't have a clue what to do!

And if all else fails, there's a superb Supporting Cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Jon Hamm, Rose Byrne... and a Cameo by Wilson Phillips!  Yes!!!  Judd Apatow (The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) produces.

Universal Pictures releases Bridesmaids on Friday, May 13, 2011.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

JUDD APATOW'S ALL-STAR MOCK PSA FOR THE AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE

Director/Screenwriter Judd Apatow's been everywhere this past week promoting his new book I Found This Funny: My Favourite Pieces of Humor and Some That May Not Be That Funny At All, including an appearance alongside Robin Williams and Kylie Minogue on Jay Leno last week.

The Director of The 40 Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up recently brought together a slew of stars for this mock Public Service Announcement for the American Jewish World Service, a non-profit organization which educates the American-Jewish community on Global Justice.  This Clip, produced for website Funny or Die is absolutely hilarious and here we see Jewish stars like Sarah Silverman and Jerry Seinfeld, to clearly non-Jewish celebrities like Don Johnson to Triumph the Insult Comic Dog to Lindsay Lohan, voicing their thoughts on AJWS.  Lohan even pokes fun at her own financial debt.  

*sigh* Once upon a time when times were better, before Emma Stone came along....