The Age of Apatow and friends

Reflecting on the movies I've enjoyed most recently, I found myself visibly frustrated by the reoccurring images of Paul Rudd and comedy's newest jewest poster child Seth Rogen. Not that I didn't laugh uproariously when Rudd got caught drafting Hedeki Matsui behind his wife's back or when Rogen hit the bong through a gas mask, but where exactly is this new age of comedy headed?

It's amazing how much money has been made on the backs of Will Ferrell and friends since 2003's now almost a "classic" Old School and even more disturbing how little cinematic ground has been covered. Sure, the more recent bread-winners like Knocked Up and The 40 Year-Old Virgin have cashed in on their romantic-comedy appeal as well as the gold-nugget throw-aways, but it's that same awkward improv the spawns quoting sessions among all us viewers.

In the face of Apatow's recent success, movies like Anchorman get scoffed at by more general movie-goers, while I personally think back to Ron Burgundy (and even Federal Wildlife Marshall Willenholly) for the moments I've laughed the hardest. (Vince Vaughn also deserves more than a tip of the hat for his work in Wedding Crashers.) I find that many of these movies are starting to lose their edge, or maybe I'm just one who enjoys the real mean streak that Superbad was lacking. It certainly went dark and personal places with boyhood friendships, but if we're looking to laugh at cops, it's worth a trip to the movie store (or your friends house) to borrow a copy of Supertroopers.

The toughest part of this comedy really coming up in Hollywood is knowing that it's going to get old. And fast. Perhaps the real downfall started when Lionsgate decided it was necessary for a second best-of Will Ferrell SNL dvd. I have to admit that I've always been a little too proud of my appetite for comedy, but I won't cite a bit of snob-nosery as the source for my worry. The best part of this growing group of male actors (once labeled "The Frat Pack" by yet another semi-successful comedian on VH1) was that no one was feeding off each other like they were. Now, as the group grows, kids like Jonah Hill and Michael Cera have convinced me that the dynamic is destined to end up like the opened cereal box in your cabinet you bought a year ago (you know it's there). Yes, the boys from Superbad certainly displayed a unique knack for working together, but are they worth all this praise when we can't forget Vaughn and Wilson?

I suppose it's not very unique of me to bitch about yet another quality idea getting sold out, but it's still worth something to voice your opinion when you have one. Call me a coward or a jerk; it's easy...

...just bitch about me in a blog.