The promise of Iron Sky is a great and wondrous one. It’s Moon Nazis. Moon Nazis, people. Swirl it around in your mind for a moment. Those two words alone should put enough fuel in the car to get it to the theater, but with a concept like a Fourth Reich hiding on the dark side of the moon, the movie can only take one of two paths. Sadly, all too sadly, it takes a wrong turn and ends up riding the highway all the way into the city dump at the end of it. Stupid, cheap and aiming above its IQ, this movie is the bad kind of garbage. It goes without saying that there’s a good kind. Some of the best spoof movies have fallen under that category. Like all tones, there are right and wrong ways to handle them, and although director Timo Vuorensola‘s long-awaited sci-fi explosion of bizarre alternate history starts off with decent overacting and wacky antics, it forgets its B-Movie roots halfway through. That’s its fatal mistake. Not that it was headed for greatness early on, but it was at least headed for the kind of mild enjoyability that makes bad movies worth watching. Udo Kier is Kortzfleisch, the new dictator. Julia Dietze is the Earth Expert and schoolteacher, Renate Richter, who’s convinced that the Nazi way is the way of peace. Götz Otto is Klaus Adler, the next in line to rule with an impotent anger. Christopher Kirby is James Washington, the black [Due to Content Scraping and Theft, we have been forced to try abbreviated feeds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and woud very much appreciate you clicking through to view the full article on FilmSchoolRejects.com]

Why Watch? This Oscar nominated short film features a crazed, angry old woman telling a terrifying twist of a favorite bedtime story to a granddaughter that is frozen with fear. Black comedy at its best, mixed animation styles that look great together, and insight into how pissed off the Metamucil Crowd can get. Watch it before bedtime! (Or right now. Or both.) What will it cost? Only 6 minutes. Skip Work. You’ve Got Time For More Short Films.

Apparently Madea owns her own Witness Protection Program now, which is weird because cross-dressing in a fat suit didn’t exactly make Tyler Perry anonymous. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the incredibly successful writer/director/producer is continuing his Madea legacy with Madea’s Witness Protection, and it will inexplicably feature Denise Richards as the wife of Eugene Levy. Levy will co-star as an investment manager who is forced into witness protection after massive wrong-doing at his company. Fish out of water style, the uppity, rich Connecticut dweller will be forced into the sweaty South of Madea’s neighborhood. If it sounds like an episode of Family Guy, that’s because it pretty much is. No doubt, everyone will learn valuable lessons about acceptance and Perry will make valuable amounts of money while screaming at people and waving a gun around. The project, which also features Romeo Miller, will most likely shoot this year for a 2013 release. Fortunately, Perry will be in theaters next month in Good Deeds where he plays a rich guy who falls for a single mom just before he’s supposed to get married, and he’ll take up the mantle as iconic detective Alex Cross in I, Alex Cross which sees theaters in November. Just like any year, it’s going to be a big year for Tyler Perry. Jokes aside, he’s found a niche that works, and he’s used his powers this time around to let a middle-aged Jewish comedian play husband to the girl in the Wild Things threesome. Fiction at [Due to Content Scraping and Theft, we have been forced to try abbreviated feeds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and woud very much appreciate you clicking through to view the full article on FilmSchoolRejects.com]

Why Watch? The sheer blue brilliance of it all. If you’d like to see cursing and monologues taken to a higher art form, feast your eyes and ears on Lance Reddick‘s (Fringe) work here and worship your new deity. It’s Colonel Kurtz after missing his morning coffee as owner of a crappy toy store. It’s a madman who will shit in places that will leave you confused. It’s crazy, and it’s funny as hell. Begin laughing and bowing down now. What will it cost? Only 5 minutes. You’ve Got Time For More Short Films

Before he directed Patch Adams – I’m pretty sure that little nugget of information will rear its head again further down this article – Tom Shadyac had a strong hand in making Jim Carrey the man he is today. Shadyac directed Ace Venture: Pet Detective, the film that essentially launched Carrey’s career into super stardom and eventually landed him a few $20m paying jobs. Shadyac, on the other hand, was easy to get for the film’s commentary track. And that’s what we’re doing for this week’s Commentary Commentary. Here’s hoping it’s loaded with deep analysis on the character and the slaps in the face Shadyac had to give Carrey in order for the performance to bleed through. Who am I kidding? There’s probably plenty of laughter and talking about the first time he saw Carrey talking out of his ass. Let’s find out, shall we?

Have you noticed that songs about getting completely, vomitously, blacked out drunk are getting popular now? From Taio Cruz talking about his hangover and drinking until he throws up, to Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” and Far East Movement and whatever Ke$ha is, it’s a sobering trend. The generation that’s in high school and college right now is trying to get on dialysis as fast as possible. It’s a noble goal, but it’s still no excuse for buying Natty Light. Meanwhile, at least one film is celebrating the act of celebrating. Project X‘s first trailer was manic and hurried, but this second trailer (via Coming Soon) effectively gives as much backstory as the movie can muster: three high school kids want to make an impact after floating through unknown by their classmates. A party ensues, and then the party goes viral. Check out the party for yourself:

The Gods at ABC have smiled down upon us. In what seems like the first logical thing done in the 2012 midseason, the Disney network has cancelled the insufferable Work It, the Bosom Buddies­-style “comedy” about two men who cross-dress to get a job in pharmaceutical sales. While this news is a triumph on its own, it paved the way for another exciting revelation – a Valentine’s Day premiere date for cult favorite Cougar Town. Praise Big Carl! The return of this Bill Lawrence comedy is some of the most exciting news since, well, the cancellation of Work It. This comedy, premiering in 2009 after Modern Family, is a wine-soaked, sun-bathed Golden Girls of the new age; a poorly-named glimpse at the lives of the Sex and the City gals, had they headed to suburbia. They do everything wrong – handling everyday situations as inappropriately as the Seinfeld gang; acting sometimes as selfishly as those deplorable Paddy’s Pub managers over on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – but these characters are strangely endearing in a way that’s perhaps amplified by chardonnay. Now, I’m not claiming that Cougar Town is the highbrowiest of programs. Heck, its (admittedly horrible) name is derived from a term coined by the Kardashian generation. Yes, Courtney Cox has indulged in so much botox that her Monica Gellar qualities are almost unrecognizable, and her voice can be a little grating. No, you certainly won’t get any intellectual benefit from it, a la Mad Men, or Breaking Bad, or [Due to Content Scraping and Theft, we have been forced to try abbreviated feeds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and woud very much appreciate you clicking through to view the full article on FilmSchoolRejects.com]

Why Watch? Because sometimes all it takes is a red pair of glasses to ruin your day. This silent slice of comic life includes a man trying to stand out in a crowd, a woman that thwarts him every morning, and a trendsetter that leaves room for a lonely love connection. It’s not rocket surgery, but it definitely brightens a day and has a few unexpected complications (including the lanky, squirrel-faced version of Elijah Wood in the background). Plus, it should be watched simply for having the gusto to go forward without words and come out a winner. What will it cost? Only 6 minutes. You’ve Got Time For More Short Films

Scientists have heatedly argued as to whether Adam Sandler‘s career is still in existence or went extinct after Jack and Jill stepped on the last egg. Since then, millions have headed into the wild to see if they could spot some sort of proof that the comedian is still allowed on film sets. Or still inviting himself onto the the ones he’s financing. Luck struck Cinema Blend today when they acquired the highly sought-after evidence that Sandler is still, in fact, working. There’s no explanation as to why Sandler is wearing a Bon Jovi costume here, but it beats a fat suit any day. Hopefully, Donny’s Boy (retitled from I Hate You, Dad) will be the home run that knocks the old big leaguer out of his slump. He’s got Andy Samberg co-starring in a role that almost ensures a ton of comedic sparring between the two, and Leighton Meester on board as Samberg’s character’s fiancee who does not get along with dear old dad. Sitcom set up, possible gold. Why? Because the script was rewritten by The State alumnae Ken Marino and David Wain who also delivered Wet Hot American Summer. It’s the feature directing debut of third film directed by Sean Anders and John Morris, who used their Sex Drive writing cred to get work on Mr. Popper’s Penguins and Hot Tub Time Machine. The hope/dread factor is still up in the air, but scientists need something to argue about. Correction: In a previous version of the article, [Due to Content Scraping and Theft, we have been forced to try abbreviated feeds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and woud very much appreciate you clicking through to view the full article on FilmSchoolRejects.com]

CollegeHumor is perfect at posting pictures of girls doing keg stands in their underwear, looking at the 90s as the only nostalgia available, and for matching booze choices to personalities. It’s also great at inexplicably both mocking and endorsing Axe Body Spray in the same breath. Now, after dominating the internet, CollegeHumor is going to try its hand at a different comical medium. According to Variety, CollegeHumor Media is partnering with Brad Copeland (Arrested Development, Yogi Bear, Wild Hogs) to give birth to Coffee Town – an original film that will star Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny), Steve Little (Eastbound & Down), singer Josh Groban and Ben Schwartz (Mystery Team, The Other Guys). The premise focuses on three slackers who have slacked into their 30s who now face the end of their slacking abilities. Specifically, Howerton’s character is a website designer who wants to stage a pretend robbery in order to stall a coffee shop from turning into a pub. The premise isn’t anything new, and what’s interesting is Copeland’s career so far has been mostly middling comedies aimed generically at older crowds. That excludes his work on Arrested Development, where he wrote episodes like “Sword of Destiny” (Tea for dong!) and on My Name Is Earl which found popular appeal in part because of its quirkiness. CollegeHumor on the other hand seems to cater to a focused demographic that includes people with permanent marker on their faces. It looks like they’ll try to expand that appeal here, and while [Due to Content Scraping and Theft, we have been forced to try abbreviated feeds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and woud very much appreciate you clicking through to view the full article on FilmSchoolRejects.com]

Why Watch? One day, the Ramsey Brothers got together to watch old home movies and deliver some incredibly insightful DVD featurette-style commentary. The result is nostalgia relived as art and as comedy. What’s the symbolism of the lifted shirt? Can we consider the camera a truthful narrator? In their own words, Not Where You Saw “tells the riveting tale of one brother’s courageous stand for justice.” Or it’s brothers fighting with each other on a basketball court while their father tapes it on a handicam. Or it’s both. Either way, it’s inspired. What does it cost? Just 2 minutes of your time. Trust us. You have time for more short films.

It feels like Dan Aykroyd hasn’t been around for a while, but that’s only because I refused to see Yogi Bear, barely noticed him as the Vice President in War, Inc. and refused (again) to see  I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. So he hasn’t been retired or anything, but it’s sure felt like it. Nevertheless, he’ll be coming out of that non-retirement for Dog Fight, the political comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as two South Carolinians who have their sights on the presidency. According to Movie Hole, the Oscar nominated actor is on board, but the role isn’t specified. Hopefully this won’t further delay that certain, ghost-bustin’ sequel Aykroyd has been steadily working on. I’m speaking, of course, about My Stepmother is an Alien 2. The capable Jay Roach is directing a script from Chris Henchy (The Other Guys, and producer of many, many other movies) and Shawn Harwell (Eastbound and Down). Smash all that together, and it feels like reason for mild excitement.

If you woke up this morning and felt you needed to see a trailer frothing over with semen jokes, it’s as if the planets have aligned to tell you that you need more therapy and that the redband trailer for Babymakers has poked its little head out onto the internet. This is the Broken Lizard movie that isn’t a Broken Lizard movie. Instead of the gang from Beerfest trying to impregnate everyone, it stars Olivia Munn and Paul Schneider (Away We Go, Lars and the Real Girl) as a couple who have trouble conceiving. Fortunately, Schneider’s character donated a bunch of great sperm years ago. Unfortunately, it’s all gone, so he has to try to steal some of it back. Good old Kevin “Farva” Heffernan is on board as the sidekick, and Jay Chandrasekhar is directing and playing an Indian mafia killer (complete with genuine Indian accent!). As for the rest of the Broken Lizard gang, they look like they’re relegated to the background here. Check out the trailer for yourself:

Horror-comedies are a mixed bag. Often they’re not scary or violent enough to satisfy your horror boner, nor are they funny enough to tickle your funny bone(r). When they work well, you get an Evil Dead II or a Dead and Breakfast. When they fail you get…I don’t know, who remembers shitty horror-comedies? Tucker & Dale vs. Evil follows two lovable, well meaning rednecks through a series of misunderstandings that result in a group of vacationing college kids being convinced the duo are out to murder them. Like any educated group, the kids decide the best thing to do is to take the war to the hillbillies and try to kill them and rescue their “kidnapped” friend. Things go comically and fatally awry to great effect.

Midnight in Paris is still out there making money and finding new audiences, so it’s less than surprising that Sony Pictures Classics has already picked up Woody Allen‘s follow-up film, Nero Fiddled, which was produced last year. According to Cinema Blend, the movie is described by Allen as a broad comedy with several overlapping stories. It stars Jesse “Woody Allen” Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Alec Baldwin, Greta Gerwig, Penelope Cruz, Roberto Benigni and Judy Davis. Woody Allen is also playing a role, but he lamented earlier in the year about not being able to play the romantic lead anymore. Which is ridiculous. Who wouldn’t want to see a hunky 76-year-old man embroil himself in the heart and loins of a gorgeous counterpart? Exactly. As long as it takes place in Rome, it’ll be romantic. I’m pretty sure that’s even where we get the word. So if you were at all worried that you’d go a year without hearing from the workhorse of filmmaking, fear not! More Allen is on the way. Just try not to loudly pontificate about the meaning of his work while waiting in line at the cinema.  

Why Watch? A little girl’s bedtime story, told while bullets fly. I featured another Jamin Winans film yesterday, but there’s no reason not to check out more – especially when Winans cuts to the chase in a movie’s first second. This short features a gambler on the run who gets a phone call from his niece and has to tell her a bedtime story that seems to have some clear parallels to his own chase scene. A little comedy, a little coincidence and another magical urban fairytale from a fresh voice. What does it cost? Just 5 minutes of your time. Check out Uncle Jack for yourself:

Why Watch? DJ as destiny. People as Rube Goldberg device. Jamin Winans came out of nowhere (seemingly) to amaze with Ink, but this is the short film that got him the attention he deserved in the first place. It’s a head-noddable exploration of the rhythm of life where editing has as big a role to play as camera work. How does everything in life work out? Apparently it’s because of a guy in a bandana lugging around twin turntables. What does it cost? Just 8 minutes of your time. Check out Spin for yourself:

Why Watch? Good old Jason Reitman has another movie coming out this week, and it just so happens that I stumbled upon one of his early short films – one I fell in love with years ago and only recently realized the name behind it. This dry, hilarious movie delivers the standard (often wordless) negotiation that happens whenever two people get back to the bedroom after a great first date. It just delivers it in a bizarre, strangely sensible way. Go grab a Notary, and don’t even think about Article 20. What does it cost? Just 5 minutes of your time. Check out Consent for yourself:

Why Watch? The short that gave birth to CGI animation at Sony. In the early 2000s, the studio decided to test its ability to put together a completely CGI animated film, and the result/challenge was The ChubbChubbs! – a goofy animated story about a night club janitor on an alien planet that is called to the higher task of saving his people from a roving band of monsters (after he’s warned by Jar Jar Binks that they’re coming). It’s funny in a ridiculous, under-dog sort of way, and it represents the first movement into territory that’s now a decade old for the company. For more historical context, this won the Oscar in 2003 after seeing theaters…in front of Men in Black. What does it cost? Just 5 minutes of your time. Check out The ChubbChubbs! for yourself:

Why Watch? Arm yourself against the biggest threat in your town. This short features the wonderful camp that comes with recreating the absurdly smiley public service announcements of the 1950s. Instead of advising you to hide under your desk to protect yourself from easily avoidable radiation fallout, this film wants to warn you of a pie-stealing, porno-reading infestation of hobos. Funny? Yes. Informative? You bet. Life saving? Probably. Of course, that’s assuming that none of these rail-riders is packing a shotgun. What does it cost? Just 6 minutes of your time. Check out The Hobo Menace for yourself: