Spaced out
October 20, 2010 1:12 PM Subscribe
"I measure my life in terms of my relationship with Star Wars" - The Guardian interviews Simon Pegg, star of Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and the forthcoming Paul (trailer).
Paul's voice just doesn't quite "work" in the trailer. (IMO)
posted by jkaczor at 1:23 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by jkaczor at 1:23 PM on October 20, 2010
Natalie Dee (kind of maybe) agrees? At least she'd rather see this post than another one about bacon...
posted by schyler523 at 1:24 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by schyler523 at 1:24 PM on October 20, 2010
Fatboy was sort of okayish, in a watch it free on demand when you;ve not much better to do kind of way... It's got Dylan Moran in it! It's a bit weird that it's directed by Ross from Friends.
posted by Artw at 1:26 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:26 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Hollywood weevil"? I know those words, but that sobriquet makes no sense. Is this something I'd have to be British to understand?
posted by Gator at 1:27 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by Gator at 1:27 PM on October 20, 2010
A weevil would be a tiny insect that makes a hole in foodstuff and tunnels it's way to it's core, Hollywood would be the foodstuff.
posted by Artw at 1:30 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 1:30 PM on October 20, 2010
Paul's voice just doesn't quite "work" in the trailer. (IMO)
I had the same thought.
posted by afx237vi at 1:30 PM on October 20, 2010
I had the same thought.
posted by afx237vi at 1:30 PM on October 20, 2010
I'm still convinced that had Nick Frost also been in Star Trek, I might actually have enjoyed it. It would have been beautiful if he'd played the captain of the Federation ship in the opening battle, in his Mike persona.
posted by permafrost at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by permafrost at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2010 [7 favorites]
Where Simon Pegg really shines is when he writes the material. When he's just acting, we don't get his rather awesome brand of humor, we just get Simon Pegg saying somebody else's words.
posted by dunkadunc at 1:45 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 1:45 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Dazzling endorsement made Shaun an absolute smash on DVD, selling so well in America that distributors Universal were later able to compile the astonishing statistic that 40% of US males aged 17 to 39 considered themselves fans.
Wow
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:49 PM on October 20, 2010 [9 favorites]
Wow
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:49 PM on October 20, 2010 [9 favorites]
The man's best attribute: He Has A Killer -- And I Mean Killer -- Obi Wan Kenobi Impression.
posted by boo_radley at 1:52 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by boo_radley at 1:52 PM on October 20, 2010
Where Simon Pegg really shines is when he writes the material.
He was excellent in Big Train, which I don't think he wrote for.
posted by permafrost at 1:55 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
He was excellent in Big Train, which I don't think he wrote for.
posted by permafrost at 1:55 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't know, dunkadunc. I agree that Fatboy and How to Lose Friends were really terrible, but did you ever see him in Big Train or Black Books? He's often a brilliant performer, with a much wider range than he gives himself the chance to exhibit in the material he pens himself.
Also, this is likely to be an unpopular sentiment, but while Spaced, Shaun, and Hot Fuzz all have their moments, the writing in all of them often feels a bit lazy and half-assed. (To be honest, they seem very, very similar to drafts of scripts I would write, using my whole ass, which probably colors this perception...) Like, I think they're all a draft or two away from being outstanding comedies, but Pegg (and his collaborators) settled on merely being affable.
posted by incomple at 2:01 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, this is likely to be an unpopular sentiment, but while Spaced, Shaun, and Hot Fuzz all have their moments, the writing in all of them often feels a bit lazy and half-assed. (To be honest, they seem very, very similar to drafts of scripts I would write, using my whole ass, which probably colors this perception...) Like, I think they're all a draft or two away from being outstanding comedies, but Pegg (and his collaborators) settled on merely being affable.
posted by incomple at 2:01 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Caught an episode of Spaced the other day, haven't seen it in years but was immediately reminded when watching of how good it was.
The EP was Daisy's birthday (Dissolution) when Marsha left the restaurant upset and then Mike with Brian (I think) go out to find her...
This was years before Family Guy would jump on the spoofing bandwagon and I'm sure that Seth McFarlane must be a fan or watched this show.
Anyway... Pegg seems to be lost (filmic wise) without Edgar Wright, they need to collaborate again.
posted by Webbster at 2:20 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
The EP was Daisy's birthday (Dissolution) when Marsha left the restaurant upset and then Mike with Brian (I think) go out to find her...
This was years before Family Guy would jump on the spoofing bandwagon and I'm sure that Seth McFarlane must be a fan or watched this show.
Anyway... Pegg seems to be lost (filmic wise) without Edgar Wright, they need to collaborate again.
posted by Webbster at 2:20 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
You forgot he turned in an excellent Scotty. How COULD you?
posted by Old'n'Busted at 2:21 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Old'n'Busted at 2:21 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Dazzling endorsement made Shaun an absolute smash on DVD, selling so well in America that distributors Universal were later able to compile the astonishing statistic that 40% of US males aged 17 to 39 considered themselves fans.
Wow
It's not that impressive, it's just a Facebook stat, and everyone knows those are unreliable.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:24 PM on October 20, 2010
Wow
It's not that impressive, it's just a Facebook stat, and everyone knows those are unreliable.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:24 PM on October 20, 2010
Me, I'm hoping the Edgar Wright Ant-Man gets made, as IMDb claims Joe Cornish wrote the script.
(technically Joe Cornish, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and Edgar Wright share the credits - now how cool is that?)
posted by Artw at 2:27 PM on October 20, 2010
(technically Joe Cornish, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and Edgar Wright share the credits - now how cool is that?)
posted by Artw at 2:27 PM on October 20, 2010
God damn I love Hot Fuzz.
posted by adamdschneider at 2:41 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by adamdschneider at 2:41 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
I didn't know Pegg is playing the Thom(p)son inspectors. And I had no idea the Tintin movie is actually planned to be a trilogy (!?!). They better be good, or I will cry like a baby.
posted by Corduroy at 2:42 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Corduroy at 2:42 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd thought he was playing Tintin.
Which, admittedly, would be a bit weird and kind of like that guy from AC/DC who wears the schoolboy uniform.
posted by Artw at 2:44 PM on October 20, 2010
Which, admittedly, would be a bit weird and kind of like that guy from AC/DC who wears the schoolboy uniform.
posted by Artw at 2:44 PM on October 20, 2010
I consider Pegg to be about the best actor working today.
posted by Dr. Wu at 2:47 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by Dr. Wu at 2:47 PM on October 20, 2010
(To be honest, they seem very, very similar to drafts of scripts I would write, using my whole ass, which probably colors this perception...) Like, I think they're all a draft or two away from being outstanding comedies, but Pegg (and his collaborators) settled on merely being affable.
I don't want for this to come out the wrong way, but if you write comedies as well as Simon Pegg (and collaborators) then you should be making movies.
Also, I like Run Fatboy Run. And I think I like How To Lose Friends..., but it's been a while since I saw it and I'm drawing a blank.
posted by inigo2 at 2:54 PM on October 20, 2010
I don't want for this to come out the wrong way, but if you write comedies as well as Simon Pegg (and collaborators) then you should be making movies.
Also, I like Run Fatboy Run. And I think I like How To Lose Friends..., but it's been a while since I saw it and I'm drawing a blank.
posted by inigo2 at 2:54 PM on October 20, 2010
Weirdsies--in need of some levity an hour or so ago, I just randomly watched that excellent Spaced clip where Simon's character bitches out a child for liking Phantom Menace...which led me back to Alan Partridge, as so many things do.
posted by Zerowensboring at 3:01 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by Zerowensboring at 3:01 PM on October 20, 2010
Oh hell I'm getting old. Even after reading the article, I still can't figure out who this is.
posted by PuppyCat at 3:21 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by PuppyCat at 3:21 PM on October 20, 2010
Artw: "Better than Peter Serafinowicz"
It's at around 2:50. I'm not linking to the time index because I thought the whole interview was amusing, and you ought to watch it all.
posted by boo_radley at 3:40 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's at around 2:50. I'm not linking to the time index because I thought the whole interview was amusing, and you ought to watch it all.
posted by boo_radley at 3:40 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
permafrost : It would have been beautiful if he'd played the captain of the Federation ship in the opening battle, in his Mike persona.
Which Mike? Spaced Mike or Commander Mike Henderson? Because Hendo in charge of a Federation ship would be a thing of beauty.
I so love everything Pegg, Frost, and Wright get into. The three should just promise the world to make a movie together every couple of years. It would make this a better place.
posted by quin at 3:42 PM on October 20, 2010
Which Mike? Spaced Mike or Commander Mike Henderson? Because Hendo in charge of a Federation ship would be a thing of beauty.
I so love everything Pegg, Frost, and Wright get into. The three should just promise the world to make a movie together every couple of years. It would make this a better place.
posted by quin at 3:42 PM on October 20, 2010
Oh! And I love, love Spaced. Watched the episode last night where they sit down for a Star Wars Marathon... and then it cuts to them crying in front of the TV with the caption "Three perfectly good Star Wars movies later..." as Ewoks chortle and frolic.
posted by dunkadunc at 3:51 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 3:51 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Dazzling endorsement made Shaun an absolute smash on DVD, selling so well in America that distributors Universal were later able to compile the astonishing statistic that 40% of US males aged 17 to 39 considered themselves fans.
It appears to me that Hollywood statistics must be quite closely related to Hollywood accounting.
posted by Skeptic at 4:07 PM on October 20, 2010
It appears to me that Hollywood statistics must be quite closely related to Hollywood accounting.
posted by Skeptic at 4:07 PM on October 20, 2010
I liked Hot Fuzz a lot more the second time I saw it and Shaun Of The Dead is impressive because every. Single. Minute. Is used. There is not a wasted beat in the whole movie, it's tight and lean and fast like a comedy should be. Spaced had this too. They told a two hour story in 50 min.
posted by The Whelk at 4:14 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 4:14 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
My one complaint with Shaun of the Dead is that some of the drama bits (well, one really, with the mum) are done a bit too well and it momentarily throws you for a bit when they go back to comedy action.
posted by Artw at 4:18 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 4:18 PM on October 20, 2010
See I thought it gave it a kind of weight that really improved it. It does briefly raise the stakes and you think oh wait someone could totally die for reals in this light comedy. That frission is sooo hard to pull off.
posted by The Whelk at 4:22 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 4:22 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Three perfectly good Star Wars movies later..." as Ewoks chortle and frolic.
My favourite Spaced trivia is that they couldn't afford the rights to use the actual Star Wars soundtrack so the Ewok song you hear is Frost, Wright and Pegg singing their own version.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 4:27 PM on October 20, 2010 [12 favorites]
My favourite Spaced trivia is that they couldn't afford the rights to use the actual Star Wars soundtrack so the Ewok song you hear is Frost, Wright and Pegg singing their own version.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 4:27 PM on October 20, 2010 [12 favorites]
I wonder what it says of me that the one detail about this entire article that jumped out at me most was "wait, MARTIN FREEMAN is playing Bilbo?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:06 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:06 PM on October 20, 2010
I hope the mods don't pull my account for this, but (looks around) you can watch a the whole movie Paul online right now.
(DVD screener)
(runs back off into the foggy night)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 5:49 PM on October 20, 2010
(DVD screener)
(runs back off into the foggy night)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 5:49 PM on October 20, 2010
Artw: "kind of like that guy from AC/DC who wears the schoolboy uniform"
hode up here, Angus is Tintin?
posted by mwhybark at 10:18 PM on October 20, 2010
hode up here, Angus is Tintin?
posted by mwhybark at 10:18 PM on October 20, 2010
EmpressCallipygos: "MARTIN FREEMAN is playing Bilbo?"
Hode up here, Martin Freeman's Bilbo?
posted by mwhybark at 10:19 PM on October 20, 2010
Hode up here, Martin Freeman's Bilbo?
posted by mwhybark at 10:19 PM on October 20, 2010
The Good Night. Great movie.
I really enjoy the camera work/angles/pacing incorporated into almost all of Mr. Peggs' personal creations.
posted by infinite intimation at 10:47 PM on October 20, 2010
infinite intimation, did you just describe a movie involving both of the Paltrow offspring as "great"? Theirs is the most mediocre gene pool in the American popular arts, so this would be like two negatives making a positive.
posted by pxe2000 at 4:17 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by pxe2000 at 4:17 AM on October 21, 2010
The movie made me emote. I liked it a lot.
I definitely 'prefer' (and came to be a fan of him via) his personal projects. But yeah, it was pretty hilarious!
Considering it is about a bunch of washed up old stars... even if one dislikes the actors involved, it can be like a revenge fantasy right. But it was funny too (to me of course).
posted by infinite intimation at 7:54 AM on October 21, 2010
I definitely 'prefer' (and came to be a fan of him via) his personal projects. But yeah, it was pretty hilarious!
Considering it is about a bunch of washed up old stars... even if one dislikes the actors involved, it can be like a revenge fantasy right. But it was funny too (to me of course).
posted by infinite intimation at 7:54 AM on October 21, 2010
Paul's voice just doesn't quite "work" in the trailer. (IMO)
I had the same thought.
Thirded. They could have saved the money for Seth Rogan's salary, AND hired a professional voice actor, resulting in a better movie.
But that would eliminate one "star" name from the "buzz", so I guess that's just not the way H'wood does things.
WAIT! They coulda hired Mark Hamill! Both at once!
posted by IAmBroom at 8:04 AM on October 21, 2010
I had the same thought.
Thirded. They could have saved the money for Seth Rogan's salary, AND hired a professional voice actor, resulting in a better movie.
But that would eliminate one "star" name from the "buzz", so I guess that's just not the way H'wood does things.
WAIT! They coulda hired Mark Hamill! Both at once!
posted by IAmBroom at 8:04 AM on October 21, 2010
heh, I am aware that my ability to get drawn into a story, and ignore some wider context is helping to bring down the quality of movies for all... The scene with Pegg getting fired from the comic shop for fighting the kid who comes in and likes the phantom menarche is great; but I do really love slow motion fake gun fights. So take it all with a grain of salt. Can British tv get an Emmy?
Who laughs last; laughs longest.
posted by infinite intimation at 8:11 AM on October 21, 2010
Who laughs last; laughs longest.
posted by infinite intimation at 8:11 AM on October 21, 2010
I'm always unfairly wary of Simon Pegg because he was so horrible to Manny in Black Books which I saw several times before I saw him in anything else. I'm sure he's a perfectly nice chap and I quite liked Spaced, but I just can't not think 'Not The Hair, You Smug-Faced, Controlling Little Bastard" whenever he turns up in something.
posted by Sparx at 2:06 PM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Sparx at 2:06 PM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have one post for this thread.
Pegg and Frost = Vimes and Colon.
That is all.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:16 PM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Pegg and Frost = Vimes and Colon.
That is all.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:16 PM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Simon Pegg was signing in Asda in Spondon today! They were queuing from dawn! The Peggster deigned to actually speak to the local media but they did interview a rather excited woman who had a book dedicated to her dog (from Pegg's dog)!
(Oh local news, I wish I could quit you)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 6:05 AM on October 22, 2010
(Oh local news, I wish I could quit you)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 6:05 AM on October 22, 2010
I'm always unfairly wary of Simon Pegg because he was so horrible to Manny in Black Books which I saw several times before I saw him in anything else.
Oh, that's nothing. In 'The Brass Eye' he was the head of the paedophilia advocacy group "Milli-Pede".
posted by dunkadunc at 7:02 PM on October 22, 2010
Oh, that's nothing. In 'The Brass Eye' he was the head of the paedophilia advocacy group "Milli-Pede".
posted by dunkadunc at 7:02 PM on October 22, 2010
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posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:21 PM on October 20, 2010