James Roday’s Horror Comedy Gravy to Open the 2014 Friars Club Comedy Film Festival
Steve Barton
|
/mar14/gravys.jpg
Just about a year ago we heard James Roday from “Psych” was directing a horror comedy called Gravy, and that was it… until now. The Sixth Annual Friars Club Comedy Film Festival is opening with the world premiere of the film on April 1st. And no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke.
There are a few other horror projects like Borgman and Witching and Bitching scattered among the films screening during the FCCFF’s April 1-5 run, as well as a new one from renowned animator Bill Plympton, so if you’re in or near NYC, check out the lineup below.
After all, who couldn’t use a few laughs these days?
From the Press Release:
The Friars Club has announced that the Sixth Annual Friars Club Comedy Film Festival (FCCFF), to be held the week of April 1‐5, 2014, will open with the World Premiere of Gravy. The festival is a star‐studded celebration of the comedy genre that fosters the next generation of comedy filmmakers and offers them a platform for presenting their work and to fill a void by paying tribute to a genre that is often overlooked.
Films will be presented at the New York City Friars Club clubhouse, supplemented by screenings at nearby theaters within walking distance.
The opening night film, in which “Psych” star James Roday makes his directorial debut, is an irreverent horror‐comedy that boasts a terrific ensemble of actors including Sarah Silverman, Gabourey Sidibe, Gabriel Luna, Sutton Foster, Michael Weston, and Paul Rodriguez. They all become engaged in a life‐and death battle after some customers order up a special cuisine.
“We’re excited to bring back the film festival, due to popular demand,” said Eric Johnson, Executive Director of the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival. “For an opening film, we’re looking for something unique, daring, and funny with a fresh and original take on the comedy genre, and James Roday’s film hits all the marks.”
The festival will close this year’s edition with the NY Premiere of Bill Plympton’s Cheatin’, the latest dazzling work from the legendary Academy Award-nominated animator.
For more information, including the schedule and tickets, visit the official Friars Club Comedy Film Festival website, and also follow the FCCFF on Twitter @FriarsFilmFest.
Films screening at this year’s festival include:
BAD JOHNSON – Shameless womanizer Cam Gigandet wakes up one morning to not only find his penis missing, it has now become its own person (Nick Thune) with a mind of its own. Festival Premiere.
BORGMAN – The Cannes Film Festival hit from director Alex van Warmerdam is a darkly funny tale about a mysterious vagrant who changes the lives of a Dutch family in ways they can’t comprehend. NYC Premiere.
CHEATIN’ ‐ The new film from two‐time Academy Award‐nominated animator Bill Plympton, putting his own unique, comic spin on film noir. East Coast Premiere.
COMMITTED – Howie Mandel co‐directs this documentary on fellow comedian Vic Cohen, filmed over the course of 13 years. NY Premiere. Howie Mandel to appear.
DOOMSDAYS – Survivalist comedy from writer/director Eddie Mullins starring Justin Rice (Mutual Appreciation) and Leo Fitzpatrick (Kids) as a pair of survivalists who break into expensive homes in the Catskills.
GRAVY – James Roday’s unique take on the horror‐comedy shows how a restaurant visit can go horribly awry. World Premiere.
O.J.: THE MUSICAL – Jeff Rosenberg’s tale of an eccentric L.A. theater artist’s attempts to turn the Trial of the Century into the Great American Musical. NYC Premiere.
SECRET SCREENING – The FCCFF has a sneak preview of a hilarious Work‐In‐Progress on tap.
THE HAPPY SAD ROUTE (AND A COMEDIAN) – The acclaimed documentary about a Dutch comedian’s travels to survey the comedy scene in the former Yugoslavia, a country still reeling from the effects of a decade of civil war, with unpleasant memories of Dutch peacekeepers still present. US Premiere.
THE ACTRESS: Season 3 – The full third season of actress Ann Carr’s (“Louie”) acclaimed web series. Festival Premiere.
THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY WINDOWS – Director Adi Leff returns with the tale of clueless London musician whose drive to succeed far outweighs his actual ability to play music. World Premiere.
THE BEST OF LOCO – The Friars Club debuts a partnership with the London Comedy Film Festival (LOCO) to premiere their ‘Best of Fest.’
WHEN JEWS WERE FUNNY – Alan Zweig’s acclaimed documentary on the history of Jewish humor, winner of the Best Canadian Feature at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
WITCHING AND BITCHING – Alex de la Iglesia’s horror comedy of jewelry thieves who are hunted down by a gang of witches. NYC Premiere.
FRIARS CLUB COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL SHORTS BLOCKS – One of the greatest traditions of the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival is our shorts blocks, which bring together some of the best comedy short films from all over the world in one hilarious package. 2014 brings three blocks of great new comedy shorts that showcase the future of movie comedy.
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Laugh it up in the comments section below!
Categorized:Uncategorized
