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It's often said that comedy equals tragedy plus time. When it comes to developing new versions of long-since-canceled television series, however, it's just as often true that comedy equals drama plus time, and a recently announced revival of an '80s cop series is just the latest proof.

T.J. Hooker, the William Shatner-led police drama that ran from 1982 to 1986 and gave its lead actor something to do between Star Treksequels, has caught the eye of execs at Netflix, where plans are afoot to leverage the show's basic concept into a new action comedy film. Although the original series took itself fairly seriously, it isn't hard to understand why Netflix sees the potential for laughs — not least because the premise, which revolved around the grumpy, by-the-books Hooker frequently clashing with less old-fashioned co-workers, has been used so many times that it was almost past the point of parody by the time T.

An action-comedy film adaptation of the 1980s police procedural series “T. J. Hooker” is in the works at Netflix after the streamer landed rights to the property.

The original series starred William Shatner in his first major television role since the cancellation of the original “Star Trek” more than 10 years earlier.

Created by Ryan Husky, “T. J. Hooker” premiered in 1982 on ABC and went on to enjoy a five-season run. CBS aired and produced its final season, along with a TV movie titled “Blood Sport.” Alongside Shatner as the eponymous police sergeant and war veteran, the series featured a younger cast of spunky recruits, played by Heather Locklear, Adrian Zmed and James Darren.

The Netflix film adaptation will aim for a more meta and comic tone than the original series. Producers have begun talks with Shatner with expectations that the 94-year-old will be involved with the project in some capacity.

Exclusive: Hot on the trail of a strong weekend opening of The Naked Gun, the ’80s prime time procedural T.J. Hooker will be next procedural in line for promotion to an action comedy movie. Netflix has collared screen rights to the venerable cop drama, with Jarrad Paul & Andy Mogel tapped to write. The film will be produced by Sophie Cassidy and Matt Crespy for 2.0 Entertainment, Adrian Askarieh for Prime Universe Films, and Alex Westmore for Vali Vista Films.

The original series premiered in March 1982 on ABC and ended its five-season, 91-episode run in 1986, with its final season airing on CBS. The show starred William Shatner as Sgt. T.J. Hooker of the Lcpd, a hard-nosed veteran reeling from a divorce from his wife and the loss of his partner in the line of duty. Principled, moral, and driven to fight crime, the former plainclothes detective returns to uniform to...

You can’t say no to family, right?

Ingrid Goes West director Matt Spicer is set to helm the upcoming comedy Little Brother, starring John Cena and Eric André.

Written by The D-Train filmmakers Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, the story revolves around a famous real estate agent (Cena) whose carefully curated world is upended when his eccentric “little brother” (André) unexpectedly reappears in his life.

Spicer is known for directing and writing Ingrid Goes West, the 2017 dark comedy starring Aubrey Plaza in a dramatic role. Cena is also known for his professional wrestling background and recent appearances in WWE’s Wrestlemania and Raw on Netflix. Meanwhile, multihyphenate André is best known for his eponymous The Eric Andre Show, and has also been featured in Netflix’s Disenchantment and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Little Brother is produced by David Bernad...

John Cena and Eric André are ready to test their bond in a new Netflix comedy film.

The streaming giant is in early development on Little Brother, which has the two stars attached. The writing team of Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel (The D Train) penned the script for the movie that counts David Bernad and Ruben Fleischer as producers. A director has not yet been announced, nor has a planned release date.

Little Brother centers on a well-known real estate agent whose meticulously planned life is shaken up when his quirky “little brother” suddenly resurfaces.

The project follows Netflix’s new partnership with the WWE that officially begins next month. Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria first teased Little Brother during a press event at the company’s offices on Tuesday.

“There are so many great stars that come from WWE that we [already] have a great relationship with on the TV and movie side,...

The Lego Group has enlisted directors Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins and Joe Cornish to helm a trio of live-action movies for Universal Pictures.

Plot details of the three untitled movies are yet to be revealed, but the filmmakers behind each project have been announced. All three films will be produced by the Lego Group’s Jill Wilfert and Ryan Christians.

Kasdan will direct from a script written by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul. The project is based on an original idea and previous draft by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows. Kasdan will also produce the film with Melvin Mar under their Detective Agency banner.

Jenkins will direct from a script she co-wrote with Geoff Johns, reteaming after they co-wrote “Wonder Woman 1984” (with Dave Callaham). Jenkins will produce the movie through her Wicious Pictures.

Cornish will rewrite to direct the third film. Heather Anne Campbell wrote a previous draft of...

IFC’s Late Night With The Devil has scared up the distributor’s largest opening weekend ever with an estimated $2.8+ million on 1.043 screens, coming in at no. 6 at the domestic box office.

Prior to this weekend, Watcher was IFC’s top opening film at $827k, followed by Skinamarink with $819k and Blackberry at $801k. Late Night was IFC’s widest opening since The D Train, the distributor said, noting it was IFC’s highest opening day ($437k) since Skinamakink, and its highest Thursday pre-show ($317k). The film by Australian duo Colin and Cameron Cairnes unfolds almost in real-time on the set of a 1977 late-night talk show broadcast that unexpectedly transforms from amusing to sinister, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. Stars David Dastmalchian as talk show host Jack Delroy.

The Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures pic premiered at SXSW and has since played Fantasia Festival in Montreal,...

Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul are returning to Fox.

The pair have signed on as writers of the half-hour single-camera comedy project “Mr. Black,” which was first announced as being in development back in August. Mogel and Paul previously created the Fox comedy series “The Grinder” starring Rob Lowe and Fred Savage, which aired during the 2015-2016 broadcast season. They most recently co-created the Netflix series “Huge in France” and also directed every episode of that series. They also wrote and directed the 2015 comedy feature “The D Train” as well as the 2008 Jim Carrey vehicle “Yes Man.”

“Mr. Black” is based on the Australian format of the same name. It follows the acid-tongued Mr. Black, a man who has one dying wish: to break up his adult daughter and her boyfriend – whom he happens to live with. The original series was created by Adam Zwar and produced by Cjz for Australia’s Network Ten.

Huge in France and The Grinder creators Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul have been tapped to write Mr. Black, a single-camera half-hour comedy based on the praised Australian series, which is in the works at Fox. The project hails from original series’ creator Adam Zwar and producer Cjz, Gail Berman and Fox Entertainment-owned SideCar.

Created by Zwar and Cjz based on the Network Ten series, and written by Mogel and Paul, the comedy follows the acid-tongued Mr. Black, a man who has one dying wish: to break up his adult daughter and her boyfriend — whom he happens to live with.

Mogel and Paul executive produce alongside Berman, who executive produces via SideCar which co-produces with Fox Entertainment.

Mogel and Paul recently created and directed every episode of Netflix series Huge in France. The pair previously created and executive produced The Grinder for Fox. They also wrote and directed The D Train,...

Giles Nuttgens received a BAFTA nomination last year for his work on David Mackenzie’s Hell or High Water. The Dp’s other recent credits include Sundance premieres God Help the Girl (2014), The D Train (2015), The Fundamentals of Caring (2016). He returns to the festival this year with Colette, a UK drama starring Keira Knightley and Dominic West. Below, he discusses working with director Wash Westmoreland, the inspiration of Max Ophuls and avoiding the “‘chocolate box’ type of imagery that one often sees on period films.” Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors […]...

MaryAnn’s quick take… Culturally clueless cinematic vomit, a cynical undertaking embracing the most diminishing clichés it can apply to its characters. Low stakes, and low humor. I’m “biast” (pro): big fan of Dwayne Johnson, occasion fan of Jack Black

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

More than 20 years after 1995’s Jumanji — the family adventure film about a couple of kids who get sucked into an ancient board game and have to play it to completion to escape — the sequel has arrived… and this time, it’s all about hapless teens who get sucked into a videogame and have to play it to completion to escape. Was anyone demanding a second go at Jumanji? Zathura, the 2005 “spiritual sequel” — which, to be fair, does sound more like marketing baloney than anything else — was a flop. And, to be “fair” to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,...

Netflix is continuing its relationship with French comedy star Gad Elmaleh, greenlighting the humorist’s first original series Huge in France, as well as an English language stand-up special, for premiere worldwide on the internet TV network. Co-created, executive produced and starring Elmaleh, Huge In France, a half-hour comedy inspired by Elmaleh’s life and career, follows his move from France to the United States. Showrunners Jarrad Paul and Andy Mogel (The D-Train, The…...

Woefully bad feint at a dramedy in which everyone agrees the “hero” is a terrible excuse for a man… and he gets the message that he is awesome anyway. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

If there is a point to this woefully unfunny, outright galling feint at a dramedy, I can’t find it. I mean, it cannot possibly be that the way for a man to regain his mojo — or to find it in the first place, if he seems to have never had any — is to spin a complicated web of deceit that involves lying and cheating and trashing the few important relationships in his life? Can it? Jack Black (Goosebumps, Sex Tape) is the same-old hapless schmoe he always plays, but his Dan Landsman isn’t a supposedly lovable loser this time,...

Stars: Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Russell Posner, Henry Zebrowski, Kyle Bornheimer, Mike White, Corrina Lyons, Donna Duplantier, Charlotte Gale, Denise Williamson, Han Soto, Danielle Greenup, Dermot Mulroney | Written and Directed by Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul

Bad Bromance. That’s an interesting title… You might not have heard it till the debut of this movie on DVD. Hang on though. Did anyone go and see The D Train in UK cinemas? I tried. It was screening once a day at a cinema 20 minutes drive away from me and only at 11pm every night. Talk about burying a movie. Maybe that’s why The D Train has been retitled Bad Bromance for its DVD release? Or maybe it’s because this “comedy” is anything but and the the reviews of the cinema release were less than stellar.

The film sees Jack Black (School of Rock) star as Dan “The D Train” (see,...

Jack Black tries to bring a star name back to school, with forgettable results

This first directorial feature from Yes Man co-writers Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel is a lumpen, misjudged affair, pitched awkwardly between the sharp satire of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and the unresolved homoeroticism of Chuck & Buck, but utterly lacking the wit and sparkle of either. Jack Black is unpopular schlub Dan Landsman, who promises to bring advertising star Oliver Lawless (James Marsden) to his class reunion, thus attracting others. Faking his way to La, Landsman meets and goes on the razz with Lawless, whose casual sex and drugs proclivities lead to unexpected encounters. There may be an interesting idea lurking in here somewhere, but any subversiveness is lost amid cod-indie gurning and comic bum notes. Kathryn Hahn looks on in horror, as well she might. The scene in which Lawless explains the penile...

This high-school reunion comedy entertainingly skewers male midlife breakdown and bromantic anxiety

There’s something entertainingly incorrect in this very funny and critically undervalued high-school reunion comedy starring Jack Black and James Marsden: satirising male midlife breakdown and bromantic anxiety in a way that brings a certain subtext up to the surface. Writer-directors Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel might have taken something from Alexander Payne. Dan Landsman (Black) is an officious nerd in a boring job and the self-appointed chairman of his high school’s 20th anniversary reunion party committee. In a desperate attempt to make this event a success, Dan travels all the way to Hollywood to speak to the one real winner in his graduating class: super-cool Oliver Lawless (Marsden) an actor who landed a national TV ad. At first, Oliver is politely embarrassed, and a little irritated by this cringing beta-male, but agrees to meet for...

Called "an absolutely hilarious and wild ride" (Ethan Anderton, FirstShowing.net), The D Train debuted on Blu-ray and DVD this week from Paramount Home Media Distribution and is also available for sale or rental from cable, satellite and telco providers through IFC Films. In the ultimate bromance gone wrong, Jack Black (School of Rock) and James Marsden (Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues) lead a sensational cast filled with comedic talent, including Kathryn Hahn (We're the Millers), Mike White (School of Rock), and Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent, Arrested Development). To celebrate this new release, we have a giveaway lined up where fans can win a signed poster plus a copy of the Blu-ray.

All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That's about to change - if he can convince Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who's now the face of...

The End Of The Tour, A24’s Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel pic about writer David Foster Wallace and a reporter profiling him, got off to a solid beginning with a launch in 4 New York and L.A. theaters, one of a handful of new specialty movies this weekend. A couple of high profile Sundance docs also performed well in their openings. Magnolia’s Gore Vidal/William F. Buckley doc Best Of Enemies did fine in three theaters, and Showtime Documentary Listen To Me Marlon had a respectable debut in two cinemas. A Lego Brickumentary opened slow but built some blocks on demand. And Broad Green expanded Samba by 20 additional theaters in its second frame.

James Ponsoldt’s The End Of The Tour grossed $126,459, averaging $31,615. That’s an impressive per screen debut for a Sundance 2015 acquisition, beating Fox Searchlight’s Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’s opening weekend...

When Jack Black was a first-grader, he loved The Six Million Dollar Man so much he tried to convince other kids that he was bionic: “I’d go to school with these wires poking out of my sleeves,” he says. Black is at a brunch spot in Los Angeles. He’s wearing a T-shirt with a chaotic magic-marker whorl on its chest, courtesy of his youngest son, Tommy, and he’s recalling the origins of his own chaotic creativity: how he first got hooked on hoodwinking other people. “There was...

Names are important in The D Train. Calling various members of his high-school graduating class to invite them to their 20th reunion, Jack Black’s Dan Landsman introduces himself variously as “D-Money,” “D-Man,” and assorted other Ds. Very few people seem to remember him, and those who do, not too fondly. But they all remember Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the hunky sports hero and drama student who went off to Los Angeles to become an actor. And while nobody’s particularly interested in coming to reunion when “D-Dog” invites them, they’re definitely interested when they hear Oliver Lawless might show.So, here’s a funny thing, and a weird bit of disclosure: I went to high school with Oliver Lawless. Or rather, I went to high school with an Oliver Lawless, and with this film’s co-writer and co-director, Andrew Mogel. They were both a year behind me and...

It’s hard not to like The D Train, a witty, well-made celebration of friendship in which two very different guys come to know and appreciate each other – if maybe a bit too much. Jack Black stars as Dan Landsman, a schlubby married Pittsburgh dad enthusiastically heading up his 20th high school reunion committee even though he’s so unpopular the rest of the group heads out for beers after their meetings without inviting him along. The board members have been unable to muster much support for the reunion, but things change when Dan spots a TV commercial starring former classmate and school stud Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), now the face of ‘Banana Boat’ sunblock ad campaign. If Dan can get Oliver to attend the reunion, he figures others will follow suit just to rub elbows with a TV star, making him a hero. Dan works for a consulting firm...

Opening in theaters this week is the new comedy The D Train, which was directed by Yes Man screenwriters Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel.

The film follows Dan Landsman (Black), a self-proclaimed chairman of his high school’s alumni committee. While planning for the 20th reunion, he has the idea of convincing Oliver Lawless (Marsden), the most popular guy in his graduating class and a Los Angeles actor, to return, thinking that this will make people want to attend. However, as Dan and Oliver become closer than ever, the repercussions of their actions end up affecting Dan’s family and career, and threaten to change the course of his life forever.

Two week ago during the Los Angeles press day for The D Train, we sat down with Black, Marsden, and their co-star, Kathryn Hahn, for an exclusive interview to speak about the movie’s unique premise, distinguished cast and...

The D Train might sound like a hilarious ride with Jack Black and James Marsden acting as our comedic conductors, but I assure you, this Jarrad Paul/Andrew Mogel joint finds very few laughs despite Black’s constant attempt to earn a righteous nickname. What’s being marketed as a mid-life-crisis bro-comedy (BROmedy?) is more an examination of our dangerous desire to be popular and relevant, an empty wish that turns darker with every unanswered voicemail or ignored text.

There’s a message here, one about short-sighted obsessions and false idolization, but it’s so inconsequentially slight when stacked against The D‘s more bleak, relentlessly abusive themes. This is a movie about doing Anything to be cool, but it’s far stranger – and more disheartening – than it has any right to be.

Blacks plays a number-cruncher named Dan Landsman; your typical all-American who graduated high school, snagged a desk job,...

Written and directed by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul, “The D Train” starts out looking like a fairly standard-issue comedy of midlife crisis: suburban Pittsburgh resident Dan Landsman (Jack Black) jumps, with more certainty than one would think, to the conclusion that the best way to make more of his old classmates sign up for the upcoming reunion is to make sure that coolest-kid-in-school Oliver Lawless (James Marsden) goes to the reunion as well. But when Dan’s convinced his masterstroke of social engineering will — and must! — work, that’s when “The D Train” goes along a very different...

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new comedy “The D Train” starring Jack Black and James Marsden!

“The D Train,” which opens on May 8, 2015 and is rated “R,” also stars Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Mariana Paola Vicente, Mike White, Kyle Bornheimer, Henry Zebrowski and Han Soto from writers and directors Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul. Note: You must be 17+ to win and attend this “R”-rated screening.

To win your free “The D Train” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!

The D Train trailer has arrived and follows Jack Black as a desperate man trying to organize a high school reunion who courts a former classmate (James Marsden) in the hopes that his celebrity status can bring other past schoolmates to the party.

Here’s the official synopsis:

All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That’s about to change – if he can convince Oliver Lawless (Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who’s now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion. A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to La and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless proceeds to take over his home, career, and entire life. Showcasing Jack Black and James Marsden...

IFC Films just unveiled the trailer for the Sundance hit "The D Train," starring Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Mike White, and Jeffrey Tambor. Check it out below. Plot: All his life, Dan Landsman (Black) has never been the cool guy. That's about to change - if he can convince Oliver Lawless (Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who's now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion. A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to La and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless proceeds to take over his home, career, and entire life. The new movie is written and directed by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel. It's set to hit theaters on May 8th. Trailer:...

Jack Black and James Marsden star in a new trailer for The D Train.

The comedy follows Dan (Black), a man eager for popularity who finds himself organising his high school reunion.

Desperate for the night to be a success, Dan tries to convince the most popular guy from school Oliver Lawless (Marsden) to attend the evening.

Dan travels to La to persuade the national advert star, but finds himself regretting his decision when Oliver takes over his life.

The D Train also stars Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor and School of Rock's Mike White.

The film is released in the Us on May 8, with a UK date not yet announced.

In recent years, Jack Black hasn't been at the front and center of any live-action feature projects, instead choosing to do a bit more voice-over work and TV, but now he's back as the leading man in The D Train, and you can watch the movie's debut trailer below: Helmed by Yes Man screenwriters Andrew Mogel and Jarred Paul - making their feature directorial debuts - The D Train stars Jack Black as Dan Landsman, a guy who has spent his entire life wanting to be one of the cool kids, but never has. The opportunity to change all of this lands on his lap, however, while he is working on the reunion committee for his high school and discovers that Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular kid in school, has made his way to Hollywood to become a spokes-model for a sunscreen ad campaign. Dan makes it his...

The first trailer for the Sundance hit The D Train is here. The comedy stars Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn and Jeffrey Tambor.

All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That’s about to change – if he can convince Oliver Lawless (Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who’s now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion.

A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to La and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless proceeds to take over his home, career, and entire life.

Showcasing Jack Black and James Marsden’s most intoxicating performances to date, The D Train serves up the question: how far would you go to be popular?

Jarrad Paul and...

The last time Jack Black attempted a school union of sorts, it involved banding together a group of talented kids to win the coveted Battle of the Bands for cult comedy School of Rock. On this occasion, his efforts all revolve around luring James Marsden’s popular jock back for a class reunion in Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel’s upcoming comedy, The D Train.

For the film, Black will step into the shoes of Dan Landsman, the chairman of his former high school tasked with organizing the aforementioned reunion event. Clutching at straws, our protagonist believes the best way to trumpet excitement for the reunion is to ensure washed-up actor Oliver Lawless (Marsden) makes an appearance, a man he believes to be his “best friend.” Awkwardness and hilarity ensue.

Written and directed by Paul and Mogel, The D Train doesn’t necessarily scream originality, but given the comedy’s ensemble cast,...

In Tenacious D, Jack Black exudes enough confidence for an entire nation. That notion is turned on it's head in The D Train, which finds the often boisterous comedian taking on the more reserved role of a former high school loser who never made it with the ladies. We have the first trailer and poster for this Sundance hit. The comedy also stars James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn and Jeffrey Tambor.

All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That's about to change -&#160if&#160he can convince Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who's now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion. A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to La and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he...

IFC Films has released The D Train trailer online. The indie dramedy stars Jack Black as a desperate man trying to organize a high school reunion who courts a former classmate (James Marsden) in the hopes that his celebrity may be enough to draw in other alums. For a film that stars Jack Black and James Marsden as well as Kathryn Hahn and Jeffrey Tambor, the premise is remarkably low stakes even though the film presents its premise as outrageous. However, in his review from Sundance, our critic Ruffus said the film’s “dry comedic tone allows for a variety of subject matters from sexuality and success, to the “every man’s” desire to make their dreams come true, and failing on the way.” So perhaps this trailer has really smoothed off the edges to present what could easily be an episode of Modern Family. Check out The D Train trailer and poster below.

"I thought if I could deliver Oliver Lawless I'd be a hero." After premiering at Sundance earlier this year, the outrageous bromantic comedy The D-Train has just debuted its first trailer. Jack Black stars in the film as Dan Landsman, always trying to be the cool guy, but never getting invited out to the bar with his co-workers. But then he thinks the magic ticket lies in getting old classmate Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), who seems to be a successful actor in Los Angeles, to come to the next high school reunion. But his attempt results in more than he bargained for. Thankfully, the trailer only hints at the hilarious twist. I loved this comedy at Sundance, and it's probably Black's best since School of Rock in 2003. Watch below! Here's the first trailer for Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel's The D-Train from IFC Films: Read my review of...

Going back to face the people you went to high school with can often serve as a moment to reckon with your life's accomplishments, and for Dan Landsman (Jack Black), he's ready to prove he's more than just the butt of the joke. But will people ride "The D Train" and will his grand scheme to make his school reunion memorable work? We'll find out soon with the first trailer for the film landing today. James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike White, and Kyle Bornheimer co-star in the Jarrad Paul- and Andrew Mogel-written-and-directed comedy, which premiered earlier this year at Sundance (but missed making our schedule). Here's the official synopsis: All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That’s about to change – if he can convince Oliver Lawless (Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who’s now the...

In "The D Train," filmmakers/writers Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel explore what it would be like to go back on decisions made during one's teen years, and how far one should go to rewrite their high school history. Dan Landsman (Jack Black) is a lonely and unsatisfied family man who never made it out of his hometown; in fact, he never really grew up at all. The chairman of his high school alumni association, his disastrous efforts to rally RVSPs for their 20th year reunion aren't winning him any popularity points with the rest of the committee. When he spots Oliver Lawless (James Marsden) — the most revered guy in their graduating class — on a television commercial, Dan decides to hightail it to Los Angeles, track him down, and convince him to attend, hoping it will be the ticket to finally realizing his adolescent dream of getting noticed by the cool kid.

You know those people you went to high school with who are still reliving the "glory days?" The ones who know what every single member of your graduating class is up to these days? The character Dan Landsman (Jack Black) in the movie The D-Train is one such guy. Living in the town he grew up in, and married to his high school sweetheart, Dan is the over-zealous head of his high school reunion committee. Fueled by a lack of enthusiasm mixed with a desire to fit in with his former classmates, Dan becomes determined to get the most popular guy from school and the star of a Banana Boat commercial, Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), to come to the reunion.

This is a movie that starts out like any other well-told story about a guy trying to fit in with his (former) classmates, but quickly takes a comically dark turn...

I am at my second Sundance Film Festival.

These are my reviews.

Sundance Film Festival 2015 Reviews

The D Train

Directors/Screenwriters: Jarrad Paul, Andrew Mogel

Principal Cast: Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike White, Kyle Bornheimer

Plot (courtesy of Sundance): With his twentieth reunion looming, Dan can’t shake his high school insecurities. In a misguided mission to prove he’s changed, Dan rekindles a friendship with the popular guy from his class and is left scrambling to protect more than just his reputation when a wild night

takes an unexpected turn.

Review: I liked the pain. It’s like I finally understood the phrase, “misery loves company.” I’m the company. Black says the sad sack Dan. He isn’t liked by his peers on the 20-year reunion committee. On some levels, I identify with Dan. There is a moment when he is trying to...

IFC Films has picked up the new Jack Black comedy "The D Train," following its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, "The D Train" is a grown man's coming-of-age story. The synopsis reads: In the film, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) is the overly enthusiastic head of his high school reunion committee and also the group's laughingstock. To impress his so-called friends, he vows to convince their most famous former classmate—Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the star of a national Banana Boat TV commercial—to attend the reunion to increase attendance. Dan travels to Los Angeles and spins a web of lies, igniting an intoxicating excitement for the first time in his humdrum life. In exchange for Oliver's precarious friendship, Dan sacrifices his relationships with his wife, son, and boss, and loses himself in his obsession for approval and recognition. Read More:...

Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel wrote and directed the film, which co-stars James Marsden

IFC Films has ponied up $3 million to acquire U.S. rights to Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel’s comedy “The D Train,” which stars Jack Black, James Marsden, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike White, Kathryn Hahn and Kyle Bornheimer.

“The D Train” premiered this weekend in the U.S. Dramatic Competition Section at Sundance. IFC plans to roll the film out in theaters nationwide this year.

Mogel and Paul wrote the original screenplay for the film, which was produced by David Bernad, Mike White, Jack Black, Priyanka Mattoo,...

Comedy stirs up a toxic air of neediness that first-time directors Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel milk for all it’s worth

Note: This story contains spoilers, don’t read if you want to be surprised by the film.

Maybe there’s something in the air at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where humor and sex often go hand-in-hand.

An acrobatic bit of enthusiastic coitus between gymnasts in “The Bronze” brought the house down on opening night, and on Friday an unexpected encounter between Jack Black and James Marsden did the same in “The D Train.”

The film, a...

Park City — The concept of "The D Train," which premiered Friday at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, may sound somewhat familiar. An everyday family man who has never moved out of his hometown discovers the most popular guy in high school is now a successful actor in Hollywood. Our hero decides to go to Los Angeles to convince his idol to return for their high school reunion. If he comes back, said hero will finally be "the man" and earn some respect from his former schoolmates. Sure, it hasn't exactly been made before, but there are numerous elements in the premise you've no doubt seen over the past few decades on both the small and big screen. What makes "D Train" unique is the commitment from directors Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul to center the storyline around one outrageous moment and then completely ride it out to an even more jaw-dropping conclusion.

Sundance kicked things off to a raunchy start on opening night with the world premiere of "The Bronze," which (as we reported) features a sex scene for the ages between two gymnasts. The good times continued on the second night of the festival when Jack Black's new vehicle, "The D Train," was unveiled at the Library Theater. The sex depicted in "The D Train" is nowhere near as explicit as that shown in the opening night film, but it's still sure to draw headlines simply because of who's involved: Black and his male co-star in the comedy, James Marsden. In "The D Train," directed by first-time feature filmmakers and comedy writers Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul, Black plays Dan Landsman, a painfully ordinary, deeply insecure family man with a boring job who is deep in the throes of helping plan his impending high school reunion. After coming across a...