funny people

With so many "best-of" critics lists coming out this time of the year, it's refreshing to hear what one of our favorite filmmakers has to say about his favorite movies of 2009. In a conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, Quentin Tarantino listed his top eight films for the year:

1. 'Star Trek'
2. 'Drag Me To Hell'
3. 'Funny People'
4. 'Up in the Air'
5. 'Chocolate'
6. 'Observe and Report'
7. 'Precious'
8. 'An Education'

What is it about cameos we love so much? The surprise factor? The chance to see actors and real people sending up their set-in-stone images? Or just the hilarious disconnect we get when someone as famous as, say, Harrison Ford, strolls into a film that's clearly not ever going to show up on his official resume? How about all of the above?

We tried to keep some of these plot twists intact for you here, but if you don't want to know which mellow musician went blue in 'Funny People,' which unlikely 'Saturday Night Live' alum popped up in between Nazi bloodbaths -- or which comedy legend made this year's most-talked-about (and best kept secret) cameo -- then for the love of Mike Tyson, don't read any further!

The comedy tide turned a bit in 2009. Titans dropped (Will Ferrell in 'Land of the Lost') while underdogs soared (Zach Galifianakis in 'The Hangover'). Alpha males were KO'd (Vince Vaughn in 'Couples Retreat') while beta males were throw punishing right hooks (Paul Rudd in 'I Love You, Man') -- in quality, at least; box office is another story.

Check out our list of top 10 laughers of the year -- which, we should mention, doesn't include the divisive 'Invention of Lying,' 'Bruno,' and 'Observe & Report.' While many people laughed, too many yawned (or walked out; cue the 'Bruno' hate in the comments section). Then there's Pixar's 'Up,' which is hilarious, but the trail of tears a viewer walks to get there keeps it off the comedy table. We're still crying.

There's something for everyone on DVD this week: the religious-based thriller 'Angels & Demons,' starring Tom Hanks; the comedic melodrama 'Funny People' starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann; and the holiday-themed comedy 'Four Christmases' that teams Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn.

Folks, please try to hold back those tears ... but the summer movie season is officially over. That means that for quite some time to come there will be a distinct lack of $200 million-budgeted movies about Megan Fox's chest, er, gargantuan robots or about a boy wizard grappling with a messianic calling (and puberty) or about an iron-clawed mutant suffering from memory loss. And while for some moviegoers, any tears shed would be of joy over this fact, of one thing there is no doubt: Summer 2009 was epic at the box office. Get the scoop on this summer's B.O. winners ... and losers.

Steven Spielberg's next directorial effort will be a remake of 'Harvey,' Will Ferrell has left 'Neighborhood Watch,' Rob Marshall may direct 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4,' and more of today's top movie headlines.

Sandler and the rest of Judd Apatow's crew bring the 'Funny,' 'Adam' charms and the vampire flick 'Thirst' certainly doesn't suck. See Moviefone editors' picks for the best movies in theaters.

When guys like Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman get together to make a movie with Judd Apatow, the most successful comedic writer-director working in film today, it's kind of a no-brainer that it's going to be so funny you might actually lose control of your bodily functions.

Just for your scatological enjoyment, we've compiled our favorite one-liners, retorts and quips from one helluva group of 'Funny People,' which, coincidentally, is the title of their new flick hitting theaters today.

Ridley Scott is set to direct an 'Alien' prequel, Jerry Bruckheimer will produce an adaptation of the graphic novel 'World War Robot,' Judd Apatow signs a three-movie deal with Universal, and more of today's top movie headlines.

Twenty years before they'd collaborate on 'Funny People,' director Judd Apatow and star Adam Sandler were just a couple of punks making prank calls while sharing lowly Los Angeles digs. A couple of very funny punks.

Actual footage of those prank calls is on full display in the opening minutes of 'Funny People,' as Sandler imitates a collage of characters, most notably an elderly woman who can't handle her roast beef, and Apatow roots him on or yells in the background. (You can watch a clip of the action here.) That's not all that's borrowed from real life; the scene where Sandler demands Seth Rogen show him his manhood? Actually happened.)

Apatow and Sandler aren't the only onetime roommates to both hit it big in Hollywood. We found 13 other pre-fame pairings that might surprise you.