by John Constantine

Directing comedy is as delicate as writing it. You need to ease your performers into exactly the right rhythm, get them to react to each other just so. Otherwise your movie won’t be funny. It’ll just be ridiculous. Chemistry and timing are key.

That’s the reason you see so many comedy creators directing, writing and starring in their own work. It means complete control over the act, ensuring maximum hilarity. Harold Ramis has certainly written and/or performed in far more than he's directed, but the former (soon-to-be current!) ghostbuster has nonetheless shouldered plenty of directing gigs. In honor of his latest stint as the helmer of "Year One," I give you five classic chestnuts from his ever-growing catalog. Read more...

by John Constantine

Great comedy doesn’t necessitate a great plot. All it needs to have is a solid premise and interesting characters to succeed. Heck, sometimes it’s even funnier when things don’t make sense. "Year One" director and co-writer Harold Ramis’ storied career proves the rule. The man’s early films, made in the wake of his stint as head writer on Canada's “Second City TV” sketch comedy series, could barely sustain a narrative thread. They were nonetheless brilliant, their narratives fueled by manic energy, killer one-liners and a hearty nostalgic spirit. Picking the best is no easy task, so instead look at this list as a beginner's guide to some of the most well-written comedies of our time. Read more...

FROM MTV.COM: Remember "Land of the Lost"? The Will Ferrell movie? Came out two weeks ago? Right, that one. Do you think there's still room in the tank to which that picture was instantly consigned for the new "Year One," another prehistoricky gagfest with not a gray cell in its tiny noggin? Good dumb comedies, from Jerry Lewis' "The Bellboy" to Jim Carrey's "Dumb and Dumber," have always been a pleasure. This isn't one of those, though. The movie was directed by Harold Ramis, who's done some very funny films (think "Groundhog Day"), and it numbers raunch king Judd Apatow among its producers. That might seem a match made in comedy heaven, and you might expect the picture to kill. But it overkills, in an altogether underwhelming way. Even with the customary complement of Apatow veterans on hand — stars Jack Black and Michael Cera, with Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, and Ramis himself wandering through — the movie tuckers us out.

Continue reading 'Year One': The Land That Laughs Forgot, By Kurt Loder

At this weekend's "Year One" press junket, MTV's Josh Horowitz got to spend some quality time with the always-affable writer/director/ghosbuster Harold Ramis. As most of you probably know, "Ghostbusters 3" has been on the lips of Ramis and his cohort Dan Aykroyd for quite some time.

First they were calling the video game, which releases this week(!), the "official" third "Ghostbusters" movie. Then things went a step further, with the revelation that "Year One" co-writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky are in fact working on the script for a third movie. Read more...

Even as the first two "Ghostbusters" films get polished up to reappear in stores on Blu-ray on June 16, the films' creators are busy deciding what the long rumored sequel will look like -- even director and producer Ivan Reitman, who may still opt to reclaim both roles when the film begins production as early as this winter. Dan Aykroyd has named Harold Ramis as his favorite to replace Reitman if his schedule is too busy, but "Ghostbusters 3" could earn priority with the original director if the script is right.

"I’ve never ruled [directing it] out," Reitman told MTV News. "I certainly was responsible in every capacity for the first two movies so I certainly wouldn't wander away from the third one—especially if it's something we all think is worth doing." Read more...

Here at MTV News, we often get word of wacky movie biz gossip that has no chance of actually being true, from an art house director rumored to be taking on a franchise blockbuster to a long-forgotten film that someone, somewhere wants to reboot for the big screen. And then there are those rumors that are just so bizarre and delightful we hope against hope they contain a kernel of truth. Put a musical version of “Groundhog Day” into that last category.

About five years ago, the famed Broadway lyrist and composer Stephen Sondheim (“Sweeney Todd”) told some folks he loved the idea of doing a stage adaptation of “Groundhog,” the classic 1993 Bill Murray comedy about a prickly weatherman stuck reliving the same day over and over again. And that was about it. No one thought it might actually happen. But when Harold Ramis stopped by the MTV News offices to chat about his upcoming movie “The Year One,” he revealed that plans for a “Groundhog” musical are not just idle gossip, but are actually moving forward. Read more...

Sure we get pop stars and movie stars dropping by the MTV News offices day in and day out but it's a rare treat to get a visit from an honest to goodness Ghostbuster! Heads turned as we walked Harold Ramis through our halls. The actor/writer/director was chatting with us primarily about his forthcoming Jack Black/Michael Cera comedy, "Year One," but he was kind enough to give us a "Ghostbusters 3" (or whatever they end up calling it) update as well.

No first draft yet, said Ramis. But he and Aykroyd are consulting and yes, the original Ghostbusters are all in. Even Bill Murray. Ramis joked that the enigmatic actor is "just waiting for the truckload of money to arrive to get him out of his office." Ramis also talked about who might direct the film and what sort of roles we can expect for the original gang. Check out our full "Ghostbusters" update here.

- Jessica Alba goes Invisible…again. Former Mrs. Fantastic to headline “An Invisible Sign of My Own,” about a young woman consumed by math. (Variety)

- Will Smith getting jiggy with King Tut, will play Taharqa, an Egyptian king in “The Last Pharaoh.” (Variety)

- Harold Ramis confirms “Ghostbusters 3,” says old quartet will appear in some kind of mentor capacity to new recruits. (Chicago Tribune)

- Producer Don Carmody plans “Evil Dead: The Musical” for big-screen. (Screen Daily)