Step Brothers
July 25

Their dueling interpretations of Jesus (“I like to think of Jesus as a mischievous badger”) ranked among the highlights of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, so the prospect of watching John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell play brats who become stepbrothers as adults is nigh irresistible. Like Talladega and Anchorman (by the same director, Adam McKay), the movie no doubt relies heavily on improv and riffing; the DVD will probably pack in four hours of outtakes.

CLOWN OPINION
Shananagan the clown (a.k.a. Steven Finnegan), Finnegan’s Rainbow of Fun (773-889-7474, finfun03.com)

Who better to weigh in on SNL’s clown poster boy than a guy who’s been one since 1984? Specializing in entertainment for preschoolers, Finnegan’s show “Don’t Be Afraid of Clowns” makes big red shoes and squirty lapel flowers less terrifying to tots.

Reasons to be hopeful “A lot of the comedy bits in the movies look great and I would incorporate some stuff in the routines I do.”

Possible pitfalls “The premises behind Ferrell’s movies are so ridiculous. There’s no reason for these guys to be that dumb.”

Will Ferrell’s clown name? “Dumbo”