Metro Detroiter Returns Home To Premiere His Hilarious New Feature Film

DETROIT (WWJ) - A metro Detroit native, who's making a name for himself in Hollywood, returns home just in time for the holiday season to premiere a hilarious, new feature film that he wrote, co-produced and co-stars in.

It's been more than ten years since David Paulus left home intent on making a name for himself in Los Angeles. While his career has mainly kept him in front of the camera, it was some advice from a well-known Hollywood actor and comedian that set the wheels in motion for the first feature he's written to make it to the big screen.

"Marlon Wayans ... a conversation with him one day, he told me that if I wanted to have a chance at a career in the entertainment industry, I had to write, and I took that to heart," Paulus told WWJ's Terri Lee.

And on Wednesday, November 2nd, "The Best Thanksgiving Ever! A Detroit Holiday Misadventure" will premiere at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak. Paulus says it's a film inspired by true events that took place on Thanksgiving Day back in 2008.

"I was living in Los Angeles, where I still currently live -- although I'm a native to ... Metro Detroit -- and my brother was supposed to come to visit, and he couldn't make the trip. And because of that, I ended up being stuck hanging out with a few of his friends from college, and they're a little older than me, and some things happened that evening that were just ... put it this way, based on a bunch of stuff that you can't make up."

While the movie is based on actual events, Paulus says there is some fiction mixed in with lots of raunchy fun.

"A guy who's in love with his girlfriend and he goes to basically advance the relationship to another level and instead of the usual warm embrace, he catches her cheating on him, and that insights his best friend to invite him over for Thanksgiving dinner because he was gonna spend it alone otherwise, and it ends up turning into just a disaster."

In addition to popular local landmarks, the film also features one of metro Detroit's most popular radio duos.

"Valenti and Foster from 97.1 The Ticket do have a cameo in the film, a voice cameo if you will, doing what they do best, giving their take on the Lions," Paulus says. "That's a lot of fun."

Paulus says he's thrilled to be premiering the film here in metro Detroit, where he was born and raised. And, he's also happy to be partnering with the non-profit Mittens for Detroit.

"I saw what the premise of it was and what the point of the charity was and that it's actually something that can impact ... we're not curing cancer by any stretch, but the little that we can do to make people's lives a little more comfortable, especially those that are disadvantaged, I'm all for that," Paulus said. "And with the Thanksgiving theme of the film, being that the film takes place on Thanksgiving, I think in the giving back spirit, this was the perfect charity for us."

Paulus will be joined at the premiere by the film's director, JD Shapiro, the writer of 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights,' and actors Jay Seals, Heather Adair, Tate Hanyok, Ashley Platz and "Jesus." The event will also feature an acoustic performance by G Tom Mac, who provides music for the film.

Following Wednesday's invitation-only premiere, tickets to "The Best Thanksgiving Ever! A Detroit Holiday Misadventure" will be available for purchase by the general public. The movie will be showing at select Emagine Theater locations, including Canton, Novi and Royal Oak.

Keep in mind that the movie is intended for viewers ages 17 and up.

See you at the movies!

Be sure to tune in to WWJ Newsradio 950 every Friday for my weekly look at the movies with Midday Anchor Jackie Paige.

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

Member:
Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA)
Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS)
African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
Digital Arts, Film & Television (DAFT)
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)