1. Boat Trip
Cuba Gooding Jr. on a gay cruise hoping to pick up women. That says it all, right?
2. Kangaroo Jack
I blame the previews some on this, because it made you think it was about a rapping Kangaroo. It wasn't, but it wasn't much better either.
3. Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
Kid's movies shouldn't be bad. It's not getting a pass for that. Also, why is it that Mike Meyers and Eddie Murphy haven't been able to do anything right the past decade except for Shrek?
4. Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde
I'm being a little harsh. There was as much need for this sequel of Miss Congeniality 2. Wait. Wasn't Regina King in both? Oh well. The first walked a fine line that the second plunged off.
5. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Llyod
Someone missed the memo reminding the producers that the only reason the first one worked was Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
I'm not looking for more bad movies. It hurts my soul.
INCOMPLETE LIST
Scary Movie 3
All indications point toward me liking this better than the first too. Still, it's a large jump to move into the realm of liking it.
A Mighty Wind
As good as Best in Show is, I won't count out Guest and Co.'s ability to know one out of the park. Not expected that out of this though.
The Cooler
Who knows? It could be good. William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and Alec Baldwin is a solid cast.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Top Comedy Movies of 2004
1. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
This movie serves as the coming out party for Apatow Productions as a major comedy player as well as launching a string of Will Ferrell as ridiculous character movies. It featured an astounding cast (Ferrell, Rudd, Applegate, Carell) with cameos and small roles for major players (Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins, Jack Black) or future stars (Seth Rogen). You can blame this and 40 Year Old Virgin a year later for virtually every good comedy since.
2. Mean Girls
All bow down before Tina Fey. She has a slam dunk career in TV and does a great job with movies too. This features Lindsay Lohan before she became the train wreck she is now, Rachel McAdams playing the bitchy girl (somehow she avoided being typecast in the role, Amanda Seyfried before she started scoring lead roles, Lizzy Caplan before she got really hot (she's always been funny, so no surprise there). Throw in some SNL vets, and, you have yourself a movie.
3. Shaun of the Dead
Every couple years, a British gem makes it's way across the pond and becomes a word-of-mouth hit (without making much money). The really remarkable thing about this is how it did the whole zombie thing before it was cool. Considering the mixed results of Hot Fuzz, it's still hard to say if Edgar Wright & Simon Pegg are just getting started or, like Orson Wells, peaked early.
4. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
I guess you could praise it a win for Asian actors considering both John Cho and Kal Penn broke out of being typecast. I just think it's a great, story in the vein of the Odyssey. Numerous small adventures are mixed together by the binding force of stoner comedy. This has the same director as Dude Where's My Car?, which shows you how this type of movie can go right or wrong without much being different in the production. The X-Factor here: NPH.
5. Saved!
I'm a sucker for a good religious satire. Jena Malone is a great choice for character ostracized from her community. Mandy Moore shows considerable range going from A Walk to Remember to Saved! and only has poor casting choices to blame for not having a higher profile acting career yet. Anytime Macaulay Culkin shows up is a treat too. The movie plays out as you expect it to, and there are certainly more jokes early than late (happens far too often). Overall, it's a very solid movie, poking on blind religious devotion without viciously attacking those who are afflicted by it.
6. Team America: World Police
"America, Fuck Yeah!" Trey Parker and Matt Stone don't appeal to everyone and projects like this are almost designed to annoy the hell out of a lot of people. You have to respect the people in the business who experiment they way they do. A parody of dramatic super-patriotic movies. Sure. With puppets. Huh? Singing Kim-Jong Il. Retarded Matt Damon. Painfully long puppet sex scene. One almost gets sensory overload. What puts it on my list: The Dicks/Pussies/Assholes speech. Brilliant!
7. 50 First Dates
I can never put an Adam Sandler movie at the top of my list, but I can't ignore them either. You start to run out of things to say. Adam Sandler playing himself. Drew Barrymore plays the role of Julie Bowen, Winona Rider, or that girl from The Wedding Singer. Throw in a mix of Happy Madison regulars and a couple SNL people. Insert variable plot device (in this case, amnesia). It's a relative formula, but dammit, it works.
Man of the Year: Ben Stiller
This is a special award going out to Mr. Stiller for working so damn hard. In 2004 alone, he had the following movies:
-Meet the Fockers
-Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
-Envy
-Starsky & Hutch
-Along Came Polly
I didn't rank any of these because I couldn't decide which one (it was between the top 2, I can say).
HONORABLE MENTION
Napoleon Dynamite
You have to love a good sleeper summer cult hit? ...No, really, that's a question. Do you have to love it? Maybe if it wasn't the most over-quoted movie this side of Borat, I'd think higher of it. The movie was great at the time, but has no shelf life. Good to see they are finally making an animated series for it...7 years later.
Shrek 2
The biggest hit of the Shrek series, it lacked the shiny newness of the first and made so much money due to goodwill from the first and Puss In Boots. Still good. Not great.
Ocean's Twelve
I love love love the first movie. This one, not so much. It relied too much on the star power and the plot twists are not nearly as clever. It is still fun to watch but a let down from the first.
Sideways
Critics say I should love this movie. More dramedy than comedy, it focuses more on dealing with a midlife crisis (only not in the traditional sense) than I care for. I accept the possibility that I don't get it.
Garden State
If your soundtrack makes more money than your movie, you have issues. A good start for Zach Braff in films. It's sad he never figured out his next step. Natalie Portman makes anything better. The movie was overall unremarkable, although very watchable.
Eurotrip
When did Michelle Trachtenberg get hot? That was the entirety of the ad campaign when it came out. That's still what people take away from it. In 1997, this movie would've been PG-13 and toned down a lot. I like that it wasn't, but I don't think the comedy itself stepped up to the R rating.
The Girl Next Door
As a comedy, this was not that remarkable. Like Eurotrip, it didn't warrant it's R rating. It held itself back a lot given the subject matter. Some movies get rated R because it's what the story needs. This kind of subject matter should've started NC-17 and edited and appealed till it got the R, otherwise, cut it down to PG-13, rely more on innuendo than nudity, and make more money.
2. Mean Girls
3. Shaun of the Dead
4. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
5. Saved!
6. Team America: World Police
7. 50 First Dates
Man of the Year: Ben Stiller
-Meet the Fockers
-Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
-Envy
-Starsky & Hutch
-Along Came Polly
I didn't rank any of these because I couldn't decide which one (it was between the top 2, I can say).
HONORABLE MENTION
Napoleon Dynamite
You have to love a good sleeper summer cult hit? ...No, really, that's a question. Do you have to love it? Maybe if it wasn't the most over-quoted movie this side of Borat, I'd think higher of it. The movie was great at the time, but has no shelf life. Good to see they are finally making an animated series for it...7 years later.
Shrek 2
The biggest hit of the Shrek series, it lacked the shiny newness of the first and made so much money due to goodwill from the first and Puss In Boots. Still good. Not great.
Ocean's Twelve
I love love love the first movie. This one, not so much. It relied too much on the star power and the plot twists are not nearly as clever. It is still fun to watch but a let down from the first.
Sideways
Critics say I should love this movie. More dramedy than comedy, it focuses more on dealing with a midlife crisis (only not in the traditional sense) than I care for. I accept the possibility that I don't get it.
Garden State
If your soundtrack makes more money than your movie, you have issues. A good start for Zach Braff in films. It's sad he never figured out his next step. Natalie Portman makes anything better. The movie was overall unremarkable, although very watchable.
Eurotrip
When did Michelle Trachtenberg get hot? That was the entirety of the ad campaign when it came out. That's still what people take away from it. In 1997, this movie would've been PG-13 and toned down a lot. I like that it wasn't, but I don't think the comedy itself stepped up to the R rating.
The Girl Next Door
As a comedy, this was not that remarkable. Like Eurotrip, it didn't warrant it's R rating. It held itself back a lot given the subject matter. Some movies get rated R because it's what the story needs. This kind of subject matter should've started NC-17 and edited and appealed till it got the R, otherwise, cut it down to PG-13, rely more on innuendo than nudity, and make more money.
Bottom Comedy Movies of 2004
1. Chasing Liberty
I saw this movie. It was called My Date with the President's Daughter. It was about as good except it was a made for TV movie for the Disney Channel.
2. Fat Albert
Hey hey hey. Trying too hard.
3. Jersey Girl
They can't all be hits for Kevin Smith. I know he doesn't really care that much, so why should I?
4. Spanglish
They kept calling this a comedy. Watching it, I don't know why.
5. Soul Plane
At least it knew it was bad. These other movies didn't.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Another year with only five movie not worth mentioning.
INCOMPLETE LIST
Without a Paddle
Good cast of actors who don't often pick good movies.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
The first one was good. The second could be.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Bill Murray movies tend to be quirky, but pretty good.
I Heart Huckabees
I think this is a comedy. The cast is really strong. Maybe the movie is too.
Club Dread
Broken Lizard has a specific but fervent fan base. Nothing I've ever heard tells me it's as good as Super Troopers, but having not seen it, I can't be sure.
D.E.B.S.
The plot sounds more like a bad porn, and the cast is chosen based on attractiveness to boot. The little I've seen looks pretty good.
I saw this movie. It was called My Date with the President's Daughter. It was about as good except it was a made for TV movie for the Disney Channel.
2. Fat Albert
Hey hey hey. Trying too hard.
3. Jersey Girl
They can't all be hits for Kevin Smith. I know he doesn't really care that much, so why should I?
4. Spanglish
They kept calling this a comedy. Watching it, I don't know why.
5. Soul Plane
At least it knew it was bad. These other movies didn't.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Another year with only five movie not worth mentioning.
INCOMPLETE LIST
Without a Paddle
Good cast of actors who don't often pick good movies.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
The first one was good. The second could be.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Bill Murray movies tend to be quirky, but pretty good.
I Heart Huckabees
I think this is a comedy. The cast is really strong. Maybe the movie is too.
Club Dread
Broken Lizard has a specific but fervent fan base. Nothing I've ever heard tells me it's as good as Super Troopers, but having not seen it, I can't be sure.
D.E.B.S.
The plot sounds more like a bad porn, and the cast is chosen based on attractiveness to boot. The little I've seen looks pretty good.
Top Comedy Movies of 2005
1. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
It is only a slight exaggeration to say this is the movie that brought comedy movies to where it is now. Judd Apatow and the associated actors have their hands in virtually every cookie jar these days and [along with Anchorman] it all started with this hilarious star-maker for Steve Carell. The interesting part about this movie is how it manages to have as much heart as it does despite the premise.
2. Wedding Crashers
I consider this a prequel to The Hangover, due to how massive a success it was and also sharing the wedding backdrop. One of those movies everyone has seen, it either solidified your Frat Pack love or confirmed that nothing was going to get you to love Vince Vaughn or Owen Wilson.
3. The Producers
There aren't many chances to include a Mel Brooks movie on a list of newer movies these days. A remake of his first parody project, his musical adaptation of the play hits all the right notes (get it?) with the impossible to hate Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. It also has Will Ferrell in once of his rare over-the-top roles that doesn't feel like a creation of his own. As it turns out, that is really hard to do.
4. Bad News Bears
Surprise factor plays a large part to this high rating. Seeing anything with the Disney branding with Billy-Bob Thornton doing his best Bad Santa impersonation is a pretty big success. This is kind of like Hard Ball if Hard Ball didn't suck. One of the more underrated remakes of the past decade in my humble opinion.
5. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
While satire on suburban life is old hat, satire on both suburban life and the spy genre is totes new hat and brilliantly so. The biggest shame is that most people think of how it broke up Brad and Jen.
6. Waiting...
A disgusting gross out comedy. You either can't watch it because you want to be able to eat out again or you don't want to remember your time working at a food place. Basically, it was a who's who of people not in Judd Apatow movies. I think we can all agree it's perhaps Dane Cook's greatest role ever: small and one note.
7. The Longest Yard
Say what you will, but this is the first real Happy Madison production that doesn't follow the traditional boy meets girl and weird things happen plot. In fact, we barely see the girl, and she's a bitch (Sorry Courtney, we love you). Remaking a lower profile movie, it achieved that good balance of audiences and avoiding a chorus of purists attacking it for not being the original. Good touch keeping Burt Reynolds involved.
HONORABLE MENTION
Hitch
Some people hate how Will Smith forces every project he does to work around him being "Big Willy Style". I think it works more often than it doesn't. This movie didn't aspire to anything great, so it isn't.
Kicking and Screaming
Someone finally realized that if you take the swearing out of Will Ferrell's delivery, he is perfect for a kid's movie.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I've watched this movie, but honestly, I took nothing away from it. I sat there, completely sober and as focused as I ever am with a movie, and it is largely a blank in my mind.
The Ringer
I was so ready to pan this movie. Then I watched it. The jokes are standard. The acting doesn't challenge anyone. The gem in this is the surprisingly sweet treatment of the mentally challenged characters. They were legit characters and quite funny (as characters, not punch lines).
2. Wedding Crashers
3. The Producers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
6. Waiting...
7. The Longest Yard
HONORABLE MENTION
Hitch
Some people hate how Will Smith forces every project he does to work around him being "Big Willy Style". I think it works more often than it doesn't. This movie didn't aspire to anything great, so it isn't.
Kicking and Screaming
Someone finally realized that if you take the swearing out of Will Ferrell's delivery, he is perfect for a kid's movie.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I've watched this movie, but honestly, I took nothing away from it. I sat there, completely sober and as focused as I ever am with a movie, and it is largely a blank in my mind.
The Ringer
I was so ready to pan this movie. Then I watched it. The jokes are standard. The acting doesn't challenge anyone. The gem in this is the surprisingly sweet treatment of the mentally challenged characters. They were legit characters and quite funny (as characters, not punch lines).
Bottom Comedy Movies of 2005
1. Herbie: Fully Loaded
Do I need to see this to know it's bad? I say, No.
2. Monster-in-Law
I hate Jennifer Lopez as a lead. I won't even apologize for it.
3. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Yay. Some more uncalled for sequels. The first movie left no room/need for a sequel. Sandra Bullock is a good actress, not a one trick pony. No need to rehash that which was not asked for.
4. Cheaper by the Dozen 2
What do you do with a sequel to a movie with a cast that is unmanageably large by design? If you guessed "introduce another equally large family" you would be correct. Seriously, it's like watch Love, Actually for tweens.
5. Deuce Bigalow 2: European Gigolo
A sequel to a Rob Schneider movie. What else has to be said?
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Son of the Mask
Never saw it, but I have a hunch it belongs her.
INCOMPLETE LIST
The Family Stone
I think this may go in the direction of Spanglish, but the cast looks solid (even including SJP) and I never heard people say horrible things about it.
Match Point
I need to give up on Woody Allen movies yet I can't get myself to do it.
Broken Flowers
Bill Murray doing his quirky comedic thing works for Lost in Translation. I guess it could here.
Junebug
And again I ask, is this even a comedy? I think it is, so I'll include it. The Wikipedia summary makes it sound about as funny as Sideways, so I question if it's a comedy...what's that? Sidways is a comedy too?
Do I need to see this to know it's bad? I say, No.
2. Monster-in-Law
I hate Jennifer Lopez as a lead. I won't even apologize for it.
3. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Yay. Some more uncalled for sequels. The first movie left no room/need for a sequel. Sandra Bullock is a good actress, not a one trick pony. No need to rehash that which was not asked for.
4. Cheaper by the Dozen 2
What do you do with a sequel to a movie with a cast that is unmanageably large by design? If you guessed "introduce another equally large family" you would be correct. Seriously, it's like watch Love, Actually for tweens.
5. Deuce Bigalow 2: European Gigolo
A sequel to a Rob Schneider movie. What else has to be said?
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Son of the Mask
Never saw it, but I have a hunch it belongs her.
INCOMPLETE LIST
The Family Stone
I think this may go in the direction of Spanglish, but the cast looks solid (even including SJP) and I never heard people say horrible things about it.
Match Point
I need to give up on Woody Allen movies yet I can't get myself to do it.
Broken Flowers
Bill Murray doing his quirky comedic thing works for Lost in Translation. I guess it could here.
Junebug
And again I ask, is this even a comedy? I think it is, so I'll include it. The Wikipedia summary makes it sound about as funny as Sideways, so I question if it's a comedy...what's that? Sidways is a comedy too?
Top Comedy Movies of 2006
1. Thank You for Smoking
This was a good year for you art-house comedies, so to speak. I'm amazed how Nick Naylor manages to be the goodest bad guy of about any movie I've seen. Great mix of actors ranging from Maria Bello to J.K. Simmons to Sam Elliott. The really impressive thing is how well it manages to make the contemptible funny and never feel preachy. Also, great job sidestepping the dated source material.
2. Stranger Than Fiction
This is admittedly one of my favorite movies (we're talking top 3), so it's jumping a couple spots due to favoritism. Beyond that, it's a shockingly heartfelt performance by Will Ferrell. Somehow putting Dustin Hoffman, Tony Hale, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifa (why hasn't she dropped the stage name yet?), and Maggie Gyllenhaal worked out exceptionally well. I can't recommend it enough, but I don't want to hear if you didn't like it.
3. Little Miss Sunshine
The little Indie comedy that could. It is almost impossible to determine why this movie worked so well but it just did. An almost impossible to hate movie. I'm not sure how something like that got so much critical and award love while the above two didn't, but that's a gripe about the academy, not this enjoyable film.
4. Idiocracy
So stupid it's funny. So stupid it gets funnier the more you watch it. So stupid you think about turning it off several times watching it the first time, then watch it all the way through the next day on Comedy Central. It hits you over the head with it's high concept, single-note premise, but so many of the jokes are grounded by unsettling truth. My favorite line: "Welcome to Costco. I love you."
5. The Devil Wears Prada
Damn. 2006 comedies got some Oscar love. Granted, it's more likely for Meryl Streep to get a Supporting Actress nomination for her cameo in Stuck on You than her not getting Lead Actress love for a role like this. The movie also happily welcomed Anne Hathaway into the world of lead actress in legit films (this after her boobtacular 2005 to drop the Disney branding). This manages to be one of those chick flick concept films that guys can sit down and watch (or maybe I'm telling myself that since I can't pass it up on FX).
6. Clerks II
The great thing about Kevin Smith is that you can't trust a word he says. After every movie he makes a claim about something he'll never do again which he promptly goes back on. I believe Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was supposed to be the end of his View Askewniverse or final appearance of Silent Bob or maybe he just said he'd never revisit Clerks. Regardless, I'm glad he went back on whatever he said and made this gloriously irrenverent comedy. Some knock it for not being Clerks. I praise it for being what Clerks would've been if he had a budget. "I'm bringing it back!"
7. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Before the "Will Ferrell as outrageous era-character" thing got old, there was this delightful Adam McKay movie. Not quite as brilliant as Anchorman. Not quite as tired as Semi-Pro. It is full of intentionally over the top acting and plenty of jokes of varying effectiveness.
HONORABLE MENTION
Night at the Museum
Ridiculous premise made forgivable by being a family movie. It succeeded where Gulliver's Travels failed a few years later.
The Break-Up
A pretty standard RomCom with a surprisingly un-Hollywood ending. I still don't think the ending fits the tone of the rest of the movie, but I respect it for not being controlled by the audience expectations.
Accepted
Even when watched for the first time, I felt like I'd seen this before. That isn't a knock, per se. I quite liked it, but it brought nothing new to the table.
Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane knew it was Snakes on a Plane. It had all the needed elements for a cult classic except that it knew it could be a cult classic. I respect SLJ for signing on for the fuck of it, but the movie was too self-aware.
Grandma's Boy
This movie taught me an important lesson that has rung true ever since: Happy Madison productions should always have Adam Sandler in them. The rest of his crew can't hold strong on their own. The movie did have some funny moments though.
2. Stranger Than Fiction
3. Little Miss Sunshine
4. Idiocracy
5. The Devil Wears Prada
6. Clerks II
7. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
HONORABLE MENTION
Night at the Museum
Ridiculous premise made forgivable by being a family movie. It succeeded where Gulliver's Travels failed a few years later.
The Break-Up
A pretty standard RomCom with a surprisingly un-Hollywood ending. I still don't think the ending fits the tone of the rest of the movie, but I respect it for not being controlled by the audience expectations.
Accepted
Even when watched for the first time, I felt like I'd seen this before. That isn't a knock, per se. I quite liked it, but it brought nothing new to the table.
Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane knew it was Snakes on a Plane. It had all the needed elements for a cult classic except that it knew it could be a cult classic. I respect SLJ for signing on for the fuck of it, but the movie was too self-aware.
Grandma's Boy
This movie taught me an important lesson that has rung true ever since: Happy Madison productions should always have Adam Sandler in them. The rest of his crew can't hold strong on their own. The movie did have some funny moments though.
Bottom Comedy Movies of 2006
1. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
I hate everything this movie stands for. I could (and likely will at some point) fill pages dissecting why. I think it best comes down to there being a difference between something that makes me laugh and comedy. This movie frustrates me on a nearly philosophic level. Let's just say I hate this movie and all those people who love it should be ashamed of themselves.
2. Nacho Libre
From the people that brought you Napoleon Dynamite. Looks like they were a one trick pony. And my god, Jack Black, choose a good project.
3. RV
I've said it once. I'll say it again. Just because it's a kids' movie, doesn't forgive it for being a bad movie.
4. The Pink Panthe
A great example of a movie that worked on no levels. Pity. I like Steve Martin, as a concept.
5. My Super Ex-Girlfriend
The movie knows it's bad, so I forgive it a lot because of that. Still, it did get made, so someone had to think it was a good idea.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion
Oh, Tyler Perry. I'm not ready yet.
Date Movie
Alyson Hannigan getting top billing is the ONLY thing saving this. Nothing else in the movie
Man of the Year
Robin Willaims and Christopher Walken playing off each other should be comedic gold. Not that's not enough. It should be comedic platinum. Supplementing them with Jeff Goldblum and Lewis Black. Fuck, I would watch a movie that's just 2 hours of them, in a room, talking to each other. A premise of "Jon Stewart running for president" is an amazing launching point. How the hell do you mess that up? Answer: by turning it into a whistle blower movie. I cannot fathom how they can fuck such potential up. The only thing saving this from the bottom five is that despite the poor direction, writing, and production of this movie, the casting brings enough good moments to keep it interesting.
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
No one is ever going to stand up to defend this movie, so it's kicking a dead horse to attack it too much.
INCOMPLETE LIST
Scary Movie 4
I always leave a little room for hope with the Scary Movie series, because they are largely better than the other style genre parodies.
A Prairie Home Companion
Best in Show was good. I think this is from the same people.
I hate everything this movie stands for. I could (and likely will at some point) fill pages dissecting why. I think it best comes down to there being a difference between something that makes me laugh and comedy. This movie frustrates me on a nearly philosophic level. Let's just say I hate this movie and all those people who love it should be ashamed of themselves.
2. Nacho Libre
From the people that brought you Napoleon Dynamite. Looks like they were a one trick pony. And my god, Jack Black, choose a good project.
3. RV
I've said it once. I'll say it again. Just because it's a kids' movie, doesn't forgive it for being a bad movie.
4. The Pink Panthe
A great example of a movie that worked on no levels. Pity. I like Steve Martin, as a concept.
5. My Super Ex-Girlfriend
The movie knows it's bad, so I forgive it a lot because of that. Still, it did get made, so someone had to think it was a good idea.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion
Oh, Tyler Perry. I'm not ready yet.
Date Movie
Alyson Hannigan getting top billing is the ONLY thing saving this. Nothing else in the movie
Man of the Year
Robin Willaims and Christopher Walken playing off each other should be comedic gold. Not that's not enough. It should be comedic platinum. Supplementing them with Jeff Goldblum and Lewis Black. Fuck, I would watch a movie that's just 2 hours of them, in a room, talking to each other. A premise of "Jon Stewart running for president" is an amazing launching point. How the hell do you mess that up? Answer: by turning it into a whistle blower movie. I cannot fathom how they can fuck such potential up. The only thing saving this from the bottom five is that despite the poor direction, writing, and production of this movie, the casting brings enough good moments to keep it interesting.
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector
No one is ever going to stand up to defend this movie, so it's kicking a dead horse to attack it too much.
INCOMPLETE LIST
Scary Movie 4
I always leave a little room for hope with the Scary Movie series, because they are largely better than the other style genre parodies.
A Prairie Home Companion
Best in Show was good. I think this is from the same people.
Top Comedy Movies of 2007
1. Superbad
A great Odyssey narrative about high-schoolers who act like actual high-schoolers (so I'm told. I never got drink or go to parties, but neither did Evan, Seth, or McLovin till that night...parties, not alcohol). Penned by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen beginning when they were 13, the comedy is the culmination of years of refinement. It's a shame they haven't been able to match that quality since.
2. Knocked Up
Hey look. It's Seth Rogen again. 2007 was a very good year for him. This is the second writer/director showcase for Judd Apatow and arguably his best, balancing the comedy with enough heart to make it endearing. A great example of one of those movies that shot so much good stuff they couldn't keep it under 2 hours.
3. The Simpsons Movie
A movie 18 years in the making. Matt Groening and company said they were waiting for the right story to make a movie for. Not sure how much I believe that. This was one of those movies that's a lot of fun for the first hour, then remembers it needs a plot and gets a lot less enjoyable on the home stretch (I'm looking at you Hancock).
4. Hairspray
I laughed. I sang. I danced in my seat. And I wasn't one of the people in my group who went drinking before seeing the movie. Tongue and cheek and loving it. The movie's a hard sell because it doesn't look like it's going to have the edge that it does. Bonus points for Travolta in drag.
5. Ocean's Thirteen
A return to form for the series. After a largely disappointing second movie Soderbergh went back to basics, bringing the cast together one more time and staying in Vegas. Since it doesn't break any new ground here I can't put it any higher, but for recognizing it's strengths I commend the Ocean crew.
6. Enchanted
Disney self parody. They get to have their cake and eat it too with this one. Most of the fun of the movie is in poking at the tropes Disney lived on for years yet they still manage to have a story that largely is a classic Disney princess tale. Impressive.
7. Juno
This movie was so well aware of how hip it was that it hurt. That withstanding, a breakout performance by Ellen Page (who needs to do more movies and fewer Cisco commercials), Michael Cera playing himself but admirably so, and Jason Bateman making a strong case to be cast as a D-bag more often. While a lot of the movie doesn't work for me, enough does to still find it engaging. Besides, she has a hamburger phone.
HONORABLE MENTION
Hot Fuzz
This was no Shawn of the Dead. Still good. Impossible comparison.
The Ten
This is about the most under the radar movie I can think of. Odd concept. Quirky execution. I'm told that it's a "guy movie" even though it isn't boob-tastic or gross-out humor. Regardless, a stacked cast of people that make you say, "Oh yeah, I like that guy." If I could ever get a handle of what the aim of the movie was, It'd probably break my top 7.
Ratatouille
Pixar movies are always fun. This one was better than the premise let on, but most of the humor was [for anyone 13+] grin-worthy, not laugh-worthy.
Stardust
A poor man's Princess Bride. I mean that in the same way one says Lebron James is a poor man's Michael Jordan. Nothing to scoff at, but it knows it's place.
Dan in Real Life
One of those movies that is called a comedy because it casts comedic actors. No a bad movie, just not particularly funny.
2. Knocked Up
3. The Simpsons Movie
4. Hairspray
5. Ocean's Thirteen
6. Enchanted
7. Juno
HONORABLE MENTION
Hot Fuzz
This was no Shawn of the Dead. Still good. Impossible comparison.
The Ten
This is about the most under the radar movie I can think of. Odd concept. Quirky execution. I'm told that it's a "guy movie" even though it isn't boob-tastic or gross-out humor. Regardless, a stacked cast of people that make you say, "Oh yeah, I like that guy." If I could ever get a handle of what the aim of the movie was, It'd probably break my top 7.
Ratatouille
Pixar movies are always fun. This one was better than the premise let on, but most of the humor was [for anyone 13+] grin-worthy, not laugh-worthy.
Stardust
A poor man's Princess Bride. I mean that in the same way one says Lebron James is a poor man's Michael Jordan. Nothing to scoff at, but it knows it's place.
Dan in Real Life
One of those movies that is called a comedy because it casts comedic actors. No a bad movie, just not particularly funny.
Bottom Comedy Movies of 2007
1. Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? / Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls
I was wondering how long before the Tyler Perry movies start cracking my list. The thing I hate most about these movies is that it makes it look like I hate movies with black casts. In fact, I have no issue with black casts. It isn't even a cultural humor thing. I'll accept movies that I don't get where the humor is coming from. Tyler Perry's movies are like watching drama for amateurs and comedy for the lobotomized.
2. Norbit
Oh Eddie. Stop dressing up. Stop everything. I don't understand how you get in your way so often, but it's sad. You are a comedy heavy-hitter, but all you do these days is hit-bottom.
3. Epic Movie
Wow. A year in which one of these slips to #3. There were a lot of movies that went wrong this year. Why did Kal Penn and Jayma Mays sign up for this. Their careers were both doing pretty well. They didn't have to do it.
4. Evan Almighty
Any time you have a sequel that was made from a script that wasn't meant to be a sequel, there's going to be some issues. Granted, calling this a sequel is doing so in the weakest application of the word.
5. Wild Hogs
Same rule goes for the Grumpy Old Men genre as kid's movies. If you limit the appeal and humor to middle-aged men, then I'm not making an effort to find it funny.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Five solid movies isn't enough for me to find? Sadist.
INCOMPLETE LIST
The Bucket List
Two actors I love doing a buddy comedy about dying (I'm guessing the theme is about "living life" though). There's potential here.
Balls of Fury
I'm guessing this goes to at least dishonorable mention, but I've not seen more than a preview, so I can't say for sure.
Reno 911!: Miami
I never loved the show, but it had it's moments. Supposing the movie has more "moments" than not, it could be pretty good.
I Think I Love My Wife
Chris Rock is kind of notorious for never being able to transfer his brilliance as a Stand-Up to lead of a movie success. Here's to hoping this would could be different.
I was wondering how long before the Tyler Perry movies start cracking my list. The thing I hate most about these movies is that it makes it look like I hate movies with black casts. In fact, I have no issue with black casts. It isn't even a cultural humor thing. I'll accept movies that I don't get where the humor is coming from. Tyler Perry's movies are like watching drama for amateurs and comedy for the lobotomized.
2. Norbit
Oh Eddie. Stop dressing up. Stop everything. I don't understand how you get in your way so often, but it's sad. You are a comedy heavy-hitter, but all you do these days is hit-bottom.
3. Epic Movie
Wow. A year in which one of these slips to #3. There were a lot of movies that went wrong this year. Why did Kal Penn and Jayma Mays sign up for this. Their careers were both doing pretty well. They didn't have to do it.
4. Evan Almighty
Any time you have a sequel that was made from a script that wasn't meant to be a sequel, there's going to be some issues. Granted, calling this a sequel is doing so in the weakest application of the word.
5. Wild Hogs
Same rule goes for the Grumpy Old Men genre as kid's movies. If you limit the appeal and humor to middle-aged men, then I'm not making an effort to find it funny.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Five solid movies isn't enough for me to find? Sadist.
INCOMPLETE LIST
The Bucket List
Two actors I love doing a buddy comedy about dying (I'm guessing the theme is about "living life" though). There's potential here.
Balls of Fury
I'm guessing this goes to at least dishonorable mention, but I've not seen more than a preview, so I can't say for sure.
Reno 911!: Miami
I never loved the show, but it had it's moments. Supposing the movie has more "moments" than not, it could be pretty good.
I Think I Love My Wife
Chris Rock is kind of notorious for never being able to transfer his brilliance as a Stand-Up to lead of a movie success. Here's to hoping this would could be different.
Top Comedy Movies of 2008
1. Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
I am alone with this pick, I know it. I don't care. This movie embraced the absurd journeymen story of the first but increases the scope and the nature of the comedy. White Castle is equally pot-based but sticks to how stupid Asian prejudice is. Guatanemo Bay examines blacks, rednecks, Arabs, civil liberties and everything in between. There's a lot of needless nudity and pot humor, but the first one had a cheetah getting high, so slow your role and shut your mouth about the second being too broad or out there. Besides, NPH is even more prominent this time around. Lastly, the "Dude choose your movie" feature on the DVD tickles me to death.
2. Role Models
From the guy who brought you Wet Hot American Summer and The Ten is a movie that is finally financially viable. He's using a lot of the same actors, but their stars have risen and he managed to get some decent funding this time around. A cast consisting of regular Apatow contributes and at least one American Pie alum, Paul Rudd specifically gets his chance to shine. The movie doesn't overstep where it needs to go with tone, themes, and subject matter while still being funny, and anytime you combine Kiss with LARP, you are good in my book.
3. Pineapple Express
This was somewhat of a let down after Rogen and Golberg did Superbad the year before. Still a very good movie, but tonally much different than their last project and the writing is not as refined.
4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Apatow productions hit maximum saturation in the market this year. I like Jason Segel in a lead role and it works best when it's on his own terms like this. I believe that's the only reason why the puppets are in Mr. Muppet's first major starring role.
5. Tropic Thunder
Jack Black isn't always a safe bet even in an ensemble (See "Year, The Big"). Ben Stiller is a reasonable draw, even still. I'm saying the big coup hear was Robert Downey Jr. in black-face and Tom Cruise in a far suit. I don't know how they put that cast together, but I'm glad they did. Even as I'm writing this, I realize the only reason it isn't higher on my list is because I own the four movies above it.
6. Step Brothers
After Semi-Pro and Walk Hard showed Ferrell and Reily were getting stale alone, shake things up by bringing them back together. A couple man-children are always fun to watch when played by either man.
7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Whenever the View Askewniverse and the Apatow crowd come together, how can great things not happen? Sure, it wasn't a financial success. It had the word "porno" in the title. This is by no means Smith's greatest work. It's still good though,
HONORABLE MENTION
Get Smart
Perhaps the best TV remake in quite some time. Anne Hathaway does comedy better than people give her credit for and Steve Carell puts on the comedic goof persona like it's nothing. Still, being the best TV remake is like being the tallest midget.
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
This might be Adam Sandler's hardest sell ever. We're talking since Going Overboard stupid. The thing is, the good people at Happy Madison are a well oiled machine. They can churn out these movies like it's nothing. As a result, you get a movie much better than the previews make it look.
Yes Man
Different plotline, but it feels lazily close to Liar, Liar. Still, I liked Liar, Liar and Zooey Deschanel is always a draw.
Baby Mama
I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler but they both work best on TV. They seem more comfortable there and they are definitely funnier in that arena.
Burn After Reading
The movie is overall a bust. Not horrible, not brilliant. It does claim one of my two favorite slow laughs. I've never heard a theater grow in laughter so slowly and loudly as I did with the scene at the end when they recap the situation.
Definitely, Maybe
What you have here is a pretty standard RomCom. I do appreciate the attempt to tell it in a more mysterious way. Could never get past how they didn't ever try to make any of the characters age. I'm sorry, but without makeup, Ryan Reynolds looks too young to be Abagail Breslin's father.
Run, Fat Boy, Run & How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Kind of a make or break year for Simon Pegg. Largely, I'd say "break". Both were good, but neither really wowed me when it comes to Pegg as a lead. He's a very good writer and great in an ensemble and Shaun of the Dead even proved that in just the right setting, he can lead a movie.
In Bruges
I'm writing this on my own time, so I could go back and read a couple reviews of this and see why people love it. I watched it once and thought it was fine. Don't remember it being any better than that.
2. Role Models
3. Pineapple Express
4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
5. Tropic Thunder
6. Step Brothers
7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
HONORABLE MENTION
Get Smart
Perhaps the best TV remake in quite some time. Anne Hathaway does comedy better than people give her credit for and Steve Carell puts on the comedic goof persona like it's nothing. Still, being the best TV remake is like being the tallest midget.
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
This might be Adam Sandler's hardest sell ever. We're talking since Going Overboard stupid. The thing is, the good people at Happy Madison are a well oiled machine. They can churn out these movies like it's nothing. As a result, you get a movie much better than the previews make it look.
Yes Man
Different plotline, but it feels lazily close to Liar, Liar. Still, I liked Liar, Liar and Zooey Deschanel is always a draw.
Baby Mama
I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler but they both work best on TV. They seem more comfortable there and they are definitely funnier in that arena.
Burn After Reading
The movie is overall a bust. Not horrible, not brilliant. It does claim one of my two favorite slow laughs. I've never heard a theater grow in laughter so slowly and loudly as I did with the scene at the end when they recap the situation.
Definitely, Maybe
What you have here is a pretty standard RomCom. I do appreciate the attempt to tell it in a more mysterious way. Could never get past how they didn't ever try to make any of the characters age. I'm sorry, but without makeup, Ryan Reynolds looks too young to be Abagail Breslin's father.
Run, Fat Boy, Run & How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Kind of a make or break year for Simon Pegg. Largely, I'd say "break". Both were good, but neither really wowed me when it comes to Pegg as a lead. He's a very good writer and great in an ensemble and Shaun of the Dead even proved that in just the right setting, he can lead a movie.
In Bruges
I'm writing this on my own time, so I could go back and read a couple reviews of this and see why people love it. I watched it once and thought it was fine. Don't remember it being any better than that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)