Tag Archives: Comedy

The Florida Project: True Movie Magic

Posted on December 24, 2017 by | Leave a comment

florida-project.jpgIt’s December, which means we’re deep into award season–where the standard offerings might include family dramas you’ve seen before, but with a slight new flavor (Lady Bird) or the period drama your grandparents will rave about (Darkest Hour). None of these films will do anything inventive with the form because they’re like pizza – not fine dining, but you know what to expect regardless of where it comes from.

The Florida Project is the kid that steals that proverbial pizza, throws it on the ground, and asks if you want to go spit on cars.

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21 Jump Street: A re-make you’ll thank God for

Posted on March 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Whenever we as human beings are privy to something truly extraordinary,  something that ignites an emotional power we usually only get glimmers of, we effusively try to convey the minutiae of that moment to others.  21 Jump Street is just such an occasion. With every new scene, every new cut, something hilariously brilliant and unexpected is lurking around the frame.  Your throat’s going to go raw from cheering and your hands sore from clapping.  This is what re-make dreams are made of.

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Attack the Block will rock your socks

Posted on January 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Around the same time J.J. Abrams was showcasing his ode to Spielberg, Super 8, Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block was in limited release and getting none of the attention it deserved.  In contrast to Spielberg and Abrams’ penchant for quaint middle-American childhoods, Attack the Block is all about urban hoodlums putting their life of hard knocks to use when they have to fight an alien invasion.  They aren’t going to share Reese’s pieces or heartwarming moments with the invaders – they’re going to fuck ’em up. Continue reading →

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Life with cancer not all tragedy in 50/50

Posted on October 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The last time comedy was placed alongside cancer, it was called Funny People.  Despite Funny People being a quality film, audiences were supremely annoyed that it wasn’t the usual Adam Sandler shenanigans but instead consisted more of drama than comedy.  50/50 should avoid the same sort of audience disdain, as it blends comedy and drama with equal measure. Continue reading →

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Troll Hunter reminds you to fear bridges

Posted on July 6, 2011 by | 2 comments

Three wannabe journalism students follow a man in a ghille suit into the woods to find out what’s been killing local hikers in the mountains of Norway.  It’s dark, we’re tethered to the first-person POV of the cameraman, and various flashes of light blast in the darkness, followed by faraway growls.  The woods come alive with the crashing footsteps of something ahead.  It’s the man in the ghille suit, running quickly away from the battle, stopping briefly to announce to his tag-a-longs: “TROLLS!”  It’s a ludicrous moment, but taps into the simultaneous display of comedy and anxiety in Troll Hunter, one of the best genre films of the year. Continue reading →

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Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop being a jerk

Posted on June 27, 2011 by | 9 comments

Backstage during Conan O’Brien’s “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour,” Jack McBrayer has just stopped by. Before he’s even through the door, Conan is launching into a cavalcade of country bumpkin jokes.  McBrayer’s Southern accent, familiar to fans of his character Kenneth Parcell on 30 Rock, turns out to be genuine, and O’Brien’s verbal jabs continue to slap his visitor like he just caught him screwing grandma on the kitchen table on Christmas day.  Of all the people we see passive-aggressively maligned by O’Brien’s sarcasm in the documentary Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, McBrayer is the only one not on his paid staff and is therefore the only one who can properly express slack-jawed dismay that Conan O’Brien is a dick.

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Kung Fu Panda 2 a great 3D sequel

Posted on June 19, 2011 by | 1 comment

Running too late to catch the 2D screening of Kung Fu Panda 2, I reluctantly accepted the 3D glasses from the usher, anxious about the eye strain that was soon to be mine.  To my surprise, despite a bloody 3D Friskies commercial jammed between film trailers, I was able to enjoy Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D.  In fact, it was the best 3D film I have seen (yep, even better than Avatar) and it 3D actually added to the film experience.  Did I also mention this was a genuine sequel, setting out to develop characters and their story beyond the initial volley?  Kung Fu Panda 2 is full of surprises. Continue reading →

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Fun Film Fact #1: You speak Swedish in the edit

Posted on June 17, 2011 by | 1 comment

I’m working two different film production jobs and spend quite a bit of time editing various programs.  I once remarked to someone that whenever you’re rewinding footage, everyone sounds like they’re speaking Swedish – and then I watched the delightful 80’s spoof film Top Secret! and one scene in particular had me cracking up… Continue reading →

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Bridesmaids not just for the ladies

Posted on May 18, 2011 by | 2 comments

The ad agency responsible for Bridesmaids‘ promotional material should be fired, because this is not The Hangover for women.  It’s a comedy with heart that will have both men and women cackling with glee. Continue reading →

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Win Win: Can’t argue with the title

Posted on April 22, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Judd Apatow’s last film Funny People was unjustly criticized for being a drama that happened to be funny, which is what you’ll get with Win Win. Continue reading →

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