Tag Archives: Comedy

Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” a Loving Tribute to Artists

midnightparisWoody Allen hits a late-career spark of comedic bliss with the supernatural romantic comedy Midnight in Paris (B) featuring Owen Wilson as a man who steps back in time to turn of the century France where he encounters a famous collection of artists, authors and celebrities. It’s essentially Bill & Ted for the intellectual set but told with such color and ebullience that it works as a wistful and enjoyable lark.

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a Welcome Comedy

best exoticThere’s not much “hip” aside from Maggie Smith’s replacement surgery in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (B+), but this senior citizen passage to India contains considerable joys and sentiment. Director John Madden and his muse Dame Judi Dench draw viewers in to the emotional far pavilions of friends and family. More than Cocoon with curry, it’s quite a sleeper hit.

“The Artist” (2011) Brings Back Golden Era Silent Films in Stylish Form

artistJust saw the year’s best picture and can’t imagine a scenario in which Oscars will disagree. Filmed as a silent movie in black and white with lush symphonic underscoring, The Artist (A+) is funny, romantic, nostalgic and occasionally profound. Jean Dujarden and Benenie Bejo display a chemistry beyond words in this ode to love and Hollywood. The dog is also an amazing supporting cast member. I was worried the film would be too cute for its own good and was quickly won over. Cinematic bliss!

“The Hangover” is a Hoot as Friends Piece Together What Happened Last Night

imageTodd Phillips’ The Hangover (B+) is vulgar, audacious and altogether winning. Pairing Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis in a hybrid comedy/mystery, the film follows a gang of groomsmen who must piece together what happened the previous night in a debaucherous Vegas bachelor party where the groom mysteriously disappeared. The episodic antics and misadventures of the so-called “Wolfpack” keep upping the ante, and dark hilarity ensues. These hedonistic Hardy Boys are best when displaying their vulnerabilities, with escalating levels of haplessness. The humor and highjinks add up to a delightful entertainment.

“Up in the Air” Captures Unease and Humor in Era of Layoff Culture

In Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air (A+), George Clooney gets his perfect role: a bit of a Br’er Rabbit of the friendly skies. As a job axman on the frequent flier circuit, he falls to earth when paired with spunky Anna Kendrick and affaired with sultry Vera Farmiga. It’s an acerbic, moving film that flawlessly captures the tone of a nation in economic recovery.

“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” Another Late-Career Woody Allen Hit

Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona (B+) is the latest in the writer/director’s European travelogue in which a Spaniard (Javier Bardem) proposes a three-way to two lovely travelers (Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson), and then they all encounter his former wife (Penélope Cruz). Alternately ambiguous and enchanting, the film is full of comedy and rich characters, with everyone at the top of their game.

“Stardust” a Fun and Frisky Fairy Tale Geared to Adults

stardustMatthew Vaughn’s Stardust (B+) is a whimsical adventure in the tradition of The Princess Bride. Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes and Robert DeNiro are standouts in this fantasy about getting over the walls that block our way to our dreams. Witches, pirates, unicorns, voodoo dolls and so much more are part of the journey ahead. This is a pleasant surprise of a movie that nobody seemed to see in theatres but that has enchanted folks who have seen it.

“Knocked Up” Blends the Profane and the Poignant

Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up (B+) pairs schlubby slacker Seth Rogen and career-minded Katherine Heigl as participants in a one-night stand who are now parents-to-be. It’s a modern-day comedy about reverse courtship as the parallel notion of falling in love while expecting a baby brings out the best and worst of all involved. Apatow’s writing style is taboo-smashing; and while he sometimes could use a self-editor, what he gets right, he gets really right in this fresh comedy.

“Borat” Movie Outreageous and Funny

Larry Charles’ Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (A-) is a splendidly offensive mockumentary comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen as a vaguely Kazakh TV personality on a cross-country trip to showcase life in America and possibly to find and woo pop icon Pamela Anderson. An innocent abroad for the gross-out generation, Cohen’s character fuses Charlie Chaplin, Peter Sellers and the cast of Jackass in one singular vulgariate. Cohen’s fish-out-of-water schtick turns a shrewd satiric eye to global poltics, gender roles and sociological mores within an efficient laugh-fest. Director Charles knows just how far to push the madness, and then pushes it even a little more.

Pixar’s “Incredibles” Lives Up to Name

Building on a legacy that includes anthropomorphic toys, fish and cars, Brad Bird’s entry into the Pixar universe, The Incredibles (B-) is one of the first to feature human protagonists. Like The Flintstones or The Jetsons, this animated situational comedy features a one-of-a-kind family. Because The Incredibles are all undercover superheroes, there’s a fun dichotomy between domestic bliss and all-out adventure. It’s all pretty fantastical but a touch forgettable, even with all the clever flourishes. Bird includes some deft touches and nostalgic homages, but ultimately I hoped this one would leap more tall buildings with a single bound.

“Mean Girls” the Teen Comedy Sensation of 2004

Mark Waters’s Mean Girls (B+) is a hilarious sociological comedy about the class warfare teenage girls inflict on each other in high school. Lindsay Lohan is a delight as a teenager returning to America after living overseas until her junior year, and she is now exposed to the modern-day Heathers played by Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried and Lacy Chabert. Infiltration of the cool crowd leads to dire consequences as the group lives and learns the Queen Bee mentality. Some jokes may hit too close to home for some, but this is a comedy that delivers.

Père Noël is a Ne’er-do-well in “Bad Santa”

Père Noël is a ne’er-do-well in Terry Swigoff’s hilarious dark comedy Bad Santa (B+) in which Billy Bob Thornton plays the titular patron saint of the holidays as a drunk, foul-mouthed scoundrel and thief using his department store appearances as a front for his crimes. Lauren Graham, Tony Cox, John Ritter and Bernie Mac are among a winning ensemble trying to find the Merry in this Father Christmas. Swigoff balances physical comedy and wit to pull off his delicate comedy. It’s an outrageous and laugh-out-loud funny experience for those seeking an irreverent and ultimately heartwarming take on finding the diamond in a lump of coal.