Tag: Comedy

THE LEGEND OF THE STARDUST BROTHERS (1985)

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Written & Directed By: Makoto Teduka

Music written By: Haruo Chikada

Cinematography: Eiichi Osawa 

Editor: Mari Kishi and Makoto Teduka 

Cast: Shingo Kubota, Kazuhiro Takagi, Issay, Kyoko Togawa, Kiyohiko Ozaki, Kiyoshi Kurosawa 

In 1985, Makoto Tezuka, the son of manga genius Osamu Tezuka, was still a film student with a few experimental shorts to his credit and who was entrusted with the mission to turn an album by Haruo Chikada into a musical film.

Strange, inventive, surreal, and fun. There are no exact words to describe this film and do it justice. If you are a fan of movies like PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and SHOCK TREATMENT. 

The story behind the film is just as wild and creative as the film. that a musician Haruo Chicada wrote an album full of songs, Essentially meant to be a soundtrack for a film that didn’t exist and that was the extent of the project until writer-director Makoto Tezka discovered it and decided to make a film based around it adapting it with a full storyline. 

So much talent In Front of and behind the scenes. As the director sought out musicians and artists of all kinds for the film. After all, this was his first full-length film. After just graduating from film school and making only experimental shorts. He considered himself a visualist more than just a director.

The result is a movie that plays like a series of music videos or montages built around the songs with a story connecting it all. So truly a musical at heart without so much choreography and show-stopping staging. though plenty of musical-themed montages when the main characters aren’t singing. 

Almost like a mean-spirited movie version of THE MONKEES TV show.  only not surrounding a band but a singing duo and focusing on the branding and corporate ownership of the two and being forced to sing the songs their Svengali manager gives them and him always watching. They also lose fame to rivals that come out of nowhere and then try to murder them. Competition between artists and even each other as a duo and want to be independent and try their own music 

The film’s soundtrack and visuals are its strength as the story is Minimal and never makes complete sense. As the film is all over the place. In a good way. Making it definitely crazy and unpredictable. 

The film has an Animated and even a horror sequence. This makes sense as it is partly anime-influenced or manga, especially towards the end the action sequences feel like live-action cartoons. The writer/director is also the son of Osamu Tezka an anime/Manga legend 

The film is definitely a product of its time and a shine as it is a cult film, that is little known In its homeland and the United States, with a soundtrack that is difficult to find 

It’s an epic odyssey that goes far but does so much with so little. Involving A story made up that only adds to the legend and might actually be true with The theme of wanting to make it on your own and realizing that you might need help To do it.

This Is a film whose wavelengths you are either going to get on or not. All of the music and songs are quite catchy. It seems to go through all cultures and fads of the time. 

It’s not perfect but such a unique, crazy, stylish, and silly journey that represents some things that it might not have intended to constantly invent and reinvent itself. As it is Reckless, dazzling unhinged, and creative. As it always has its heart on its sleeves and despite its surreal  nature bares it’s heart and spirit 

Grade: B+

CANDY CANE LANE (2023)

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Directed By; Reginald Hudlin

Written By: Kelly Younger 

Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel

Editor: Kenny G. Krauss and Jim May

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jillian Bell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Nick Offerman, Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Timothy Simons, Riki Lindhome, Trevante Rhodes, David Alan Grier, Robin Thede, Chris Redd, Danielle Pinnock, D.C. Young Fly, Catherine Dent, Stephen Tobolowsky, Penatonix, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Lombardo Boyer

A man is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win–and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town.

The film has a lot of goodwill, but it also has a bunch of familiar tropes. They are dressed up and try to feel fresh and for the most part, fit the season and set-up. 

The film tries to stay inventive but then falters under the weight of its own predictability and plays it way too safe and familiar.

The film isn’t necessarily good but it’s entertaining and keeps you invested. Even though star Eddie Murphy goes through the motions. He even has his moments to flex an original comedic lie here and there. Unfortunately for the most part it also feels like he is playing a role any actor or star could have played easily. That is how bland it is written. Though as always it is always in his strengths when his character is under pressure and his reactions can be priceless, Just not here

It does bring the audience back to when he was making more family films for better or worse. Though when they were just passing.

What works within this film is the spirit and the fact that his family in the film all get a chance to shine and be the hero throughout and come together when needed. Reminding the audience of the importance and need of family and enforcing the holiday spirit.

Though those looking for laughs might be hard-pressed to find any genuine comedy throughout.

Directed by Reginald Hudlin, it leaves you expecting more. Even though it does have a great production design. The less said of Santa Claus. Huggy bear ,velvet suit the better.

In the end, it’s a film that fits the holidays but isn’t the triumph you are hoping for when it comes to an Eddie Murphy film. 

Grade: C

GENIE (2023)

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Directed By: Sam Boyd

Written By: Richard Curtis

Cinematography: John Guleserian 

Editor: Heather Persons

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essiedu, Denee Benton, Jordyn McIntosh, LaChanze, Tate Ellington, Alan Cumming, Marc Maron, Luis Guzman, Ellen Cleghorne 

The film is a fairy-tale comedy about a workaholic man who enlists the help of a magical genie to help win his family back before Christmas.

This is your typical holiday fare, where yes it’s predictable and silly, but it’s also heartwarming and tries to remind you what is important about the holiday and life In general.

What makes this one a bit more intriguing is its cuteness and Melissa McCarthy. Who may as she didn’t originate this project. Isn’t all over the production, but also plays a charismatic and fun character. Rather than trying to create an iconic comedic character who is either sloppy, stupid or over the top. Here she is playing a comedic character, but one with heart and who resembles a character and not a bunch of jokes that are needed.

Ultimately the movie seems to be about wish fulfillment, but at the end of the day, it tries to show that friendship and family are what is the most important gifts you can have in life. 

Alan Cumming seems wasted in his very few scenes. It seemed like he was a big name to be put into the cast. 

The film is written by noted screenwriter Richard Curtis the man who wrote films such as LOVE ACTUALLY, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, and ABOUT TIME. This might be why the film is charming more the storytelling and not so much the visuals. 

Is it the best Christmas movie you will see? No, but it does make a nice addition during the holidays to watch regularly. It will help put a smile on your face. if not put you in a total holiday mood. 

Grade: C+ 

VACATION FRIENDS 2 (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Clay Tarver
Based on characters created by: Clay Tarver, Tom Mullen & Tim Mullen, Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley Cinematography: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Tim Roche 

Cast: Lil’ Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena, Meredith Hagner, Steve Buscemi, Carlos Santos, Ronny Chieng, Jamie Hector 

A couple who meets up with another couple while on vacation in Mexico sees their friendship take an awkward turn when they get back home.

Let me start off by saying that I surprisingly enjoyed the first film. It was better than I thought it would be. So it’s with a heavy heart that I say. I really didn’t like this one.

As it is a sequel that didn’t need to be made for any reason. The story just feels put together without any real meaning or reason. As it tries to repeat the first film.

Only in the first film, John Cena and Meredith Hagner’s characters were annoying and over the top, but eventually, it was explained why they were. It also showed that underneath they were sweethearts who really cared about their friends.

In this film, they are still annoying and it seems just to be annoying or the script requires them to be without showing any real growth at all. (Especially Hagner) They also seem a bit more cruel at times in their Jokes, particularly in the airport scenes. So that they feel unlikeable because they are truly given so little to do.

Their subplot with Steve Buscemi’s character seems so non-engaging. Even though Buscemi tries, the script lets him down at most turns.

Lil’ Rel Howery and Yvonne Orji also have nothing better to do than tag along for the ride. As they are used to them lil’ Rel seems to be the character who gets into the most trouble trying to juggle rest & relaxation with friends and an important business deal. As well as being the constant naysayer when it comes to any kind of wayward activity. Ending up doing it and being the most punished. 

The hijinks this time also feel a little more take and uninventive than the first films. This film isn’t as shocking or as heartfelt. 

It’s surprising that this failed so badly. as the film is directed by the original director who showed promise with the first film. though then again even though he helped co-write the original. Here he is on his own and it shows as the magic seems to be missing.

  It just seems like everyone here is contractually obligated and had so much fun in the first film. Let’s do it again and do it in a tropical paradise. It feels like THE HANGOVER PART 2 all over again only on a smaller streaming scale and trying not to repress the same jokes 

Grade: D 

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (2016)

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Directed By: Kirk Jones

Written By: Nia Vardalos

Cinematography: Jim Denault

Editor: Mark Czyzewski

Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides, Louis Mandylor, Alex Wolff, Joey Fatone, Bess Meisler, Rita Wilson, John Stamos, Rob Riggle, Mark Margolis, Ian Gomez, Bruce Gray, Jayne Eastwood

Still working in her parents’ Greek restaurant, Toula Portokalos’ daughter, Paris, is growing up. She is getting ready to graduate high school and Toula and Ian are experiencing marital issues. When Toula’s parents find out they were never officially married, another wedding is in the works. Can this big, fat, Greek event help to bring the family together?

It could be the fact that before this film a few year earlier Nia Vardalos tried to turn this into a franchise with a follow up television series 

Considering they tried s sitcom after the first film this feels like they just took story threads or ideas from there and tried to make a movie with a framing device and theme

As this film feels all over the place, like it want the audience to be updated on the families notice after all these years with her other film Connie and Carla not doing well wanted a guaranteed hit

It’s a feel good film with no real stakes. so while it’s nice to see the characters again they are left with little to nothing to really do as we just enjoy and laugh at their antics

The fil m can be considered fun for those who l led the original

Though the first film was better content wise as it had a love story and a story of self Confidence. That was familiar and well structured and could be identifiable by mining a culture under represented and giving them representation even with it’s stereotypes that come off as loving

It might have been seen as a clash in as the audience for the first film has come of age and are dealing with their teenage children and the prospect of them leaving the nest. So again a bit updated and identifiable for that generation 

The problem is as familiar as the first film was; this one jsit feels generic. A script that tries to have a best of or greatest hits quality to it’s scenes the first film the characters came off as quirky here they come off more as caricatures of their former selves playing it more for laughs. 

You could say that this feels like a victory lap. While it keeps it’s innocence and a little charm. That keeps it safe 

Grade: C 

QUIZ LADY (2023)

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Directed By: Jessica Yu 

Written By: Jen D’Angelo 

Cinematography: Adrian Peng Correia 

Editor: Nat Sanders and Susan Vaill

Cast: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Holland Taylor, Will Ferrell, Tony Hale, Jason Schwartzman, Tawny Newsome, Angela Trimbur, Charlie Talbert, Jon Park, 

A game-show-obsessed woman and her estranged sister work together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts.

At first, I thought this was based on a true story. Though watching it is as outrageous as it gets. It still manages to be identifiable.

While the humor at times is more sitcom level. The film manages to have heart. In the first half of the film, seems to be relying on more comedy to drag it through, but what it effectively does is set up the characters, their issues, and the world they live in.

Then in the second half of the film, the heart comes in and it becomes more about family. 

The two stars are Awkafina and Sandra Oh. Give it their all and while sometimes the script fails them In pushing the comedy and absurdity further. They are still memorable overall. Truly the All-Stars of the film. With some nice support. 

What works is that this is a film starring two Asian American actresses playing against type and directed by an Asian American woman. Though it isn’t the main point of the film. In certain Jokes, there is racial humor, but for the most part, it offers characters that are universal and could have been played by anyone of any race. The film doesn’t rely on that factor. 

Will Ferrell’s small role is essential though a nice performance as he reins it in. To create a beloved patriarch. 

By the end, you just wish it was a bit funnier. A lot of the film and your enjoyment of it is based on the goodwill of liking the actors and some of the situations. Not necessarily the script. 

As in the wrong hands, this could have been another unmemorable paint-by-numbers bland studio comedy. Harnessed to a comedy star to either let their comic personae take over or be a random buddy comedy with another actor. Looking to make a quick dollar. 

It even has a bittersweet cameo of a recently deceased well-known icon. 

Grade: C+

OLD DADS (2023)

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Directed By: Bill Burr 
Written By: Bill Burr and Ben Tishler
Cinematography: Sean McElwee 
Editor: Patrick J. Don Vito and Adriaan Van Zulu 

Cast: Bill Burr, Bobby Canavale, Bokeem Woodbine, Katie Aselton, Reign Edwards, Jackie Tohn, Rachael Harris, Miles Robbins, Natasha Leggero, Bruce Dern, C. Thomas Howell, Paul Walter Hauser, Katrina Bowden, Josh Brener 

Three best friends become fathers later in life and find themselves battling preschool principals, millennial CEOs, and anything created after 1987.

if you are familiar with the stand-up comedian Bill Burr. Who stars, co-writes, and directs. This is just a visual guide to the subjects he usually talks about, dismantles, and pokes holes in. Which is the sensitivity and over-the-top nature of modern-day society. 

This film almost comes off as a rant with characters and situations. As it stays pretty much on note. Only here he humanizes the characters trying to relate to a modern world. As his usual targets are here front and center. 

The film has a thorough line and points to make. Even in the end, the character learns to lighten up a bit to fit in for the good of his family. Which is the film’s main point is that doing the best for your family is what is the most important thing.

While the film has a likable cast surprising cameos and its stronger moments. It comes across as basic and a little disappointing. Though I am sure Burr’s fan base will love it

Unfortunately, the film offers very few surprises and less finesse. As it feels like it hits you over the head with the points it tries to make. 

Though the tough talk and sense of the blue-collar values and humor that is more inclined with time before the 1990s. It also feels like a natural extension of burr’s Animated series F IS FOR FAMILY. It also feels like a natural home for his fans. 

The random casting does remind one of the movies from 2004 MY BABY’S DADDY. Bokeem Woodbine steals the show. Though this film is much stronger and put together than that film. So this isn’t a failure but hopefully just the start of a bigger and better 

Grade: C

THE MACHINE (2023)

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Directed By: Peter Atecino

Written By: Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes

Cinematography: Eigil Bryld

Editor: Eleanor Infante 

Cast: Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babic, Robert Maaser, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Martyn Ford, Jessica Gabor, Rita Bernard Shaw, Oleg Taktarov 

Bert’s drunken past catches up with him 20 years down the road when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.

While this is another comedian Bert Kreischer taking from his stand-up and making a movie out of it, or at least part of his stand this one actually kind of works a little deeper as a presents itself as a sophomore, action comedy. At times the humor is juvenile, but in the end, it’s all about taking responsibility and trying to do the best for your kids. Not to mention the complicated relationships families can have. Especially when trying to either honor or prove yourself.

it also focuses on a father and son relationship and bonding that I’ve done well, I am a sucker for. Which, at least, gives this film some kind of depth.

So, while the action scenes are serviceable and not entirely impressive, they do help break up the film and add a little bit more excitement to it. 

As Director, Peter Atecino is more of a noted comedy Director. He does OK with the action sequences.

It’s nice to see Mark Hamill on the big screen and not only doing a voice acting role or just some extension of either playing himself or a Star Wars movie 

I will admit to being a partial Bert Kreischer fan as I have seen many of his online antics. I have listened to his podcast. I’ve read his book and he just seems like the type of guy you might wanna hang out with or if you do, something memorable who just seems to collect those moments

It’s cloudy how his drinking superpowers sort of make him invincible in flashbacks. It just shows I’m taking off her shirt and getting drunk and not performing any particularly that define hacks, though it does seem like if anything it just gives him more drunk courage which, in the end, helps him out as an adult, living up to the legend And being not work.

He and Mark Hamill have great chemistry as Burt plays a version of himself that makes the film a little meta–

Not to mention have to give credit to a found that feels like a 1980s over-the-top action comedy with a scene right out of a Schwarzenegger movie where he literally uses a machine gun just to light his cigar in the middle of a battle. I can imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger watching that and thinking why didn’t I do that makes me a little jealous.

It’s a Film worth taking a chance on, it’s entertaining, and it’s not gonna change your world. If you’re a fan of Hays, you should enjoy it but it’s not something that is going to lay in your memory for a long time, it’s a Film for his audience or a nice introduction to who he is.

In the end, the film is more silly than anything else

Grade: C

SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING (2022)

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Editor, Cinematography, Written & Directed By: Quentin Dupieux

Cast: Giles Lellouche,  Vincent Lacoste, Anais Demoustier, Jean-Pascal Zadi, Oulaya Amamra, Adele Exarchopoulos, Tanguy Mercier 

A group of vigilantes called the “tobacco-forces” is falling apart. To rebuild team spirit, their leader suggests that they meet for a week-long retreat, before returning to save the world.

I keep watching the films of Quentin Dupieux because I really loved his first film RUBBER and keep hoping that each new film of his will be as good as that one. While I usually love the soundtracks/score I am A fan of the surreal

Absurd dry humor and the ideas used seem to be there. 

The film is never quite seen to rise to the occasion of their potential some are better than others but most end up somewhat disappointing until Now.

As this is one of his films that seemed to have the silliest and most ridiculous plots and I thoroughly enjoyed this throughout. 

Maybe because the wraparound spoof of Power Rangers shows their cheesiness and spreads morale or message and somewhere in there the film becomes an anthology of short stories or ideas the director seems to just pull out and try out with no rhyme or reason.

The tobacco force is where each member represents an ingredient in cigarettes. Together they produce a vapor that makes their enemies explode from the cancer they give them. They also have a robot sidekick and a mentor who gives them their missions shown to be a womanizing rat puppet who always seems to have green slime coming from his mouth. 

That somehow works as you keep wondering where the film Or stories that make half the film that is being told as a group bonding exercise are going, if anywhere 

By the end, I actually wanted more and was disappointed the film was so short. Which Is usually the opposite of the effect some of his films have had. 

The films can be hit or miss thought they are original and Definitely memorable. The film humor tends to be deadpan and dark  

I wish he was still doing the scores for his own films. As he had done when he made his early Films. Which made them a bit more worthwhile overall. 

Viewers beware his films aren’t for everyone and are not  Like anything most have encountered they are experimental, absurdist, and surreal that employ practical effects, and can be a bit disgusting at times they are usually comedies

He is a filmmaker I will always be interested in what he is working on or is coming out but it seems the stars have to align or he has to be on a certain random wavelength for the films to truly work to his advantage as well as the audiences.

Though I won’t lie and will admit Oulaya Amamra being in the cast certainly helped convince me to watch this. 

Grade: B 

MANDIBLES (2020)

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Written, Edited, Cinematography & Directed By: Quentin Dupieux

Cast: Gregorie Ludig, David Marsais, Adele Exarchopoulos, India Hair, Romeo Elvis, Coralie Russier, Bruno Lochet, Raphael Quenard

When simple-minded friends Jean-Gab and Manu find a giant fly trapped in the boot of a car, they decide to train it in the hope of making a ton of cash.

This film should have worked. One really wanted this one though unfortunately can only point out a few highlights that help the film stay watchable.

It’s a buddy comedy along the lines of DUMB & DUMBER with a little crime narrative of THE BIG LEBOWSKI and involving a gigantic fly that the two friends try to use as a pet and a way to riches.

Somehow doesn’t exactly connect with an absurd plot element that should have been the highlight of the movie.

Instead, the saving element of the film is actually the performance and character played by Adele Exarchopoulos who is hilarious and only in the movie for 30 minutes. Even though the movie is under 90 minutes. Once she arrives she is what the movie needs and once she leaves she is definitely missed. The energy of the film seems to go with her. You wish that the film had mostly been based on her character 

Which shows that the movie’s humor is more character-based. That should be more the inspiration, though that feels like the only genuine spark of originality of that kind. The main characters are boring and the one fantasy element becomes common so fast. That it feels cheapened. 

The film then seems to settle into punchlines of Jokes that were set up earlier.  

You can tell the movies the film was influenced by. As truly the comedic elements here are the more out-there elements such as the big fly and the brain-damaged woman. Who is suspicious of them? Yet the so-called regular characters believe they are stupid but okay.

In the final act, the only true comedy is their delivery and what it ends up being. That feels like much ado about nothing.

Grade: C