BALLS UP (2026)

Directed By: Peter Farrelly 

Written By: Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese

Cinematography: John Brawley 

Editor: Sam Seig 

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Paul Walter Hauser, Benjamin Bratt, Molly Shannon, Sacha Baron Cohen, Daniela Melchoir, Eric Andre, Eve DeDominici, Chelsey Crisp

Two marketers pitch a bold new condom World Cup sponsorship. After a booze-fueled scandal, they must outrun chaos to survive.


This film is one of the stupidest of the year, So far intentionally. Though expected to be disappointed. While the film certainly isn’t the best of the year. It is surprisingly hilarious.

Though one of the selling points of the movie is the gross out humor. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering it’s directed by Peter Farrelley. While this film certainly fits this formula of early 2000’s gross out comedies that are sensational and over the top. It stays within his wheelhouse. Though it still Manages to shock considering it stars Mark Wahlberg.

This comes across as another paycheck job for him. He tries to have enthusiasm, but he looks tired and exasperated. He seems to lack his usual charm in the lead, but he works in his role.

It ultimately boils down to being a buddy comedy where the two supposed mismatched leads learn to become friends. Though all their troubles and camaraderie. 

The true scene stealer of this film is Paul Walter Hauser. As usual in the co-lead. He stays believable, lovable and the Everyman throughout. Though there are certainly other cast members who have fun with their roles and are standouts such as Benjamin Bratt and Sasha Baron Cohen making a return to the big screen.

If you are not a fan of these types of films, this movie isn’t for you I think what when the audience over as you expected typically silly comedy and that leans more into the stupid and while it certainly stays that way, it’s also the gross out jokes that you’re just not expecting with such a pedigree.

While also having fun about the obsessions of men, people and a country never overly insulting but just ridiculous. It’s never quite off color but it is racing that enjoyable. It’s not a film. You might remember 15 minutes after you watch it though it is something that has definitely re-watchable and a guilty pleasure.

This isn’t the type of film you watch for the filmmaking or the acting it’s more film. You just watched to have fun and have a good time with no matter how ridiculous.

Grade: C 

DEAR SANTA (2024)

Directed By: Bobby Farrelly

Written By: Ricky Blitt and Peter Farrelly 

Story By: Ricky Blitt, Peter Farrelly and Dan Ewen

Cinematography: C. Kim Miles

Editor: Julie Garces

Cast: Jack Black, Robert Timothy Smith, Post Malone, Brianne Howey, Keegan Michael Key, Jaden Carson Baker, Hayes MacArthur, P.J. Byrne, Kyle Gass 

When a young boy mails his Christmas wish list to Santa with one crucial spelling error, a devilish Jack Black arrives to wreak havoc on the holidays.


This seems like a film that was made to go to theaters as a high-concept comedy and ended up on streaming. Which one is thankful for because if this hadn’t made it to theaters, only you could see why people would be displeased with it.

It seems like more films that should be released in the theaters are being released in streaming, and many movies that are streaming only could have been released in the theaters and actually made a profit and had better notoriety. 

Then again, it seems like there are more expensive high-concept films being made in general that actually don’t look interesting because they seem more reliant on special effects and fantasy storytelling rather than the talents of their recognizable stars.

At this point, it seems like Jack Black has decided to mostly star in children’s films or films aimed at families and young teens that are a little risky but pretty much clean and well-centered going for the too-crass or too-gross humor.

Now this film is perfectly fine for families to watch as a holiday film, except that it just feels so planned and over the top corny to a certain degree no matter how hard Jack tries or even the rest of the cast it just feels so lightweight by the numbers.

I will credit the filmmakers as this could’ve easily been a more mean, spirited, and gross film. It ends up being a little more moralistic and a bit emotional definitely more than anything else. . 

Though I will admit, there was only one scene that was truly funny and almost hilarious that should help up the audience as the rest of the film is pretty basic and lacks any laugh-out-loud moments.

Then again keep in mind I’m not the ideal audience member for this film. It’s not necessarily my cup of tea and this film is made or directed by Bobby Farrelly of THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY and SHALLOW HAL Fame so this is a comedy with him showing restraint it should be noted.

It’s a film yeah if you just are in the mood for a kind of empty holiday film that tries to have the heart go for it, but unfortunately, it’s not anything special as you might’ve hoped.

Considering the cast and filmmakers. This should have been better or at least a lot more enjoyable. 

Grade: D

HALL PASS (2011)

Hall Pass

Directed By: Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly
Written By: Pete Jones, Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly & Kevin Barnett
Story By: Pete Jones
Cinematography By: Matthew F. Leonetti
Editor: Sam Seig 


Cast: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudekis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate, J.B. Smoove, Alexandra Daddario, Rob Moran, Nicky Whelan, Larry Joe Campbell, Stephen Merchant, Lauren Bowles, Richard Jenkins, Tyler Hoechlin, Derek Waters, Alyssa Milano, Joy Behar, Vanessa Angel, Andrew Wilson

A couple of married guys are always looking at other women. Their wives are fed up with their behavior, and grant them a ‘hall pass’: a week off their marriage allowing them to do anything. But the guys take their time and their week is almost up. What they don’t realize is that at the same time their wives make connections of their own.

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