It remains to be seen if director Craig Johnson is a one hit wonder following oh so wonderful film The Skeleton Twins. His follow-up Wilson, starring Woody Harrelson, is another quirky family film, but without the comprehensive structure. In fact, Wilson feels downright episodic, strung together in a way that pulls the viewer from one […]
From the writer and producer of last year’s delightful Hello My Name is Doris, comes another endearing character comedy. This time Laura Terruso offers a look into a couple’s story of balancing success with two struggling writers under one roof. Money Monster actress Greta Lee and former Daily Show writer/actor Cenac take dry humor to
Actor/Director Joe Swanberg’s latest comedy Win It All, reunites him with producing and co-writer Jake Johnson (Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates). If you know their collaborations like Happy Christmas and Drinking Buddies, you already know the tone you’re getting into. Thankfully sans Anna Kendrick, Win It All feels less ridiculous than some of their
At some point we have all met that person, that individual who refuses to be serious, continuously makes jokes, and is a constant prankster. German filmmaker Maren Ade takes that character and puts him in everyday situations where the people he interacts with don’t know whether he is serious or insane. In her original screenplay,
A young nursing assistant in an existential crisis seems to attract trouble at every turn—a foul-mouthed ungrateful terminal patient, dog poop on her lawn, disrespectful clerks and customers in stores, and finally, her house being robbed. She reports the crime to the police, but gets little response. She tries to figure out what is happening.
What begins as a basic relationship story, turns into a surprising dark comedy romance hybrid. Gael García Bernal (Y tu Mama Tambien, Neruda), has long been one of the most recognizable Mexican actors in America. His films tend to go international more than any other star from Mexico because American audiences have become so familier
This is not the first film to make jokes at the expense of the problematic American school system. It offers no political commentary or insights after all the derogatory representation. Instead, Fist Fight makes light of all the infections that plague our public schools. Guidance counselors doing meth, students dealing drugs, and teachers behaving as
The humanization of Batman (Arnett) turns out to be very funny with glitzy animation and some substance to the message. As evidenced by audience reaction at the screening, those familiar with DC comics will get many references that fly past those of us who are uninformed. But even for those unfamiliar with all the Batman
Being truly funny takes talent, and The Comedian misses the mark; there are a few out-loud laughs in it, but mostly it tries to be funny by saying outrageous things nearly always with a sexual reference. The movie won’t grab you. Actually, the story is more interesting than the jokes. Jackie (De Niro) is looking
Director Peter Chelsom has had an interestingly feel good career behind the camera. He first caught my attention when he cast Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) into a strange and unusual supporting role with Sharon Stone in The Mighty (1998). His other feel good movies Town & Country, Serendipity and Shall We Dance barely registered. The