Category Archives: Comedy

Who doesn’t love a laugh?

Hello, Dolly! (1969)

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2007 #52
Gene Kelly | 139 mins | DVD | U / G

Hello, Dolly!Comedians Walter Matthau and Michael Crawford (yes, Frank Spencer!) star alongside Barbra Streisand in this comedy musical directed by Gene Kelly (yes, the star of many a musical himself!) which flopped at the box office but did well at the Oscars, and has gained in popularity since.

The best bits are the very impressive dancing waiters at Harmonia Gardens, although some of the more amusing songs are worth seeing. It’s this tongue-in-cheek, sometimes-silly tone that stops it seeming too dated, although other elements of its style (and the running time) don’t help.

Surely a must-see for musical fans, though others may not be as engaged.

3 out of 5

Hello, Dolly! is on Movie Mix today, Thursday 9th July 2015, at 6:05pm.

Over the Hedge (2006)

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2007 #51
Tim Johnson & Karey Kirkpatrick | 80 mins | DVD | U / PG

Over the HedgeCGI movies are far too common these days, meaning that the quality is dropping (demonstrated by the fact that the number produced has increased massively but the number of Oscar nominations in that category has remained at three).

Over the Hedge is certainly derivative — its character arc is almost directly lifted from Toy Story, for example — but it is beautifully animated and does have some laugh-worthy moments, even if they are almost entirely in the last half hour. There are better examples of the genre, but it passes the time entertainingly enough.

(Stay with it til the end of the credits for a little bit more, although if you bother you may agree with Hammy’s assessment of things.)

3 out of 5

Garden State (2004)

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Garden State2007 #45
Zach Braff | 98 mins | DVD | 15 / R

Zach Braff of Scrubs fame writes, directs and stars in this coming-of-age-style comedy-drama, his first feature as writer and director. While it’s not devoid of predictable elements, there are some good scenes and performances along the way, as well as a few laughs (only a handful of them in any way marred by the trailer). It’s probably the directing that really stands out, so it’ll be interesting to see what his next film (2008’s Open Hearts) is like.

4 out of 5

nb: I don’t know what happened to Open Hearts, but Braff’s second feature wound up being 2014’s Kickstarter-funded Wish I Was Where.

Casanova (2005)

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2007 #44
Lasse Hallström | 107 mins | DVD | 12 / R

CasanovaAs expected, this film pales in comparison to the Russell T Davies-scripted, David Tennant-starring BBC production from the same year. Where that version is witty, clever, entertaining and actually does something with the characters, this film is silly, predictable and only occasionally graced with an amusing moment. Heath Ledger isn’t in the same league as Tennant as Casanova-in-his-prime, and obviously few could compare to Peter O’Toole as old Casanova (in the BBC one, that is).

Basically: avoid this, but be sure to see the BBC one.

(Additionally, it says a lot about America that the vague innuendo and sexual themes of this gained it an R rating over there, while in the UK it only managed a (much more appropriate) 12.)

2 out of 5

Three Colours: White (1994)

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aka Trzy kolory: Bialy / Trois couleurs: Blanc

2007 #41
Krzysztof Kieslowski | 87 mins | DVD | 15 / R

The second in the trilogy (see #39) features the idea of égalité/equality.

The lead character is a Polish immigrant who, at the start, is divorced by his French wife and, in a roundabout way, forced to return to Poland. The narrative follows an odd path toward an odd resolution; it’s also odd that a film about a basic French value is set mostly in Poland.

While it has its moments and is certainly intriguing, White comes out as inferior to Blue. I’m looking forward to what Red has in store.

4 out of 5

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

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2007 #38
David Frankel | 105 mins | DVD | PG / PG-13

The Devil Wears PradaEmily Blunt steals every scene, which is impressive alongside an Oscar-nominated Meryl Streep (that being the now-customary acting-nominee-from-a-blockbuster, est. 2004 by Mr Depp). Anne Hathaway provides the plot/emotional through-line against these performances, which is somewhat impressive when playing a lead character who morally sells out (albeit into a lifestyle that is undoubtedly desirable to the film’s intended audience).

The plot and character arcs may be pretty predictable, but it’s an above-average example of a film of this type.

4 out of 5

Happy Feet (2006)

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2007 #40
George Miller | 104 mins | DVD | U / PG

Happy FeetWhile it might not be in quite the same league as The Incredibles or Finding Nemo, this year’s Animated Oscar-winner does have a few things going for it.

There are a couple of enjoyable songs, a few exciting action sequences, and even some bits that actually make you laugh. Couple this with a positive (if improbable) pro-environment message, and an even better anti-religious one that’s only half-hidden, and you have an entertaining film for kids that grown-ups will find something in too.

4 out of 5

On Channel 5 today, Sunday 27th July 2014, at 4:55pm.

Secretary (2002)

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2007 #34
Steven Shainberg | 107 mins | DVD | 18 / R

SecretaryI seem to recall reading that Secretary attempts to depict a realistic and sympathetic dominant/submissive relationship. Unfortunately this seems to come a bit unstuck with the feeling that the relationship is initially based in an emotionally (and physically) abusive act against a clearly vulnerable character, leaving the following events and mutually loving resolution tinged with a hint of something akin to Stockholm Syndrome, in my opinion.

Well acted and all, but fundamentally flawed.

3 out of 5

Chocolat (2000)

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Chocolat2007 #32
Lasse Hallström | 117 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

Although not the lead character this time, Judi Dench once again revels in playing an old lady who can say what she likes, in this pleasant adaptation of Joanne Harris’ novel.

It’s a neat little story about acceptance that doesn’t suffer for its occasionally episodic plot or sometimes quaint depiction of French small-town life.

(I was occasionally distracted spotting the sci-fi/fantasy credentials of the cast. But that’s just me.)

4 out of 5

American Dreamz (2006)

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2007 #33
Paul Weitz | 103 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

American DreamzThis loosely satirical comedy from the director of such diverse fare as American Pie and About a Boy sees Dennis Quaid’s Bush-growing-a-brain President agree to be a guest judge on Hugh Grant’s Simon-Cowell-with-looks TV talent show that features Mandy Moore’s moral-less wannabe and Sam Golzari’s Iraqi potential-suicide-bomber as contestants.

It’s pretty much as loopy as that sounds, though not as clever as it thinks it is. It starts well, the quality dips as it takes too long to get to the actual contest, but the ending manages to redeem things.

3 out of 5