The French film that “Dinner for Schmucks” draws its inspiration from, “Le Diner de Cons,” was successful because it made us seriously ponder who the real idiot was — the up-and- coming businessman or the dolt he must invite to a business dinner. With “Schmucks,” you seriously ponder if the real idiot has been you […]

No doubt about it folks, we are in the age of the R-rated sex comedy. This explosive trend among movies stems from filmmakers and producers’ never-ending pursuit of making the rare comedy that costs little but rakes in obscene amounts of money. “No Strings Attached” fits the exact profile of a film quite literally strung […]

When Seth Rogen got his paws on rights to turn the masked crimefighter radio and TV series “The Green Hornet” into a movie, we figured to have it pegged. Rogen would deliver an action comedy “Green Hornet” universe stuffed with his brand of immature moron humor. The only question was whether that combination would work […]

With Seth Rogen’s latest in theaters this weekend, I thought I’d offer up my review of “Knocked Up,” written June 28, 2008. Judd Apatow delivers again in what is easily his most poignant comedy while still staying true to the antics of his usual band of characters. “Knocked Up” is able to still deliver a […]

Quality comedies — if they go beyond one sequel — never come in threes. In the case of “Little Fockers,” three’s a Focking mess. But we asked for it; “Meet the Fockers” ranks as the highest-grossing live-action comedy in the U.S., so regardless of quality, we were going to get whatever studios served us. And […]

A quick older review in honor of the late great Leslie Nielsen. What started in 1977 with “Kentucky Fried Movie” continues again in “The Naked Gun,” a film version of the cop drama-mocking TV series “Police Squad!” only this time detective/cop films are the culprit, seemingly perfect fodder for spoofing and the Zucker, Abrahams and […]

There’s a reason that movies based on Saturday Night Live sketches are looked at as the bottom of the barrel, and therefore a reason why “The Ladies Man” starring Tim Meadows back in 2000 was the last attempt. With the show regaining a bit of momentum, Universal gave it another go with “MacGruber.” For the […]

Since I made the comparison to “Due Date,” here’s my short review from a couple years back. There’s not a lot of explicit or physical humor in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” but such is the case with most John Hughes comedies: you get more of a natural, every-day sort of a humor in a film […]

I’d normally consider it a cop-out to label a film exactly like another and purposefully avoid direct comparison between two films, but “Due Date,”  starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis as polar-opposite travel buddies thrown together by unwelcome circumstances, bears more than just a resemblance to John Hughes’ “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.” In this […]

Unlike any film in history, “The Pink Panther” left its legacy not by its original sense of humor or iconic performance by Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, but by an animated pink panther and instantly recognizable theme music by Henry Mancini. Anyone born after 1980 knew of “The Pink Panther” at a young age, but […]

No genre has defined 2010 like the group-centric comedy-infused action flick that pits betrayed special agents/soldiers against “the man.” So the only chance “RED” had at standing out was to rise above the formula at the hands of an acting core whose mean age would qualify for a senior discount to see said film. In […]

Despite being a child of the ’90s, somehow I missed “Heavyweights” entirely. Considering the similarities it shares with “The Mighty Ducks” movies such as actors Kenan Thompson and Shaun Weiss, I’m almost embarrassed. Regardless, there’s still plenty to appreciate about “Heavyweights” 15 years later in spite of its silliness — and it’s more than just […]

Everything that can be said about an actual date night (namely predictable) can be said about “Date Night.” No denying that stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey possess the most universal and multi-generational comic chops of any two comedians working today, but they certainly have to work to chew “Date Night” into something palatable.

Through much of the beginning of “Easy A,” you have to find all the ’80s teen comedy homages fishy. Maybe director Will Gluck and Bert V. Royal are trying to dress up a classic Hughesian formula with modern banter and social media references. Then, somewhere near the halfway point, comes the admission. Olive, played by […]

When you watch a film like “Sister Act” you have to wonder how it’s possible Whoopi Goldberg has more different awards (Oscar, Tony, daytime Emmy) than most actors. Quite simply, Goldberg always seems to find warm and genial moments. Although her transformation from the frantic, angry and loud Deloris to that of the inspiring nun […]