Category: Comedy

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Comedy Foreign Movie Reviews Romance

Heartbreaker – A Quality French Romantic Comedy

If you love romantic comedy, you ought not to miss this one.  As far as the story goes, there are three categories of women in a relationship: (1) happy, (2) knowingly unhappy, and (3) unknowingly unhappy.  The main character played by Romain Duris together with his sister and his brother-in-law have made a profession out of breaking up relationships in the last category.  The method is seduction.  The only rule is that they do not break up couples in love.  Then comes a day when Team Heartbreaker is desperate for money and they are hired by the bride-to-be’s dad to break up a seemingly perfect couple.  That is when Romain Duris meets Vanessa Paradis.

I have been following some of Romain Duris’s work since the day I watched his sci-fi movie “Peut-être (1999)” in Paris, which includes the more well-known films (in this part of the world) “The Spanish Apartment (2002)” and “The Russian Doll (2005)”.  He is one versatile actor and there is a good range of emotion in “Heartbreaker” for him to shine.  As for Vanessa Paradis, most of the time she plays it cool so I cannot say much about her acting.  At the age of 37 and a mother of two, she is still stunning.  And she does not wear excessive make-up either.  Pure natural beauty.  I have been a fan of her music career.  It is my first time seeing her on big screen, which I am glad that I did.

As far as the movie goes, there are plenty of quality comedy from the beginning till the end.  And there is also a fair amount of drama.  What does quality comedy mean?  Well, you know how forgettable most comedies are?  When you walk out of the theater long after you have watched “Heartbreaker”, chances are, you would still remember some of the scenes and still have a good laugh thinking about them.  Speaking as such, I still remember some of the scenes in “Peut-être (1999)”.  Filmed largely at Monaco, which we have recently visited, that is probably another reason why we love “Heartbreaker”.

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Comedy Movie Reviews Romance

Au Revoir Taipei – Comically Cute

Friday evening.  Time to celebrate the end of a rather long week of work.  I picked a Taiwanese romance comedy.  Cynthia wondered why the randomness of my choice.  Because we seldom watch Chinese movies.  At the end of the movie, Cynthia was pleasantly surprised.  And I was pleasantly surprised by her not hating it.

I did not pick “Au Revoir Taipei” by random.  It says: winner of the Best Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival 2010.  My only concern was that this movie would bias more to art than entertainment.  OK.  Some parts are pretty slow.  Mostly filmed at night, the lovesick character Kai wanting to leave Taipei in order to meet his girlfriend in Paris.  And here comes the gangsters, the cops, his friends, and Kai meeting Susie who works in a bookstore he frequents.  For most parts, there is a certain honesty in the overall performance that reveals the raw essence of comic without pretense.  There are enough character development opportunities that however brief some are, it is hard not to feel for them.  As for the story development, “Au Revoir Taipei” reads like a chapter from a short story (the direct transaction of the Chinese title is “One Page of Taipei”) that leaves us wanting more.  “Do you think there will be a sequel?” asked Cynthia when the credits rolled.  That would be good, I think, to see closure to many of the seemingly unresolved plots.

The main actress Amber Kuo is also a Taiwanese singer (if you have not already known).  I have downloaded her three albums from Nokia Music Store.  Sounds decent so far.  Below is the movie trailer.

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Comedy Movie Reviews

Date Night – By And Large, Tastefully Hilarious

Cynthia and I have been stuck with each other for more than a decade.  So suffice to say, we can relate to “Date Night” perhaps a little bit more than others.   We are finding it hilarious, even down to the mundane daily routine.  The little conversations or silly things that couples do when they are on their own.  Not sure if that is the reason why the overall review of this show is mixed (as some may not be able to relate?).  If you have watched the trailer, the story is more or less there.  A couple wants to do something different to spice up their marriage life.  They take the table of a no-show couple in a restaurant and are mistaken as the “Tripplehorns”, who apparently are wanted by some gangsters.  Silly storyline aside (it is a comedy!), the main characters Steve Carell and Tina Fey do have great on-screen chemistry.  And they are talented comedians as well.  It is so easy to draw to the main characters when there are in fact quite a number of stars in the show (by the way, Cynthia cooed when she saw Leighton Meester from the Gossip Girl TV series acting in this movie).  From the outtakes, it appears to me that Steve and Tina created some of the scripts on the fly.  If so, that is pretty amazing.

I don’t have much complain on “Date Night”.  I needed something light and entertaining to cheer me up and the show did its job nicely.  The only complain I have is how they trashed the Audi sport car on the screen.  I mean … I really like that car!  My favorite color some more (for that model).

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Comedy Foreign Movie Reviews

My Girlfriend Is An Agent – So Very Hilarious!

What a funny show!

Once in a while, there are movies that are so beyond expectation that you thought: Wow, I am so glad that I’ve picked it.  Maybe my week has been somewhat humdrum, maybe there are just too many sad news of old wive poisoning old husband, young teen stabbing his young girlfriend to death, or the groom jumping off from the hotel’s rooftop dead while the new bride was showering, I am so in need of something funny, something to make my day.  So I picked “My Girlfriend Is An Agent”, and mobilized the Movie Review Squad.  Not sure why, I was half expecting something like “My Wife Is A Gangster”.  But the resemblance stops at the title.

This movie is closed to two hours.  And the audience was awesome!  Quite a few were clapping hands and all of us were laughing out loud throughout the show.  To the crowd at The Cathay for the 7.30 pm show last Friday, you guys rock!

OK.  To be honest, there isn’t much storyline per se.  Whether some Koreans are selling some very dangerous bio weapon ingredients to some Russians is not quite what I am interested to find out and follow through.  The main storyline, to me, is merely a background and setup for the comic scenes.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how happy Cynthia laughed inside the theater, knowing that Korean films are usually not her cup of tea.  The overall storyline may not be memorable.  But some of the comical materials certainly are.

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Comedy Movie Reviews

What Do The Stick People Think Of Funny People?

So the movie review squad watched Funny People

Of the few Judd Apatow films I have watched, I like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” the most.  Simply because I can relate to it, not!  OK, there are certain aspects I can relate and that film is really funny.  I have “Knocked Up” recorded and it is stuck at my to-watch queue.  I think “Funny People” is pretty funny with a somewhat deeper meaning of our minds heal slower than our bodies as well as a behind-the-scene on how jokes are crafted.  Some jokes I find a bit too crude (how come there has to be so many sexual references?).  Some you would probably relate better if you watch lots of TV and entertainment.

TK fell asleep, Cynthia found the film entertaining, and I – as usual – laughed out loud.  Judd Apatow seems to prefer working with a similar set of actors and actresses eh?  Oh, I find the nerdy comedian actress Aubrey Plaza really hot!  Don’t know why.

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Comedy Movie Reviews

The Hangover, For Laughing Out Loud!

Super funny movie!

For the past few years, National Day has often involved music of some forms with my band.  This year, the Movie Review Squad met up and watched a comedy instead.  “Hangover” is quite possibly one of the more bizarre comedies I have watched.  Good news is, the strange plot does make sense as this ‘detective’ story unfolds.

“Hangover” begins with one of the groomsmen calling the bride on his cell phone and tells her that they have screwed up, as the groom is missing.  The story then rewinds to the beginning of the bachelor party at Las Vegas.  Something happens to the group and the groomsmen wake up to a badly damaged hotel suite, a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the wardrobe, and a missing groom.  No one seems to remember what has happened the night before and they attempt to put together the missing puzzles by following clues that uncover more bizarre stories.

I remember all three of us laughed non-stop from beginning to the end of the show.  Crude jokes, no doubt, but they did it with class.  There is a plan for the sequel and I can almost imagine whose wedding will be next.  Maybe once again, the same gang will wake up from a party without any recollection of the previous evening.  We shall see.

On a side note, how Heather Graham has aged!  Nevertheless, I still think she is really charming.  She seems to be having roles like stripper, prostitutes, porn star, and etc.  I wonder why.

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Comedy Movie Reviews

I Love You, Man – I Cringed As I Laughed Out Loud

I Love You, Man

OK.  If you do intend to watch this movie, try to stay just a little bit longer when the credits start to roll.  There is a kind of funny clip that you would have missed.  The thing is, I am intrigued that Singaporeans, or Asians in general, are so eager to rush out of the theatre the moment the film is over.  In Europe, at least back in my schooling days, most viewers stayed till the very end of the show, after the rolling of credits.  Personally I enjoy the unwinding process, the music, to get a bit of insight on what’s behind the scene, and to pay a small tribute to those who have worked hard for the project.

My buddy TK and I often keep our text messages short.  That’s what SMS is meant to be.  This morning, knowing that he was waiting for me to confirm the movie title for tonight, I wanted to text “I love you man”.  But it sounded wrong.  So I appended, “I love you man, ok?”  It still sounded wrong so I reminded him that it’s a movie title.  Just in case.

When men hang out, we may do weird stuffs, say weird stuffs, and it is a very strange feeling to see how men bond on a big screen.  That’s why I cringed when I watched “I Love You, Man”.

I love chick flicks, as I find it intriguing to watch how women bond.  And I am not sure if it is the same level of enjoyment to Cynthia when she watched this movie.  Gosh, she likes it so much.  Honestly speaking, I am kind of a bit embarrassed.  I mean, these are meant to be behind-the-scene silly things that men say, or do.

There is a certain level of honesty, a lively script performed by Jason Segel (of Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Paul Rudd whom I later on remembered him as the lover of Phoebe in the TV series Friends – thanks to Cynthia.  The storyline is mostly predictable though it’s a quality piece of comedy.

This film caused me to self-reflect.  What would I do if I have to make some new guy friends (as my best man) right now?  I don’t golf and I don’t drink anymore; I don’t party and I don’t watch football.  How stressful it would be!  And how about those silly things men do?  Part of me tells me that we are all grown-ups and we behave as proper adults.  Then I remember those days not too long ago when our band jammed at my home, my guitarist and I were going all crazy – screaming and making rock gestures – rehearsing our song “Unleash The Beast” in front of his then girlfriend – thank God they still end up married – that was worse than what you see in the movie.

Though I personally find the film a bit embarrassing to watch, I do like the repeated ‘community message’ targeted at the female audience.  Yes, in bed, we men love to …

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Comedy Movie Reviews

Tropic Thunder – An Oscar Nominated Most Expensive True Fake Movie Ever Made?

For the time being, just ignore the title.  It’ll make sense after you’ve watched the movie.

You know what it is like not having it for a long time – whatever it is – and all of a sudden, all the listed movies look so must-watch.  Cynthia needed to do facial so I thought I could either vegetate at home or vegetate at a mall.  I chose to vegetate at a mall and we headed to the theatre thereafter.

In most cases, when it comes to comedy movies, we leave our brain outside the theatre, have a good laugh inside, and the plot stays with us for as long as the film is rolling.  While “Tropic Thunder” may not be consistently funny throughout the movie and there are parts that may go down better to some than others, it is probably (to me) the comedy movie that is so over-the-top, deeper than skin deep, and contains some quality acting moments that you would probably still talk about long after you leave your seat.

Every actor is playing a role that he is absolutely good at, the production is so over-the-top for this genre of film that is rarely seen, and the script is so silly but yet so great that you just have no idea which way it is going.  And to pull this absolutely silly plot off without making the audience feels that silly is kind of an art to me.  Go slightly deeper than pure hilarious, I think the team of talented actors are making fun out of Hollywood itself.  There are plenty of references to other Hollywood movies and actors within the movie.

I have a hard time deciding which actor is my favorite.  Director, co-producer, co-writer, and actor Ben Stiller retains his niche role of being simple and ignorant (I hesitate to use to word stupid).  While his acting does not disappoint, I am amazed by his role as a director and co-writer.  Most people will sing praises to the acting of Robert Downey, Jr.  It took Cynthia and I a few good moments to reconcile the image of a typical Downey and this African-American character who looks like one and talks like one.  I am not a big fan of Jack Black but I guess he has added a new dimension to this comedy.  Matthew McConaughey’s role is brief (by the way, he replaces Owen Wilson whom you probably think that Owen should be in this movie – like I do) but I think it is a good balance to how chaotic and how absurd the rest of the actors play their roles.

My favorite part of the show has to go to Tom Cruise who plays a surprise guest appearance (he was not on the movie promotion).  Three scenes he played and I love them all.  If you intend to catch “Tropic Thunder”, don’t be late.  The 4 fake trailers serve as a great opening to the movie.  And if you are one of the odd balls like me who enjoy staying at the theatre till the very end of the show (read: end credits), you will have your last laugh at the rolling scripts: The actors shot the whole movie in Hawaii, on the fabulously lush island of Kauai.  This is so typical of Hollywood that the filmmakers are poking fun at here – shooting a (realistic) war film not on the ground where the war took place.

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Comedy Movie Reviews Romance

Forgetting Sarah Marshall – So Real That I Almost Cried Watching

OK.  Almost.  I may not able to 100% relate to “Sex and the City”, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is as close to big-boys-do-cry as it can get.  At least in my book.  I mean, there is nothing macho about getting hurt, is there?  And yes, men do the stupidest things when that someone we love walked away.  So many scenes within the film I can personally relate to.  Gosh.  I am hopeless.  Fortunately, the film is so hilarious that got the entire Movie Review Squad laughing all the way.  At the end of the show, everyone claimed credit for choosing the show.  Uh-huh.  I swear it was my idea, my pick.

It feels so real probably because the lead actor Jason Segel is also the writer of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”.  And he was the guest star of CSI for three episodes.  That probably explains the hilarious cut scenes of a CSI-look-alike TV series within the movie.  Jason Segel has also brought in some of his real life relationship episodes into the show.  No wonder.

Ukrainian born actress Mila Kunis is so totally hot.  And so is my breath-of-fresh-air Heroes actress Kristen Bell.  Cynthia asked which one I like better.  Huh?  Can I have both?  I don’t really know Russell Brand but if you were to ask me who is the true comedian of the show?  Russell’s off-beat-over-the-top-least-sexy-acting got me laughing all the time.  That guy is so funny.  Gosh.  Love his British accent too.

For the record, I picked the show.  I say so because I get to write this blog.  Ha!

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Comedy Diary Movie Reviews Romance

If the Birthday Girl Wants Made of Honour, the Birthday Girl Gets Made of Honour

Couple of weeks ago, my friendly boss dropped by my workplace – like he always does in an intraday manner to go through a checklist of 101 items with me – and he talked about “Made of Honour” instead.  He even gave a two thumbs up on that movie.  That was scary.  Was I being Googled and he learned that I love watching movies?

Perhaps not.  Hopefully not.

This week has been an eventful week for me, or rather for Cynthia and I.  Besides the one thing that now is not a good time to share (I will, I promise), my work has been action packed (though I still managed to keep it within 9 to 5, thank god for that) and Cynthia has just started working in a new environment so I needed to hunt for another precious parking lot within CBD.  The good news is that my good old friend RC passes me his tenant lot because he has decided not to drive a few years ago.  The not so good news?  Well, the car park at Prudential Tower is probably the most scary car park I have seen in Singapore.  RC joked that I shall practice my Tokyo Drift technique at those tight corners and curves.

Very funny.

Fortunately, by now I can go up and down of the Tower with one eye closed.  In fact, an entertainment I genuinely look forward to every day.

And Friday was Cynthia’s birthday too.  How amazing!  Since my credit card has intercepted hers during her first purchase at the Great Singapore Sales just a few days ago, the birthday gift is settled.  Hooray!  I know she has been talking about “Made of Honour” a while back, “Made of Honour” it is then.

When the main actor first appeared on the big screen, I whispered to Cynthia, “Who is this guy?!”.  “He is Patrick Dempsey,” Cynthia replied.  “What damp sea?” I inquired as the name didn’t ring a bell.  “The movie ‘Enchanted’?” she replied.

Ah … OK, I still couldn’t remember.  When the main actress (Michelle Monaghan) appeared, I whispered, “I know this girl!”  “Who is she?” Cynthia’s turn to ask me.  “I don’t know,” I said and I continued, “but I remember seeing her on TV.”

OK,  I may not have seen her on TV.  But she does have that TV soap opera kind of look and indeed she was involved in the TV series “Boston Public” as I found out later.  In fact, Patrick Dempsey is also from a TV series, “Grey’s Anatomy”.

In fact, the second main actor has also acted in a TV series that I love – a HDO Original Series.  When the Scottish actor actor Kevin McKidd first appeared, I nearly screamed, “I know this guy!”  Cynthia replied knowing that I didn’t really know who this guy was, “Ya, the ‘Rome’ guy”.

I don’t think I have laughed so hard this year.  OK, it’s not about the story and we all know about that.  I would probably forget the whole story before this weekend ends.  However, with such an eventful week, a good laughter is all I need right now.  I will definitely catch this movie again on cable to have a good laugh about it.  Not sure if some sexual references would be censored though.

Perhaps not.  Hopefully not.