It influenced as much as it borrowed. Moments of brilliance are mixed with a bit of eye rolling. It's worth a look or two.
Showing posts with label must see comedy movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label must see comedy movies. Show all posts
Herostratus
It influenced as much as it borrowed. Moments of brilliance are mixed with a bit of eye rolling. It's worth a look or two.
The Sun Shines Bright (1953)
A great quality picture and sound adds an even larger satisfaction to me.This is for me personally the best film John Ford ever made. I love the portrayal of Judge Priest by Charles Winninger. All the other character actors in this film were perfectly cast. The storyline is very human and very emotional as well on the humourous side as on the sadder side. I've seen the film about ten times and each time it is as refreshing as it was the first time.
Winninger was an accomplished Hollywood role player; but in "The Sun Shines Bright" he demonstrates that he was no simple comprimario or "co-star." He alternately illustrates humor, wisdom, sadness, and wistfulness. It's a superb performance. Despite the inevitable criticism that may come regarding this film not being "politically correct" (it isn't!), Ford probes human emotions and character, irrespective of race or social status. And the old Judge Priest---"trumpeter little Billy Priest"---understands fully the reality of justice, which he metes out to all, white and black, decent people and prostitutes. Certainly he does so in a social context that some present-day viewers may find foreign to "modern" sensibilities; but, getting beyond that stifling veneer of PC thought, and enjoying "The Sun Shines Bright" on its own terms can be an immensely rewarding experience.
Ford was indeed correct; it may well be one of his best films. Co-stars include John Russell, Slim Pickens, Russell Simpson, Arleen Whelan, Milburn Stone (of later "Gunsmoke" fame), Jane Darwell, and Steppin' Fetchit.
I have the Blu-ray version, which is superb. My thanks to Olive Films. Recommended.
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Ford brilliantly captures the slow, leisurely pace of a small river town in early 20th century America. A wonderful character study!Read Best Reviews of The Sun Shines Bright (1953) Here
It was good to find this film finally made the move from VHS to DVD. It has an excellent and sharp image. It is a sentimental feature, and not always politically correct but its a good movie although it is embarrassing at times, a film made in a different era of a different era. If you can forgive its blemishes, you can enjoy the pure Ford.Want The Sun Shines Bright (1953) Discount?
Ford's remake of his earlier Southern comedy "Judge Priest." It's funny but Stepin Fetchit might make some people uncomfortable today.Save 17% Off
Tyler Perry Presents Peeples (2013)
Wade Walker (Craig Robinson) lives with Grace Peeples (Kerry Washington). He relates to children through music and wants to be a counselor. She is a lawyer at the UN and her family is refereed to as the "chocolate Kennedys." Wade's plans to propose to Grace are interrupted by her desire to spend the weekend with her family, who he has never met. Urged by a friend (Malcolm Barrett), Wade crashes the family get together with formulaic results.As it turns out the family has all sorts of issues and secrets which they hide from their father, Judge Virgil Peeples (David Alan Grier). Wade spends his time having an uncomfortable weekend filled with faux paus as he tries to help. The film includes Peeple/people and cheap Moby Dick humor.
For those who like Tyler Perry type comedies, this one fits the bill, but comes off a little stale. It does have some good scenes which made me smile. The film needed to have one more episode to develop Wade's character before he meets the family, then have him either draw from his talents, or better yet, have to do just the opposite to resolve issues with her family. It attempts, but fails to do that effectively, missing the key ingredient of the formula success.
Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity. Sexual talk, spanking, role play, implied sex.
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A guy visits his girlfriend's family, for the purpose of proposing marriage. He finds that he has trouble fitting in, and has a particular problem receiving the blessing of the father. The situations he finds himself in are at times funny, with the family members, who all have their idiosyncrasies, proving to be fodder for laughs. This is not the cleverest movie of the year, but it does have its moments. It is certainly not Bridesmaids, but Peeples does have some good comedy in it, maybe just enough to get a slight recommendation.Read Best Reviews of Tyler Perry Presents Peeples (2013) Here
This movie is so BAD!Why does Mr. Perry continue to write about sex again and again and again?
Does he think christians who are supposedly his target audience want to see this junk! The disrespect of women in Peeples and the condoning of Lesbianism was awful. This is not something that your target audience (Christians) is suppose to be supporting. The world is right now a modern day Sodem and Gomorrah and I do not think it is funny. Girls are being raped on college campuses and in homes and it is an epidemic!
The Movie: It was about a guy who went to his girlfriends home for a weekend to announce he is to wed Kerry Washington. The dad did not like him and let him know. He met men she had slept with in her past and got mad. The dad was immersed in sin or nude swimming with the mayor. The mom was an alcoholic and a past half naked singer of raunchy songs. Kerry's sister was a dike (as she said). Kerry's brother was
troubled and stealing from his own family(mom's gold earrings) and playing with ladies underwear in his room and had a poster of a woman on his wall wearing boys short panties. Kerry's dad watched her get a spanking by her boyfriend from outside a window. Needless to say he was scarred. A threesome was offered to a male houseguest by kerry's sister who is a lesbian. She came out over the weekend and told her dad she was gay.
This movie was awful and none of these people were leading a life anyone in their right mind would aspire to have. It was suppose to be funny but it was downright sad. Does Mr. Perry really think sin that put Jesus up on that cross to die an agonizing death is so funny? I had given up on seeing Tyler Perry movies, but I saw that Kerry Washington was in the film and I decided to give it a try. I did not read the ratings as I always do. I made a mistake. I will not do that again.
I think this film had so much potential to be good. Perhaps Mr. Perry should get some little ones to help him write his scripts. Scriptures says, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?'"
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The movie was not good at all i fell asleep in the theatre this was the most boring movie i thought that Tyler Perry could have did better than thisSave 32% Off
Nothing Like the Holidays (2008)
This is a fun movie lots of hilarious moments with a great ensemble cast. You get the feeling that the actors had a lot of fun when they did this film.Beside being funny it also makes some valuable statements about family life, forgiveness, healing and accepting our humanness.
An altogether warm viewing experience something there for every generation!
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Films with the same premise as "Nothing Like The Holidays" are abundant--in fact, I've seen more family homecoming stories centered around the holidays than I care to admit. Generally amiable and predictable, you can count on a few laughs at the typical dysfunction, a bit of tension at the long held grudges, and finally some warmth as mutual understanding and the meaning of "family" send us to the finale. But I'm no Scrooge, just because I know where we're headed doesn't mean it can't be an enjoyable ride! And I was pleasantly entertained by "Nothing Like The Holidays." It may not be a new Yuletide classic but a colorful and committed cast breathe fresh life into rather familiar situations. Alternately touching and humorous, the film ultimately won me over with its heart.Set in Chicago, "Nothing Like The Holidays" presents Christmas from a Puerto Rican family's vantage point. The nominal star of this ensemble picture is Freddy Rodriguez ("Six Feet Under"), a son returning from overseas service. He's solid here providing a center for the movie. But he's surrounded by many familiar faces such as Elizabeth Pena and Alfred Molina as the parents, John Leguizamo as his brother, Debra Messing as Leguizamo's non-Puerto Rican wife, and Luiz Guzman and Jay Hernandez as his cousin and friend respectively. Everyone does a nice job, but to single two people out--I'd have to look to the ladies. Debra Messing is certainly NOT a favorite of mine in general, but she manages to pull a lot of dignity out of what could have been the film's most thankless role. It is Elizabeth Pena, however, that I most appreciated--a talented actress who finally has a meaty role to showcase her abilities.
Well executed and well acted, "Nothing Like The Holidays" certainly plays as a comedy first and foremost. I think that's where it is on its firmest footing with many scenes being laugh out loud funny. The humor comes from identifiable situations that anyone who has been a part of family gatherings can appreciate. The more serious bits work as well, but only because the comedy has drawn you into the family dynamic. Ultimately I was rooting for this group. And that's really all you can hope for, in the end. I cared for the family and wanted to see where their journey led me. So how can I not recommend "Nothing Like The Holidays?" It's a modest film, and if you approach it with modest expectations--you might just be pleasantly surprised. KGHarris, 11/09.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Nothing Like the Holidays is an urban drama-comedy about a family get-together in the Puerto Rican part of Chicago: it was entertaining, it was funny, it was boring, it was good, it was so-so, it was warm-hearted, it was lively, it was dull, it was clear, it was confusing...this movie was just ALL OVER the place! While I enjoyed being introduced to each character and their own storyline, and then watching them all come together for a Puerto Rican family Christmas, there was just too many of the multiple plot lines all over the place, making it an enjoyable movie because of the humor, but unenjoyable because it took a lot of 'work' (i.e. brain power) to enjoy the movie! I think Christmas movies should be fun, entertaining & meaningful!For those of you who are concerned about content, I would not call this a family friendly film: it's PG-13, and it earns its rating: there is quite a bit of language, and plenty of references to drugs and sex...not kid friendly.
I enjoyed this holiday film, but I doubt I would ever watch it again: I tend to watch Christmas movies over and over again, but this one just doesn't make the cut: it was good, but not great, a familiar story but not told well, with great acting performances and a 'bleh' storyline...enjoy if you must!
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I really wanted to love this move... and while I think it has a great cast of Latinos/as, it just seemed like a drama one would find on tv. The script just wasn't all that great... and except for the music and the one scene where the neighborhood residents parade through the streets singing a latin-tinged holiday carol, it struck me that this movie wasn't all that latin in flavor. It just seemed to be a script which could have easily been cast with all African-Ameicans (perhaps because it was produced by the same folks who did 'Barbershop 1+2'?), or Asians or White folk! The script is not particularly Christmas-y either, it is basically a family 'dining room table' drama set against holidays... and that's been so repeated so much, that it really isn't very interesying. I'm not saying that I won't watch the move each year (I will), or that I hated the move (I don't), but just that it isn't up there in classic Christmas movies that future generations will want to see? I long for a Christmas movie with these actors which will be truly original and memorable, and which shows us something fascinating about Christmas for Latinos/as!Save 78% Off