BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS
I’m a big fan of dark comedies. The problem is that dark comedies are hard to come by. So when a new one comes out I try to pay attention and give it a shot. This doesn’t even mean the dark comedy is going to be good, but I’m at least excited for the potential. This movie looks like it’s going to be a good one. The cast is really solid. We get Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Colin Farrell, Tom Waits, Kevin Corrigan, and a slew of others. The plot looks to be quirky fun. Colin Farrell is a struggling writer and Sam Rockwell is a struggling actor-slash-dog thief. Rockwell takes Farrell on a journey to help inspire him to finish his screenplay. You got to love movies about writing movies! I’m sure dark hijinks ensue, everyone gets in over their heads, and everyone has wacky misunderstandings. I think that’s the key to a solid dark comedy. The trailer gives me no reason to not expect AT LEAST a “solid” movie, but I have a feeling I’ll really like this.
(THREE) PRICE CHECK
If you want a good independent comedy then you need a good independent comedy cast. The best place to start is Parker Posey. Posey continues to pile on awesome work on top of awesome work with each year that passes. She’s got to be one of the best actresses out there today. She’s one of those few people who can do a mainstream movie or a mainstream TV show and then turn around and do something more “indie” like a Christopher Guest movie or a great story arch on “Louie”. So obviously, I love me some Parker Posey. She’s the star of this quaint indie. She’s the hyper boss of a grocery store. Her new employee, Eric Mabius (of “Ugly Betty” fame), is a down on his luck family guy who is stuck to get a job as a price checker at Posey’s store. He and Posey’s work relationship grows in that “weird” way that screws up the dude’s life. The rest of the cast seems cool, but I’m especially interested in seeing the hilarious Amy Schumer get some camera time. These kinds of movies never end clean, but typically deliver a deep message. The trailer gives a good vibe. It seems interesting, funny, awkward, and just honest. I’m optimistic there is something to be gained from this movie.
(TWO) A LIAR'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
This movie looks really cool. If you’ve ever enjoyed the humor of Monty Python then this is a movie you need to see. Python member Graham Chapman passed away in 1989, but before then he wrote an autobiography. He recorded the audio for the book and now that audio is being used for this animated awesomeness. His Python brothers pick up the slack on the other voice work. This whole thing is amazing. Well over a dozen animators all threw down as well. I can’t see how this can’t be great. The trailer is fun on its own. Graham Chapman himself is quoted in it as saying this is “the best film I’ve been in since I’ve died”. What more credibility do we need? I can’t wait to watch this movie.
(ONE) NATURE CALLS
This is my kind of movie. It looks silly, vulgar, and shows hints of heart. The cast is killer. Patton Oswalt stars as a dorky scoutmaster who’s troop ditches him to hang out with Oswalt’s brother played by Johnny Knoxville. They are complete opposites. Oswalt seems uptight, responsible, and dorky and Knoxville seems brass, charismatic, and a slacker. To get the kids back on his side he pretty much kidnaps them at night to take them on a crazy trip to the woods. Knoxville then gets with his buddies, played by Rob Riggle and the late Patrice O’Neal, and go after them. Hilarity ensues! I’ve read stuff that says “in the tradition of ‘The Bad News Bears’ and ‘Meatballs’.” I love those two movies so I hope the “tradition” continues. At the same rate there are some forgettable R-rated comedies that involve kids that have been a bit forgettable. I’m putting my chips on the hope that this is going to be a classic. The trailer is really promising!
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