Bert Kreischer: Lucky (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jeff Tomsic
Cast: Bert Kreischer
Time: 67 minutes

 

Bert Kreischer’s comedy is not everyone’s cup of tea. Sure, he tends to be a little over-the-top, but I usually dig his stuff. This latest comedy special is no different. Sure, he falls a little in the TMÌ zone discussing sex with his wife that much, but the material is funny. The last bit about his late dog made the show for me. It is so good. Funny and touching at the same time. I was entertained and moved. Those pants, though, damn!

Rating: ««««

The Alto Knights (2025)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Cast: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis
Running Time: 123 minutes

 

This film is inspired by the true story of the power struggle between Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two childhood friends who became top bosses within the Mafia. After Genovese called a hit on his rival, and Costello barely survived, things took a turn that would alter things forever.

It was an interesting choice to have De Niro pull double duty here and play both main roles, but, if anyone could pull it off, it was the 81-year-old actor known for so many great roles. De Niro pulls it off superbly here. The supporting cast is also very good.

Sure, The Alto Knights doesn’t have the same panache as some of the other classics of the Mafia genre of cinema, but it is still a very good movie.

Rating: ««««

Canadian Bacon (1995)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Michael Moore
Cast: Alan Alda, John Candy, Bill Nunn
Running Time: 90 minutes

 

A US president who is struggling in the polls is convinced by his advisors to stage a cold war with neighboring Canada to make the population forget their dislike for their leader. In the meantime, a sheriff on the New York side of Niagara Falls decides to get involved in the war with his friends, causing much chaos in the process.

This comedy had flown under the radar as far as I was concerned. Never even knew Michael Moore was not only a documentary director. This was his only fiction film, but you can clearly see his viewpoint here.

 Canadian Bacon goes for the silly and low-brow side of things, but it is really entertaining in the process. And I must say it feels not so far-fetched anymore, given the actual state of relations between Canada and the US. It was cool to see such a star-studded cast in action delivering laughs.

Rating: ««««

Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Ben Tishler
Cast: Bill Burr

 

In his latest comedy special, available on Hulu and Disney +, Bill Burr offers a version of himself that is at his most personal and introspective. Now in his 50’s, he discusses such topics as depression, the feelings men can have, relationships, family and the possibility for a man to drop dead just like that after a certain age.

I relate so greatly to Bill Burr’s comedy. The man is amazing in the way he tackles difficult topics and manages to make you laugh about them. This show is no exception. The man has truly become a master of his art.

Rating: «««««

It Ends With Us (2024)

Genre: Romance / Drama
Directed by: Justin Baldoni
Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate
Running Time: 130 minutes

 

Lily Bloom, a young woman who had a difficult childhood growing up in Maine, realizes her dream of opening her own flower shop in Boston. She meets neurosurgeon Kyle Kincaid and starts this passionate relationship with him. Their situation becomes tense and difficult once Lily’s childhood boyfriend, Atlas Corrigan, comes back in the picture.

This film, based on the Colleen Hover novel of the same name, seems to have been marred by controversy among the cast and the filmmakers. That being said, the product on screen is still very good. Sure, things seem to fall into place a little too easily in the story, but It Ends With Us is still a compelling look at the matter of domestic violence. A few of the lines have really stuck with me.

Rating: ««««

Novocaine (2025)

Genre: Action / Comedy
Directed by: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson
Running Time: 110 minutes

 

Nathan Caine is an assistant bank manager who has always lived a sheltered life because of a condition that makes him unable to feel pain. His outlook on life starts changing when he meets Sherry, another employee at the bank who goes out with him and then spends the night with him. The following day, there is bank robbery and Sherry is taken hostage by the three criminals dressed as Santa Claus. Dissatisfied with the cops’ reaction, Nathan Caine decides to take matters into his own invulnerable hands.

This film is a fun thrilling ride. Sure, some of the violence is over-the-top and there is major suspension of disbelief is needed, but it is all so entertaining. The chemistry between Quaid and Midthunder is undeniable, and Ray Nicholson (yes, Jack’s son) has great potential as a villain. Really good.

Rating: ««««

Un homme heureux (2023)

 Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisation: Tristan Séguéla
Distribution: Fabrice Luchini, Catherine Frot
Running time: 89 minutes

 

Jean Leroy est le maire ultraconservateur d’une petite ville du Nord de la France. Alors qu’il s’apprête à vivre une autre campagne électorale en vue de sa réélection, voilà que sa femme, Edith, lui annonce qu’elle s’est toujours senti comme un homme et qu’elle veut entreprendre le processus de transition.

Voilà une comédie française qui traite d’un sujet fort actuel et très sensible, avec beaucoup d’humour, sans toutefois tomber dans la moquerie ou la caricature. La complicité à l’écran entre les deux acteurs principaux est palpable. Un film court et punché que j’ai trouvé très divertissant.

Rating: ««««

Hesher (2010)

 Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Spencer Susser
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson, Natalie Portman, Devin Brochu
Running Time: 105 minutes

 

TJ Forney lives with his father Paul and his grandmother Madeleine. Paul is in a deep depression after losing his wife in a car crash. TJ is also having a hard time dealing with the loss of his mom, while getting bullied at school. Hesher, a heavy metal listening lush, suddenly decides to invite himself in the Forney household. In his own unique way, Hesher manages to help bring the Forney family members out of their funk.

I appreciate the off-beat nature of this film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt offered a very credible performance as the lead character. The story was interesting. It felt a little flatter than I hoped for in the end, but I am still happy to have watched it. It was fun.

Rating: «««

Lee (2023)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Ellen Kuras
Cast: Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgard
Running Time: 116 minutes

 

This film tells the story of Lee Miller, a former fitness model turned photographer. Working for Vogue Magazine, she would go overseas during World War II to capture images from the war zones.

This film is so compelling, and the dedication of Kate Winslet to the role of Lee Miller is easy to see in her performance on screen. She comes off the screen and make you believe that character so deeply, with all its flaws, its strength and its vulnerabilities. Kudos to her. The supporting cast was also solid.

This is a powerful film. The end did pack quite a punch for me. I intend on watching that one again somewhere down the line.

Rating: «««««

Anyone But You (2023)

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Will Gluck
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp
Running Time: 103 minutes

 

After a chance encounter in a café, Ben and Bea spend an evening and night together that starts so well but falls apart. Six months later, they encounter each other again as they find themselves in the same wedding party. They have to travel to Australia with the group to take part in the destination wedding, blaming each other for the first date not having a successful end.

This is a really fun rom-com. The end is predictable, of course, but the road there is so entertaining. The dialogues are fun and the acting is very good. Watched this on Friday evening with the wife and we both enjoyed very much.

Rating: ««««

Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)

 Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Stan Lathan
Cast: Dave Chappelle
Running Time: 56 minutes

 

In this comedy special, Dave Chappelle discusses the importance of dreams, going back to his time doing the Chappelle Show and then discussing his ever-growing standup career. He also talks about Jim Carrey, the trans community, handicapped people, the Will Smith slap received by Chris Rock and much more. It was a very good special, it just felt a little short to me. I would have taken more.

Rating: ««««

Lac Mystère (2013)

Genre: Franco / Drama
Réalisateur: Érik Canuel
Distribution: Maxim Gaudette, Laurent Lucas, Laurence Leboeuf
Durée: 118 minutes

 

Après avoir été trahi par ses proches, Eric L’Heureux décide de se sauver avec son chien et l’argent de la compagnie familiale. Il s’installe dans un chalet situé tout près du lac Kaionwahere. Malgré son désir d’isolement, il se retrouve dans une histoire impliquant un voisin français envahissant, une danseuse et son copain policier extrêmement jaloux et possessif.

Ce film n’est pas sans intérêt. Il offre une certaine dose de divertissement, mais l’histoire contient un peu trop d’éléments. Et le faux accent anglophone de Laurence Leboeuf est quelque peu irritant. Somme toute, un film correct qui ne passe pas à l’histoire.

 Note: «««

The Monkey (2025)

Genre: Horror Comedy
Directed by: Osgood Perkins
Cast: Theo James, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien
Time: 98 minutes

 

Twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn are twin brothers that had their lives turned upside down by an evil drum-playing monkey toy that caused multiple deaths in their entourage. They had etched a plan to get rid of it, but, years later, it is back causing more damage.

This film is based on a short story written by Stephen King. I absolutely loved the tone of this movie. It was a cool mix of horror and comedy that kept me wildly entertained all the way through. It was over-the-top, it was gory, it was fun.

Rating: ««««

Shameless (2011-2021)

 Genre: TV / Comedy / Drama
Starring: William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Ethan Cutkosky, Emma Kenney, Jeremy Allen White
Number of seasons: 11

 

In this American adaptation of the British series of the same name, we see the Gallagher clan go through life in the South side of Chicago. The father, Frank, is a raging alcoholic and drug addict who is rarely there for his six kids. The mother has left the home a while back, so the older kids are left to fend for themselves and their younger siblings.

After watching the British original, I decided to give this version a chance. I am glad I did. There were less of a turnover of character is the US version and a better constant focus on the Gallaghers throughout the 11 seasons. It was cool to see the characters evolve and age through the years.

There was a lull halfway through where things were dragging and I almost lost interest, but the series ended strong, with lots of dark humor and some touching elements. A good ensemble cast delivering compelling material.

Rating: ««««