Brendan Schaub: You'd Be Surprised (2019)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Jay Lafayette

Cast: Brendan Schaub

Running Time: 65 minutes

Brendan Schaub is a former footballer and a retired MMA fighter. For the last few years, he has been podcasting and trying to realize what he says was his lifelong dream: Being a stand-up comic. He’s not there yet in my book, no matter how polished and professional this comedy special looks.

To be honest, most of the material was weak. The premises were lame and the punchlines even worse. I had a few chuckles, very few. Maybe with a few more years polishing his craft and his set behind his belt, the former fighter will have a better chance to win at this new stage in his life. The last bit about his last MMA fight made him sympathetic and it was an interesting tale, but it was not enough to save this show.

Rating: ««

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: John Hughes

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck

Running Time: 103 minutes

Ferris Bueller is the popular kid in school. Towards the end of his last school year before graduation, Bueller fakes an illness to spend the day with his girlfriend Sloane and his hypochondriac best friend Cameron going around Chicago to have fun. School principal  Rooney does not trust Bueller, who has a history of absenteeism, so he tries to catch him in the act of ditching class.

This film is a classic of my youth. They used to show it to us in school, which I never really understood. Maybe the powers-that-be wanted to pretend to be cool. This is a feel-good movie. The characters are fun, and you want them to have a good day off from school. The acting was really good and the movie-making work of John Hugues was also solid. Many scenes, such as the parade (which is kind of illogical for the afternoon of a non-holiday), the role call of Bueller, Bueller, and the car crash will remain in the memory of movie fans forever.

Rating: «««««

Joker (2019)

Genre: Thriller

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix

Running Time: 122 minutes

Arthur Fleck is a party clown who aspires to become a stand-up comic, but it is not working for him. In a Gotham City where crime is more and more prevalent, Arthur lives with his sick mother while dealing himself with a disorder that makes him laugh out loud at the most inopportune times. After he gets jumped in an alley by a gang of thugs, Arthur’s life starts unraveling and it brings him on a path of violent crime.

This is a dark and twisted movie that sure is not for the faint of heart. Many people have walked out of the theater during the showings. As for me, I loved it. The acting is excellent, especially when it comes to Joaquin Phoenix. His dedication to the role is extraordinary. He inhabits that character so wonderfully, it is scary.

The story is compelling and totally riveting. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. This film is a great character study and it pushes the viewer to question his or her own views on such important matters as mental health and violence. Bravo, great movie.

Rating: «««««

Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead (1991)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Stephen Herek

Cast: Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, Josh Charles

Running Time: 102 minutes

Sue Ellen Candell is 17-year old high school graduate who wishes she could go to Europe for the summer, with her friends, but she does not have the necessary funds. Her mother leaves her and her 4 siblings with a babysitter for 2 months as she travels to Australia with her boyfriend. After the babysitter, a tyrannical old lady, dies of a heart attack, leaving the kids alone and without money for a couple of months, Sue Ellen takes charge forges her resume to score a job in a fashion company.

I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid. Looking at it now, it feels quite dated, as is often the case with stuff from that era. Still, while it was cheesy and it required a huge suspension of disbelief, this movie was entertaining. Most of the acting was not overly bad. It was fine for what it was.

Rating: «««

La femme de mon frère (2019)

Genre: Franco / Drama

Réalisateur: Monia Chokri

Distribution: Anne-Élisabeth Bossé, Patrick Hivon, Evelyne Brochu

Durée: 117 minutes

Sophia et Karim sont frère et sœur et ils ont une relation d’extrême proximité, frôlant l’inceste. Alors que sa vie ne va nulle part, malgré un doctorat en philosophie, Sophia ressent une énorme jalousie par rapport à la nouvelle blonde de Karim et elle se voit forcée de réévaluer sa vie.

La prémisse de ce film est fort intéressante, mais c’est dans la façon que le tout est livré à l’écran que ça se gâche pour moi. Ce film se perd dans un paquet de personnages et de situations inutiles qui détournent l’histoire de son sens profond. Au bout du compte, on en perd le fil, et l’intérêt s’évapore. Il y a quelques moments loufoques, qui font rire, mais le jeu des acteurs est souvent gros, et les longueurs n'aident pas.

Rating: ««

Joe Rogan: Strange Times (2018)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Anthony Giordano

Cast: Joe Rogan

Running Time: 63 minutes

Taking the stage in front of a Boston, Mass, crowd, Joe Rogan delivers a fast-paced, raucous and high energy hour of comedy where he discusses evolving times, pro wrestling, pot, cat, vegans and much more. Rogan is loud and unafraid to share his opinion. He also admittedly exaggerates for comedic purposes. Overall, most of the material was very, very solid. There were very few weaker points, but this was a very enjoyable comedy special.

Rating: ««««

Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Marcus Raboy

Cast: Anthony Jeselnik

Running Time: 64 minutes

Live in New York City, Anthony Jeselnik appears on stage, in this comedy special, without fanfare. No theme music and all of that, he just comes on and delivers his particular brand of dark humor. He talks about dementia, family, dropping babies and other such weird topics. Jeselnik’s strength is in his delivery. The premise brings you along on some normal-looking ride that swerves wildly by the time the punchline comes. It is fun as hell and made me laugh out loud multiple times. It will shock and offend many, but it entertained me.

Rating: «««««