Youth in Revolt (2009)

The title refers to the actions that a sixteen-year-old boy (Michael Cera) feels he must must undertake in order to keep his attachment (and himself relevant) to the girl (Portia Doubleday) with whom he wants to lose his virginity.
Even though it had some big name producers behind it, it has the feel and the heart of an indie movie, which is perhaps its greatest strength, in my opinion.
By externalising the youth's inner conflict it both uses and plays around with the awkward, inexperienced deer in the headlights role that Cera has in many of his films. It likely won't be enough to win over anyone who dislikes his particular shtick, but those that enjoy it will probably still feel right at home.

3 ill-tempered sailors out of 5

MASCOTS [2016]

Director Christopher Guest returns to his mockumentary comedies about broken down flakes who just won't quit in Mascots.
This time around eccentric sports mascots from all over the world have gathered together to compete for the obscure Golden Fluffy Award.
If you're familiar with Guest's previous films Best in Show or Waiting for Guffman than you know exactly what you're getting.  If you're completely in love with those films than chances are you'll enjoy this one but don't expect Guest to attempt to do anything different.  He plays it pretty safe here, which isn't a bad thing if you're in it just for the laughs because there's plenty to be had.  I was constantly giggling so I got just what I wanted with this one but many will want more considering it's been so long since his last film.

3 pink bunny Furries out of 5

Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)

Planes (2013) was a surprisingly endearing and clever film with an array of appropriately cast characters. Fire & Rescue returns with the core players (Dane Cook, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Stacy Keach), using the same underdog formula from the first. This time Dusty Crophopper must adapt when his racing prowess is endangered. Cook is still relatable and down-to-earth as ever, his voice giving humor to mere perfunctory exposition. A change of scenery of course comes with new characters and while they all sufficiently embody their roles, they don't live up to the range of flamboyant and colorful personalities from the first. But the amount of adventure has not only increased but intensified with many beautiful and thrilling feats of endangerment.

3 pick up trucks out of 5

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION [2006]

Chris Guest & company gather together once more for the Academy Award season satirical film For Your Consideration.

It takes some nasty jab at the way Hollywood & the entertainment business runs but I think a lot of the humour is lost on the average viewer with too many "in the biz" jokes and whatnot.  Catherine O'Hara shines here as the insecure and manic actress on the verge of hysterics.  For some reason Guest decides to drop the mockumentary style he's so good at and it hurts the ab-libbed humour a bit.  Beyond it's many shortcomings, FYC is still wickedly funnier than most inane thoughtless comedies today.

3½ Jezebels out of 5

A MIGHTY WIND [2003]

Christopher Guest continues with the funny with his hilarious folk music mockumentary A Mighty Wind.  Guest opts to go for more of an emotional story than his previous films and it gives the chance for the actors to show they aren't just funny but can really capture realistic character traits as well.  It's done so well I swear if I didn't know it was a Guest film I would have thought it was a real documentary with really weird people in it.  It's not Guest's funniest film but certainly his most heartfelt.

4 folk rockin' Spinal Taps out of 5

BEST IN SHOW [2000]

Christopher Guest assembles his usual group of actors to bring on the funny with their knack of incredible improv in the mockumentary Best In Show.  

The film focuses on a group of flaky, neurotic individuals who all live their lives through their canine companions, as they all come together to compete in a national dog show.  There's more than enough folks who just simply didn't understand the humor in this film but for those that do, it's a piss-your-pants laugh-a-thon.  

4 telepathic bloodhounds out of 5

WAITING FOR GUFFMAN [1997]

Writer/director Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap's guitarist) returns to his mockumentary roots in Waiting For Guffman.

Edited down from 60 hours of completely ad-libbed material, Guest's hilarious concept is brought to life with an insanely funny & talented cast.  It's got enough upfront funny bits but with repeat viewing you'll notice all sorts of little subtly placed jokes and gags that easily cements it as a comedy diamond in the rough.

4 Stool Capitols of the World out of 5

MONSTER HOUSE [2006]

Director Gil Kenan teams up with Community's creator Dan Harmon & co-writer Rob Schrab for the motion-capture animated Monster House.

It's driven forward by some beautiful visuals & lighting, wonderful score from Douglas Pipes and wild imagination unfortunately it's dragged down by annoying characters, lack of heart and huge plotholes.  A entertaining ride nonetheless but should be noted that it's far too intense & scary for the wee ones.

2½ House Wives out of 5

ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY [2004]

If not for Will Ferrell, I'm sure director Adam McKay wouldn't have much of a career. Their first outing together, apart from Saturday Night Live, the tongue in cheek comedy Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy was a successful one at the box office.
Apart from a few good chuckles and some great performances from Fred Willard, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and Dave Koechner, Anchorman is nothing more than a few boner jokes, "witty" new ways to degrade women, jabs at the mentally disabled and douchebags being douchebags only to praised for it by both the film's characters and audiences alike.

1 flaming jazz flute out of 5