TRAINWRECK [2015]

For the first time in his mainstream career director Judd Apatow makes a film he didn't write himself.  With a script by comedian Amy Schumer, Trainwreck refines both her and Apatow's knack for the crude, thoughtful and realistic characters like a match made in heaven.
A down-in-the-dumps city gal, who's never had a serious relationship in her life, begins having feelings for a successful doctor.
Essentially the film is a rom-com by all means but fans of Schumer & Apatow know they're not going to let it play like one.  Sure there's long stretches of hardly any laughter at all but that's alright when the characters are being developed during this down time.  In fact, Bill Hader just keeps getting better and better with each role I see him, leading me to believe he's well on his way to becoming a successful dramatic actor as well.  A well-paced film, with a few odd bumps in the road, is ultimately rewarding as you can't help but fall for the real human emotions it draws upon.

3½ Uptown Girls out of 5

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Yet another raunchy Apatow production, this time written by and starring Freaks and Geeks alumnus Jason Segel. Drawn from personal bad break-up experience, his story follows Peter (Segel) as he attempts to escape his split with the beautiful Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), only to end up at the same Hawaiian resort as her and the new boyfriend (Russell Brand). In his directorial debut, former Undeclared writer Nicholas Stoller doesn't stray too far from the Apatow formula with copious amounts of improvisation and maddeningly awkward moments. The editing starts off promising with cuts happening concisely at the climax of each scene, but it quickly degrades into lingering shots of drawn-out ad-libs. While completely entertaining with many quirky characters and imaginative set-ups, it never really produced a particularly unexpected or side-splitting laugh in me.

3 rock operas about Dracula out of 5

THIS IS 40 [2012]

Billed as the "sort-of" sequel to 2007's Knocked Up, writer/director Judd Apatow's This Is 40 is a funny and touching comedy about hitting middle age while in a marriage with kids and an "insane" family.  

Gifted with a fantastic charismatic cast, contemplative observations and a heavy dose of funny, the film is unfortunately dragged down by a ridiculously long running time as it wastes it time on a few aimless plot points and minor characters.   In the end, I was left completely satisfied with just being able to laugh for 2 hours and thirteen minutes.  

3½ episodes of LOST out of 5

Zookeeper (2011)

Dr. Dolittle meets Night at the Museum. Not exactly a happy marriage. Kevin James does his manic energy routine as the zookeeper trying to win back his ex, as the zoo animals attempt to show him their ways of getting a mate. This involves a scene taking a gorilla to TGI Friday's. It sounds stupid, but I actually laughed out loud more than I expected I would. Still more enjoyable than Mr. Popper's Penguins.

(Sidenote: Makes me wonder if kids will start jumping into bear and lion exhibits, thinking the animals will talk to them and be friendly.)

2.5 "fat man fall down, ha ha" shtick moments out of 5