THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS [2016]

Director Chris Renaud supplies the laughs and heart by the truckloads with the CGI animated comedy The Secret Life of Pets.
Two dogs (one big & one little) end up getting themselves lost in New York City which leads them into all sorts of trouble and adventures all in the span of a single day.
Like most Illumination Entertainment & Dreamworks animated films, it doesn't quite hold the same sort of depth or story subtleties of Pixar's output but it still manages to pack in the jokes, sometimes even better than the reigning CGI animation company.  It doesn't really ask a whole lot of the viewer other than to sit back and enjoy the ride, which is really easy to do considering the lovable characters we get to follow around for the jam-packed 90 minute running time.

3½ sewer-bunnies out of 5

TRUMBO [2015]

Austin Powers director Jay Roach takes a more serious approach to film with the lively biographical period-drama Trumbo.  

Bryan Cranston shines as acclaimed 1940's screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was famously blacklisted from Hollywood, for his communist beliefs, but continued to work and win major awards under a pseudonym.
The script has a tough time justifying itself, with so much going on it never really gives us a clear example as to why Trumbo was such a genius, unless you're already quite familiar with his work.  It's riddled with tired clichés that are all thankfully made a little more digestible with an amazing ensemble cast that is boiling over the edge with appeal.

3 grumpy tubby times out of 5

THE INVENTION OF LYING [2009]

Ricky Gervais & Matthew Robinson co-write & co-direct The Invention Of Lying, a seemingly fluffy romantic comedy with cynical undertones.
It takes place in an alternate universe where the concept of lying never existed until it suddenly triggers in one man's brain and spirals out of control.  It takes the viewer into very grey areas about religion, politics, Hollywood and general day to day interactions while dissecting everything most folks take for granted or are oblivious to.  Gervais has a wonderful way of slugging us square in the face with our own stupidity and selfishness, especially where it's cleverly disguised as a harmless rom-com that occasionally even fools itself.  It looks, feels and plays like a generic rom-com but is so much more and unfortunately that doesn't leave much when it comes to the bland technical side of the film.

3 fatty fat faggots out of 5

BLUE JASMINE [2013]

Woody Allen's comedic drama Blue Jasmine echoes that of A Streetcar Named Desire with a modern flair and without as much dramatic tension.
Cate Blanchett leads the cast with one of the best performances of her career however it's Sally Hawkins who steals every scene she's in with the perfect balance of comedy and dramatic realism.  The rest of the cast are just as great and in a surprising turn, Andrew Dice Clay deserves some attention.  Allen's script is wickedly funny and well-structured but without the talented cast and comedic timing it might not be as great as it's end results.  It's tragedy and comedy all rolled into one crazy cast of characters making for one of Allen's better films in several years.

3½ Blue Moons out of 5

AMERICAN HUSTLE [2013]

David O. Russell reunites with his usual cast & crew members for the entertaining crime drama American Hustle.
The film gains most of it's unpredictable humor from the highly energetic cast-mates who all play off each other with comfort and ease.  It's a cat and mouse game where each character takes turns playing the cat only to be quickly knocked off their feet into the mouse hole again and that makes for some grin-worthy character studies.  With the actors going off the rails with their improvisation, the story is somewhat aimless at times, but Russell's always been one to care more about character rather than story and that works just fine.  It's a colorful, bold and sharply funny film with hilarious outgoing personality that's a breath of fresh air from all the other heavy-handed award contenders this year.

4 ice-fishing stories with Lye out of 5

Pootie Tang (2001)

Don't judge me.

This was a really bad comedy. The only reason I sought it out is because it was the first and only directorial effort by Louis CK, a comedian whose work I've been appreciating more and more. But even this was a step back for him. Pretty much based off a character from The Chris Rock Show (which I've never been a fan of), it's filled with many talented actors, but not enough comedy. Shot on a shoestring budget, it's a one-note idea stretched far too thin, and it shows.

1 loss of respect out of 5