The Good, the Bad, the Weird (Joheunnom nabbeunnom isanghannom, S.Korea, 2008)

Undoubtedly the funniest film I’ve seen in a long time. It stars the man with the maddest hair in contemporary cinema, Song Kang-ho, and some of the best action sequences in any western. Clearly a homage to Leone’s spaghetti westerns the visual style, as you expect, is stunning but director Kim Ji-woon (also A Bittersweet [...]

The Band’s Visit (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret, Israel-France-US, 2007)

This is a beautifully observed ‘culture clash’ comedy, and when those cultures are Arabic and Israeli the resonances are large. Politics is largely absent but the Middle East conflict is so profound that it remains a loud subtext throughout. The film never becomes sentimental as the Egyptian band, marooned in Nowheresville, Israel, are befriended – [...]

Tropic Thunder (US-Germany, 2008)

Why is this film rubbish? Is it:

the representation of Laotians as simple, violent people?
Robert Downey’s mumbling so you can’t understand what he’s saying?
the non -development of the implications of Downey’s character blacking up?
the offensive representation of the agent’s son?
the cack-handed way the promising premise is developed?

All of these I think.

Very Bad Things (US, 1998)

Brilliant and subversive movie. Christian Slater reprising a Heathers-type role; he slowly unhinges brilliantly. And the way the narrative incorporates the Cameron Diaz character into the madness is brilliant. An attack on America(n mores). DVD, 2
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Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (US, 2004)

Men are such juvenile idiots. That’s the message of this film and it’s interesting that so many men find this so funny (of course, I’m not an idiot but, then again, maybe I am…). Being an idiot abnegates responsibility – hey what a good idea! The best of this film is when Ferrel & crew [...]

American Pie 2 (US, 2001)

Brilliant sequel (though not as good as the first one). This might seem an OTT statement re a teen comedy; but that’s the point – as a teen comedy it’s brilliant. (DVD, 2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0252866/

American Pie (US, 1999)

One of the funniest American comedies that grossed many critics out. Well it was supposed to. Superbly realisation of the pain and confusion of adolescence. Simply brilliant. (DVD, 3) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163651/

The Apartment (US, 1960)

As a ’schnuck’ you can’t beat Jack Lemmon and he excels in this bitter-sweet comedy. Nicely satirical of the Organisation Man (isn’t MacMurray a bit too wooden?). Can’t understand its classic status though. (DVD, 3). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/

Our Hospitality (US, 1923)

A Buster Keaton classic including the maddest train journey (the dog walks there quicker) in cinema and typical deadpan brilliance. (DVD, 2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014341/

Duck Soup (US, 1933)

This has one of the funniest sequences in cinema and so has to be seen. Much of the Marx bros. appears dated but it was a piss-take then so probably isn’t. Zizek apparently labels them id/ego/super ego in his Pervert’s Guide to Cinema; he’s probably right. (DVD, 3). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023969/