Tag: comedy

The Meaning of Life (1983)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | telepathic trailer

I hesitated to recommend this one as it’s a very well known film. What inspired me to go ahead was my last viewing of The Meaning of Life. Seeing it properly restored and as an adult, I was struck by the feeling that this Monty Python feature managed to achieve the level of cinematic art. Yes, it’s still got all the same goofy and naughty stuff that made me laugh as a kid, but wow… what a spectacular and beautifully executed creative work this is. Yes, Holy Grail is arguably more funny, but this just might be the most high art comedy film ever made. As a result, if you haven’t ever seen The Meaning of Life, or it’s been a long time, I highly recommend you get on it immediately.

Available on 4K UHD + Blu-ray from Universal.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Empire (2024)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Kanopy (and available on all the main rental platforms) | imdb | trailer

If this isn’t a perfect example of  Anomalous Cinema I don’t know what is. There is NO WAY I would have watched this film if it wasn’t for John Waters Top 10. The IMDb rating is pretty awful, but I honestly really enjoyed seeing it. What is The Empire about? Well, two opposing groups of aliens come to Earth to do battle. That description would never prepare you for what you will see if you are daring enough to watch. This movie is bonkers in a similar way to ‘90s films by Pedro Almodovar and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Actors deliver absolutely ridiculous lines with straight faces for most of the movie, but I found the humor very effective. It also helps that the CG looks better than many recent Hollywood films, and actress Anamaria Vartolomei is excellent in every way. My one quibble with this movie is that it would have benefited from being 15 or so minutes shorter.

Available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Toxic Avenger (2023)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

I am very skeptical of remakes, but I gave this Toxie reboot a shot for three reasons: Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon, and Macon Blair (bonus points for David Yow and what the hell, I’ll throw in Elijah Wood). I would say if you’re not a fan of those people, maybe skip this version. Minus some unimportant personal quibbles, I found this to a very entertaining tribute to the original film. It’s fast paced, funny, and gory as hell. To put things in perspective, I rated this an 8/10 on IMDb, and the 1984 Toxic Avenger a 10/10.

Available on 4K UHD / Blu-ray from Legendary Pictures.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Dobermann (1997)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

To be honest right out of the gate, this is a ridiculous French action comedy. Dobermann must have been inspired by the early Tarantino films, but is much more comical and over the top. Warning: there’s a fair amount of CG in this one, and it did not age well. However, if I haven’t scared you off yet, this is a truly fun and hyper-paced shoot ‘em up. Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci are great together too. Try to turn your brain off and enjoy the insanity, otherwise don’t bother. The version I watched defaulted to an English dub, but I strongly recommend you watch it in French with subtitles.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I hadn’t seen this since it came out and a friend recommended I revisit it. I did, and it blew my damn mind. I don’t know how I forgot how insane this movie is. Gremlins 2 must be one of the most bizarre big budget PG-13 films ever made. It’s so bonkers that Key and Peele did a parody of the pitch meeting in their episode “Hollywood Sequel Doctor” (Season 5, Episode 8). If you happen to have never seen either that skit or G2, wait to watch the K&P episode until after the film. I will admit that the original Gremlins is a minor classic, and I rate it 8/10. However The New Batch gets a 9/10 in my book. Oh and it appears Gremlins 3 may become a reality soon as well.

Available on Blu-ray (w/Gremlins) from Warner Home Video.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Thank You For Smoking (2005)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a strange mix of dark comedy and political satire that I really enjoyed when it first came out. Aaron Eckhart is perfect in the lead role as you’ll see. You also get Robert Duvall, J.K. Simmons, William H. Macy and Sam Elliott (who used his own rifle in the film). I have to think this movie was a partial inspiration for Mad Men. Give Thank You For Smoking a shot and you’re in for some fun and cynical infotainment.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Jerk (1979)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is one of my all-time favorite childhood comedy films, along with Airplane! and Blazing Saddles. Steve Martin was a big deal for me as a kid. My brother had at least one of his comedy albums, and man I had that thing memorized. So much so that when there was an audition for the talent show at my elementary school I got up and did whole chunks of Martin’s standup. Can you imagine this? I was probably nine years old. I did NOT get to be in the show. However seeing my homeroom teacher in tears with laughter was all the reward I needed. Anyhow, yeah… The Jerk. I still love it. You should too.

Available on Blu-ray from Shout Factory.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Evil Eye (1963)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

(AKA The Girl Who Knew Too Much) This is often cited as the first giallo film. However if you’re picturing black gloves and razors, this is not that kind of movie. It is an early Mario Bava work that is more of a comedy thriller than a horror film. That might sound disappointing, but I personally enjoyed rewatching this one recently, and recommended it for those with a fondness for Italian cult cinema. The main attraction here is that you get to watch a young John Saxon in action, and it is a total pleasure. The Evil Eye is simply a fun mystery with tons of twists and turns, and it looks great too. Keep your eyes peeled for a rare, and pretty hilarious, Mario Bava cameo.

The domestic Blu-ray is currently out of print.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Last Circus (2010)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Natalia is a trapeze artist who is caught between two mentally disturbed clowns. Who better to handle this whacky premise than Spanish maniac director Álex de la Iglesia? Well, he’s actually a very level headed man, but damn if he doesn’t make some weirdly delightful movies. This is not as great as his debut feature Accione Mutante (which is available on a beautiful 4k / Blu-ray from Severin). Don’t let that discourage you. This is one hour and forty-seven minute ride on a crazy, funny, violent, and weird as fuck rollercoaster. If you enjoy this film, I also recommend The Day of the Beast (1995), Perdita Durango (1997), Dying of Laughter (1999), Common Wealth (2000), Eight Hundred Bullets (2002), Ferpect Crime (2004), The Baby’s Room (2006), The Oxford Murders (2008 – previously featured here), and As Luck Would Have It (2011). Álex de la Iglesia deals in many genres, but keep an open mind and there’s a lot to appreciate in his filmography.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Frank (2014)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I decided to watch this because I am a fan of co-writer Jon Ronson, who was also behind The Men Who Stare at Goats. Of course I like the idea of Michael Fassbender working behind a mask for an entire movie too. This is all very loosely based on the true story of Ronson playing keyboards in Chris Sieveys, aka Frank Sidebottoms, backing band. I was in weird music groups for 25+ years, so some of that aspect of the film rings a bit false, but I still enjoyed watching it. If you’d like to see something Anomalous, give Frank a try.

Blu-ray available from Magnolia.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.