comedy – Anomalous Cinema

Dobermann (1997)

October 3, 2025October 3, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Amazon Prime | 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.

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Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

September 12, 2025December 18, 2025 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.

Thank You For Smoking (2005)

August 22, 2025December 4, 2025 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.

The Jerk (1979)

May 9, 2025August 14, 2025 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)

March 28, 2025July 3, 2025 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.

The Last Circus (2010)

February 7, 2025May 16, 2025 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.

Frank (2014)

January 17, 2025May 1, 2025 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.

Catch-22 (1970)

November 8, 2024February 22, 2025 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is the first adaptation of one of my all-time favorite books, “Catch-22” (yes, the commonly used phrase originates from the novel). It is a case where the movie is not as good as the book, however it is still damn good on it’s own (much like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest). One of the original ad taglines sums up Catch-22 nicely – “The anti-war satire of epic proportions.” The cast is amazing. It seems as if anyone who was well known in 1970 is in the film. Alan Arkin is awesome as our “hero” Yossarian. I also highly recommend the 2019 Hulu mini-series starring Christopher Abbott (Possessor, etc) in the same role. Make sure to keep an ear open for a prominent Neurosis sample used on their classic “Souls at Zero” album.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

Man Bites Dog (1992)

August 23, 2024November 21, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

When it comes to disturbing fiction films, this one is often mentioned along with Salò, A Clockwork Orange, and Irreversible. I try to avoid obvious recommendations, but it just occurred to me that Man Bites Dog has never been available on Blu-ray. It came out on VHS shortly after the theatrical run. Then Criterion did a laser disc and DVD many years ago, but that’s it. Those of you who saw this in the past really need to check it out in full HD. Then there’s those of you who have just never experienced one of the most unique independent films ever made. All you need to know is this: Benoît is a very charming but egomaniacal serial killer, and you are watching a documentary about him unfold ala This is Spinal Tap. What you get is a weird mix of funny and horrific from start to finish. It has ALL the triggers minus animal abuse, so you should avoid this if you are sensitive about pretty much anything. I made the mistake of taking a date to see this in the theater back in 1993. It did NOT go well. Yes, it’s extreme. It also looks fantastic and the lead performance by Benoît Poelvoorde is a personal favorite. If you are a fan of the most edgy kind of cinema, this is essential viewing.

Not available on Blu-ray.

Keanu (2016)

August 2, 2024November 6, 2024 vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I only liked bits and pieces of the Key & Peele series (2012-2015), but I seriously love this movie. Keanu is one of the few comedies released around 2016 that made me laugh out loud multiple times. It’s also got some decent action. Plus you get to enjoy an early appearance by Tiffany Haddish and the always amusing Method Man. However if you don’t like cats, or George Michael, don’t bother.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Brothers.