Movie #407 - Let's Go to Prison

Let's Go to Prison

2006 - Rated R - 1 hr 24 min
Director: Bob Odenkirk
Starring: Dax Shepard, Will Arnett, Chi McBride, David Koechner, Dylan Baker, Michael Shannon, Jay Whittaker

Yeah, this movie's pretty dumb. I also think it's pretty funny, so sue me. Okay?
I think Will Arnett's hillarious, so I'm in.

If you're not familiar with this comedy, Shepard plays a con who wants to get back at the judge who put him away.  Instead, he has to settle for ruining the life of the judge's son (Arnett) and gets him locked up through a too-easy scheme.  McBride plays the tough inmate who falls hard for Arnett, leading to a strange kind of partnership that is itself pretty entertaining. Koechner plays the corrupt prison guard only too eager to take bets on the next inmate fight.  Great actors and characters make this more fun than the lame premise suggests.

It had been a while since I'd last seen this one and it's a nice, light-hearted way to break up some of the heavier stuff and action-heavy stuff I've been watching lately.  It's always nice to laugh.

Movie #249 - A Guy Thing

A Guy Thing
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 41 min
Director: Chris Koch
Starring: Jason Lee, Julia Stiles, Selma Blair, James Brolin, Shawn Hatosy, David Koechner, Julie Hagerty, Thomas Lennon, Jackie Burroughs

I think this movie is really funny, but I realize that not everyone agrees with me.  I mean, Jason Lee as the romantic lead? Torn between Julia Stiles and Selma Blair?  It's unlikely, but it does afford for many hillarious moments.

From bathroom crabs to underwear bins, Jason Lee tests the solidarity of the male sex.  Will his friends back up all his lies? What about total strangers?  He doesn't mean to be "cheating" and hiding things from his fiance, but stuff just keeps happening to him, whether he wants it to or not.

Yes, it's based on an infidelity...which I'm usually not a fan of in movies.  But everyone gets their own happy ending and no feelings are hurt in the process.  That's how we know it's only a movie...

Movie #241 - The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 29 min
Director: Neal Brennan
Starring: Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, David Koechner, James Brolin, Kathryn Hahn, Ed Helms, Jordana Spiro, Ken Jeong, Tony Hale, Alan Thicke, Rob Riggle, Wendie Malick

Is this the funniest movie ever made? Nah.  Is it pretty funny in its own dysfunctional way? Absolutely.  Jeremy Piven plays "cocky bastard" like no other and Kathryn Hahn is totally priceless, basically in everything she does.  Then there's Ving Rhames... And Ed Helms's boy band.

It's nice to see these comedic side characters take on bigger roles and manage them well.  Even if they're characters aren't very likable as people.  They're brash and pushy and immoral lots of times, but damn can they sell cars!

Wait for the Will Ferrell cameo, which is one of the best scenes in this entire movie.

Movie #223 - Get Smart

Get Smart
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Peter Segal
Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp, Terry Crews, David Koechner, James Caan, Bill Murray, Patrick Warburton, Masi Oka

Another tribute to a TV show back in the day... but this reboot is blessed with the awkward comedy of Steve Carell.  He actually does a good job here, not too wacky, and comes out on top in the end.  The weird pairing of younger Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) with his older Agent 86 is explained away as a cosmetic procedure done in the line of duty to make her look younger.  But I bet those kissing scenes were still awkward to shoot.

Meanwhile, I love Alan Arkin, who makes a great department head. And Dwayne Johnson's bad guy turn is done pretty well. All in all, a fun one to watch and a nice tribute to the original.

Movie #27 - Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
DreamWorks
2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 34 min
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Seth Rogen, Danny Trejo, Kathryn Hahn

Oh, I looooooooooooooooooooooove this movie. Watching it again was just fun for me, quoting all my favorite lines and singing along with the four-part harmony to "Afternoon Delight." I just got to sit back and enjoy Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner be absolutely weird (and 100% bought-into their characters). In fact, that's probably what makes this comedy so awesome - you really believe they are these outrageous 70's era newscasters.

Oh yeah, and you get to add a little Fred Willard (and a brief moment of Jack Black).... sweet.