Tag Archives: Joel McHale

HAPPILY (2021): The Thing I Liked…

Happily (2021), Joel McHale, Kerry Bishé, Paramount Movies
Happily (2021), Joel McHale, Kerry Bishé, Paramount Movies

Happily, a comedy/romance about a happily married couple whose life takes an unexpected turn is a self-aware, self-indulgent movie that has one or two moments that are mildly satisfying. Unfortunately, for me, none of these moments adds up to enough to make the experience worthwhile. 

What Happily has to say about relationships and marriage did not need a whole movie to say it. At least not in the way it said it. Furthermore, what Happily ends up saying is unlikely to be what you wish it had to say; well, at least not in the way it says it. 

Writer/director BenDavid Grabinski’s film relies heavily on music to create a tense atmosphere. And I kept watching past the halfway point hoping that the pay-off would make all the excessive atmospheric music, and seemingly unnecessary slow-motion shots somewhat worthwhile, but no.

As for what I enjoyed about the movie, I like Joel McHale and Natalie Morales.

Lastly, watch Happily ONLY if you absolutely must because there have to be far better marital/relationship drama movies out there. I’m also sure there are good TV shows about ’best couples’ whose friends are jealous that their own relationships aren’t as passionate. I can’t think of any titles right now but I know they exist, good ones!

Happy Film Loving

G

HAPPILY (2021): New Trailer From Natalie Morales, Natalie Zea, Joel McHale…

Happily (2021), Joel McHale, Paramount Movies
Happily (2021), Joel McHale, Paramount Movies

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Happily (2021).


Starring Natalie Morales, Joel McHale and Natalie Zea; in new comedy/crime/drama, Happily, a happily married couple are visited by a mysterious stranger. A visit that leads to a dead body, many questions, and a tense couples’ trip with so-called friends.

Written/directed by BenDavid Grabinski; additional key cast includes Kerry Bishé, Stephen Root, Shannon Woodward and Charlyne Yi.

This looks like a potentially fun story about frenemies who are mad that a couple in their group isn’t quite as miserable in their relationship as they are. And so they seek to destroy. Well, at least that’s my very quick summation based on this trailer.

It would be great if this turns out to be even more fun than expected. Something surprisingly pleasant, the way Long Shot (2019) was.

Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Breckin Meyer, Brea Grant, Paul Scheer, Al Madrigal, Jon Daly and Billie Wolff also star.

Happily Release Dates: March 19th, 2021 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS (2018): New Trailer From Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Joel McHale…

The Happytime Murders (2018), Melissa McCarthy
The Happytime Murders (2018), Melissa McCarthy

Directed by Brian Henson;  Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks and Joel McHale star in The Happytime Murders; an action / comedy about a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet. 

The private eye puppet is determined to solve the case when the puppet cast of an ’80s children’s TV show begins to get murdered one by one…

I don’t yet know what to make of this. I’m just glad that the word ‘Muppets’ isn’t in the title, considering the ‘R’ rating. It will hopefully be a good comedy thanks to the involvement of Banks in particular and McCarthy. Fingers crossed.

The Happytime Murders Release Dates: August 17th, 2018 (US); August 24th, 2018 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

ADULT BEGINNERS (2014): I watched For The Comedy & Adult Sibling Relationship Dynamic

Adult Beginners (2014), Caleb/ Matthew Paddock, Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne
Adult Beginners (2014), Caleb/ Matthew Paddock, Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne

The Ross Katz directed and rather aptly named comedy/ drama, Adult Beginners stars funny man Nick Kroll, Australian actress Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale.

If you’re open to a story about adult sibling relationships, starting again after losing everything, and getting your priorities in order, then Adult Beginners is interesting, though never too demanding.

The writing, chemistry between the three leads and the way the camera captures the lives of the characters makes for very believable and real situations. As for how engaging it all is, the phrase ‘incredibly engrossing’ definitely doesn’t fit.

As for the comedy, most of it will make you smile and 2 or three times you may laugh out loud. My interest in seeing Kroll in a somewhat serious role is why I watched. It also  helped that the always reliable Byrne and Cannavale were involved.

Joel McHale, Jane Krakowski, Caitlin Fitzgerald and Jason Mantzoukas also star.

Happy Adult Beginners 🙂

G

TED (2012): Silly, Filthy & Good

Ted (2012), Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane
Ted (2012), Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane

You wouldn’t be blamed if after hearing the concept of Ted, your reaction was ‘Really? Please!

But then you learn a little more and realise that the movie is  the brainchild of Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy. He not only stars as the voice of Ted but directed and wrote it too.

Fans of the very successful Family Guy series would be the most excited just a little more perhaps, than fans of general good humour – particularly humour  that’s silly and filthy in parts.

Also starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis, there’s plenty of funny dialogue. One of the key highlights for me is Donny, the character played by Giovanni Ribisi and his highly peculiar dance moves.

Lastly, who could forget the scene with all the ‘white trash’ names listed by Mark Wahlberg’s character?

‘Mandy, Marylyn, Tiffany, Candace, Brandy, Heather Channing, Brianna, Amber Sabrina, Melody, Dakota, Ciara, Bambi, Christal, Samantha, Autumn, Ruby, Taylor, Tara Tammy, Lauren, Charlene, Chantal, Courtney, Misty, Jenny, Christa, Mindy, Noel, Shelby, Trina, Riba, Cassandra, Nikki, Kelsy, Shauna, Jolene, Earlene, Claudia, Savannah, Casey, Dolly, Kendra, Kylie, Chloe, Devon, Emma-Lou, Becky, Brandy-Lyn, Heather-Lyn, Tammy-Lyn.’

Looking forward to watching the sequel, Ted 2 (2015) in a few days.

Happy Film Loving

G

BLENDED (2014): Fun Family Comedy

Blended (2014), Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore
Blended (2014), Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore

The story and themes of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s Blended are not new, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. Blended is the kind of family comedy film to see if you’re in the mood to relax with a movie.

The most memorable moments for me came courtesy of the character played by Terry Crews, who shows up several times in the movie.

Blended (2014), Terry Crews
Blended (2014), Terry Crews

If you’re already a fan of the Actors, Sandler, Barrymore and Crews, then you’re more likely to really have fun. Though I don’t love all his movies, I am a Sandler fan.

A taster of his personality is in the following fun Jonathan Ross interview.

Happy Blended 🙂

G