Tag Archives: Kevin Pollak

Comedy, Documentary

MISERY LOVES COMEDY (2015): The Thing I Liked…

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Misery Loves Comedy (2015), Steve Coogan
Misery Loves Comedy (2015), Steve Coogan

I love funny people so I knew I’d have a good time watching  writer/ director Kevin Pollak’s documentary, Misery Loves Comedy. It’s a film that has a mixture of funny people from comedians to actors and filmmakers all answering the question: ‘Do you have to be miserable to be funny?’

I’ll start by saying that I had a good time overall but I did find some of the editing a tad odd, especially in the first two thirds. Secondly, maybe because I already know plenty about funny people and thats why I didn’t feel as enlightened by what most of the comics had to say. Thirdly, the number of people featured is a lot. Perhaps it would have been more interesting had the documentary been about a handful of celebrated funny people, therefore allowing for more in depth interviews and probably less jarring editing. Last but not least, as much as I love Steve Coogan, Richard Lewis,  Amy Schumer, etc., it didn’t help that nearly none of my favourites comics made an appearance in this documentary; Louis C.K. to name just one. 

Misery Loves Comedy (2015), Richard Lewis
Misery Loves Comedy (2015), Richard Lewis

The part I loved the most in Misery Loves Comedy is towards the end because that’s when the comics finally answer the question of whether one needs to be miserable to be funny. Another way to ask the question is ‘whether a person is born funny or if it’s something they develop.’ One of the best answers I’ve heard isn’t actually in this documentary, but in a Kjersti Flaa interview with Louis C.K. where C.K.’s response is…

‘I definitely don’t think you can be born funny. Funny happens to you. It’s like you can’t be taught how to be emotionally a wreck. Funny is a defence mechanism.’

Amen to that is what I say! Sometimes it’s a matter of whether you find a way to focus on the funny side or you wallow – and sometimes if you cant quite see the funny side, it’s wise to let your favourite funny person help you do that and/ or take your mind elsewhere.

Watch Misery Loves Comedy because you’re curious about funny people. It may not feature all your top favourite comics, but you’ll enjoy the entertaining company nonetheless.

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

THE LATE BLOOMER (2016): The Things I Liked…

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The Late Bloomer (2016), Johnny Simmons
The Late Bloomer (2016), Johnny Simmons

Starring J.K. Simmons, Jonny Simmons, Brittany Snow, and Paul Wesley, The Late Bloomer is unfortunately not as good a movie as the trailer suggested. A notable issue is the slow pace of the film and the general mediocre execution of what may have been a great comedy about what happens when puberty comes to man at age 30.

Not only did it take too long to get to potentially the most entertaining part of the film – when puberty finally hits, but the amount of time it took to get their proved not nearly worth it because the characters being introduced in the first 30 minutes or so are barely interesting and not particularly convincing. When we do finally get to the puberty segment, the laughs are few. 

The Late Bloomer (2016), J.K. Simmons
The Late Bloomer (2016), J.K. Simmons

As for what I like about The Late Bloomer, I enjoyed Johnny Simmons’s character’s notes to himself about ‘chapter title’ ideas for his new book. I liked the dad character played by J.K. Simmons. His lines were the most amusing and the father / son conversation towards the end is just beautiful. 

Overall, is a movie you should probably only watch only if you absolutely must. I was hoping for something such as the likes of The 40 year Old Virgin (2005). Me and my expectations…

Look up I Love You, Man (2009), a well executed comedy where J.K. Simmons plays another good and funny dad. There’s of course, plenty more to the film than that and it’s all good.

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Drama, Romance

THE LATE BLOOMER (2016): New Trailer From Johnny Simmons, J.K. Simmons, Brittany Snow…

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The Late Bloomer (2016), Johnny Simmons
The Late Bloomer (2016), Johnny Simmons

Imagine the awkwardness of having to go through puberty at 30 years old. That is the premise of The Late Bloomer, the new comedy starring Johnny Simmons, J.K. Simmons, Brittany Snow and Jane lynch…

Based on the book by Ken Baker and directed by Kevin Pollak, I’ll be watching in hopes that the movie will be executed well and be a little reminiscent of The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005). 40 Days 40 Nights (2002) also comes to mind.

I’m also excited about the father/ son relationship between Simmons and Simmons’ characters. The clips in this trailer remind me of what I loved about J.K. Simmons’ good work in I Love you, Man (2009).

Kumail Nanjiani, Maria Bello, Charlotte McKinney and Lenora Crichlow also star.

The Late Bloomer Release Dates: October 7th, 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G