Many zombie fans will be quick to compare David J. Francis and Mike Masters’ mock documentary set amidst the zombie apocalypse to “Diary of the Dead.” Truth be told, I was prepared to consider it a knock off during the first twenty minutes, but that would be a disservice to “Reel Zombies.” Directors Francis and Masters don’t offer any pretension about their film and are pretty straight forward in its premise and how they’re not even remotely trying to offer social commentary. There’s no message about racism, or sexuality, or the government, it’s just a straight forward horror comedy. “Reel Zombies” won’t be accused of re-inventing the wheel, but even with its flaws, it’s a damn good horror comedy.
Tag Archives: Comedy
Barefoot in the Park (1967)
The big screen adaptation of Neil Simon’s play is not only one of the best romance comedies I’ve ever seen, but is also one of the very few romance comedies to make me laugh hysterically. The pairing of Jane Fonda with Robert Redford is a master stroke, and the pair as lovelorn newlyweds reveal a hidden often underrated comedic timing that makes the movie as much of a slapstick comedy as it is a sweet tale of reality dawning on two just married lovers that find life rearing its head toward them slowly.
Our Top Ten “The Simpsons” Episodes of All Time: 1. Mother Simpson
1. Mother Simpson
Season Seven
1995
All the years we watched “The Simpsons” we never quite knew about Homer’s mother. We know that Homer grew up with an overbearing occasionally mean father who didn’t care much for Homer, but we barely garnered a glimpse in to Homer’s other parent. I naturally assumed for many years that she died when he was a baby and Homer was stuck with an awful dad. Truth be told, Homer’s father Abe isn’t even that much of a mean dad, just someone who grew up in a different time. There was that stern belief that dads couldn’t and shouldn’t be friends with their sons. That idea still carries over today with some parents. In either case, we’re finally given an idea of what happened to Homer’s mother and why he never really spoke of her all this time.
High Bid (2014)
There’s a joke in this movie somewhere. I’m just not sure where. It’s not a bad movie by any means, but for a short film that identifies itself as a comedy, I kept wondering when the punch line would come. It’s a pretty good and well directed short film, but I’m still not sure what the joke for “High Bid” is, in the end. Is it the final scene? The preparation for the date? The mom’s oblivious tendency to help her daughter? Does the mom know about the daughter’s auction?
90’s Night In – 8-Movie Set (DVD)
For folks looking to re-live the nineties, Mill Creek Entertainment has made eight of the more notable and not so notable films from that decade available for folks craving overalls and ripped jeans. And there was that odd period where everyone was obsessed with swing dancing. What the hell was that about? Nonetheless, at over twelve hours long, Mill Creek offers eight dramedies of varying quality, and many of which are definite time capsules of the decade.
Our Top Ten “The Simpsons” Episodes of All Time: 2. Deep Space Homer
2. Deep Space Homer
Season Five
1994
All hail the inanimate carbon rod! Homer is able to finagle a trip to space by NASA thanks to his usual bumbling and insanely good luck. NASA, just like every other organization, wants to attract public interest to their space launches (that are losing out to “A Connie Chung Christmas”), and decide to find an average man to go to space with them. Little does Homer know that they’ve picked him after he spends an unusual amount of time calling them to complain about their boring space launches. After a twist of fates, Barney becomes Homer’s competitor for the spot as an astronaut allowing for one of the wackiest and most memorable episodes of the series bar none.
The Tick: The Entire Series (DVD)
The slapstick wild animation really worked in favor of the original animated series of “The Tick.” Mainly because the world based on the Tick and around the character was so beyond reality and surreal that we accepted anything about it. The Barry Sonnenfeld led live action series is not only unnecessary but comes off as so incredibly cheap and bargain basement in production quality. The budget is so low that there’s very little action and slapstick, and so much more eccentric individuals in wild suits bouncing comedic dialogue off of one another and nothing else.