Scary Movie May Save Comedy Films

 

Last week the first trailer for Scary Movie VI was released, with the Wayans bros. and many OG cast members returning. It looks like the film will return to the glory days of the first two movies. And in essence may bring laugh out loud comedies back to the forefront of Hollywood's mind.

Once upon a time comedies were a major Hollywood player. Somewhere between every studio trying to create their own universe of films, or chasing streaming. Comedy films got lost in the shuffle and the output from studios dwindled.

The last comedy film I remember seeing in theaters that was hilarious and successful was 2018's Blockers. 2023's Barbie movie is technically a comedy film, and was beyond successful becoming one of the highest grossing comedies of all time. That was a five year gap between the two films.

Which highlights a problem. Right now Hollywood's release schedules are dismal, and movie theaters are suffering. Big studios don't see comedies as big money makers. Yet, the superhero genre stock has dipped and nothing has truly filled that void. Sure a successful horror film here or there, a long delayed sequel and maybe a original movie becomes a sensation. But those are becoming the exception not the norm.

It's time the studios get their head out of the sand, and bring truly funny movies back to the big screen. People want to laugh so hard they have to catch their breath. And thats just not happening in the film world. From the raunchy movies like American Pie, The Hangover and Girls Trip to silly good natured films like What Happens in Vegas, Think Like A Man or Pitch Perfect. 

I have a feeling if Scary Movie is successful like I think it will be. It will kick down the door and usher in a new era of classic comedies, which the film industry desperately needs.

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People Of Earth Gone Too Soon

 

January 2nd is National Science Fiction Day, the same day as Isaac Asimov one of the greatest sci-fi writers birthday. To celebrate I'm gonna honor a sitcom that was gone too soon.

2016's People Of Earth was an ensemble comedy on the TBS network. It followed a support group in Beacon, New York known as "starcrossed". All the members need support from their various alien abductions. Skeptical at first journalist Ozzie Graham, slowly starts to believe the members of the support group.

Then he slowly starts realizing he may have alot in common with this group. And learns first hand there's more out there than planet earth.

The sitcom had that same dry humor made popular by The Office. And started building its own mythology throughout its episodes. It was outlandish but believable. It lasted for two seasons, and a third was planned and developed before TBS changed course and abruptly canceled it.

It had a small but loyal following during a time people were starting to chuck the deuces to cable. Which is a shame because the sitcom deserved so much more. You can't even watch it on streaming unless you pay for the episodes individually, which is an even bigger crime. So much story potential lost, People Of Earth was gone too soon.

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Subscribe To The Upshaws

 

The Upshaws is one Netflix’s latest hit sitcoms starring Mike Epps, Kim Fields, and Wanda Skyes. A big hit for the streaming service, season 2 release date has been announced as June 29th and the episode order has been increased from 10 episodes to 16.

Now I will admit, at first I was hesitant to watch the series with initial plans of not watching it at all. I find Mike Epps style of comedy to be very hit or miss. After some persistent nagging by my sister to watch it, I finally watched it and really enjoyed the show.

The Upshaws are your typical family with some extra circumstances to round their life. Mike Epps character Bennie and his wife Regina played by Kim Fields have three kids together. Bennie also has a child with another woman from when he and Regina were “on break”. Wanda Skyes plays Regina’s sister Lucretia. Bennie and Lucretia don’t like one another and have no problems displaying it, but they also won’t allow anyone else to disrespect the other.

The series features common topics such as blended families, coming out of the closet, parenting while returning to school, children trying to grow up too fast, keeping an open dialogue in a relationship and much more into its 10-episode order. I can't wait for next season to pick up from that bombshell cliffhanger season 1 gave us.

Bennie and Lucretia individual personalities and how they interact remind me of relatives, and I’m sure once you watch it you’ll feel the same way. Those two characters are thee highlight of the show. If you have not yet watched it. Binge it real quick and get prepared for season 2. 

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Subscribe To Abbott Elementary

 

Abbott Elementary is ABC’s newest hit comedy, a mockumentary style sitcom similiar to The Office and Scrubs. Starring Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Tyler James Williams amongst the ensemble cast. The sitcom follows these characters as they navigate teaching at one of Philadelphia’s poorest schools, making the best of a tough situation..

I’ll admit I was a little late to the Abbott Elementary party. I think I started watching on episode 3, I heard people mentioning how good it was. My wife finally nudged me enough to watch it and the word of mouth that it was funny was absolutely correct. The show has potential to be a must watch for years to come, and maybe a classic one day.

One of the highlights of the show to me, is Principal Coleman played by Janelle James. To be perfectly honest Principal Coleman ain’t shit and doesn’t really care about much besides herself. It’s hilarious how oblivious she is to real issues going on at the school while she set's out to make herself look good all the time. I can’t forget school custodian Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) he’s at the point in his career where he just doesn’t care and will say whatever comes to mind. Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti play their roles to perfection as well. Perfetti as Mr. Hill the socially woke white teacher in everything he touches is hilarious as well.

If you haven’t tuned into Abbott Elementary, don’t miss the boat and check it out. It come’s on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm and you won’t be disappointed.

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In Case you Didn't Know....Bad Boys is a Classic

Bad Boys starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith and directed by Michael Bay was released April 7th, 1995 and just celebrated it's 25th anniversary. Reading behind the scenes stories of the film, it comes across as a movie that wasn't suppose to be successful. Decades later people still love the film and yes the term "classic" gets thrown around alot, but I believe the film is a classic here's why.

Bad Boys is one of those films I look back as that has stars in them before they were stars. In this case Martin and Will were stars, but they were not the mega stars they would later come to be. Will Smith was mostly known as the clean cut rapper Fresh Prince and star of the TV show Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Martin Lawrence was the star of his own self-title TV sitcom Martin and the first host of the HBO series Def Comedy Jam. He was also the hottest Black comic of the early to mid 90's. Joe Pantoliano who played Captain Howard was always that guy you saw in movies that played his role well, who years later people would come to hate as Cyper in The Matrix. Tea Leoni has had a solid career but nothing superstar worthy.

Bad Boys took the buddy-cop odd couple formula popularized in the 80's by 48 hours and Lethal Weapon, and turned things up bringing that formula to the 90's. Martin Lawrence is the high strung family man Marcus Burnett, while Will Smith is the laid back smooth ladies man Mike Lowrey. It doesn't take itself too serious and try to be something it is not. 

The funniest scenes in the movie to me, are the one's where Marcus and Mike knowing one another for years. Are able to bicker and reflect real annoyances they have with one another to distract those around them, long enough to get out of a jam. The chemistry is displayed at the very beginning of the film when they use that method to get out of an attempted carjacking. The two have viewers really believing they've known each other for years and know how to get on one anothers nerves.

The action scenes are typical Michael Bay action scenes, before he was given budgets to just create utter nonsense. My favorite action scene in the film, is the foot chase through the city of Miami which honestly is the scene that probably convinced producers that Will Smith could be a formdiable, marketable action star. 

There in lies why Bad Boys is a classic. The story is an typical cop plot, but what it done for the careers of it's major players. It helped Martin Lawrence gain more roles and more clout in Hollywood, giving him the ability write, direct, produce and star in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate a year later. It made Michael Bay the new Hollywood IT boy for large explosive films such as Armageddon, The Rock, and The Transformers movies whether you love them or hate them. It led to roles for Will Smith such as Independence Day and Men In Black, which made him a box office draw off name alone. Eventually Will and Martin joined the $20 million a film club and Bad Boys is the catalyst that sparked those opportunites. 

Bad Boys also bought the buddy cop formula back that gave films like Rush Hour and The Other Guys a chance to succeed. A second film was released in 2003, and earlier this year the third film in the series Bad Boys For Life released with a box office take of $290 million in the U.S. box office. Along with mostly positive or netural reviews from film criticss Which proved after a 17 year hiatus, Bad Boys as a franchise is still well loved and the groundwork was laid way back in 1995. That my friends makes Bad Boys a classic.

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June Movies To Check Out

   We’re heading into the second week of June and it's time for my June movies to check out. I’m a little late in getting this out but as they say better late than never.
   So far this month “Captain Underpants” based on the children's book was released and I heard it was a very funny, engaging family movie with a good story. If you’re looking for a family film I would recommend that.
   Released this past weekend was a reboot of the Mummy, what was suppose to jumpstart a planned Universal Monster Universe may have killed the project before it began. I was really looking forward to this movie and had plans to see if….but reading reviews I changed my mind at the last minute. I’ll wait until it comes on cable.
   I would be remiss without mentioning “Wonder Woman”, if you have not seen it yet I highly recommend it. It was the best film of the DC movie universe released so far. Gal Gadot did a great job as Wonder Woman. The story made you care about the characters and didn't overstay it welcome. It also benefitted from not having to cram nods to the other films planned in the universe. While the nods are fun it can become cumbersome and forced which alot of the Marvel movies suffer from.
  Releasing this week is the biopic of Tupac “All Eyez on me” a legend in the hip hop game this film is highly anticipated. With the backing of his estate and a actor who looks the part hopefully this film does Tupac's legacy right and is one if the better biopics released in recent years. I already have my plans to see it opening night.
  Also dropping this week this time for families is “Cars 3”. I’ve never watched any of the Cars films to judge how the latest one may play. Pixar has a strong track record and Disney is the undisputed king of marketing to families and kids so it’ll probably be worth checking out.
  For the females, releasing this week is “Rough Night” starring Zoe Kravitz, Kate Mckinnon, and Scarlett Johansson. This dark comedy is about a bachelorette party that takes a wrong turn. Its molded in the vain Bridesmaid so it has potential to be hilarious, we shall see.
  Next up released next week is “Transformers: The Last Knight”. I think the less is said the better. The first two while flawed were mindless enjoyable fun, the third one dragged on and tried to be “smart”. The fourth one which was a “reboot” of sorts went far left and I really don't think anyone was asking for this one. With all that being said it’ll probably make alot of money to justify a sixth film.
   “Baby Driver” coming out June 28th starring Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, and Ansel Elgort. It’s a familiar story of someone in the crime business doing one last act to escape the business for good. Ansel Elgort is the star of this film as a getaway driver who listens to certain tunes when driving. We’ll see how the soundtrack helps the film.
   Back to the family side of the spectrum “Despicable Me 3” comes out june 30th. The story sounds interesting villain Gru has to team with long  lost twin brother against a common enemy. This is another franchise the kids love so it’ll probably be decent and make alot of money.
    Last movie to think about checking out this month is “The House” with Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell. The duo are a couple who starts a illegal casino in their home to help pay for their daughter's college education. The basic story seems funny enough and relatable and both stars are very funny individuals by themselves. This film has potential to be highly funny like StepBrothers and Talladega Nights or it could be Get Hard the potential is there but it fails somewhere.
   This are some films to check out in June some heavy hitters, some not sure about, and a dud. Check back next month for my July recommendations.

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