The Trip to Greece

The Trip to Greece

IFC Films

3 March 2020

Dramedy
DVD
B-

This apparently is the last in a series where Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play fictionalized versions of themselves.  I found it uneven, but sometimes funny or touching, and of course the scenery is gorgeous.  Michael Winterbottom directed.

Stan & Ollie

Stan & Ollie

Entertainment One etc.

November 14, 2018

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I was never a Laurel & Hardy fan, but Coogan and Reilly do a decent job portraying them I guess.  This is inspired by A.J. Marriot's book Laurel and Hardy: The British Tours and directed by Jon S. Baird.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

20th Century Fox etc.

May 22, 2009

Fantasy, Comedy

DVD
D+

I haven't seen any of the movies in the series before, but I found this pretty flat.  Robin Williams is of course the best thing about it, and he's playing an unrecognizable version of Teddy Roosevelt.  (I mean characterization, not appearance.)  Shawn Levy directed, and I tagged the people I recognized in the first quarter hour.

Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2

Focus Features

August 22, 2008

Comedy
DVD
D+

If only it was as funny as it thinks it is.  Andrew Fleming directed and co-wrote.

Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2
Universal
July 3, 2013
Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi
DVD
D+

I enjoyed the first movie but this one (which I can't honestly remember if I saw before), while not despicable, has a lot of predictable, unfunny humor.  Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud co-directed.

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
Walt Disney
June 16, 2004
Children's, Historical Comedy
DVD
D+

Well, this is livelier than the '50s version, to the point of not just slapstick but the usually mild-mannered Jim Broadbent having a tantrum.  On the plus side, Coogan is actually kind of cute with late-Victorian hair and sideburns.  And, yes, they've made Passepartout Chinese rather than Mexican this time.

Frank Coraci directed.

Alan Partridge

Alan Partridge 
StudioCanal
24 July 2013
Comedy
DVD
C-

I didn't find this funny, although it's not painfully unfunny.  Coogan plays the title character, a radio d.j.  Declan Lowney directed.