Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2

Red Hour Productions etc.

February 12, 2016

Comedy
DVD
C-

This misfire sequel, released almost fifteen years after the original, doesn't seem to understand what made the original work.  I mean, seeing Justin Bieber riddled with bullets in the opening sequence doesn't exactly spell comedy to me.  And I can't remember whether or not I saw it in the theater.  Ben Stiller again stars, directed, and co-wrote.

Zoolander

Zoolander

Village Roadshow Pictures

September 28, 2001

Comedy

DVD
B

I thought this was hilarious at the time but hadn't seen it since.  It is still hilarious in spots, and generally amiable, with of course incredible fashions and fun music.  It also exists in a universe where almost anyone can show up, from pre-marriage Donald and Melania Trump to Garry Shandling to at least two of the Spice Girls.  (I laughed uproariously for several minutes at the David Bowie cameo.)  I tagged who I could.

Ben Stiller of course stars, but he also directed and co-wrote.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Columbia etc.

August 4, 2006

Sports Comedy

DVD
D+

Director Adam McKay and star Will Ferrell co-wrote the script, which contains many lines in the form of jokes.

Old School

Old School

DreamWorks

February 21, 2003

Comedy (allegedly)

DVD
D

Unfunny and misogynistic (not that the men are any great shakes, but it is from their perspective), although bumped up a notch for the wedding singer, and he's no Adam Sandler.  Todd Phillips directed and co-wrote.

Megamind

Megamind

DreamWorks

November 5, 2010

Children's, Animation, Sci-Fi, Comedy
DVD
C-

When this started, I thought it had potential, but I'm tired of backstories where the "villains" are the victims.  Tom McGrath directed.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

Warner Bros.

February 2, 2019

Animation, Comedy, Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

DVD
C

OK, so I liked this in the theater more than I liked The Lego Batman Movie, but today I gave up after half an hour.  The magic of the first movie just isn't there.  (That one I own and have watched a few times.)  Mike Mitchell directed.

Kicking & Screaming

Kicking & Screaming

Universal

May 13, 2005

Sports Comedy
DVD
D+

Will Ferrell + sports comedy = D+.  Jesse Dylan, son of Bob, directed.

Holmes & Watson

Holmes & Watson

Sony Pictures Releasing

December 25, 2018

Historical Comedy

DVD
D-

Aggressively unfunny and anachronistic, and I pitied poor Kelly Mcdonald as the landlady.  But, um, the costumes are nice?  I guess technically based on books, adapted by director Etan Cohen.

Elf

Elf
New Line Cinema
November 7, 2003
Fantasy, Comedy
DVD
C

There's nothing terribly wrong with this movie, even if I'm generally not a Will Ferrell fan.  It just didn't grab me and it isn't as funny as it thinks it is.  Jon Favreau directed.

Bewitched

Bewitched
Columbia
June 24, 2005
Fantasy, Romcom
DVD
D

Nora Ephron directed and co-wrote this mess with her sister Delia.  I saw it at the time and mostly remembered that the concept-- the movie isn't a remake of the classic TV show but a movie about a remake of the classic TV show-- was convoluted, and Will Ferrell was annoying.  Both still true, but I probably would've given the movie a C- or a pity C back in '05, and I did watch until the end.  This time, I was irritated with Kidman before Ferrell showed up, although he did bring it down from a D+.