So far, comedy flick Paul Blart: Mall Cop is reigning the box office for the year. Will these following funny movies follow the success of the Kevin James starrer? Will they be noticed by moviegoers amidst the high-profile sequels and the eye-popping fantasy flicks? I believe good old-fashioned comedies will always find an audience no matter what. Here is a sneak peek of 2009’s comedy films.
Fanboys (February 6) – This movie has long been awaited by fans for years and finally it’s being released this year, though in limited cities only. It is about five long-time friends who all happen to love Star Wars. One of them is sick and might not make it for the theatrical release of Star Wars Episode I, so his loyal friends schemed to steal a print of the movie in Skywalker Ranch. You’ve got to commend the interesting and original plot. Starring Jay Baruchel and Kristen Bell among others, it also features several cameos from some big names in the comedy genre.
I Love You, Man (March 20) – After Peter (Paul Rudd) got engaged, he realized he doesn’t have a close friend to serve as his Best Man, so went on a mission to find that guy via man-dates. That is how he met Sydney (Jason Segel), whom he clicked with but who is causing problems between him and his fiancee. The two comic leads were hilarious in the trailer and this might be the buddy movie to beat this year.
Adventureland (March 27) – Director Greg Mottola’s follow-up to 2007’s Superbad is Adventureland, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. Set in 1987, the movie is about a recent college graduate who ended up with a job at a local amusement park during the summer. It looks like a movie filled with characters we can relate to in real life. Based on the trailer, it doesn’t look like your average funny film, one with a heartwarming and uplifting message.
Observe and Report (April 10) – The second mall-cop movie of the year, this time with Seth Rogen in the lead. Mall security guard Ronnie (Rogen) has a dilemma in his hands: protect the shoppers from a flasher’s peep show. He used this opportunity to prove himself so he can move up to being a cop, and to impress the make-up counter girl (Anna Faris). Will this movie be a hit and have the same fate of Paul Blart? There is a good chance of that.
Land of the Lost (June 5) – In this adventure movie based on a 70’s TV series, three adults: a paleontologist, his assistant, and a tour guide find themselves in a stange world where dinosaurs and monkey people exist. The idea of this film adaptation has been around for some time, until it was materialized two years ago with Brad Silverman directing and Will Ferrell in the lead.
The Year One (June 19) – From one adventure comedy to another, The Year One is directed by Harold Ramis and stars Jack Black and Michael Cera (Juno and Superbad). They play lazy hunter-gatherers who are banished from their village and decided to set off on a journey through the ancient world from the Biblical times. I’m looking forward to the unlikely duo of Black and Cera and their crazy antics.
Bruno (July 10) – From Sacha Baron Cohen comes Bruno, his third film based on characters from Da Ali G Show, following Ali G Indahouse and Borat. Bruno is a flamboyant Austrian fashionista who takes his show to America in the film. Looks like one hilarious movie. I just hope it wouldn’t border on the offensive.
Funny People (July 31) – A Judd Apatow movie starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, this is THE comedy movie event of the year. George Simm
