50 First Dates (2004)

As usual, the coming attractions trailer for 50 First Dates gives away all the funny stuff, but what the trailer doesn't show is how genuinely delightful this movie really is. read more...

Search for streaming:

• Love Story ▶ Yes please
• Funny ▶ Yes please

Cuban Fury (2014)

The thing about clichés is that, at some point, before they started appearing everywhere, they were once good and original ideas. There was a reason they caught on and became oversaturated. And the tricky thing is that, if done just right, these clichés can be put to work once again. Cuban Fury is one of the things that does it just right. read more...

Search for streaming:

• Love Story ▶ Yes please
• Funny ▶ Yes please

The Break-Up (2006)

What looks like a raucous frat-boy comedy is really a surprisingly canny depiction of a stagnant relationship. Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) won't say what she wants, while Gary (Vince Vaughn) does exactly as he pleases, and together they own a valuable Chicago condo. The clever director Peyton Reed (Down with Love) sustains a string of remarkable conversations, arguments and desperate ploys, while upsetting the expected rom-com formula. The humor instead seeps from the many crafty character roles; Judy Davis, Vincent D'Onofrio and Jon Favreau really shine, but Aniston and Vaughn break into entirely new territory. The movie could have used more build up and a stronger female presence, but it's a brave, subversive look at the ugly, needy side of Hollywood romance. Vaughn co-wrote the story and produced. read more...

Search for streaming:

• Love Story ▶ Yes please
• Funny ▶ Yes please

Boomerang (1992)

Boomerang is arguably more interesting in theory than it is in execution. It was part of a boom of African-American movies in the early 1990s, and star Eddie Murphy clearly went out of his way to get in on this trend; he acquired an African-American director, Reginald Hudlin, who had made House Party (1990), and cast the movie almost entirely with African-Americans. It even features a cameo by pioneer filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles. Moreover, it was an attempt at a more sophisticated, grown-up comedy for Murphy, focusing on adults in a workplace, and on adult, sexual relationships. read more...

Search for streaming:

• Love Story ▶ Yes please
• Funny ▶ Yes please

A Lady Takes a Chance (1943)

William A. Seiter's incredibly charming little A Lady Takes a Chance stars John Wayne and the great Jean Arthur (Only Angels Have Wings). Arthur plays a popular city girl with three boyfriends who goes on a wild west bus trip. She meets a rodeo star (Wayne) who sweeps her off her feet and makes her miss the bus. Their relationship takes a few more turns when he proves a bit too forward and she accidentally makes his horse sick by stealing the horse blanket during a chilly night outdoors. Arthur is a wonderful comic as usual, but Wayne really surprises with a great performance as a clumsy Romeo-type. read more...

Search for streaming:

• Love Story ▶ Yes please
• Funny ▶ Yes please