top 6 Comedy Movies 2014
Ride Along
Starring: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill
Director: Tim Story
Out: 17 January 2014 (U.S. Dates)
Action-comedy about a jumpy, fast-talking security guard (Hart) who joins a mean decorated cop (Cube) for a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta to prove he is worthy of marrying the cop’s sister. The shift is designed to scare the hell out of him, but when it leads them both to the city’s most notorious criminal, the cop will find his new partner’s rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the incoming bullets. From the director of ‘Think Like a Man’ and the ‘Taxi’ remake. Following the tradition of buddy-cop comedies like ‘Rush Hour’ and last year’s ‘The Heat’, your enjoyment will be dictated by how much you’re a Kevin Hart fan.[Critics (via Rotten Tomatoes): 18%] [Public (via IMDB): 6.2] – Mediocre
Knights Of Badassdom
Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage, Summer Glau, Danny Pudi
Director: Joe Lynch
Out: 21 January 2014
Live-action role players conjure up a demon from hell by mistake and must deal with the consequences. – Surely the best synopsis of the year. This gory-comedy has a fun cast; Steve Zahn (‘A Perfect Getaway’), Peter Dinklage (‘Game of Thrones’), Summer Glau (‘Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles’) and Danny Pudi (‘Community’). Worringly though it’s sat on the shelf for three years and we’re getting a producer’s cut after disagreements with director Joe Lynch (‘Wrong Turn 2′) were so severe. Hard to know what’s been patched together. This will probably fall into the ‘what could have been great’ category.[Critics: 50%] [Public: 5.9] – Mediocre
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Saoirse Ronan, Tilda Swinton
Director: Wes Anderson
Out: 7 March 2014
The adventures of Gustave H (Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa (newcomer Revolori), the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. Involved are the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune – all against the backdrop of a dramatically changing Continent. Wes Anderson might just be hitting his peak with this madcap escapade – the scripting, cinematography, art direction, costuming and lighting all look fantastic. Add to that the most impressive ensemble of the year: Ralph Fiennes, Saoirse Ronan, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Owen Wilson, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, F. Murray Abraham, Tom Wilkinson. Fiennes looks hilarious. Brilliant trailer suggests great things. [Critics: 92%] [Public: 8.4] – Excellent
Bad Words
Starring; Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Ben Falcone, Philip Baker Hall, Allison Janney
Director: Jason Bateman
Out: 14 March 2014 (limited) (expands 21 March)
A spelling bee loser (Bateman) sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and trying to win as an adult. Contest officials, outraged parents, and overly ambitious 8th graders are no match for him as he ruthlessly crushes their dreams of victory and fame. As a reporter (Hahn) attempts to discover his true motivation, he finds himself forging an unlikely alliance with a competitor: an awkward 10-year-old Indian boy who is completely unfazed by his take-no-prisoners approach to life. A foul-mouthed, mean-spirited comedy, think ‘Spellbound’ meets ‘Bad Santa’. Enthusiastic early reviews say Jason Bateman shows great timing in his directing debut and gives one of his best performances in front of camera. [Critics: 63%] [Public: 7.0] – Good
Muppets Most Wanted
Starring: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Out: 21 March 2014
While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves caught up in an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit look-alike and his dastardly sidekick (Gervais). Gervais, who has had memorable interactions with Elmo in the past (see YouTube) is the human lead this time, replacing Jason Segal who wanted to move on. Ty Burrell (‘Modern Family’) plays an Interpol inspector, Tina Fey is a Russian prison guard and there’s a slew of cameos including Christoph Waltz, Ray Liotta, Zach Galifianakis (as “Hobo Joe”), Lady Gaga, Salma Hayek, Tom Hiddleston and Celine Dion (who’s also recorded a song). The director, co-writer and producers of the Muppets ‘reboot’ all return, while the composer of the songs for the first movie will also be back. Segal’s muppet friend Walter features, but moves to the sidelines as this is a Kermit-centered movie (as the old ones were). After the critical and commercial success of the last one, expect another enjoyably madcap experience (even if it doesn’t quite have the charm of the early films). [Critics: 79%] [Public: 7.0] – Good
A Haunted House 2
Starring: Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Dave Sheridan, Jaime Pressly
Director: Michael Tiddes
Out: 28 March 2014
After losing his possessed girlfriend in a car crash, Malcolm (Wayans) falls for a single white mother of two. As he moves into a new home with the family, he discovers bizarre paranormal events surrounding the children and the property. To complicate matters, the back-from-the-dead girlfriend moves in across the street and there’s nothing worse than the scorn of a demonic ex. This sequel will spoof targets including ‘Paranormal Activity 4′, ‘Sinister’ and ‘The Conjuring’. The first film has a truly awful user score of 4.9 on IMDB and critics gave it 10% on RT. But somehow the $1.5m budgeted flick managed to make an incredible $40m at the U.S. box office, and a further $20m worldwide. So despite the fact that nobody liked it (except for a few scenes with Nick Swardson and Cedric the Entertainer), a sequel is a financial necessity for all involved. Expect more lowest common denominator humour – watch only if you are a fan of farts, Marlon Wayans’ high pitched scream and jokes about “white people”, cause you ain’t getting much else. [Critics: 10%] [Public: 4.7] – Avoid
