Hot Rod (2007)

Yeah, I get it, comedy can be subjective, but with the way this film in particular is so endlessly creative and colourful and full of child-like wonder and fun in its quest for the laugh (which maybe could’ve been put on brief pause in Rod’s rock bottoms), I feel particularly called to shield it from from any big ol’ meanies who don’t like it. You do you, Hot Rod. Keep ringin’ those bells, jumpin’ those ramps, coolin’ those beans, singin’ those songs, and kickin’ that ass. You’re funny AF.

8

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

When it becomes clear that his solo album is a failure, a former boy band member does everything in his power to maintain his celebrity status. (IMDb)

There’s lots of good comedy here–from the celebrity satire and cameo-littered mockumentary framework to the outlandish songs and dim-witted lead–but it does start to wear thin even within the short run-time, and the predictable plot (props for the spoof of the “choosing what really matters” moment with the stage manager though) doesn’t do much to fill in the gaps. Still, a serviceable comedy that gets laughs, even if it’s just from pure ridiculousness (see the wolf attack/marriage proposal).

6.5/10 (Alright)

 

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

The “frustrated young adult failure with big dreams and a disapproving dad” opening act is generic, but sharp humour keeps it engaging (see Flint’s “saying what I’m doing!”) and a wild second half makes up for it, with its fantastically animated food action (see especially the meatball mission) and emotional climax (see dad, translated) as potent as the barrage of self-aware (“The disaster seems to be hitting all the major cities first”) and wacky (see macaroni head) hilarity leading up to it.

7