COLUMN: Why do current comedies suck?
Nothing relieves my stress during this busy time of the school year more than laughing hysterically at a funny movie.
This year, however, has disappointed us comedy fans by giving us so many cheap gags and bland sequels. So, Hollywood, my question to you is this: Where have the laughs gone?
Why do bad sequels keep getting released?
The cast from "The Hangover 3" effortlessly went through their generic drills in that disastrous movie. Same with the cast of "Grown Ups 2," who are getting paid top dollar for delivering adolescent humor such as flatulence jokes. Then there was "Scary Movie 5," which confirmed its place as the most unnecessary sequel of the year.
And then there are comedies that have me asking, “How did this movie even get made?”
"Movie 43" was one of the biggest flops of all time. Many actors involved, including Hugh Jackman, refused to do press for the movie and tried to avoid any connection with it. "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" wasted the talents of both Steve Carell and Jim Carrey, mostly through a dull script.
Luckily, there have been a couple stand-out comedies this year that managed to earn some laughs.
"This is the End" is my favorite comedy of this year. Having funny guys Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and James Franco playing exaggerated versions of themselves proved for some hilarious dialogue and constant applause in the theater. It had the audience continually bursting with laughter, and that’s really how a comedy movie experience should be.
The Sandra Bullock-Melissa McCarthy cop comedy "The Heat" provided some major laughs as well. The chemistry between the two leads was outstanding, and they really played well off of each other. It’s great that there are more female-led comedies like this being made.
The romantic-comedy "Don Jon" had such a funny premise: Having a porn-addicted Joseph Gordon-Levitt conflicted between his addiction and his girlfriend, played by Scarlett Johansson. They put on their New Jersey accents and had fun with their characters on screen. It was one of the funnier romantic comedies I’ve seen in a while.
The only major comedy left to be released this year is "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues."
The first "Anchorman" was so funny and quotable that it’s hard to imagine that it can be topped. But I am one of the many fans who have been craving this sequel for a while, so I have my fingers crossed.
We, as paying movie-going audience members, deserve more from our comedies.
It’s time to let Hollywood know that this comedy problem is no laughing matter.
