Reunion: Movie Review

A nice, easy watch but minimal comedy and intrigue.

Most recently popularized by the AppleTV+ series, The Afterparty, a high school reunion is an intriguing setting for a murder mystery. Reunion is a quick little splash in that genre; some fun characters but too slight of a movie to make a lasting impression. We start with a cop, Evan (Billy Magnussen), and Ray (Lil Rel Howery) dancing around in his underwear and getting dressed in his old high school clothes.		2024 Directed by: Chris Nelson Screenplay by: Willie Block, Jake Emanuel Starring: Lil Rel Howery, Billy Magnussen

A Family Affair: Movie Review

High on the comedic energy, very low on the romance.

We’re in the era of competing movies on the streamers. Two months ago, Amazon released The Idea of You, a single mother dates a famous pop star, and now Netflix has released A Family Affair, a single mother dates a famous actor. However the few deviations provide big differences in the tone and theme of the two movies. A Family Affair is strictly a romantic comedy, emphasis on the comedy, where the 20-something daughter takes great umbrage with her mother’s new romantic interest.		2024 Directed by: Richard LaGravenese Screenplay by: Carrie Solomon Starring: Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, Joey King and Kathy Bates

I Used to Be Funny: Movie Review

Combining comedy and tragedy in a valid and effective way.

I Used to Be Funny is a funny and sobering look at PTSD. Stand-up comedy meets depression and grief, sexual assault, and the inherent misogyny within law enforcement. Sam (Rachel Sennott) is a stand-up comedian – was a stand-up comedian as she corrects everyone; these days she can barely get out of bed and even just washing herself gets a non-sarcastic congratulations from her supportive roommates.		2023 Directed by: Ally Pankiw Screenplay by: Ally Pankiw Starring: Rachel Sennott