The Good Half – Tribeca 2023

A writer travels home to Cleveland in The Good Half, where he must confront the recent death of his mother amidst family drama. Grief has a way of resonating differently with people. My parents are still alive but I’ve lost grandparents–some of their deaths hurt more than others but that’s another story for another day. How people respond to death–or not–in this film is what drives the story forward, let alone the family drama. Because…

"The Good Half – Tribeca 2023"

The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks

The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks is an in-depth as a two-part documentary can be about the Canadian comedy troupe. Together, Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson make up The Kids in the Hall. The two-part documentary weaves in their comments with archival footage from their earlier years. If you want an opportunity to see their pre-HBO/CBS work, make sure to watch the doc series when it lands on…

"The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks"

Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11

Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 makes its arrival on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the tragic attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. This documentary is in the same vein as that of The Last Laugh. There’s a mixture of how can comedians use humor when talking about 9/11 and how comedians helped us heal as a country following the tragic attacks. There is footage of the World Trade Centers falling down…

"Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11"

SXSW 2020: For Madmen Only

For Madmen Only takes us into the mind of improv guru Del Close–a person whose name is familiar with those who took up the art of improvisation. I’m not going to get into debate behind improvisation because we’d just be here all night.  In typical improv fashion, the opening credits state that “the filmmakers hereby accept the blame for everything else about this film.”  Make no mistake that Del Close would certainly be proud.  It’s…

"SXSW 2020: For Madmen Only"

Family has its moments, falls a bit flat

Family may have its moments but there’s no reason why this star-studded comedy doesn’t work any better than it absolutely should. Kate Stone (Taylor Schilling) is the career-oriented woman working for a hedge fund in New Jersey.  She’s firm in her beliefs.  One could say that this is how she climbed the corporate ladder to be senior vice president.  Kate goes as far as to tell new employee Erin (Jessie Ennis) to not make friends…

"Family has its moments, falls a bit flat"

Under the Eiffel Tower is charming due to Matt Walsh

Matt Walsh, a UCB co-founder and co-star on Veep, delivers a charming but long-overdue leading performance in Archie Borders’ Under the Eiffel Tower. Stuart (Matt Walsh) had been working for a company that specializes in Kentucky Bourbon among iothers.  Unfortunately, he loses his job right as the film begins.  When his friends, Frank (David Wain) and Tillie (Michaela Watkins) invite him to join them on their Paris vacation, he doesn’t miss the opportunity to say…

"Under the Eiffel Tower is charming due to Matt Walsh"

Brigsby Bear was Criminally Unseen in 2017

Brisgby Bear was a cute heartfelt film that made its debut at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The film, directed by Dave McCary, was on my radar from the moment that Sundance released their program lineup.  It’s barely even made $500,000 at the box office and this just isn’t right.  The star-studded cast alone should be enough to draw folks to the box office: Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, Claire Danes, Mark Hamill, Jorge Lendeborg Jr.,…

"Brigsby Bear was Criminally Unseen in 2017"

Brigsby Bear: A Comedy Full of Heart

Brigsby Bear is a comedy full of heart and one of the rare comedy highlights this summer. Directed by Dave McCary from a screenplay by Kevin Costello and Kyle Mooney, the indie comedy stars Mooney, Beck Bennett, Claire Danes, Mark Hamill, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Greg Kinnear, Kate Lyn Sheil, Ryan Simpkins, Matt Walsh and Michaela Watkins.  Andy Samberg, who produces with The Lonely Island team, has a cameo role as Eric.  Phil Lord and Christopher…

"Brigsby Bear: A Comedy Full of Heart"

Trailer: Brigsby Bear unveiled prior to Comic Con panel

Sony Pictures Classics has unveiled the trailer for Brigsby Bear prior to its release on July 28th in New York and Los Angeles. Directed by Dave McCary from a screenplay by Kevin Costello and Kyle Mooney, the indie comedy stars Mooney, Beck Bennett, Claire Danes, Mark Hamill, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Greg Kinnear, Kate Lyn Sheil, Ryan Simpkins, Matt Walsh and Michaela Watkins.  The Lonely Island, Lord Miller, 3311 Productions and YL Pictures produced the indie…

"Trailer: Brigsby Bear unveiled prior to Comic Con panel"

A Better You: Matt Walsh’s Improv Comedy stars a Who’s Who

A Better You assembles an amazing ensemble cast of some very funny comedians that are known for their improvisational skills. Upright Citizen Brigade founder Matt Walsh directs the film, which he co-wrote with Brian Huskey, Running just under 90 minutes, the improvised comedy stars Huskey, Morgan Walsh, Horatio Sanz, Erinn Hayes, Andy Daly, with Joe Lo Truglio, Walsh, Rob Huebel, Adam Pally, Mo Gaffney, and Natasha Leggero. There are minor cameos of Riki Lindhome, Reid…

"A Better You: Matt Walsh’s Improv Comedy stars a Who’s Who"