Tag: Michael Showalter

Overview: May 2020

Overview is a new monthly article that provides my readers with a brief overview of the articles or reviews that I have written, as well as additional bite-sized thoughts on films or shows about which I do not intend to write thorough reviews.

In May of 2020, I finally continued my ‘Best of the 2010s’ genre-specific lists, I watched a handful of new releases, and I wrote about the upcoming release of the so-called Snyder-Cut, which was finally announced. But that’s not all I did this month. Let’s take a look back at what I watched and what I wrote in May 2020.

But first, we need to talk about George Floyd. Continue reading “Overview: May 2020” →

REVIEW: The Lovebirds (2020)

Original Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of The Lovebirds — Directed by Michael Showalter.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has had a serious impact on the film industry. The future of the movie theater industry is uncertain as some films that were meant for a theatrical release have been released on video-on-demand or streaming services, while many of the year’s biggest films have been removed from the 2020 theatrical release schedule entirely. This Michael Showalter romantic-comedy, The Lovebirds, was originally meant to be released in theaters by Paramount Pictures in April, but when theaters around the world closed their doors, the film studio sold its rights to Netflix, who finally released the film on the 22nd of May. The Lovebirds fits right in on Netflix, but, quality-wise, it is a significant step down from The Big Sick, Showalter’s previous film as a director. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Lovebirds (2020)” →

Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Comedy Films

Paramount Pictures; Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Comedy isn’t black-and-white. The genre most associated with films like your average American comedy like, say, American Pie or some Judd Apatow film is much more than its stereotype. There are stylish and quirky comedies, absurd and dark comedies. Comedy films come in all shapes and sizes, and the Best of the 2010s-list highlights multiple different types in the genre. Continue reading “Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Comedy Films” →

REVIEW: The Big Sick (2017)

Theatrical Release Poster – Amazon Studios / Lionsgate

The following is a review of The Big Sick – Directed by Michael Showalter.

In Michael Showalter’s The Big Sick, Kumail Nanjiani (played by himself), a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian, has fallen in love with a heckler, a white woman named Emily (played by Zoe Kazan). Kumail quickly starts a relationship with this woman, but he is not ready to tell his parents as they are very conservative and constantly shove Pakistani women in front of him whenever he visits his parents’ home. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Big Sick (2017)” →

REVIEW: Wet Hot American Summer – First Day of Camp (2015)

First Day of Camp

“Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” is available on Netflix and functions as a prequel to the 2001 comedy “Wet Hot American Summer”

Let me preface this by saying that I didn’t watch the original film when it was first released. Somehow I had never heard of the film until a few years ago. Before watching the film I considered it a potential hidden gem featuring some of my favorite actors. Then I watched it, and I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked the film – but I never loved it. Somehow this prequel show made me a believer. Continue reading “REVIEW: Wet Hot American Summer – First Day of Camp (2015)” →