By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Funny People’
Directed by Judd Apatow
Rated R, 153 minutes
Sure “Funny People” is a little on the long side, but it is one of the most honest films about the lives of comedians ever to grace the big screen. Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a comedian who was funny in the beginning but has evolved into a payday actor. Seth Rogen plays Ira Wright, a young standup who happens to follow Simmons after a disastrous routine and proceeds to burn the famous funnyman. Simmons likes Wright and hires him to be his assistant, intertwining their lives. “Funny People” has numerous moments that will have the audience rolling, but the banter between Rogen and his two roomies (Jonah Hill and Jason Schwarztman), the fake clips of Schwartzman’s show, “Yo Teach!,” and Aziz Ansari as Randy are worth the price of rental even if you’re not a Sandler fan. CV
‘The Ice Storm’
Directed by Ang Lee
1997, Rated R, 112 minutes
I appreciate good holiday movies. And since I featured “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” as my Thanksgiving pick last year, I’m going with a much darker, but just as good turkey-day-based film. “The Ice Storm” takes place in Connecticut, circa 1973, and follows an amazing cast (Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci, Elijah Wood and Katie Holmes) through the trials and tribulations of family life. The two couples drink, argue and go to key parties while their kids are at home experimenting with sex and drugs. Neither group knows it, but their actions to liberate themselves only dig deeper emotional holes. “The Ice Storm” might not be the most cheerful film to watch over the holiday, but it will leave you intrigued long after the turkey coma has worn off. CV
