By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Big Fan’
Directed by Robert D. Siegel
Rated R, 86 minutes
Patton Oswalt is one of the funniest stand-up comedians working today. In his first lead role, he plays Paul, a parking garage attendant who still lives with his mother (Marcia Jean Kurtz) in Staten Island. Paul only cares about one thing — the New York Giants. He spends weekdays at work perfecting the rants he spews on local sports talk radio and weekends at Giants’ Stadium with his friend Sal (Kevin Corrigan). While at a strip club, Paul and Sal cross paths with Quantrell Bishop (Jonathan Hamm), the Giants’ star linebacker and Paul’s favorite player. Bishop misunderstands something Paul says and brutally beats him up. Paul must choose to help his own life or the team that means so much to him. “Big Fan” is a dark film with numerous moments of nervous laughter and should be seen by anyone who calls himself or herself a fanatic. CV
‘The Comedians of Comedy’
Directed by Michael Blieden
2005, Rated R, 103 minutes
What happens when you throw four of the most popular alternative stand-up comedians together for a whirlwind tour? Hilarity. Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Zach Galifianakis and Maria Bamford join forces for the laugh-out-loud documentary, “The Comedians of Comedy.” These four comedians are not your typical yucksters, and some people will be turned away from this film because they just don’t get it. But for fans of these edgy joke tellers, “The Comedians of Comedy” is pure gold. We follow them through their sets on stage as well as life on the road including watching Oswalt and Posehn nerd out over comic books. Before “The Hangover” turned Galifianakis into a star, he shined as a stand-up, which is on full display. Check out “The Comedians of Comedy” — your funny bone will thank you. CV
