subject: 5 Unique Comedies Now Playing on Minnesota Satellite TV [print this page] 5 Unique Comedies Now Playing on Minnesota Satellite TV
Part of the power of a comedy is its power to surprise you. What is unexpected and/or unique is often what is funny about a movie. Comedic actors and directors have been emphasizing this element of surprise in recent years, making the laugh meter of many movie fans go through the roof. Here are five comedies playing on satellite TV in Minnesota that will make you forget about the boring pictures and get the laughs going.
1. Men Who Stare at Goats. Watching George Clooney knock down a goat with merely an overpowering stare is an angle of comedy yet to be tapped before this film. In general, it is all about the experimentation with mind games that the U.S. Army was doing in the 1970s. Could a New Age army be the way to go for this world superpower? The results are somewhat inconclusive, yet the laughs are certainly there. Jeff Bridges and Ewan McGregor co-star in this film showing on HBO in HD.
2. The Hangover. There is little new material in a Vegas bachelor party movie. Fortunately, the writers and director jumped right past the actual bacchanalia and straight to the painful after-effects. It turns out there is plenty to enjoy about this part of the puzzle, especially when the groom has disappeared and the characters they encounter are even funnier than they are. Zack Galifianakis has his breakout role in this wild romp from Todd Phillips of Old School fame, now playing on Minnesota satellite TV.
3. Anchorman. The bizarre style of Will Ferrell got total exposure in this picture, which makes fun of TV news, the 1970s, sexism and numerous other topics. Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and Vince Vaughn all show up in supporting roles, so it's obvious that Ferrell's star was carrying the day. The jazz flute performance may be one of the most absurd ever put on film, but it seems that Ferrell will top it before long.
4. Kung Fu Hustle. After seeing this picture, you may wonder why there haven't been more comedies based on kung fu battles. There actually have been quite a few, but none with the loser, ragtag band of heroes which Stephen Chow puts together to battle the vicious Axe Gang in his second film. At the time, it was the highest grossing film in the history of Hong Kong. See why it is still splitting sides when it plays on satellite TV in high definition.
5. The Big Lebowski. While it isn't a new picture by any stretch of the imagination, The Big Lebowski remains one of the great comedies of the past fifteen years, mostly because of the portrayal of the Dude' by Jeff Bridges. Not only is the Dude tormented by the theft of his favorite rug, but later he is literally tormented by a group of Nihilists with little regard for human life. John Turturro, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore all add to the fun of one of the Coen Brothers' best pictures.
