Phil sees THE CAMPAIGN at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-August 24, 2012

With the elections right around the corner, you knew that Hollywood wasn't too far behind with a comedy that pokes fun at politicians, the political system, and big business buying our votes. So to ease your minds, yes Hollywood did release such a film. Starring funnymen Will Farrell and Zach Galifianakis, THE CAMPAIGN pokes fun at all the above and then some.

Farrell plays long-term North Carolina Democratic congressman Cam Brady, who unfortunately commits a major sex scandal before an upcoming election. This leads the corrupt multi-billionaire Motch brothers (Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow) to search for a new lackey to run against the unchallenged Brady. They find their Republican puppet in the form of naive Marty Huggins (Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. But while Huggins and Brady duke it out for the North Carolina's 14th District seat, they are unaware of the Motch brothers' true objective: to sell Hammond to their Chinese business partner and turn the town into a large series of factories.

The film was directed by Jay Roach, the man responsible for films like MEET THE PARENTS, MEET THE FOCKERS, DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS and the AUSTIN POWERS TRILOGY. But did you know he also direct two very powerful HBO films RECOUNT and GAME CHANGE, detailing the outright real life shenanigans of the 2000 and 2008 Presidential elections? I bet your surprised right now, aren't you? Well, this film is familiar territory for Roach, who shows us that politics and comedy go hand in hand. But he also shows us (or maybe reminds us) that the driving force in the film is the very same force that drives all political campaigns, including the 2012 presidential campaign: Money!

While I can sit here on my high horse and explain to you all the dire significance of the film as it parallels the 2012 presidential race and can be seen and used as a metaphor for the political climate of the 21st century, I think I will skip the college grad speech and tell you, in plain old English, what I thought of the film.

The film is freaking hilarious! Oh, you want me to explain this more thoroughly? Ok, if you say so.

For Cam Brady's persona, Farrell channels George W. Bush's speech, Tom Brady's haircut, and Richard Nixon's corrupt political strategies. Brady will stop at nothing to win the election, even if means airing commercials that accuse Huggins of being part of Al Queda or video tapping him having sex with Huggins' wife Mitzi (the adorable Sarah Baker). Galifianakis's Huggins is part Mister Rogers, part John Holmes' mustache, and part Queer Eye. Both Farrell and Galifianakis have great on screen chemistry and play off of one another with such ease.

The film is filled with political satire, crude and vulgar jokes, dog punching, sex scandals, driving while under the influence of alcohol, political back stabbings, adult language, adult situations, sex, and baby punching! Politics was never this funny! Well, actually it is, but I'll skip the irony part too,

All in all, THE CAMPAIGN is political satire at its finest! It's one of my favorite comedies so far this year! So if this year's political race has got you down and you need a break from all the bantering, then go see this film and enjoy the 90 minutes of hilarity it has to offer you! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!!

THE CAMPAIGN is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE DICTATOR at the Camera 12 Downtown San Jose-May 19, 2012

The world we live in as become so anally PC that sometimes I think this country needs an enema. So comedy films really come into play in times like these. Films that really push the envelope and makes laugh hysterically for all the wrong reasons. So in comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's newest film THE DICTATOR, we are made to laugh at the most inappropriate topics, issues, and scenes. And I laughed at them all with glee!

In the film Cohen portrays Admiral General Aladeen, a dictator from the fictional North African country of the Republic of Wadiya. A ruthless, egotistical, and at times an idiotic dictator, his advisor Tamir (Ben Kingsley) informs him that he is summoned by the UN to address their concerns about his nuclear program. Once he arrives in New York, he is kidnapped by an FBI Agent (John C. Reilly) and has his beard shaved off. Unrecognizable, he befriends a woman named Zoey (Anna Faris) who runs a local organic grocery store. But Aladeen discovers that his kidnapping was a part of plot to turn Republic of Wadiya into a democracy and now must find a way to prevent this atrocity from happening.

The film was directed by Larry Charles, who directed Cohen's other two films; 2006's unbelievably hilarious BORAT and 2009's equally successful BRUNO. With this film, Charles keeps the pace of the film quick and funny. Cohen's performance is nothing short of brilliant. He says some of the most hysterical lines I have ever heard. If you don't believe me, here are some quotes from the movie that made me cry:

1) "I love American films, particularly fantasy films like 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Schindler's List.'"
2) "I'm sorry. It's a girl. Where's the trash can?"
3) "Ahh.. America, the birth place of AIDS."
4) "So are you having a boy or an abortion?"
5) "Those are breasts? I thought you were a boy."

No these quotes are tame compared to what else he says, as with everyone else in the film! Now I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil the film for all of you, but you will laugh hard and be shocked by it all at the same time!

THE DICTATOR is a politically incorrect film and its funny as hell! Of course after watching this film you might want to take a shower because you will feel dirty laughing at this. If you're planning on taking a date to see this film, make sure that person has a sense of humor. If not, you're gonna have a lot of explaining to do. Four and half out of five stars! Highly recommended!!

THE DICTATOR is currently in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!