Can Love Conquer All? "The Big Sick"

The Big Sick (2017)

Rated R

Starring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Zenobia Shroff

Directed by Michael Showalter

The Story:

Kumail (Nanjiani) is a stand up comedian. He meets Emily (Kazan) one night after his performance. The two hit it off, and the next thing you know, they are seemingly in love. But life and conflicting cultural expectations interfere, and soon Emily is in a coma with a mysterious ailment, and Kumail realizes he may lose the one thing in life he's always wanted, before he even realized that's what he needed.

Well, let me start by saying that I wasn't paying attention to the poster for this film or its tag line: An Awkward True Story.

So when it got to the end of the film, like a sucker punch of emotion, the ending brought home how sweet and sincere this film really is.

An Amazon Studios original film, while I watched it on disc through Netflix, it is now finally available to stream on Amazon for those with Prime membership.

Kumail's trials aren't isolated to his relationship with Emily either.

He also has to deal with Emily's parents (Hunter & Romano) who are initially not that impressed that he's even at the hospital when they arrive, but her perseveres in his devotion to Emily and his willingness to accept not being in his comfort zone around her parents.

Then there is dealing with his own family (Kher & Shroff) at home and their desire for him to marry within his culture.

A wonderful cast, a beautiful story, and Kumail more than easily carries the majority of the film on his shoulders.

Highly recommended if you haven't seen it already.

Final Grade: A-

Everybody Loves "The Investigator" 's Brother. You'll See...

The Investigator (2013)

Rated PG-13

Starring Wade Williams, David Sanborn, Mollyana Ward,

Directed by Curtis Graham

The Story:

James (Williams) is a detective. His world is shattered when his team kills an unarmed suspect and his wife (Ward) suffers a miscarriage. James is forced into retirement, and he grows bitter and disillusioned with his life and his faith.  His brother Paul (Sanborn) pulls some strings and gets James hired to coach baseball and teach Criminal Justice at a local private high school.

There you have the basic precepts of this movie inspired by a true story.

Religion does indeed play a significant role in this film.

James turns his back on God, but when he winds up teaching in a Christian school, naturally the students keep questioning him about his faith and beliefs.

When James uncovers some nefarious dealings in the school, he further ostracizes himself from his students and the faculty.

It's when he puts the very existence of Jesus on trial that the film finds its center and helps James heal.

Along the way, you'll also be treated to some of the worst baseball scenes ever filmed.

:)

Seriously, who swings at a pitch at face level?

As for who the famous brother is, well if you didn't get the hint from the title of this review, shame on my hint for not being more obvious.

It's Ray Romano from Everybody Loves Raymond.

Final Grade: B- / C+ range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not quite great enough to rush out and buy it, but if it becomes streaming down the road, I'd certainly watch it again.

Make 'Em Laugh... "The Improv: 50 Years Behind The Brick Wall"

The Improv: 50 Years Behind The Brick Wall (2013)

Rated TV MA for language

Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Ray Romano, The Wayans Brothers, Jimmy Fallon

The Story:

A history of the Improv created by Budd Friedman.  Originally conceived to showcase Broadway Singers with a comic or two...
Well, 50 years later, there's no Broadway singers to be found, and for stand-up comedians, this is the place to get seen and noticed before hopefully making their way to the Tonight Show.

Many of stand-ups finest reminisce about their time trying to get on stage and the glory that came from making the cut.

It's not an easy job, and one that requires a lot of time and effort to become successful.

Just to be clear, aside from archive footage, and comedians generally being amusing by trade, this is not a bunch of stand-up comedians "through the years". 

These are the big names who started their road to fame and fortune trying hard to just make the cut of getting up on stage and trying to entertain.

Overall, this is a pretty good documentary.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor- A fun watch, but no real need to own it.