Comedy Stars Most Dramatic Turns
The IT Crowd funnyman Chris O’Dowd turns is a surprisingly stoic and understated dramatic performance in The Program, playing the real life Sunday Times journalist who battled to expose the Lance Armstrong drugs cheating scandal that exploded the world of professional cycling. It’s not the first time a comedian has shocked audiences by playing it serious so here’s a few interesting examples…
Bill Murray
Bill Murray was the absolute embodiment of the fast talking brash comedy genius of the 1980s. His wry smirk and wisecracking made him a household name and global box office superstar. From the zany antics of Caddyshack to the smug cynicism of Ghostbusters or Groundhog Day, Murray was undisputed comedy gold. However for many his finest achievement in front of the camera actually came in the unlikely form of Sofia Coppola’s understated drama Lost In Translation. With art imitating life Murray played an again film star openly contemplating the meaning of his life and career in the alluring company of a similarly wistful young newlywed, played by Scarlett Johansson.
Jerry Lewis
The man best known and beloved for decades of comedy roles, both solo outings such as the perennial Nutty Professor and a long screen partnership with Dean Martin, made an attempt at a serious role with The Day The Clown Died, an experiment that went so badly wrong the film has still never seen a release. But Lewis redeemed himself nearly a decade later with his performance as the object of Robert De Niro’s obsession in the brilliant The King Of Comedy. Playing a Jonny Carson-esque chat show king, Lewis brought a tired bitterness to the role that saw him stand toe-to-toe with a top of his game de Niro.
Steve Carrell
With a long career of put-upon comedy characters such as The 40-Year Old Virgin, Anchorman and, er, Date Night, Steve Carrell carved out a lucrative comedy niche on the fringes of Judd Apatow and Will Ferrell’s respective ‘gangs’. A little thing called The Office kept Carrell front and centre in people’s minds as a comic performer while more wistful film roles in the likes of Seeking A Friend At The End Of The World opposite Keira Knightley acted as a forbear to a later assault on drama with the powerful Foxcatcher and, more recently, The Big Short.
Whoopi Goldberg
Goldberg might just peddle opinions on oestrogen-fest The View these days but time was when her comedy performances in the likes of Ghost, Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Sister Act were packing in audiences around the globe. Hell, even a sperm donation comedy with Ted Danson scored bucks so it’s perhaps sometimes hard to remember that Goldberg has a hefty set of dramatic talents as well, as evidenced by memorable roles in A Colour Purple, Girl, Interrupted and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
Jim Carrey
Known the world over for his rubber face, energetic performances and for single-handedly introducing the world to Cameron Diaz, Carrey is the consummate comedic performer who also manages to find his way back to broad laugh-riots but he too has rung the changes with a number of devastatingly effective dramatic roles. He might have started carefully with a role that blurred the line between drama and comedy in The Truman Show, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind really proved his credentials. He’s not above the odd bit of dramatic horror, either, as the little-seen 23 shows…
Jonah Hill
The short, round star of a generation’s worth of stoner comedy – Superbad, This Is The End, The Sitter etc – Jonah Hill is built for laughs but that hasn’t stopped him making a fair amount of headway as a serious performer as well. An oft-forgotten cameo in Django Unchained and a barnstorming (albeit comedic) turn in The Wolf Of Wall Street prove the point but it’s his stone-cold serious effort in Moneyball that is the real proof of the pudding and a brilliant performance to boot.
Jennifer Aniston
Aniston has had a bit of a tough run since graduating from Central Perk to the silver screen with a career peppered with largely forgettable rom-coms. But given the opportunity, Aniston can shine as brightly as she did for a generation as Rachel Green, as her performances in the criminally underrated The Good Girl show. More recently, Cake has reminded a few people of that fact so perhaps people should give her (rather than be on a) break?
Robin Williams
Arguably the high priest of mixing comedy and drama, the genius of Robin Williams at his best was at home in either camp. Sure, he made a name as one of the best stand-up comedians ever and will be forever adored for some of his family comedies (not to mention barnstorming ad-libbing in Good Morning Vietnam), but Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings and less-seen fare such as One Hour Photo and Insomnia prove that Williams at his best is hard to beat whatever the genre.
Seth Rogen
It’s clear that there’s a clever actor trying to get out of Seth Rogen. Less talented stars wouldn’t have been able to convince audiences they’re that stoned that often, but there’s been precious little by way of a dramatic demonstration until this year’s Steve Jobs. Sure, there’s an argument that he was cast as Steve Wozniak as much for the physical resemblance as anything else but it made such a pleasant change not seeing him permanently attached to a bong that arguably no-one cared about.
Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor’s personal life might have been as dramatic as hell thanks to a hefty set of addictions, but his cinematic output was largely limited to broad (and often very, very funny) comedies. Brewster’s Millions and a repeated partnership with Gene Wilder are some of the highlights and whilst Superman 3 is arguably a fairly terrible film, Pryor’s hapless ‘villain’ is a high point. But, lest we forget, he did have dramatic props that were evidenced as early as his affecting bit part in Taxi Driver (even if he did pull a gun on Paul Schrader). His cameo in David Lynch’s Lost Highway is pretty hard to forget, too…
Chris O’Dowd
The Program isn’t exactly O’Dowd’s only foray into serious drama – he crops up in abortion drama Vera Drake, plays it largely straight in The Sapphires and impressed in Calvary – but we defy anyone not to think first of his career-making performance as Roy in The IT Crowd, his Emmy Award-winning creation Moone Boy or his breakthrough in the brilliant Bridesmaids, all of which showcase his impressive comedic chops. A sharp juxtaposition, then, to see him as whistleblower David Walsh in The Program, a man who singlehandedly brought down one of the 21st century’s most undeserving heroes with blistering style.
The Program is released to digital platforms on February 8th and on Blu-ray and DVD on February 15th
Screen Actors Guild Awards Winners 2016
The winners for the Screen Actors Guild Awards 2016 have been announced at a star sudden ceremony. Spotlight took home top honours for film with Leonardo Di Caprio and Brie Larson landing predictable acting wins. Meanwhile double wins for Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Queen Latifah and Uzo Aduba meant the event is already being widely praised for its ‘diversity’ in the shadow of this year’s ongoing Oscar nominations controversy.
Full list of winners and a gallery of pictures below:
Best Film – Spotlight
Best Actor – Leonardo Di Caprio The Revenant
Best Actress – Brie Larson Room
Best Supporting Actor – Idris Elba Beasts of No Nation
Best Supporting Actress – Alicia Vikander The Danish Girl
TV Drama – Downton Abbey
TV Comedy – Orange Is The New Black
TV Drama Actor – Kevin Spacey House Of Cards
TV Drama Actress – Viola Davis How To Get Away With Murder
TV Comedy Actor – Jeffrey Tambor Transparent
TV Comedy Actress – Uzo Aduba Orange Is The New Black
Actor TV Movie/Miniseries – Idris Elba Luther
Actress TV Movie/Miniseries – Queen Latifah Bessie
Film Stunts – Mad Max Fury Road
TV Stunts – Game Of Thrones
Spotlight Review
The Plot:
Inspired by actual events, Spotlight dramatically documents the efforts of the investigative reporting team of the Boston Globe to expose epidemic levels of child abuse within the Catholic Church and the subsequent systematic cover up by high ranking church officials.
The Good:
Spotlight is a truly Oscar worthy drama built around a tragic real life story of investigative reporters uncovering a horrible truth. The film laudably handles the more sensitive aspects of its subject matter with care and compassion, avoiding the obvious dangers of delving into the most graphic events for sensational shock value. The focus of the film is neither the acts of abuse nor the vilification of those responsible. Instead the film serves as both a proud tribute to the value of a determined independent press and as a poignant examination of the devastating impact of abuse on the lives of those affected.
Spotlight has an all-star cast lead by Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci and Michael Keaton. The collected acting efforts of this fine ensemble gives the film a subtly but earnest credibility. Guided by the direct involvement of the actual people being depicted the cast breath dramatic life into surprisingly recent events, but without resorting to sensationalism or flamboyance.
Oscar nominated Mark Rufflo and Stanley Tucci in particular deserves praise for their portrayal as the dogged reporter and forlorn lawyer fighting to expose the full scope of the scandal and suffering. The emotional urgency of Ruffalo’s performance contrasted with Tucci’s note perfect display of cynical patience, perfectly illustrates the motivations and deep frustrations of those involved.
The film serves as a timely reminder of the actual value of the media, at a time when people have seemingly lost as much faith in that institution as they have in the church. The film also paints a complex picture of a tragedy which destroyed lives in the most insidious ways and the important journey taken by those who ultimately brought an end to it.
The Bad:
Given the nature of the real life events being depicted the film will perhaps be especially uncomfortable viewing for those who have had their live touched either by the crime of abuse or by the comfort of religious institutions. Indeed at times the film openly acknowledges that the scandal dealt with has a specific emotional and spiritual impact for all members of the Catholic faith. The issue of distinguishing between religious convictions and the very human failings of the institutions which represents them is an unsettling conflict no matter how well the film itself deals with it.
The Ugly Truth:
Spotlight handles heavy hearted subject matter in a sensitive and powerful way, delivering a dramatic and important story which rewards serious viewing. The film is rightly a major awards contender thanks to a sophisticated script and accomplished performances by a host of familiar stars. Audiences shouldn’t be intimidated by the film’s subject matter and will take much from its poignant messages.
Review by Russell Nelson
Trolls Official Trailer
Dreamworks has released their first look at their animated adventure based on cult kids toy classic the Troll doll. The trailer gives n early indication of how the garishly colored big hair and plastic faces of your childhood will now garishly appear on screen.
Official Synopsis Below:
From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny, irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls. This holiday season, enter a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comedicly pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach. Featuring original music from Justin Timberlake, the film stars the voice talent of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Gwen Stefani and many more. DreamWorks’ Trolls is a fresh, broad comedy filled with music, heart and hair-raising adventures. In November of 2016, nothing can prepare you for our new Troll world.
Zoolander No2 Sydney Fan Screening Pictures
Check out a really really ridiculously good looking gallery of pictures of male model Derek Zoolander and VIP guests strutting their stuff down under at the fan screening of Zoolander No.2. It’s fair to say that after his years away form the limelight Derek Zoolander is so hot right now with his new big screen adventure. Check out pictures to see Dereck showcasing his signature poses Blue Steel, Le Tigre, Ferrariand of course the near mythical Magnum.
