Funny People (2009)

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George Simmons (Adam Sandler), a successful stand-up comedian and comic actor, is decked when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. He's really pretty alone in the world and still mooning over his ex-girlfriend Lauta (Leslie Mann) who is now married to Clarke (Eric Bana).

He hires Ira Wright (Seth Rogan), an aspiring comedian, to write jokes for him and be his companion.

Also appearing are Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman as Ira's roomies who are also comedians; Aubrey Plaza as Ira's former girlfriend Daisy; Maude and Iris Apatow as Luara and Clarke's daughters; Torsten Voges as the doctor.

Also appearing in cameo roles are Paul Reiser, James Taylor, Andy Dick, Charles Fleischer, Carol Leifer, George Wallace, Norm MacDonald, Sarah Silverman, Bud Friedman, Eminem, Ray Romano.

Some of this film was funny but not nearly as precious as the writer/director and cast thought. Perhaps if it was edited down by an hour it would have heen more palatable to me.

Written and directed by Judd Apatow.

Run time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

Rated R.

My personal rating: C

Reign Over Me (2007)

The Power of Grief

Despite success as a dentist and family man, Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) feels empty and can't quite determine why. Even is wife (Jada Pinkett Smith) and daughters notice and it threatens both his career and his family.

Quite by chance, Alan runs into his old college roomate, Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who he hasn't seen in years. But resuming the friendship is a difficult thing. Charlie is completely drawn into himself and acts almost autistic since the death of his wife and children in the 9/11 terrorist attack. He has no need to work due to the government money given to the survivors of those who perished in the attack, so he spends his days alone, sometimes riding his scooter around Manhattan, especially at night.

Alan keeps knocking hard to get in as he sees that Charlie is in desperate shape. He solicits the assistance of a shrink (Liv Tyler) in trying to help Charlie. In the process, Alan identifies his own priorities and his own attitude improves.

While it's difficult to view a film that hinges on the deaths of 9/11, this is a worthy, albeit sometimes uneven, film directed by Mike Binder.

Terrific soundtrack includes Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Pearl Jam, and The Fray.

Rated R for language and some sexual references.