Why aren’t there any movie theaters on the beach? Could you imagine? Sitting in a lawn chair, reclined under a huge tent, the summer breeze gently sweeping across your face, and reaching for a refreshing summertime drink, maybe a mojito. The screen could be perched high above, tucked into the structure of the tent and a wait staff could cater to every need.

To start, let’s review which of these summertime flicks would best suit the brand new Heretical Movie-Viewing Experience (patent pending).

Bruno

Sasha Baron Cohen resurrected his third and final Ali G Show mainstay for another controversial feature, looking to conjure the success of Borat. The character is different, but the hijinx are the same: put unwitting people into very awkward and uncomfortable positions in the hopes that they do something stupid, embarrassing, and funny.

In some cases, this method is used to expose the ugliness, ignorance, or maliciousness of people. For this, Cohen uses comedy to allow the darker side of humanity to surface, and to some sucess. The unfortunate collateral damage though is that some rather decent-hearted people get caught up in the mix. This is just too much to bear. As is the case for some Jackass skits, Punk’d, and other shows that pray on peoples’ good nature to elicit laughs.

Overall, the movie made me laugh at times, but not nearly as much as Borat. On the same token, it seemed much more staged at several points than Borat too, which I appreciated for the sake of those people who didn’t want any part of the play. But the story was much less cohesive and not really worth much of the time. It might be worth watching once on video, but you’re not missing much if you don’t. I will give Cohen his due respect for pushing boundaries as a comedian, but he doesn’t really expose anything here.

Funny People

Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler joined forces to bring a strange and unimportant story with nothing to say. It more just seemed like an excuse to throw Adam Sandler into an Apatow film in the hopes of creating magic, but it doesn’t happen. Why? There is nothing there. It is a hodge-podge of scenes that are aimed at something…I’m not exactly sure what.

I laughed at parts for sure. In fact, had they made a different movie, the ensemble could have done something special. Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and Jason Schwartzman are hysterical together and the sub-plots are quite charming.

The main problem is that Sandler’s character is despicable and completing unredeeming. Most of the characters are indeed almost as selfish too, but not as obviously so. Most of this is the point, but they never get past it. There’s no real growth.

There is something about Adam Sandler stepping out of his comfort zone too that just doesn’t work. He has a slew of successful films that are deservingly so, but his list of flops deviates sharply from the successful ones. There are two exceptions, of course, in Punch Drunk Love and Spanglish. But, otherwise, it holds. Like Meg Ryan and romantic comedies, she’s good at them and should have stuck to them. I understand that people feel they need to shake up and grow sometimes. That means though that they have to work twice as hard to do so.

Funny People is indeed about funny people, but not laughter funny, more curious and sad, funny.

The Proposal

As with Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock is pretty good at comedies; she is a natural and has great comedic timing. I’m a sucker for While You Were Sleeping and 28 Days, among others.

Ryan Reynolds is also quite funny, but he’s not been so lucky with selections lately. Also, some just don’t have the presence to carry a movie on their own. Reynolds, as good as he is and as much as I like him, just doesn’t have the presence to carry a film. Sandra Bullock does. The Proposal provides the perfect vehicle to display Reynolds’ talent and to continue Bullock’s success.

The plot is ridiculous, but hilarious and the movie is put together formulaically. However, it’s a formula that works and it is put together very well. There’s a great supporting cast and wonderful writing. The laughs happen early and often, but not at the expense of the story. This is how a comedy should work. The laughs enhance the film and aren’t themselves the point.

I have the feeling that I will be watching this one over again in the near future.

The Ugly Truth

I am not a big fan of Katherine Heigl. For the most part, there are a few actresses who could easily replace her for parts. In The Ugly Truth she does a good job of making herself irreplaceable.

The Ugly Truth is about a an uptight television producer, looking for love and the perfect guy (and higher ratings). Enter Gerard Butler (Mike Chadway) to disrupt all of her plans and expectations. Mike brings his public access show and shock-jock antics to her doorstep which ruins all of her sensibilities.

This movie is humorous and very much worth my money, but it’s nature and reliance on shock comedy is a little too heavy. Also, its similarity to Someone Like You (starring Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, and Greg Kinnear) lessens its novelty value. But hey, that is a fun movie too, so its not all bad.

If you are looking for a romantic comedy with a little more edge and raunch, than this is perfect for you. It has a wonderful, yet authentic feel and you don’t feel worse for having watched it. Which is more than I can say for Bruno or Funny People.

I’m not sure if any of these films would be better or worse when watched on a sandy paradise. The first two are no doubt much funnier while intoxicated though.