Zoolander

Is it possible to give an over-the-top performance when your character is a male model? What about a fashion designer? Or a talent agent? There’s so much scenery chewing going on in “Zoolander” (2001) you almost become numb to it and actually pay attention to the plot. Almost. To say it’s stupid is to say grass is green. But, you ask, what about crabgrass? It’s brownish. And what about that weird albino grass that grows under the kiddie pool when you leave it in the front yard for too long? To that, I say “Zoolander” is right up your alley.

 

There’s Something About Mary

“There’s Something About Mary” helped launch the modern era of bro-humor comedies (“Hot Tub Time Machine,” “The Hangover,” Seth Rogen’s entire career). In 1998, mining humor from the mentally retarded, catching your scrotum in your zipper and mistaking semen for hair gel was somewhat taboo. Now you see all that and more in the trailer for a Will Farrell flick. But “Mary” deserves credit for shock-humor originality. Cameron Diaz nails her part. And admit it, some scenes are a hoot (franks and beans; the serial killer sequence; Ben Stiller mispronouncing Brett Favre’s name). Plus, the minstrel/soundtrack is prominent and excellent.

 

Night at the Museum

“Night at the Museum” (2006) is a perfectly harmless, somewhat entertaining movie that promotes father-son bonding, history appreciation, museums and reading. Ben Stiller stars as the museum night watchman who learns that history really can come alive. For some reason, Stiller carries an aura of unlikeability in many of his movies, and this is one of them. It’s too bad, because supporting characters Robin Williams (Teddy Roosevelt) and Owen Wilson (cowboy) are a lot of fun. It’s a kids/families movie, so there’s lots of physical humor and some ham-fisted jokes that make you groan. But like I said, it’s harmless.