There are no guarantees in Hollywood, but casting two of the hottest comics on TV as leads in your next comedy definitely increases the odds of success. Steve Carell – star of the Golden Globe and Emmy-award winning television show
The Office - and Tina Fey – star of the likewise Golden Globe and Emmy-award winning television show
30 Rock bring their laughter to
Date Night, a awkward comedy about a couple who, while looking to add thrill to their humdrum relationship, get themselves in more trouble than they ever bargained for.
Those looking for the non-stop laughs of a film like
The 40-Year-Old Virgin are advised to look elsewhere - this film has been smoothed down to appeal to a wider audience. That said, it is a more family friendly comedy and something that will be enjoyed by teenagers and grandparents alike. Definitely add this one to your rental list, if you haven't done so already.
National Lampoon's Vacation wasn't a revolutionary film, but rather a perfect storm of writer John Hughes (
The Breakfast Club), director Harold Ramis (
Caddyshack) and actor Chevy Chase (of SNL fame). Their combined effort catapulted the film into cult status and permanently implanted it into American culture. I'd wager that if you haven't used the term "Wally World" as a part of your vocabulary, you're either too young to have seen the movie (a great chance to rectify that with its release on Blu-ray) or dead.
For the
Blu-ray review of National Lampoon's Vacation, staff reviewer Martin Liebman commented, "National Lampoon's Vacation is a legitimate Comedy classic, not only because it's a quality film in its own right, but because it's the granddaddy of a series of pictures that have become mainstays of Comedy through the course of the past few decades." He continues, "Warner Brothers' Blu-ray release of National Lampoon's Vacation is unfortunately lacking a stronger supplemental package, but it does boast a surprisingly steady and pleasing 1080p transfer and a workmanlike mono lossless soundtrack."
Keeping the comedy theme alive, Warner is releasing
What's Up, Doc? on Blu-ray today, a 1970's screwball comedy starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. Kudos to Warner for once again bringing a classic film to Blu-ray that they know is only going to appeal to a limited audience. I'm sure no one is going to be breaking down the doors of Wally World to get their hands on a Blu-ray copy of this film, but for those who treasure this era of filmmaking – or even Streisand fans in general – this is a treat that should not be overlooked.
Staff reviewer Jeff Kaufman commented in his
Blu-ray review of What's Up, Doc?, "[It] is that rare homage which actually rises to the same giddy heights of its forebears. Streisand, O'Neal, and an absolutely unmatched array of supporting talent all offer perfect screwball lunacy, and it's stylishly and unobtrusively directed by Bogdanovich. This Blu-ray looks soft (just like the original theatrical release), but is a noticeable improvement over the SD-DVD."