About Time (2013)
A charming, if not quite mind-blowing, rom-com from Richard Curtis, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy (although we could have done with more Bill Nighy, as ever). Following a man with the power to redo past moments in his life, About Time is the filmic equivalent of a hot chocolate or a packet soup; sure it’s not gourmet, but it’s sweet, warm, and easy, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Revisiting Mike Myers’ sixties spy spoof Austin Powers today, it’s almost shocking how much care and attention has gone into it. With homages of everything from cult hits like The Prisoner and Blow Up, to more obvious fare like James Bond and Get Smart, it’s hard to watch such a labour of love without a smile on your face. While it’s definitely aged, there’s still a lot of mojo here, baby, yeah.
Bad Santa (2003)
If twisted, depraved, disgusting, and deranged is more your speed, then it’s hard to go past 2003’s Bad Santa. Terry Zwigoff’s leftf-ield followup to his absolute classic Ghost World, the comedy stars Billy Bob Thornton as mall-santa, professional thief and sex-addicted alcoholic Willie T. Soke. A filthy delight, worth watching even outside the silly season…actually, probably best not to watch it at Christmas.
The Breaker Upperers (2018)
Standing staunchly in that very New Zealand comedy tradition of wide-eyed, deadpan ridiculousness, The Breaker Upperers is about two friends who run an agency that helps people break up. Written by, directed by, and starring Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek, this big-hearted comedy about the power of friendship will have you wishing the New Zealand film industry wasn’t so tied up making Avatar sequels.
Boy (2010)
These days Taika Waititi seems to be better known for directing goofy Marvel movies and being a big gay pirate, but his sophomore feature from way back in 2010 is still probably his best work. Shot in Waititi’s hometown of Waihau Bay, Boy is an intimate and funny film which speaks to something essential about New Zealand life that isn’t often depicted on screen.
Free Guy (2021)
Starring Ryan Reynolds as a videogame NPC who becomes self-aware, Free Guy feels like a throwback to the kind of effects-heavy, high concept action-comedies that were everywhere before the superhero boom (or maybe just to The Lego Movie). With a great turn from Taika Waititi as a villainous tech CEO, it’s easy, fast-paced fun that’s genuinely hard not to enjoy.
The French Dispatch (2021)
Who could have predicted that Wes Anderson would just get more Wes Anderson over time? His latest, The French Dispatch, is a series of vignettes set in mid-century France and feels like the result of an exclusive diet of old Pathé films and Salinger short stories. Of course, this is all set off by a fantastic ensemble cast including Timothée Chalamet, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and far too many more to list here. Super-concentrated Anderson.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Wes Anderson at his sweetest and most sentimental, Moonrise Kingdom is a retro coming-of-age story about two twelve year olds falling in love and running away from the world. Chock full of Peter Pan collars, boy scouts, and with a truly memorable Françoise Hardy needledrop, Moonrise Kingdom taps into something of the wonder of childhood, or at least a larger-than-life twee pastel imaginary of it.
Notting Hill (1999)
You can’t go wrong with a bit of Richard Curtis, can you? Or at least, you couldn’t in the late 90s. Coming just between Four Weddings and Bridget Jones’ Diary (if you don’t count Bean, which we won’t), this isn’t just peak UK rom-com, it’s also a great showing for stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. A sort of Roman Holiday for Generation X, Notting Hill absolutely deserves its iconic status.
Unpregnant (2020)
A road-trip buddy comedy about two teenagers crossing state lines to seek an abortion, Unpregnant could have easily been preachy, pompous, or grim. Instead, the film manages to strike a great balance between giddy hijinx and genuinely heartfelt character moments, driven largely by the chemistry between its leads, Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira. A little bit Booksmart, a little bit Little Miss Sunshine.
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Worth watching for the cast alone, The Witches of Eastwick stars Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer as three frustrated single women in small-town Rhode Island, led astray to live deliciously by the devilish Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson). A glossy and glorious classic of late 80s comedy, if you haven’t seen this one already then you owe it to yourself to watch it right now. Go on.
