That's right, you can finally get "laughing gas" without that awful trip to the dentist!

Want to see a comedy or humorous movie, and yet you're not sure you'll like it? Check out Laughing Gas reviews, and maybe you'll find a movie review of that comedy and/or discover a comedy you didn't even know you'd love...or love to hate!

Whether you're in the mood for hilarity, "stupid funny" or somewhere in-between...Laughing Gas is the place to look for off-beat reviews of comedies.

1 Lick

2002

Pretentious comedy of a young, single man giving up sex for Lent, as if to say he's really so hot he gets offers nearly every night. If it wasn't for his dorky hair, maybe he would, but with hair like that and his suave "I'm all that" airs, I didn't buy it...and was even more sorry I paid to see it.

Shave your head or get a new hairdresser, Josh. You look like a 6-year-old whose mom still gives him the "bowl haircut" or some other variation of a cheap cut you still paid too much to get! Try a mullet, at least it would give you some depth, even if it's just hair.

3.5 Licks

1999

You will find a little of yourself in each character in this movie, no matter who you are or which sex you are. If you're lucky, though, you'll be less Jim Levenstein (played by Jason Biggs) and more everyone else. However, if you have to be Jim, just hope your dad is or was as understanding as his!

My husband insists that I mention the hot women in the movie. (I think he was having a Jim Levenstein moment when he said that.) So, for all you men, yes, there are some hot chicks in the movie, including a hot foreign girl with a sexy accent (played by Shannon Elizabeth). Oh, and don't forget about the "MILF"!

P.S. Watch out for fresh, warm pies......They're not as innocent as they look, and neither are the nerdy band camp girls!

2 Licks

2001

In this sequel, the guys have all made it through a year of college and are reuniting for a summer of partying, fun and friendship. And quite a summer it is! Once again, Levenstein has his moments, and as before, his dad (played by Eugene Levy) handles them much better than yours probably handled anything you did at any age.

Just remember, no matter how hard it is, please try to keep the super-glue out of your toy box. You might thank me for this later.

3 Licks

2003

If the above isn't enough to get you to watch this movie, you should probably check your temperature. You might be sick. However, if you need more convincing, you'll be happy to note that a change in the storyline makes this 2nd sequel better than the previous one. The guys are growing up...or at least some of them are. As the title indicates, there's going to be a wedding.

The opening scene begins at a restaurant, where Michelle Flaherty (Alyson Hannigan) and Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) become engaged. This scene alone makes the whole movie worth seeing...trust me! Once you've seen it, you can just imagine these two characters in the future trying to respond when asked of the details around their engagement story. Their story likely makes most others tame in comparison.

The only downfall in this sequel is Stiffler. You'll probably find him a bit annoying in this movie, with his overdone attitude and penchant for cussing nearly every other word for awhile. However, at some point, Finch and Stiffler do a character swap in personality, and that was great writing! Now, to the reason for their personality swap? All misguided attempts to impress a hot chick, of course! So, yes, there are still plenty of hot chicks for you in this sequel. (I already mentioned the French maid, remember?!)

4 Licks

1998

Kudos to the casting direction of this film. Each role was superbly cast and well acted. Before seeing this movie, I hadn't thought of Jeff Bridges as "the dude"...but his character defined the term as none before, and he really is "the dude" to be...Jeffrey The Dude Lebowski - NOT to be mistaken with the Jeffrey Lebowski, supporter and savior of the "Little Lebowski Urban Achievers," "youth of promise."

If I had a "myspace" site, Steve Buscemi would be listed as one of my heroes. You just have to love the supporting-role characters he plays! He may not be the suave, handsome, romantic leading man type, but unlike many a cocky, arrogant overpaid and under-acting blockbuster lead...he has never disappointed yet. His performances are always solid and characters generally offbeat but easily likeable, even when he's one of the bad guys.

In this movie, Buscemi plays the none-too-sharp Donny, who is as usual, an enjoyable character to have around...even if someone tells him to shut up a few hundred times or so.

Get out your bowling ball, if you have one. When this movie is done, you just may feel like bowling a few frames...even if, like Donny...you're out of your league (...your bowling league, that is)! =p

3.25 Licks 

1995

Did you or your kids grow up watching the Brady's? Did you want your kids or grandkids to experience a show where everything neatly tied together by the end of each episode? If so, this is a must-see!

Shelley Long makes a great Carol Brady, and Gary Cole is an equally perfect Mike Brady. Most of those cast in the roles of the Brady children also look and/or sound remarkably authentic. This movie "tribute" of the show may take the Brady's into the 1990's, but they're still obviously stuck in the "groovy" 1970's and it makes this a fun movie to watch without the need for serious thought or concentration.

Youngsters will enjoy this show, but so will you adults, as the innuendos fly forth in abundance, especially between Sam (the Butcher) and housekeeper Alice. Sam knows his meat...and so does Alice!

On the downside, if your name is Jan, you probably won't like this movie. "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! Why's it always Marcia?!" Don't worry Jan, just like the show, Marcia still took a ball to the nose in the movie. At least they didn't make you her stunt double!

3 Licks

2006

Vince Vaughn was perfectly cast for his role as a down-to-earth, typical "guy." He is easily relatable to any man as he's no "pretty boy" prima donna actor, but carries a more "average Joe" demeanor that somehow works for him. He's not your hot, handsome leading man type, but what he lacks in hotness, he makes up for in a personality that is oddly charming.

Jennifer Aniston's prior experience in roles much like the one she plays here, clearly helped her nail this role. And incidentally, not only can Ross say they were "on a break," but now...so can Vaughn!

Great relationship movie! You can watch this and relate to having been in some of those same situations and/or arguments, only in watching this...maybe you'll see why it's important to say what you mean instead of leaving it up for interpretation. Remember, women are complicated, and most men can't afford interpreters to read our minds.

Women, if you want your date, male friend or significant other to see this movie, simply remind him that he'll get to see Jennifer Aniston's cute butt. And if he's not too busy drooling in anticipation, he may just learn something from the movie. (Just don't tell him that part or he'll never watch the movie.)

3.25 Licks

2003

In the fictional realm, who could have more fun or be more outrageous a God than Jim Carrey?! Before the story ends, he may learn some lessons and find out it's not easy being God, but the learning curve (or artificially enhancing Aniston's learning curves) has its delights, uses and pleasures, as well as makes for some interesting experiments and diversions.

Carrey may have even taught an old dog new tricks...and, no, I'm not referring to Aniston when I say that. Although, I'm sure she has a few of you woofing and drooling, especially as her boobs miraculously grow overnight, as if ch-ch-ch-Chia-boobs. Hmm, now if only she'd been playing God, I wonder what she'd have made bigger?! *whistles innocently*

4 Licks

1988

Bull Durham's success was a definite precursor to the number of other baseball comedies that have been made in its wake, and yet, this one still reigns supreme. Bull Durham made baseball "sexy."

Don't believe me? Then, watch it, and be sure to pay special attention to Crash Davis's (Costner) "I believe..." speech to Annie (played by Susan Sarandon). You'll be as breathless as Annie, thinking, "...oh, my!" (After that scene, maybe 4 Licks isn't enough......)

2 Licks

2006

Click. I just skipped the boring parts. Click.

It's a great concept for an Adam Sandler comedy, however, this movie tries to send a serious message and turns the comedy into too much drama - and drama isn't necessarily Sandler's forte. The message of how one should enjoy and "live" every moment, even the ones that hurt or that we'd rather not recall, is beaten "home" a little too hard. (My dad had more tact and diplomacy even in the harshest of his lectures to an errant teen.)

As the comedy turns more and more serious in its moral message, you almost feel as if you have Ray Barone's wife (from Everybody Loves Raymond) harping at you, at the same time as you have Rocky pummeling you, "The Rock" crushing you and Fran Drescher whining directly in your ear while some god-awful song keeps playing that makes you want to bang your head on the wall repeatedly until you find the "bliss" of unconsciousness.

On a better note, the costume and makeup crew do a tremendous job with "aging" most of the characters throughout the story. Most have an authenticity to their wrinkles, weight and costuming...and that has nothing to do with their real ages or genetics*. However, with Sandler, it's as if they have "kid gloves" on. They seem to have forgotten that if you're going to make a character extremely obese...to be believable, you can't forget the importance of applying that same eye-for-detail and attentiveness when focusing on the facial features. Not even Sean Connery's face could've been so unaffected by such obesity as Sandler's is in this movie.

*Earnote: Somehow, Hollywood always seems to age better in real life than the average person, but many are certainly paid well enough to manage it - one way or another - of course. Poor 'Mother Nature' is no match for botox, face lifts, tummy tucks, hair coloring, liposuction, plastic surgery, permanent makeup......

1 Lick

2006

As for the movie, Meryl Streep is the only reason to bother watching any part of it. If not for Streep, this movie wouldn't even get 1 Lick. Streep's performance as the bitchy, demanding fashion editor is perfect. She's the kind of boss we all love to hate, and yet love to watch make others squirm.

As for the "fashion disappointment" found in the bright-eyed second assistant Streep's character hires, I find Anne Hathaway as disappointing as her coworkers find her fashions. I have yet to see the appeal the casting directors apparently do in any of Anne Hathaway's acting.

I don't think the devil is into "Prada" at all, but I do think the devil made someone make this movie just to torture the fashion industry...and the people on planes who get stuck watching it!

4.5 Licks

1999

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, though not normally categorized as good actors, do a good job in their roles as Bartleby and Loki. Add in Jay and Silent Bob, a trio of hockey-stick-wielding demons, George Carlin as a religious Cardinal, Alanis Morissette as God...and you're not only scratching your head wondering where they came up with this stuff, but you're enjoying it immensely, hoping it never ends!

Mix it all together, rim it with salt and you've got not only a great margarita, but a good story with a little salt, a handful of tortilla chips and plenty of salsa! And if you don't have that, maybe you should! George Carlin...a religious Cardinal?! Alanis Morissette...God?! Clearly, they were as inebriated as I wish I was right now when they wrote and cast this film, but you wouldn't have it any other way! It really does work for Dogma, or I wouldn't have given it 4.5 Licks. This one's worth buying so you can watch it again and again!

4.5 Licks

1999

If you've ever watched those small town teen princesses or even the "Mrs." state pageantry events, you'll love this movie! And if you've ever been crowned one or the other, you probably know just exactly how much material they had to poke fun of...more material than sequins on evening wear!

As outrageous as the movie may be, you'll probably find it's not that far off the mark...even with its silly hats and costumes promoting or honoring certain landmarks or figures, such as the home of the world's largest ball of twine, Lady Liberty keeping her torch lit, etc.

Nothing is sacred or taboo. Trailer trash, prima donnas, ditzy blondes, the stuck-up snob who thinks she's all that (along with the in-control mother itching to prove it)......

And to think, I didn't even mention the talent show yet or the retiring teen princess whose Barbie doll probably weighs more than she does! This movie will blow you away, unless you're a princess...in which case, you'll probably just blow chunks. *gasp*

3 Licks

1993

Best acting honors should go to the groundhog who portrayed Punxatawney Phil, for tirelessly forecasting the weather...take after take after take! His stylist did wonders on his hair. Never was one hair out of place!

Bill Murray as the tortured soul who had to relive the same day over and over again until he did it right was great in this role. This is exactly how they should've made the movie Scrooged. And it may also make you wish you could relive just one pivotal day in your own life until you had done everything you wished you could've, knowing you'd only wake up to that same day the next day...with no lasting repercussions.

Incidentally, if I had to wake up every morning to "I Got You Babe," sung by Sonny and Cher, I would've chopped off my own ears on Day Two. Listening to that song every morning wouldn't feel like an ear-lick, but like a weak, old Mike Tyson latching his toothless gums onto your ear, too weak to bite it off completely, but too determined to give it up until your ear is half-gnawed and tenderized like a juicy, undercooked steak.

0 Licks

1994

Pairing up Julia Roberts with Nick Nolte and expecting sparks, chemistry and some odd romance that we'd all fall for...how stupid did the movie execs really think we were?!

If you really love trouble and want to keep it that way, go get in some and spend some money towards bailing yourself out of jail, rather than wasting it on this movie.

2.5 Licks

1997

Not an awesome movie, but a "good enough" comedy to while away about 85 minutes of your time on a Sunday afternoon or a Monday morning home "sick" from work.

This is one of Jim Carrey's more tame, mainstream roles. At Lick's Picks, he's generally preferred in more outrageous roles. Carrey's ability to contort his face to a range of oddball expressions is one of his key acting skills. We bet if he wants to go home sick from the movie set, he can really fool them. We should all take lessons from him!

2 Licks

2005

It's "good enough," but not sure there's anything so extraordinary here that made this a movie begging or needing to be redone...unless, of course, you're a huge Burt Reynolds fan and you want to see him play the "old guy" coach, instead of the young, hotshot former pro quarterback, which is the part he'd done in the 1974 version of this movie.

He may be playing the old guy now, but  for an old guy, Burt's aged well. I wonder what type of wine barrel he ripens in each night. Is it a fine French oak barrel with hints of berry, vanilla and a light touch of herbs? Or is it more of a chestnut barrel with a robust flavoring and hints of spice?

2.5 Licks

1989

The story was "cute," but primarily in a 7-year-old's view on the cuteness radar.

Kirstie Alley and John Travolta were forgettable and uninspiring, easily out-acted by the babies physically playing Mikey and the voice of Bruce Willis capturing the essence of the baby's thoughts.

0 Licks 

1993 

Were Danny DeVito and Diane Keaton actually that desperate for "scraps" (or scripts)  that they agreed to play dead, er, to voice the dogs in this uninspiring sequel? This movie would've been better caged inside a kennel, hidden under a pile of poo at the dog pound rather than on film.

1 Lick 

1990 

Roseanne Barr as the voice of the baby?! Well, "waaaah" to that! Then again, she certainly does have a whiney enough voice and tone to play a baby. She even gave me colic, and I'm decades away from infancy!