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"Seinfeld" wouldn't be the same without Julia Louis-Dreyfus among the core ensemble of New York troublemakers. You only have to go back to the pilot episode ("The Seinfeld Chronicles") to see what a version of the revered NBC sitcom looks like without a notable female presence to co-exist alongside Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander) and Kramer (Michael Richards). It's the only episode Louis-Dreyfus refuses to watch. Thankfully, she was brought into the fold with the following episode ("The Stake Out"), where the world was first introduced to Elaine Benes.

Throughout her nine season run, Elaine proved she couldn't dance to save her life, instigated a war with the Soup Nazi, and had an on-again, off-again relationship with a man who would rawdog his flights. The character was introduced onto the show as a former flame of Jerry's. Despite their relationship issues, the pair were able to remain friends throughout the series,...

In James Mangold's safe but enjoyable "A Complete Unknown," Bob Dylan, as played by Timothée Chalamet (who just missed out on the Best Actor Oscar) tells his girlfriend Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), "People make up their past. They remember what they want, they forget the rest." The legendary musician is notorious for doing just that, spinning questionable tales about his own life in a tradition he's very much kept alive throughout his career. His 2019 "Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story," for example, was ostensibly a documentary but came packed with tall tales and fictionalized accounts of non-events, all presented as if they were incontrovertible fact.

This penchant for elaboration and misdirection, combined with his massive success and prolific output, has helped Dylan attain a kind of mythical status in pop culture. As such, you're never really sure which stories about the man are actually true — and there are many of them.

The conceit of the 2006 comedy "Borat! Cultural Learnings of America Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" is easy to understand on its surface. The title character (Sacha Baron Cohen) is a journalist from Kazakhstan who knows little about the United States, and he travels there to observe American culture. The film is staged in a series of documentary vignettes wherein Cohen, in character, grills various American citizens who live out on the Right-wing fringe. The goal was to see if he could spark a xenophobic response, often presenting his oddness as mere cultural differences. "Borat" was released during the George W. Bush administration, a time when American was engaged in multiple overseas wars, and the filmmakers clearly wanted to expose how ignorant Americans were about other nations.

Perhaps the biggest joke of the film is that its depiction of Kazakhstan is wholly fictional. Kazakhstan is a real country, of course,...

"Seinfeld" went to some pretty dark places over its run. It sent its main characters to prison for a year. It killed off George's (Jason Alexander) fiancé Susan (Heidi Swedberg), and in a very cold manner, I might add. There was even a -- decidedly bad -- episode where Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) may or may not have been molested by his dentist. Most sitcoms in the '90s kept things safe and sweet, but Seinfeld, his co-creator Larry David, and the other "Seinfeld" writers had no interest in that sort of thing.

Considering how free "Seinfeld" seemed with pushing boundaries, it's surprising to hear about the moments where the NBC execs decided to draw the line. For instance, there was supposed to be a season 2 episode titled "The Bet" or "The Gun," but it was never filmed because NBC found it way too dark. The episode featured perhaps too much gun-related humor,...

Larry David: Star of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld’s head writer and an auction-worthy hunk whose “premature baldness is caused by an overabundance of testosterone”?

Much to everyone’s surprise, the thirsty quip — and several other hilarious horny inside jokes about Seinfeld’s cast and crew — graced the pages of a recently unearthed prop program appearing during the “bachelor auction” scene of Season Five’s “The Barber.”

The first glimpse at this tawdry Seinfeld relic came on Friday, when Stephanie Kennedy, the sitcom’s costume supervisor and the woman behind the wildly popular “Seinfeld Backstage” Instagram page, put the item up for auction during her social media fundraiser for actors impacted by the L.A. wildfires.

Unlike Kennedy’s lot, though, which aimed to aid Angelenos in need, the show’s bachelor auction had a much different goal — helping “The Liberated Sisters of Spinsterhood,” a charity we assume isn...

Peter and Bobby Farrelly were complete unknowns in 1994 when they stormed multiplexes with the smash comedy hit "Dumb and Dumber." It was the third Jim Carrey movie of that year, and by far the funniest. With its unabashed gross-out gags (Jeff Daniels' explosive diarrhea sequence is a classic of the very low form) and aggressively silly shenanigans, the film ushered in a new era of buffoonish humor that made Jerry Lewis' work look like drawing room farces. (/Film ranks "Dumb and Dumber" as the Farrellys' finest effort to date.) The Farrellys then doubled down on their sickening shtick with the box office disappointment "Kingpin" in 1996, only to rise to putrescent prominence two years later with the raunchy blockbuster "There's Something About Mary."

While folks inside the industry were semi-familiar with the Farrellys as peddlers of comedy pitches, mainstream moviegoers were struck, well, dumb by their rapid ascent. So, those hungry...

We know the first and last names of Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, and Elaine Benes, but throughout "Seinfeld," Kramer is just called Kramer. It makes sense that we know little about Kramer's identity because he is such an oddball. Based on "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David's eccentric neighbor Kenny Kramer, he's someone who constantly barges into Jerry's apartment and has no traditional job outside of his harebrained schemes and get-rich-quick ideas. In the "Seinfeld" pilot, he's referred to as Kessler, then in season 9, episode 8, "The Betrayal," Kramer jokingly chalks it off as a mistake on his buzzer.

Little to nothing is revealed about Kramer's backstory until season 6, episode 11, "The Switch," where we are introduced to his mother, Babs Kramer. She works as a bathroom attendant at a fancy restaurant. Even though Babs has a strained relationship with her son, George enlists her to spy on his girlfriend, who has an eating disorder,...

While George had Susan and Elaine had Puddy, Jerry’s girlfriends on Seinfeld rarely lasted more than an episode. There was, however, one exception: Rachel, played by Melanie Smith, who appeared in four episodes of the show at the end of Season Five.

While you’d never call the relationship “serious,” Rachel was introduced in “The Raincoats,” a two-parter in which she infamously made out with Jerry during Schindler’s List, only to come back to catch George’s shrinkage in “The Hamptons” and amicably break up with Jerry in “The Opposite.” Moreover, Smith also returned for Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she played an ex of Larry’s who was a survivor of incest.

I recently caught up with Smith to talk about her memories from both Seinfeld and Curb as well as who she thinks would be the better date — Jerry or Larry.

When you got the part on Seinfeld,...

When "Seinfeld" got controversial, it didn't do so in a socially conscious way á la Norman Lear's "All in the Family," nor did it go in for barbed political satire (which may be one reason why its infamous "The Puerto Rican Day" episode landed with such a thud in 1998). Generally, the series crossed lines alongside its hilariously self-absorbed and frequently petty characters, who might get caught up in a competition over who can abstain from pleasuring themselves the longest or worked into a panic over being erroneously outed as gay in a major publication. (Some of these episodes really haven't aged well.)

For the most part, the cast and crew knew what show they'd signed up to appear in or work on, so everyone had a sense as to what subjects might be taboo. There was one time, however, when everyone wasn't on the same page, which resulted in...

[Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2022 and has been updated multiple times since.]

Sex on film is nothing new, and yet unsimulated intercourse in non-pornographic movies has raised eyebrows and drawn eyeballs for decades. From Vincent Gallo’s controversial directing for “The Brown Bunny” to Robert Pattinson’s masturbatory method acting in “Little Ashes,” genuine intimate encounters captured on film — however staged they may be — can pull audiences into the bigger stories their writers and directors are trying to tell.

Catherine Breillat’s first film in 1976, “A Real Young Girl,” adapts her own controversial novel about a 14-year-old exploring her newfound sexuality. Breillat’s later work, 1999’s “Romance,” tells the story of a woman desperately seeking human connection and featured similar scenes, including sadomasochistic sex play.

“Actors are prostitutes because they’re asked to play other feelings,” Breillat told IndieWire. “This prostitution is not profane; it’s a sacred act that we give them.”

John Cameron Mitchell set out to “honor” sex as a pastime for real people,...

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Am I Racist? is a Borat-style mockumentary comedy film directed by Justin Folk from a screenplay co-written by Folk, Brian A. Hoffman, and Matt Walsh. The Daily Wire film follows conservative political commentator Matt Walsh as he goes undercover to investigate diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Am I Racist? stars Matt Walsh in the lead role, with Robin Diangelo, Regina Jackson, and Saira Rao starring in small roles. So, if you loved the comedy, absurdity, and the not-so-politically-correct people in Am I Racist? here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Borat (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – 20th Century Fox

Borat is a mockumentary-style dark comedy film directed by Larry Charles from a screenplay co-written by Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, and Dan Mazer. The 2006 film follows the story of a Kazakh resident, Borat...

While it’s tough to picture anyone other than Jerry Stiller playing Frank Costanza, the part of George’s hot-headed dad originally went to a totally different actor, a fact that has eluded many Seinfeld fans because Larry David promptly George Lucas-ed all of the original performer’s scenes for syndication once Stiller was cast.

Frank first showed up in Season Four’s “The Handicap Spot” and was originally played by actor John Randolph, who previously appeared in classic films like Serpico and Seconds, although he’s perhaps most recognizable to modern audiences as Clark Griswold’s father in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Apparently playing the dads of unhinged man-children was kind of his thing.

While David doesn’t remember whether or not Randolph was unavailable for Season Five, or if they simply made a decision to change the actor, Stiller was hired at the suggestion of Larry Charles.

One of the greatest sitcoms, Seinfeld recently once again got into conversation after the script of a scrapped episode was leaked online. Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, the show is known for its unique brand of humor, which often includes elements of dark comedy.

Seinfeld | Credit: NBC

However, one specific episode of Season 2 took things a bit too far, in an episode titled, The Bet. The episode follows Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Elaine deciding to buy her first gun. However, things soon take a dark turn with references to the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.

The Scrapped Seinfeld Episode’s Worst Take on Presidential Assassinations

The scrapped episode of Seinfeld focused on a bet regarding Kramer’s claims about having had s*x with a flight attendant in an airplane lavatory during his return from Puerto Rico.

A still from Seinfeld | Credit: NBC

Meanwhile, a secondary plot follows Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ character,...

One of Seinfeld’s very best episodes found the gang ditching New York City and venturing upstate for a weekend at Susan’s father’s cabin. Along the way, they stop over at a nondescript small town to visit a “Bubble Boy” on his birthday — although he turns out to be a vulgar young man (voiced by adult comedian Jon Hayman) who lives behind a plastic divider due to an unspecified medical condition.

The Bubble Boy has to be rushed to the hospital after getting into a physical fight with George over a game of Trivial Pursuit. In response to the history question “Who invaded Spain in the 8th century?,” the Bubble Boy confidently answered “The Moors.” But George claimed that he was wrong, citing the answer on the card, which clearly read “The Moops.”

Despite the fact that this was obviously a misprint, George was still defending his “Moops...

It seems as though a lot of Seinfeld fans tend to confuse the show with reality, likely because several of the characters were based on real people and one of them runs a literal “reality” bus tour. But at least when fans approach Jerry Seinfeld or Larry David to express their admiration for the show, they don’t interrupt their private bathroom time.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case for Julia Louis-Dreyfus, all thanks to one episode.

Season Five’s “The Stall” found Kramer prank calling phone sex lines, and George developing a crush on Elaine’s “Mimbo” boyfriend Tony. But it opened with Elaine in a movie theater bathroom, where she discovers that there’s no toilet paper in her stall. Naturally, she asks the woman in the next stall over if she can spare some, but she claims she can’t — not even a square.

The woman turns...

Bob Dylan and Borat director Larry Charles teamed up for the 2003 film Masked and Anonymous, which had a disappointing reception when it was released. The star-studded cast included Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Penlope Cruz, and others, but despite its potential, the film failed to live up to expectations. Critics described the movie as "unintelligible" and "self-indulgent," with Dylan's stiff acting and overly philosophical remarks drawing particular criticism.

Who is familiar with the 2003 masterpiece of a film, Masked and Anonymous, written by Sergei Petrov and Rene Fontaine? Never heard of those writers? It could be because those are the pseudonyms of Bob Dylan and Larry Charles, respectively. That second name doesn't immediately ring a bell, either? Charles was the director who helmed Borat in addition to writing multiple episodes of the first five seasons of Seinfeld. You're not alone if those two names sound like an unconventional pairing to you.

Charles also directed this flick,...

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was one of the main attractions of the hit NBC series Seinfeld. The brainchild of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, many of its storylines were inspired by real-life experiences of Seinfeld’s life. The series ran for 9 successful seasons and is considered one of the most influential sitcoms of all time.

A still from Seinfeld

The show in total consisted of 180 episodes throughout its entire run and while the makers pulled off some risky one-liners and jokes through them, one episode proved to be too extreme for the cast and they had to pull the plug on the episode. The details of that episode titled The Bet have been released online and one can understand why they did not go forward with the episode.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Was Against Going Forward With Seinfeld Episode The Bet Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s rejection of one controversial Seinfeld episode led to its cancellation

Jerry Seinfeld...

"Seinfeld" could be an incredibly mean show. For peak cruelty, it's hard to top "The Invitations" in which George's fiancée Susan drops dead after licking too many envelopes. The finale is self-consciously nasty in the way it indicts viewers for having been emotionally invested in the lives of these relentlessly awful people for nine seasons. My favorite might be "The Yada Yada," where Jerry is called out as an "anti-dentite" for his dim view of dentists. But the series, created by Seinfeld and Larry David, knew how to go dark without alienating its audience — which is why they scrapped a Season 2 episode called "The Bet."

Unless you're a "Seinfeld" superfan, you might not know of this episode. If you are a "Seinfeld" superfan, you know "The Bet" quite well and have surely read the script that got leaked to the "Lost Media" subreddit earlier this month. It's been something of...

On July 5, 1989, “The Seinfeld Chronicles” premiered with a whimper on NBC. Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, it centered on the mundane life of a standup comedian and his eccentric friends. The self-proclaimed “show about nothing,” rebranded as “Seinfeld” when its remaining four first season episodes finally aired almost a year later in 1990, was championed by critics and ignored by audiences. Yet momentum continued to gain, and soon the series was dominating the ratings, collecting Emmys and entering the cultural lexicon with its popular catchphrases. Let’s take a look back at 30 of its greatest episodes, ranked worst to best.

Though Jerry was front-and-center, “Seinfeld” succeeded thanks to its supporting cast: best friend and ne’er do well George Costanza (Jason Alexander), former girlfriend Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and wacky neighbor Kramer (Michael Richards). Self-centered, back-biting and inconsiderate, these merry misfits were made for each other. The wide variety of oddball side players,...

Nearly a month after Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech reverberated across Hollywood and caused a wave of controversy, 455 Jewish creatives (and counting) have signed a letter in a show of support.

“We were alarmed to see some of our colleagues in the industry mischaracterize and denounce his remarks. Their attacks on Glazer are a dangerous distraction from Israel’s escalating military campaign which has already killed over 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza and brought hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation,” reads the letter, published amid the continued conflict in the Middle East. “We grieve for all those who have been killed in Palestine and Israel over too many decades, including the 1200 Israelis killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks and the 253 hostages taken.”

The letter is signed by a mix of actors, writers, producers, filmmakers and other creatives. Among those backing Glazer are Joker star Joaquin Phoenix; Killer Films vet Pamela Koffler...

Update: More than 300 Jewish creatives — including eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, “SNL” star Sarah Sherman, actor and documentarian Alex Winter and “Seinfeld” writer Larry Charles — have added their names to the list of signatories of an open letter in support of Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech.

The number of signees now sits at 492, having more than tripled since Variety first published the April 5 letter, which criticized the attacks on Glazer for being a “dangerous distraction” from the mounting death toll in Gaza while also contributing to the “suppression of free speech and dissent.”

New additions also include Oscar-winning “Anatomy of a Fall” co-writer Arthur Harari, veteran U.K. producer and Oscar winner Jeremy Thomas, “Girls” co-showrunner and co-writer Jenni Konner and “The Hunger Games” writer and director and four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross. Many members of the Israeli film community have also signed the open letter, including Oren Moverman, Nadav Lapid,...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

The Beekeeper (David Ayer)

It’s the time of year for smooth-brained relaxation. Moviegoers can recover from the holidays with the comfort of knowing Gerard Butler, Liam Neeson, or Jason Statham will be here to satisfy their mid-budget, action-programmer needs. Is it really the new year if one of those cherished Kings of January doesn’t appear on the release slate? There’s no Gerry or Liam, but the ever-reliable Statham dons a trucker hat and blue jeans to grit his way through David Ayer’s The Beekeeper, an overall valiant, occasionally fun attempt to take us out of Q1 doldrums. – Conor O. (full review)

Where to Stream: VOD

Brawl in Cell Block 99 (S. Craig Zahler)

S. Craig Zahler is the...

Curb Your Enthusiasm begins its 12th and final season and Tokyo Vice returns for season two as part of Max’s February 2024 lineup. The streaming service has also set a February 18th launch date for season 11 of the award-winning, critically acclaimed series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Chef and bestselling author Carla Hall’s Chasing Flavor makes its debut on February 1st, and one of the best seasons of True Detective, True Detective: Night Country with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, wraps up its too-short season on February 25th. The popular animated series Clone High releases new season two episodes beginning on February 1st.

‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ (Photograph by Courtesy of HBO) Series & Films Arriving On Max In January 2024

February 1

Bad Education (2004)

Batman vs. Robin (2015)

Batman: Bad Blood (2016)

The Bling Ring (2013)

Brooklyn (2015)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Citizen Kane (1941)

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Dying of the Light (2014)

Everest...

On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.

First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.

Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.

The Pitch: Ain’t It Just Like the Movies to Play Tricks When You’re Trying to Be So Quiet?

As if assembling the greatest songbook in the history of Western music through six decades (and counting!) of nonstop creative growth and experimentation wasn’t enough, Bob Dylan has made a surprisingly large impact on the world of film. In 1966, he helped launch the cinéma vérité movement — and captivated audiences with the mystery of who broke that fucking glass — by allowing D.A. Pennebaker to follow him for the landmark documentary “Don’t Look Back.

Exclusive: Bill Maher, an honorary director of PETA, has teamed up with the animal rights organization to produce a documentary about America’s multibillion-dollar experimentation industry.

The host of HBO’s Real Time is exec producing The Failed Experiment, which will launch on Amazon’s Prime Video on January 9.

It marks Maher’s first new documentary project in a number of years; he was behind the Larry Charles-directed Religulous and exec produced HBO’s Vice.

The six-part series pulls back the curtain on the experimentation industry and explores why there are so few cures and effective treatments for the deadliest diseases—including Alzheimer’s, many forms of cancer, Parkinson’s, and Als as well as offering solutions for modernizing the world of research.

Each episode reveals how the country’s heavy reliance on outdated experiments on animals is causing the U.S. to lose its place as the world...

If there’s one takeaway from the LGBTQ narrative films that came into the world and across our screens this year, it’s the sheer variety of the stories there are to tell.

From real-world historical biopics and inspirational sports dramas, to tender love stories and raunchy comedies, there really was something for everyone this year. Captivating characters, fearless performances and narrative tapestries that defy convention and troublesome tropes all reigned supreme. As such, here are some of the best we got.

All of Us Strangers “All of Us Strangers” (Credit: Searchlight Pictures)

A new movie from the director of “Weekend” starring the Hot Priest from “Fleabag” and everyone’s favorite internet boyfriend should be enough to catch the interest of anyone listening — and “All of Us Strangers” lives up to that potential and then some. This equal parts sexy and emotionally devastating romance stars Andrew Scott as an isolated writer who,...

After 12 seasons and a staggering 24 years on the air, Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will finally bid farewell. What began as a mock, behind-the-scenes look at a fictional David putting together a new comedy special blossomed into one of the most enduring and outrageous series of all time. Although neither David nor his character would want to be sentimental, to commemorate the announcement of its imminent series finale, revisit the dozens of awards nominations it received for its first 11 seasons.

Though he would likely never describe himself as an actor, David has a long list of nominations for his acclaimed, exaggerated performance as himself. The lovable curmudgeon earned six Emmy bids for Comedy Actor in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012 and 2018. He also racked up three Golden Globes noms in 2003, 2005 and 2006 and three SAG bids in 2006, 2010 and 2018, which demonstrates how different awards bodies have been receptive to his hilarious portrayal of his so-called “social...

A24, an entertainment company that is quite popular with fans of both horror and arthouse dramas these days, has just secured a Pay 1 output streaming deal with Warner Bros. Discovery that will see all of their new releases heading to HBO, Max, and Cinemax after their theatrical runs. In addition to this, The Verge reports that A24’s entire existing movie library, a list of over 100 titles, will also be available to watch through HBO, Max, and Cinemax. A24 previously had a similar deal with Showtime.

Royce Battleman, executive vice president of content acquisitions at Wbd, provided the following statement: “Continuing our relationship with A24 to bring award-winning movies alongside recent fan-favorites to subscribers adds incredible value to the HBO and Max value proposition. The diverse range of stories that come from the A24 pipeline make this partnership so impactful for our audience.“

Some A24 films were already available on Max and HBO before this,...

Warner Bros. Discovery inked a multiyear U.S. output deal with A24 bringing the entertainment company’s slate of films exclusively to HBO, Max and Cinemax after their theatrical runs.

A24’s output agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery comes after the expiration of A24’s deal earlier this year with Paramount Global’s Showtime, originally struck in 2019.

Among the films to be available under the new deal are Sofia Coppola’s biopic “Priscilla” starring Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley and Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley; Sean Durkin’s upcoming “The Iron Claw” starring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White as the real-life Von Erich brothers, who made history in the world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s; and Kristoffer Borgli’s comedy “Dream Scenario” starring Nicolas Cage.

Other movies included in the pay-1 output agreement include “Dicks: The Musical,” from comedian Larry Charles; “The Zone of Interest”; the 2023 rerelease of “Stop Making Sense,...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Birth/Rebirth (Laura Moss)

Likely a film that some will find underwhelming due to its lowkey, mostly affectless style, it’s a rather impressive feat of narrative economy that manages to separate itself from the seemingly endless indie horror crop. Directed by Laura Moss, there’s the sense they either don’t have much of a feel for the genre or rather harbors a general disdain for the shorthands it’s fallen into (hopefully they don’t get absorbed into bad studio product soon), the film’s tendencies refreshingly feel free of the trappings of calling-card cinema. – Ethan V. (full review)

Where to Stream: Shudder, AMC+

The Curse (Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie)

Following up the discomfitingly brilliant The Rehearsal, Nathan Fielder...

As creatives frequently work on various projects, it's not unusual for them to branch into different fields and still come by success. Popular stand-up comedians often find themselves involved in television shows, podcasts, and particularly movies. With their unusual talent for witticism, they generally end up as the source of comic relief in films. However, some popular stand-up comedians have a knack for acting that exceeds their usual satire.

Often featuring in acclaimed filmmaker's work, well-received comics have a way of taking over the show with their amusing humor. Some comedians have even found success in creating and directing their own hit stories. With the rise in popular stand-up comedians entering the film realm, there's soon to be no shortage of some of the best kinds of movies.

Masterminds and Zack Galifianakis Prove the Definition of an Oxymoron

Movie

Masterminds

Director

Jared Hess

Cast

Zack Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig...

Off-the-wall comedies provide a refreshing break from typical filmmaking rules, offering trippy plots and non-stop laughs for the modern "meme" era. Some of these bizarre films have gained massive success and cult followings, proving that audiences crave new ideas and imaginative worlds beyond tired blockbusters. These joyously weird comedies can range from visually stunning to absurdly hilarious, creating gut-busting laughter while appealing to audiences through their uniqueness and originality.

Some comedy movies can be an endless stream of creativity, throwing out typical filmmaking rules to provide trippy plot lines and mile-a-minute laughs. With their speedy pace and anything-goes brashness, off-the-wall comedies are perfect to reflect and entertain the modern "meme" era. The unexpected success of many daring films in recent years proves that audiences are hungry for new ideas and imaginative worlds beyond tired blockbusters.

Ranging from films that bombard viewers with non-stop, colorful visuals and absurd events to those...

"Dicks: The Musical: The Sing-a-Long" will have a nationwide theatrical release for one week only, starting on October 27th. The soundtrack features 25 original songs performed by a star-studded cast, including Nathan Lane and Megan Thee Stallion. Critics have praised the film's absurdist humor, poignant messaging, and masterful direction by Larry Charles.

A24 and Chernin Entertainment have shared the thrilling news that the upcoming musical comedy Dicks: The Musical will get a sing-along release. Dicks: The Musical: The Sing-a-Long will open in theaters nationwide this Friday, October 27th, just in time for Halloween. Audiences are invited to join in the musical mayhem of the film with this new, ‘Sing-a-Long' version that will be made available in theaters for one week only.

To get an idea of the kinds of toe-tapping numbers that you’ll be singing along to, Dicks: The Musical boasts a soundtrack of 25 original songs including “Gay Old Life,...

"Dicks: The Musical" is a bizarre and outrageous film that tries too hard to be funny and ends up feeling contrived and forced. Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally deliver standout performances in a film that lacks heart and memorable songs. The movie is smarmy and exasperating, pushing boundaries without a clear direction and ultimately falling short in terms of cleverness and humor.

Sometimes a movie comes along that is so outrageous and bizarre that it’s a wonder it was ever made. Dicks: The Musical is that film. Directed by Larry Charles from a screenplay by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, who also wrote and starred in the off-Broadway musical the film is based on, Dicks: The Musical is weird, over the top, rarely as funny as it’s trying to be, and somewhat pretentious and very annoying. Its premise is interesting enough — it’s Parent Trap meets Broadway — but...

Nathan Lane initially believed being a part of Dicks: The Musical was a big mistake. Lane's doubts about the comedy musical changed when he recognized its importance and pushed for a balance of humor and heart. Lane has since described Dicks: The Musicalas "unapologetic" and "audacious."

Dicks: The Musical star Nathan Lane initially believed that being a part of the A24 comedy musical was a big mistake. The day after the film's premiere, the movie's composer Marius de Vries, revealed the actor's feelings towards Dicks: The Musical (via Screen Rant), stating that Lane called it "the greatest mistake of my professional career." Dicks: The Musical was directed by Larry Charles and written by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp. The film stars Jackson, Sharp, Lane, Megan Mullally, Bowen Yang, Megan Thee Stallion, Tom Kenny, Frank Tordaro, Oscar Montoya, Sonya Eddy, Blake Daniel, Danielle Perez, Amy Jo Jackson, and Nick Offerman.

As a longtime actor and producer,...

Taylor Swift retained her box office title with a second weekend at number-one, as Martin Scorsese‘s “Killers of the Flower Moon” didn’t pose as big a threat as some may have expected. Read on for the weekend box office report.

Although Scorsese’s first movie in four years was met with a lot of excitement, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” continued to bring in business even with a large second weekend drop from its opening. In its second weekend it has made an estimated $31 million in 3,855 theaters, down 67% while bringing its domestic total to $129.8 million after reopening on Thursday.

Apple (via Paramount Pictures) released Martin Scorsese‘s three-and-a-half-hour true-crime drama “Killers of the Flower Moon,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, into 3,628 theaters months after it first debuted to acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in May. With a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes,...

At this year's Toronto International Film Festival, audiences went wild for Dicks: The Musical. The film directed by Larry Charles and adapted from the two-man stage play F***ing Identical Twins by Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson won the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness, making a totally unhinged, R-rated impression. With its origins on the stage, it's a film that one of its stars Nathan Lane says must be seen in theaters in a packed house to get the full effect. During an interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, he expressed what makes it so worthwhile with a crowd and what sold him on the project in the first place.

Larry Charles's film Dicks: The Musical isn't afraid to go to some strange places. Adapted from the two-man stageplay F***ing Identical Twins by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, it leans fully into its R-rating, following the writers and co-stars as immature businessmen who frequently discuss their genitalia and discover they are "f***ing identical twins." One of the more absurd elements of the musical comedy is the aptly named "Sewer Boys," two diaper-donning monstrosities Nathan Lane found in his adventures through the New York sewers. Lane plays the father of the twins who, after separating from their mother, now spends his time taking care of his little sewer buds. That includes feeding them like a mother bird feeds their young.

Musicals have always been a bit dirty. This is such a well-known fact that South Park even dedicated an entire episode to the way stealthily bawdy musical numbers can get people hot and steamy. In between the lines of classic lyrics in vintage musicals are double entendres and sexual innuendos that flew over the heads of many viewers. Unsurprisingly, as the years wore on, musicals made in the 1980s onward took this trait and ran with it, making the previous subtext of raunchiness very flagrant text. Audiences loved the dissonance between “squeaky-clean musicals” and sex jokes, resulting in projects ranging from South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut to Avenue Q to the new Larry Charles movie Dicks: The Musical.

Dicks: The Musical takes viewers into a the sordid world of terminally straight alpha males, for whom no conquest is too large. The men, played by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, are foul-mouthed, self-serving individuals who find a purpose beyond the endless pursuit of sex and money when they learn that they are identical twins who were separated at birth.

Based on a Ucb show, called Fucking Incestuous Twins, in which all roles were performed by Jackson and Sharp (also the co-writers), the film is directed by comedy legend Larry Charles. Dicks also features SNL cast member Bowen Yang, as none other than God, who offers plenty of opinions on the proceeds, along with veterans of the stage and screen, Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally.

To say that Dicks: The Musical is funny is to do it a disservice, because it's much more: it's an ode to the theater, a handmade,...

They’re impossibly fast and strong. Their skin is pale-white and ice-cold. They travel in pairs and they’re at the epicenter of campy, creepy gay culture. No, we’re not talking about the vampires of “Twilight” or “Dicks: The Musical” writers/stars Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp.

Meet Backpack and Whisper, Aka The Sewer Boys!

Born into this world as a one-off joke from an Upright Citizens Brigade sketch show a decade ago, they’re all grown up and now playing pivotal roles in A24’s gleefully unhinged musical comedy. It’s a genre first for the studio and, though the crusty cuties may remind you of iconic puppets from ‘80s and ‘90s films like “Gremlins” or “Labyrinth,” you’ve never seen anything quite like them on stage or screen before.

“I just remember that it was this big reveal that Josh and Aaron were like, ‘We have to show you the Sewer Boys,...

Based on their play Fucking Identical Twins, writers and co-stars Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson joined forces with Borat’s Larry Charles to bring their feature adaptation, Dicks: The Musical, to this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Full to bursting with lewd humor, a mash-up of genres, and the Sewer Boys, this bizarre A24 musical claimed TIFF’s Midnight Madness Award as well as the hearts of the audience.

From the director of Borat and the producers of The Greatest Showman, now comes A24’s most surprising project in its overall project lineup, Dicks: The Musical. This unique comedy-musical marks A24's first foray into this genre, injecting a refreshing twist into the traditional twins trope. The Larry Charles-directed film stars Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, two very upbeat and astoundingly arrogant businessmen who find out that they’re “identical” twins (they’re not identical).

A24 has become a household name, even among general audiences, because of its penchant for finding unconventional stories that appeal to niche audiences. Many casual moviegoers have been frustrated by the patience required for the more substantial and less generic storytelling typically found within an A24 film, from recent entries like "The Green Knight" back to Jonathan Glazer's "Under the Skin." But when it comes to "Dicks: The Musical," the raunchy R-rated comedy from fresh-faced comedians and collaborators Aaron Jackson & Josh Sharp and "Borat" director/"Seinfeld" executive producer Larry Charles, you pretty much get exactly what has been advertised in the movie's zany trailer. 

Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp star in "Dicks: The Musical," which they also wrote the script, lyrics, and book for, based on their own off-off-Broadway stage show that originated at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Right at the top of the movie, bumper cards inform...

Have you watched the trailer for Dicks: The Musical? Even if you have, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Yes, there are musical numbers, many involving genital discussion, and they even have “Sewer Boys.” From Larry Charles comes a wild little film from A24. Inspired by the talents of Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson, the film also stars the legendary Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally. Both of these pros add a whole lot of crazy to this R-rated musical. Get ready for a whole lot of dick jokes, songs, and a few unmentionables.

I, recently, had an amazing time getting to speak with this insanely funny group. And yes, it was incredible to chat with Larry Charles (Seinfeld). First up it was Charles, Jackson, Sharp, and Bowen Yang. Mr. Yang plays God. It is discussed. And yes, it was kind of fantastic chatting it up with the four of them.

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese returns to theaters just in time to take on Taylor Swift in the second weekend of her record-setting “The Eras Tour” concert movie. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is Scorsese’s first movie since “The Irishman” in 2019, which ultimately ended up on Netflix. Adapted from David Grann‘s 2017 true-crime novel, it’s about a group of unscrupulous white men in the 1920s trying to rob the Osage Nation of Oklahoma out of their oil money.

“Killers” reunites Scorsese with two of the actors with whom he’s collaborated the most, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, though this is only the second time they star in one of his movies together.

See Grab the popcorn and sound off in our movie forums

De Niro’s relationship with Scorsese goes back 50 years to “Mean Streets,” but one of their...

Cannes Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall from Neon grossed $125,377 at five theaters for a per screen average of $25,075 — a solid limited opening for the Justine Triet-directed film that made its theatrical debut Friday in NYC, LA and San Francisco. A limited expansion is planned for next week.

Sandra Hüller stars as a German writer living a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps with her husband Samuel and their 11-year-old son. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether it was suicide or murder. They fix on the latter and Sandra becomes the main suspect who finds herself and her relationship dissected in a courtroom. Anatomy most recently packed screenings at the New York Film Festival.

The dynamics at play are all different, but here are some of the best recent limited openings in terms of...

Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on Wbgr-fm on October 12th, 2023, reviewing “Dicks: The Musical” a raucous new romp featuring Nathan Lane and Megan Thee Stallion. In select theaters on October 13th, wider release on October 20th.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Josh Sharp is Craig and Aaron Jackson is Trevor, identical twins who were separated at birth. When a chance encounter at a new job reunites them, they decide to get their family back together, which means a “Parent Trap” scheme – switching places – to reunite their parents (Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally). There are two problems with this … Dad is gay and Mom has no genitalia. Can they be happy again?

”Dicks: The Musical” opens in select theaters on October 13th, wider release on October 20th. Featuring Josh Sharp, Aaron Jackson, Bowen Yang, Megan Mullally, Nathan Lane and Megan Thee Stallion. Written by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp.

Megan Mullally describes Dicks: The Musical as her "favorite thing" she's ever done, highlighting her strengths in singing, comedy, and being weird. Nathan Lane believes that the film is unapologetic, audacious, and made specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. Director Larry Charles prefers making low-budget movies like Dicks: The Musical as he finds high-budget blockbusters offensive in today's world.

During an exclusive chat with the cast and director behind Dicks: The Musical, star Megan Mullally revealed that A24's new comedy musical is her "favorite thing" she's done. Dicks: The Musical was directed by Larry Charles and written by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp. The film stars Jackson, Sharp, Nathan Lane, Mullally, Bowen Yang, Megan Thee Stallion, Tom Kenny, Frank Tordaro, Oscar Montoya, Sonya Eddy, Blake Daniel, Danielle Perez, Amy Jo Jackson, and Nick Offerman. In Dicks: The Musical, Mullally plays Evelyn (the mother of the two boys), who has some notably quirky habits,...

A24's independent studio proves its prowess in a new genre with "Dicks: The Musical," a hilarious and depraved comedy with outstanding musical numbers. The film shares similarities with "The Parent Trap" as long-lost twins reunite their parents, exploring themes of toxic masculinity and unexpected humor. Director Larry Charles and writers Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp discuss the film's energy, originality, and the talent of Megan Thee Stallion, who brings the perfect song and performance to the screen.

A24 may be best known for its horror films, but Dicks: The Musical is here to prove the independent studio's prowess in a whole new genre. Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp adapted their own Ucb one-act production into a movie script, which was then read and picked up by Borat director Larry Charles. Together, with some truly outstanding musical numbers courtesy of Karl Saint Lucy and Marius de Vries, they have cobbled...