Four Lions (2010)

(Streaming on Netflix as of 6/19/2012)

Watching stupid people is funny. It’s why we laugh at Homer Simpson, the characters on The Office, Dumb and Dumber, etc.

And watching four very stupid would-be suicide bombers is just as funny, even if a part of your brain is wondering, “Should I really be laughing at this?”

I’ve watched Four Lions three times, and it keeps getting funnier. It’s got that awesome British sense of humor that can mix the smartest comedy with the dumbest comedy and then sprinkle in the most superb bad taste. The first time I saw it I thought it was ambitious but flawed. But now it’s gotten completely under my skin. I laugh out loud every time I think the words, “Rubber Dinghy Rapids, bro.” And how Omar uses the story of The Lion King to teach radical ideals to his son is just hilarious.

But Four Lions is not for everyone. I doubt it would be popular with the multiplex-going, sitcom-watching, mainstream comedy fans. But if you’re looking for something “completely different” (in the Monty Python sense), I think you’ll be happily surprised.

As much as I really like this movie, I still recognize that it does have some flaws. Ironically, what I respect most about Four Lions is also what’s ultimately responsible for a tonal shift at the end that doesn’t totally work for me.

If you don’t want to risk spoilers, stop reading now. Otherwise…

Network (1976)

(Streaming on Netflix as of 9/24/2011)

There’s a reason a movie becomes a classic. Because it’s good.

Network is one of those movies I heard referred to quite a lot, but it just never crossed my radar until now.

What surprised me the most was how relevant this 35-year-old movie still is. In retrospect, this movie was a warning of what the world could become—what the world would become. And the fact that we ended up here despite that warning would be depressing…if the movie wasn’t so funny.

Now I have a hard time calling it a comedy because the sense of humor is so twisted. It’s really a satire. But a very pointed satire, and like I said, relevant today.

If you don’t want to risk spoilers, stop reading now. Otherwise…