Movies to make you laugh, others to make you (almost) think

Primer: A thinking man’s film
If, on the way to the theater, your buddy told you that Primer was made by a local engineering-type (Shane Carruth) who taught himself filmmaking, you might be intrigued. If you were told that the writer/director scratched together a meager production budget ($7,000) and made a film that won big at the Sundance Film Festival, you might see Primer as a fine piece of craftsmanship. Without this advance knowledge you might be confused by Primer and its blurry story line.

Craftsmanship is an accurate term because the film is technically solid. The sound quality is excellent. This is not one of those indies where the boom microphone dips into the frame, editing is sloppy and it all comes to an abrupt end.

The essential story line is that two young brainiacs invent a way to alter time. Not in a Back to the Future way, but in a complicatedly simple way that allows them to travel back and occupy the same reality along with their “former” selves.

Carruth plays Aaron, one of the brainiacs, and David Sullivan plays his associate, Abe. Technical jargon saturates this film. Sullivan chews on his lines in a way that worked for Brando but does a disservice here. Otherwise, the sparse cast does its job, washed in inspired cinematography, and delivers the film. It may be that Carruth and Sullivan are the only people who truly understand the story line, but that does not rob Carruth of the applause he deserves.

Taxi: A laughing man’s film
Here are the key elements of Taxi, starring Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon: bitchin’ cars, supermodel bank thieves, nitrous oxide, female-on-female frisking…well that’s about it.

Considering Taxi is a remake (from Luc Besson’s French blockbuster), things could have been worse. There are some high-octane scenes with plenty of standard comedy, and a sweet old-school soundtrack (courtesy of Music Supervisor, Queen Latifah.)

The story starts with police officer Andy Washburn’s (Fallon) license being revoked. Having crashed a few cars, he finds himself a pedestrian cop on the beat. When alerted to a nearby bank robbery, he jumps into a cab driven by Belle (Queen Latifah.) She immediately hates him. Laughter ensues.

The film has its loose ends and troubles—geography for instance. Smack in the middle of a most excellent car chase between Queen Latifah and supermodel Gisele Bundchen, the director cuts from New York to the same scene now in downtown Los Angeles.

Fallon expertly plays the endearing goofball cop. He’s the dude who thinks he’s cool, but is not. This is Fallon’s first feature since leaving “Saturday Night Live.” It’s a funny film. With his credits, he could have chosen better.

Ann-Margret (still going!) plays Washburn’s groovy alcoholic mom. Alcoholism is unfunny and sad when played comically, but she nailed her character nonetheless. Jennifer Esposito as Lt. Robbins is not believable despite the fact that she does a good job. Go figure!

Whether or not you dig NASCAR, supermodels, Jimmy or the Queen, you can still enjoy Taxi for what it is -- an entertaining 90 minutes of comedy.