The Beach Bum (2019)

Matthew McConaughey in the role he was born to play: the stoner poet Moondog. Harmony Korine's latest is a hilarious stoner movie. Harmony Korine's distinctive style is pleasantly out of place for a stoner movie. Snoop Dogg and Jonah Hill (in a hilarious faux Southern accent that's so bad it's perfect) are obvious choices for the supporting cast. Isla Fisher, Zac Efron (with now infamously ridiculous tiger facial hair) and Martin Lawrence are inspired. There are some glaring pot holes, but honestly, who cares? This is a rollicking good time.

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

In short, I didn't really like this movie. I fell asleep. It has its funny moments. There are some great scenes, like the one in which the religious leaders discuss the accuracy of the movie. There just aren't enough of them.  It really feels like a Coen Brothers movie. The humor is unusual and dry but fast and witty. But I just couldn't really get into it. The movie is loving depiction of Hollywood and the movie-making business. 

22 Jump Street (2014)

This movie is surprisingly good.  The premise of the movie follows the movie's trajectory in the real world.  The first case worked out so well that the team got funding to do another case, "exactly the same."  Ice Cube repeats this line several times, and predictably the case turns out to not go exactly the same way despite their protestations.  What is so refreshing and funny is that everyone is in on the joke.  What is the same is the bromance between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill that just works so well.  They have a relationship that is almost at a James Franco-Seth Rogen level.

The best part of the film is actually the end credits.  They aren't bloopers but rather we see clips of hypothetical sequels that become more and more ridiculous to the audience's delight.  There are plenty of cameos in the movie, and even some high profile actors who show up in just a couple of seconds of credits for a laugh.       

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

The sequel to the children's favorite from 2010 does not disappoint.  In fact, it builds on the intriguing world created in the first film, including a new game of Quidditch on dragons.  The Vikings of the fictional town of Berk, much like those of the real world, begin to explore and consequently encounter new lands and peoples.  This movie takes a slightly darker, more mature turn than its predecessor, appropriately growing up with its audience.  With Pixar taking a break this year, Dreamworks picks up the slack with Pixar-level emotion.  It is highly imaginative film and the animators keep up with incredible artwork.  Who knew dragons could be drawn in so many different ways?  And the image of the giant Bewilderbeast is a brush stroke of brilliance.