2 dark comedies that are terribly funny and hilarious

“Triangle of Sadness” (US Rated R)

cast: Harris Dickinson, Charlby Dean Creek, Woody Harrelson, Dolly De Leon

Genre: comedy drama

Where to watch: video on demand

Dwight’s rating:

Probably the wackiest movie of the past year!

This says a lot about “Triangle of Sadness” in a year when movies like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” made headlines.

But here, too, there’s another ready-to-use photo that you won’t forget anytime soon.

But unlike “Everything Everywhere…”, the approach in “Triangle of Sadness” is not extreme absurdity. Instead, it simply holds up a mirror to some of the surprisingly strange ways of modern man.

But boy, is it hilarious!

Influencers Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlby Dean Creek) are invited to a luxury cruise ship with ignorant wealthy people manipulated by an ignorant captain (Woody Harrelson). Things take an unexpected turn when a brutal storm hits the ship.

Almost every part of this movie is relatable. From commentary on social status and status, to discussions of capitalism vs. materialism vs. socialism, gender roles and even racism. A must-watch for your college sociology, social psychology, or sociocultural anthropology class, it should spark a fascinating discussion.

Blessed with some really great performances, including Dickinson and Dean (Sadly, Dean passed away last summer before the movie came out in the fall). No, but Harrelson is always fun to watch.

But the cast member most people talk about, and perhaps the one they remember the most, is Dolly De Leon as Abigail. It’s a nightmare for others.

De Leon was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and a British Academy Award nomination in the same category. But she got scratched by Oscar.

The film itself won the top prize, the Palme d’Or, at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for Ruben Ostlund for Best Picture and Director, and most notably, for Best Original Screenplay. I was. Ostland.

“Triangle of Sadness” is hilariously hilarious, laughing hysterically and screaming in terror. It’s not scary, but I cover my eyes in shock and hope I don’t miss it.

“M3GAN” (C designation)

cast: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amy Donald, Jenna Davis

Genre: horror, sci-fi, thriller

Where to watch: in theaters, video on demand

Dwight’s rating:

‘M3GAN’ is much more candid and far from cut or deep, but it does give an entertaining look at what many filmmakers have warned us about the future. It’s time for our robots, computers and personal assistants – THE MACHINES – to face us!

M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a lifelike doll programmed to be a child’s best companion and parent’s best ally. Designed by her Gemma (Allison Williams, “Get Out”), a brilliant robotics engineer, her M3GAN plays the role of friend, teacher, playmate and protector, so it can hear, see and can learn. When Gemma becomes the unlikely caretaker of her eight-year-old niece (Violet McGraw), she decides to give the girl her M3GAN prototype, but this leads to her unimaginable consequences.

M3GAN looks like a creepy and insane young Scarlett Johansson, but is physically played by 12-year-old New Zealand actress Amie McDonald (wearing a mask) and voiced by 18-year-old Jenna Davis. increase.

I’ve seen quite a few movies like this, even though they’re full of hilarious lines and hilarious scenarios, so it’s certainly not groundbreaking. I mean, it’s listed as horror, but it’s far more ‘funny’ than ‘horrifying’.

This is not Oscar eligible. But that’s fine. Among the Oscar-bait flicks and the usual New Year’s cast-off released in January, “M3GAN” is a long-awaited pleasant surprise and much more interesting than expected. And it’s a lot of fun.

• Dwight Strachan is the host/producer and station manager of Guardian Radio’s “Morning Blend.” He is a television producer and writer and an avid television historian and film buff. e-mail dwight@nasguard.com follow him on twitter @morning blend 969.