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GHOST TOWN

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Tea Leoni

Directed By: David Koepp

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references

By John Delia

Although Ghost Town does tend to be a bit over the top, I found the fun little film enjoyable to watch. If you like you humor with a British flare, then this film will be perfect for you. The film’s strong side comes with solid comical interaction between Gervais and everyone he runs into.
This romantic comedy centers on Bertram Pincus (Gervais), a dentist that after having a colonoscopy, finds out he died on the operating table and was brought back to life. What has transpired however is that Pincus has gained the power of conferring with the dead. No not spiritually, but in person with dead people who have unfinished business on Earth before they can be taken to the beyond. Totally bemused by his new power, Pincus tries to go on living like he has done in the past. However there is one ghost, Frank, who keeps bothering Pincus because he knows that he’s the only one who can make things right with his widow, Gwen (Leoni). When he finally agrees to help Frank, Pincus runs into more than he had bargained.
The amusement in this film comes from the great comedy of Gervais who makes every scene he’s in funny. His British accent and offhanded delivery of the witty dialogue had me laughing during each of the many situations he found himself. I especially like the scene where he is talking to the admitting nurse. His answers to her questions are priceless. Gervais can also deliver a warmer side of himself, especially when he has to make a decision that could change his life forever.
The writing is top notch with Keopp (Spider-man I, The Panic Room, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) keeping the plot interesting and not overly ridiculous. At first I thought that this was just another Ghost, but Keopp stays away from the main thrust of that tearjerker and instead provides a funnier side of death. I especially liked the scene where Pincus has to deal with the non-stop talking woman in his dentist chair, the conversation with the doctors who tell him he died and the meeting with Gwen at the museum.
Although the film is rated PG-13 it’s mostly for the strong language and sexual innuendos.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Ghost Town is a romantic story that will make you laugh.
2.5 out of 5 stars

IGOR

Starring voices of: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon and Christian Slater. 

Directed By: Tony Leondis

Rated PG for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language 

By John Delia

If you are an adult and are a fan of the tongue in cheek comedy of Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein, then you will love the animated adventure of Igor. Oh, and the kids will love all the funny characters and inventions while you laugh during their complete silence in most of the scenes. If you children like the cynical cartoons that are sometimes shown on Cartoon Network, then they will be very amused by this one.
The cute, yet dark, little films plot centers around Igor (Not just any Igor, because in this weird world everyone who has a hunchback has the name of Igor). So our special Igor happens to be the switch puller for the most prestigious mad scientist in the dark world in which they live. When his evil master kicks the bucket during an experiment he was making for the annual Evil Scientist Fare, Igor a novice inventor wants to show how he can be the best ever. So with the use of his cruel masters lab and the help of two of his friends that he invented, Brain in a jar and Scamper a looney toon bunny, who becomes reanimated every time he gets squished, Igor develops the most evil monster ever. When things go wrong in the wicked brainwashing lab however, things take a turn for the worse.
All the characters in the film are new and fresh to animation. I specially liked the characters of Brain and Scamper who brought a lot of laughter to the children. They misspelled Brain’s name on the jar transposing two letters to form Brian. Scamper constantly digs on Brain by calling him Brian every time Brain does something good. But the show stealer is the huge monster invented by Igor called Eva. Born like Frankenstein with a personality and a love for the arts, Eva represents the complete opposite of what Igor had intended and puts him in jeopardy when it comes to the monster competition. Her hilarious antics keep the film humorous, for at least the adults in the audience.
The film is rated PG for some scary monsters, but most children over the age of 5 should be able to handle it, especially if they are always glued to the cartoon channel. But the film is definitely for adults and especially if you bring your tongue-in-cheek sense of humor along.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Igor is a film for the whole family, especially if you like weird humor. 3 of 5 stars.