The Artist (2011) - 3/5

This movie’s main faults are being sappy and pretentious, but on the whole it works out pretty well. While the ‘silent treatment’ is a gimmick the film understands how to convey its story through the restricted medium and carries a sufficiently compelling narrative. The scant times it breaks convention it does so to great effect, not distracting from the story but propelling it forward.

Closest comparison: It’s like Stan & Ollie by way of Silent Movie.

Setting: Navel-gazing
Plot: Changing Times
Tone: Dramedy

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) - 4/5

This is one of the top College Comedy-style movies to come out in its decade and has rightly become a classic as a result. The raunchiness isn’t the focus, taking a back seat to situational workplace shenanigans and relying on comedic writing and delivery. Will Ferrell is good but Steve Carell steals the show whenever he’s on screen. It’s an all-out laugh fest that prides itself on its over-the-top antics.

Closest comparison: It’s like Network (1976) by way of Dodgeball (2004).

Setting: Workplace Comedy
Plot: Biographical Drama
Tone: Sketch Comedy