Kimberley O'Brien Chicago: Surprisingly Good Shows/Movies
by kimberleyochicago | created - 21 Jul 2014 | updated - 21 Jul 2014 | PublicSome TV shows/movies that turned out to be WAY better than I expected!
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1. Pain & Gain (2013)
R | 129 min | Action, Biography, Comedy
A trio of bodybuilders in Florida get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.
Director: Michael Bay | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub
Votes: 229,358 | Gross: $49.88M
Not your typical Michael Bay explosion fest. More like a Fargo-ish true crime caper with dumb bodybuilders.
2. The Family (I) (2013)
R | 111 min | Comedy, Crime, Thriller
The Manzoni family, a notorious Mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France, under the Witness Protection Program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging as their old habits die hard.
Director: Luc Besson | Stars: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron, John D'Leo
Votes: 123,047 | Gross: $36.92M
I got so sick of the watered-down PG-rated "gangsters" that DeNiro was doing -- they were like parodies of his earlier, better stuff. This feels like a return to Deniro being Deniro. Plus, Luc Besson.
3. Trailer Park Boys (2001–2018)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Crime
Three petty felons have a documentary made about their life in a trailer park.
Stars: John Paul Tremblay, Robb Wells, Mike Smith, John Dunsworth
Votes: 50,627
Thought this was like a Canadian "Jackass." But it's more like a combination of "Reno 911" and "My Name is Earl." If you like either of those shows, Kim O'Brien says check this one out.
4. Hit and Run (I) (2012)
R | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Former getaway driver Charles Bronson jeopardizes his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend get to Los Angeles. The feds and Charles' former gang chase them on the road.
Directors: David Palmer, Dax Shepard | Stars: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Kristin Chenoweth
Votes: 37,516 | Gross: $13.75M
Real-life married couple Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell. Plus Tom Arnold, becuase, Tom Arnold. Really really fun in a way that the cover box doesn't reflect.
5. Adventure Time (2010–2018)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A 12-year-old boy and his best friend, a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers, go on a series of surreal adventures in a remote future.
Stars: John DiMaggio, Jeremy Shada, Tom Kenny, Hynden Walch
Votes: 112,342
For years I thought this cartoon was just some dumb kid thing. But then I actually watched it. It's smart, surreal, creepy, and witty. And Lumpy Space Princess.
6. Insidious (I) (2010)
PG-13 | 103 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.
Director: James Wan | Stars: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye
Votes: 339,064 | Gross: $54.01M
So good! Not your typical ghost story. Just don't watch the sequel. Trust Kim O'Brien on this.
7. Pontypool (2008)
Not Rated | 93 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
A radio host interprets the possible outbreak of a deadly virus which infects the small Ontario town he is stationed in.
Director: Bruce McDonald | Stars: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly, Hrant Alianak
Votes: 35,488
Saw this on my Netflix "suggested for you" queue for years and finally gave it a trial out of sheer boredom. It's a zombie movie about words. Seriously. Watch it.
8. Community (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A suspended lawyer is forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body.
Stars: Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase
Votes: 293,525
Never really gave this a chance until I caught it on Comedy Central one day. Great writing, especially in first seasons.
9. Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family
A gifted young teen tries to survive life with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.
Stars: Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan
Votes: 142,585
For years, I thought this was just one of those typical "family" sitcoms. I was wrong.
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