Adult Comedies for Summer 2012

Love. What flick will be this year's Bridesmaids?

Sometimes, superheroes and mindless action flicks can be a bit boring. Step in the comedies. The summer of 2012 doesn't only feature films for the action junky, the geeks, or the kids. Yes, sometimes a movie-goer just needs to get out there and have a good laugh. Or rather an adult laugh...

Hurry to me...

While the films for the kids can be just as fun, sometimes the grown-ups need a night out. Instead of doing the same boring romance, try going for a silly film that's just a bit uncouth (or rather.... quite uncouth). Or if you're just straight up bored with the typical summer fair, these comedies should prove appealing.

Even though none of them project to be big box office draws, adult comedies are holding up surprisingly well in the last few years. While there doesn't seem to be a film that quite matches last year's Bridesmaids, a lineup of the latest romp with Sacha Baron Cohen, a horror-comedy, a talented comedy crew, a stoner flick, a Will Ferrell flick, and so many more.

Separate side note, looking up "adult" anything on Google just isn't that fun... sigh.

Now, let's take a look at these comedies, specifically for the "mature" (well, mature-ish). And don't worry, all the trailers below are Green Band. If you want the Red Band stuff, look it up yourself.

The Dictator

In the latest comedy by Sacha Baron Cohen, the cheeky comedian dons a militaristic uniform and becomes the eccentric dictator, Admiral General Aladeen, from (the fictional land) the Republic of Wadiya. Wanting to keep his beloved country free from democracy. After a visit to America, Admiral General Aladeen takes part in what should be an awkwardly wild romp featuring Cohen's ludicrous style. The film also stars Anna Faris and Sir Ben Kingsley, along with John C. Reilly. While Cohen's work may not suit everyone's style (Borat and Bruno both polarized audiences), the comedian is rather clever in his delivery and thus far, the marketing has been quite hilarious. I think Ryan Seacrest is still traumatized from having the (alleged) ashes of late North Korean dictator (and "friend") Kim Jong-il dumped on him by the Admiral General. 

The Dictator opens May 16.

Piranha 3DD

The much anticipated follow-up to the pulpy B-style film, Piranha 3D, the sequel should promise even more blood smattering, monstrous fishies, and oh yeah, hot babes (it is named "3DD" for a reason...). While certainly not for everyone, the gore-fest does horror-comedy right: be ridiculous. The best part of this franchise so far is that it doesn't take itself seriously at all. It knows it's purpose and that purpose is over-the-top 80s grindhouse-style B-movie. The film picks up where the last one left off, but instead of open water, the piranha's have moved to a water park (where the lifeguards have been replaced by strippers. Best. Water. Park. Ever.). The cast also features loads of talent for the blood-thirsty fish to feed off... Danielle Panabaker, Katrina Bowden (I LOVE HER!!!), Gary Busy, David Koechner and David Hasselhoff offer their bodies to the film. Yes, The Hoff will be playing himself (and oh yes, the Baywatch references will be glorious). Ving Raymes will also reprise his role. Shotgun leg? Um. Yes. All-in-all, Piranha 3DD should do what it's meant to, be a perfect summer escape. Also, STAY OUT OF THE WATER!
Blood will be in the water starting June 1.

High School

Every summer needs at least one stoner flick. While it won't be the next Pineapple Express, High School does boast an impressive cast that will undoubtedly make people laugh. Matt Bush plays a straight-laced valedictorian who gets caught with the Mary-Jane. His solution to avoid expulsion? Get the whole school high. Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks and Michael Chiklis also star in this sure-to-be ridiculous stoner comedy. Did we mention Adrien Brody? Oh yeah, the guy dons corn-rows. Shyeah. Even if it sucks, it has Adrien Brody in corn-rows. While certainly a stoner flick, there should be some heartfelt coming-of-age elements that should make High School worth seeing. It was well received at Sundance, as well.

Debuting in 2010 at Sundance Film Festival, High School apparently was slacking off and opens June 1. 

That's My Boy

Adam Sandler does yet another comedy about his character not being mature. While this seems like every Sandler movie ever, it should get at least a few laughs with the inclusion of SNL's Adam Samberg, playing the son to Sandler's dysfunctional dad. After getting a girl pregnant as a teenager, Donny (Sandler) raises Todd (Samberg) until Todd's 18th birthday. After not seeing Donny for years, Todd's life is changed drastically when Donny bursts back into his life. Hilarity ensues. Or at least, that's the hope. Sandler's films haven't really garnered praise, most of them featuring juvenile humor and goofy voices by Sandler, but here's to hoping That's My Boy is more of the raunchy, frat-boy flicks that Sandler does so well.

That's My Boy points out Donny's parenting mishaps starting June 15. 

Rock of Ages

Here's one reason to see this... Tom Cruise. Also, Tom Cruise shirtless. Sure, the guy isn't everybody's cup of tea, but if his comedic chops are anything like he showed in the brief minutes of Tropic Thunder, Rock of Ages should definitely be a laughfest. Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, Rock of Ages features music from the rock's golden age, the wild 80s. Joining Cruise are the comedic talents of Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin. Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta play wanna-be lovers, while Catherine Zeta-Jones plays the main antagonist. 

Rock of Ages rocks into theaters June 15

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

As the world nears its doom from an unstoppable asteroid, Dodge Petersen (Steve Carell) gets help from his longtime neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) to seek out his childhood sweetheart. Obviously, hilarity and much laughter ensues... The star power of Carell should really carry this film, even though its more of an ensemble cast (Patton Oswalt, Gillian Jacobs, Adam Brody, and a multitude of others join the will-be destroyed earth dwellers). While comedy and laughter will no doubt be the centerpiece, the film will probably be rife with some nice character development and coming-of-age moments for the ill-fated grown-ups. 

The earth begins to end on June 22. 

Magic Mike

Now, here's one I'm really excited about... Stephen Soderbergh helms a story based on Channing Tatum's real-life stripper background. Um. Yes. Now that's putting the "adult" into "adult comedy." Tatum plays a veteran stripper who shows the ropes to The Kid (Alex Pettyfer. Um. YES!). However, Magic Mike wants something more... A life-outside of stripping. There is so much awesome here that I don't dare include the other cast members in fear I'll have a heart attack... Okay, I'll do it anyways. Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Cody Horn, Olivia Munn, and Joe Manganiello lend their beauty to this project. Wow. 

Magic Mike bears all (maybe... PLEASE. Wait...) June 22.

Ted

This is another adult comedy that I'm looking forward to, and... probably shouldn't. Seth McFarlane (of Family Guy fame) tries his hand at live-action, and well, he's got a sweet cast to start off with. Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Gionvanni Ribisi, Patrick Warburton, and McFarlane himself lend their talents to the quirky off-beat fantasy comedy. John (Wahlberg) makes a wish as a child that well, changes his life forever. Wishing that his beloved teddy bear (voiced y McFarlane) could talk, the spell doesn't wear off, even though John is well into adulthood. After meeting the woman of his dreams (Kunis), John figures its time for Ted and him to part ways. Yes, a talking teddy bear must now fend for himself. Da-what. Vulgarity and irreverence ensues, no doubt.

Ted opens in theaters June 29.

The Watch (previously title: Neighborhood Watch)

Ben Stiller + Vince Vaughn + Jonah Hill + the writing talents of Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg. Sign me up! This science fiction comedy follows the story of four friends (Stiller, Vaughn, Hill, and Richard Ayoade) who form a neighborhood watch committee to escape their families, but once they discover an extra-terrestrial plot to destroy the world changes all that. With the acting talents of Stiller and Vaughn, plus the emerging star Hill, The Watch should provide plenty of laughs, as Rogan and Goldberg very rarely disappoint. 

The Watch hits theaters July 13.

The Campaign 

Again, another star-studded comedy lineup featuring Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, and Dan Akroyd. The story follows the campaigns of Cam Brady (Ferrell) and Marty Huggins (Galifianakis) as the rival politicians hope to win a seat to represent their small North Carolinian town. Ferrell and Galifianakis rarely disappoint, and The Campaign should prove no different. It should also be an intriguing film due to the impending election season. 

The politicians duke it out starting July 27.

Well, there you have it. Plenty of raunchy, over-the-top fun for... not the whole family, but rather the more adult section of it.

Oh by the way, this is in no way an exclusive list to the comedies this summer...