One blog. Two opinions. One zillion films.

[Note to readers: Tammy has been on the modern equivalent of a vision quest, traveling far from home without the guidance and succor of her computer. She sent me some copy to append to her Best of 2008 draft, which languishes as it ripens in a forbidden zone on our server. However, my time belongs to things like learning Guitar Hero and a secret home improvement, to be revealed shortly. We'll have to wait a couple more days for Tammy's return. ]

Tammy, last night we happened to watch Ghost Town (which you mention in your latent Best of 2008 post) and I agree: it’s fresh and funny. The story is not new — ghosts roam the earth, or at least New York, looking for a little closure — but the ensemble acting is topnotch.

Both leads are revolutionary for a Hollywood comedy. Téa Leoni is, as Hollywood beauties go, rangy, angular and unprepossessing. She’s confident enough to play a busy archaeologist as harried and distracted, like a real scientist.  None of that “I am a celebrity, you can tell by my perfect hair and makeup” stuff.

Ricky Gervais’ “The Office” persona remains, a pudgy fussbudget who over-explains everything. Maybe he’d better think of something else soon but . . . maybe not. In Ghost Town he keeps coming up with new variations on that theme. A lot of the scenes in Ghost Town have a breezy, improvised feel. When Téa Leoni uncorks joyous laughter, you don’t know if it’s her character or the moment. It scarcely matters.

Kristen Wiig and Aasif Mandvi, two sharp TV comedians, get to stretch out a bit. Wiig is on Saturday Night Live so here, for a change, she gets to work with funny material. Mandvi is on “The Daily Show”  where he gets nothing but hilarious material. Here he’s asked to get a tad serious. Win-win.