Everyone has different styles of humor. A movie that makes one person laugh may make another person cringe. A number of years ago, I finally discovered a way to judge which comedies were my personal favorite. In 2001, I found myself in a position where I was overly upset over a particular situation. I don’t recall what the problem was, which illustrates to me just how trivial some of the “big deals” in our lives really are. All I knew was that I was NOT in the mood to laugh. A friend of mine invited me to see a film called “Saving Silverman,” which was directed by Dennis Dugan and stars Jason Biggs along with the incredibly funny Steve Zahn and Jack Black. Rounding off the cast are the beautiful love interests of Amanda Detmer and Amanda Peet.

Because of the troubles that ailed me, I was brought to this film with a large degree of kicking and screaming. Again, I was NOT in the mood to laugh. This film, amazingly made me forget my troubles and from FADE IN: to FADE OUT: I laughed in hysterics. By the time I finished wiping my tears away, of joy not sorrow, I realized what made a great comedy. It’s not just about sitting down and having a giggle, but when a director and cast are talented enough to carry you from point A to point B emotionally...you know you've got a movie worth seeing! This situation has created my meter. My belief that you should watch a comedy when you're not in the mood to laugh. If anything, it'll get you out of your funk and at the end you may have just found a favorite new comedy.

It’s because of my love for Dugan's film that I was honored to have the opportunity to work with him on the filming of "Grown Ups." His latest film, which is being released it 2010, provides an all star cast including SNL alumni Adam Sandler, Maya Rudolph, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Chris Rock, Norm MacDonald, and Colin Quinn. Additionally the film also stars actor Kevin James, and actresses Maria Bello and Salma Hayek. In answer to your first question, yes Salma Hayek is as beautiful in person as she appears to be on film! But what an amazing cast! At first, I was concerned...because all comedians crave the spotlight and having too many celebrities in a single film can be more lethal than helpful to its quality. Having 1-2 all stars in a cast is enough, but to have all of these faces at once is daring. I’m certain however that if anyone can wrangle them all together to create a hilarious comedy, it’s Dugan. He's the man who is also responsible for “Big Daddy” and “Happy Gilmore.”

So remember to check out “Grown Ups” when it’s released in 2010, and if you’re feeling daring enough, watch it when you don’t want to laugh. It just might turn your day around. In regards to “Saving Silverman,” if you have not yet seen this film, I urge you to give it a try. My advice to you is to watch the rated version of the film as opposed to the unrated release. The unrated version of this movie has strived to wet the appetite of those who require swears in nudity in their films to make a great picture. I do not know whose idea it was to release this version, but I’m sorry to say it was a mistake.

My favorite aspect of "Saving Silverman" is the comedic relationship between Black and Zahn. What makes these characters so funny is their absolute innocence and simple mindedness. In one particular scene, Black and Zahn are trying to get their friend, Biggs, back from his over controlling fiancé (Peet) and the friends that his fiancé has insisted he socialize with. The scene breaks down in an argument in which Black yells “Die replacement friend!” and smashes his sandwich in the opposing friend’s face. The scene is to die for and the simple act of yelling Die! like a battle cry keeps with Black’s character and his simple sensibilities and innocence. In the unrated version, Black’s character yells “F*ck you replacement friend!” A downer. For one thing, the line doesn’t flow as well, for another it’s swearing for the sake of swearing, and for another it has taken a simple character and thrown his character profile out the window. The unrated version is filled with moments like this. I am not opposed to swearing but I think in a script it should be used for emphasis and not just because you can. So please take my advice and purchase the rated rendition. I promise you it's better!