Classic and New Comedies at the Paramount This Month

Just in time to break up the dark days of winter -- which in Austin apparently means 70 degrees and sunny, not that I'm complaining at all -- the Paramount Theatre is screening some classic and new funny movies in its Winter Comedy Series this month. The films range from Will Ferrell vehicles to Richard Pryor stand-up; Woody Allen to Eddie Murphy; and a certain locally shot favorite. The week-long series runs from January 22-29.

The movies are being shown in double features, and one ticket can get you into both films in one night. If you have a Paramount Film Fan membership, you can get a discount on ticket prices, online or at the box office.

The lineup is detailed below.

• Step Brothers and Anchorman, Jan. 22-23: I'm not a big Will Ferrell fan myself but you don't have to be to like Anchorman. I'm most impressed with Christina Applegate, and of course there's also a slew of other comic actors. Step Brothers is also directed by Adam McKay; it's the one co-starring John C. Reilly that has nothing to do with NASCAR.
• Bananas and Love and Death, Jan. 24-25: A pair of Woody Allen's "early, funny ones," which should be great fun to watch with a crowd.  ("To love is to suffer. Not to love is to suffer. To suffer is to suffer.")
• Office Space and Beverly Hills Cop, Jan. 26: An odd pairing, but it's hard to resist Office Space with an appreciative audience.
• Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip and Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling, Jan. 27 and 29: Two Richard Pryor films from the 1980s; one concert film and one thinly disguised autobiography.