It's Kind of a Funny Story

If you need a little break from award season's serious dramas, then today's new DVD releases should do the trick. There are three comedies in the mix here — one romantic, one screwball, and indie — so take your pick!

Life As We Know It

Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel star opposite each other as Holly and Messer, acquaintances who are thrown together when they have to raise the baby their best friends leave behind after their untimely death. The opposites clash at first, but eventually attract as they go from inept singles to caring parents in this romantic comedy, which, while completely predictable, is still pretty charming. Maybe it's the heavier-than-usual subject matter that gives it a fresh angle, or the cute, clever dialogue; either way, it's perfect for the rom-com lover. DVD extras include several deleted scenes.

29%

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Zach Galifianakis tones down his usual shtick to play Bobby, a mental patient who shows newbie Craig (Keir Gilchrist) the ropes at the mental hospital Craig has just checked into. It's a surprising departure for Galifianakis, who pulls off the serious role and keeps the movie going, even though it does get a little slow. Emma Roberts also stars as Craig's love interest, along with Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan as his parents. The DVD extras include deleted scenes, an outtakes reel, a featurette called A Look Inside It's Kind of a Funny Story, and red carpet footage from the film's premiere.

58%

See one more new release when you read more

In It's Kind of a Funny Story, Emma Roberts plays Noelle, a teen in psychiatric care. It seems like heavy stuff, but the young actress will tell you that the film is funnier than it sounds (of course, having Zach Galifianakis as your costar helps!). I recently spoke to Roberts about her dark comedy, along with her much-hyped upcoming project Scream 4. Even though she's the franchise's newest star, Roberts admits she's kind of a wimp when it comes to scary flicks. Read on for our chat!

BuzzSugar: It's Kind of a Funny Story is unusual in that it deals with dark topics like depression, but it's a comedy. What attracted you to the project?
Emma Roberts: It wasn't all sad, and it wasn't all funny, which I think is how it is in real life. When people are suffering with these problems in the real world, they want to be happy, and they want to laugh. I think that's what I really liked about the script.

Buzz: How was it working with Zach Galifianakis?
ER: He really surpassed my expectations. He was just a nice guy and also just so funny. He would ad lib and have me almost crying.

Buzz: Would you ever want to be on his show Between Two Ferns?
ER: I would love to! I think it would be hilarious.

For more of my conversation with Roberts, including details on Scream 4 and what Roberts listens to in the car, just keep reading.

Whether you like your comedies romantic or dark, you're bound to get at least a few laughs at the theater this weekend with new releases Life as We Know It and It's Kind of a Funny Story. To find out if you should put your money on Katherine Heigl or Zach Galifianakis, just watch!

The Hangover put Zach Galifiankis on the map, thanks to his oddball character and hilarious one-liners, but It's Kind of a Funny Story lets him break out of that stereotype to show us something we haven't really witnessed before: his serious side.

Galifianakis stars as Bobby, a patient at a hospital's psychiatric ward who heads up a group of mental misfits. Bobby is the floor's unofficial host of sorts, so when he comes across Craig (Keir Gilchrist), he immediately takes the kid under his wing. Craig is a teenage boy with major anxiety issues (he projectile vomits whenever he gets stressed). After an all-too-real dream about suicide, Craig admits himself into medical care out of fear that he may be a danger to himself.

Did I mention this is a comedy? Gilchrist may be the movie's protagonist, but it's Galifianakis who keeps the film afloat. For more on what I mean, read more

When the trailer for It's Kind of a Funny Story landed, I was taken in by more than just Zach Galifianakis as a mental patient. The song that comes in for the second half of the clip grabbed me: the first lyrics of "find a cure, find a cure . . ." dovetails with the indie comedy's hospital setting. By the time the more impassioned breakdown of the song breaks into "Ohhh my God," we've hit the more impassioned part of the trailer — and I've fallen in love with the track.

The artist is Ida Maria, and the song is called, appropriately, "Oh My God," from the Norwegian rocker's debut album, Fortress Round My Heart. Fun fact: As much as I think the song fits in with It's Kind of a Funny Story, it was also once used in Gossip Girl promos.

To hear the song, just read more