Anjelah Johnson: That's How We Do It (2009)

Powerful

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

She doesn't seem to have much going on lately and this special demonstrates why. She's just not that funny. If you're someone who is offended by strong language, and laughs at very generic comedians, then this special is for you!It's not terrible, it's just not great. Very meh. There are some funny moments but nothing that really stuck out. About the only thing I can say to recommend this is that at least she's not irritating.I watched this because I've been going through the stand up specials on Netflix and this was there. I had no idea who Anjelah Johnson was before I watched this and I'm not exactly in a hurry to see anything else with her in it. I'd heard of the characters she played on MadTV (though I had no idea it was her who performed them), and she did do those here, and they were kind of funny, but more light chuckle funny than anything else. Also, there is an idiotic dance routine at the end of the show that served no purpose other than to make me cringe.So yeah. If you liked her on MadTV and want to see Bon Qui Qui again, pull it up. Otherwise, watch something that is actually funny.

I found this one on Netflix streaming videos, it is the one-hour live performance in Houston, my city. I regret that I wasn't in the audience, but this filmed presentation is just great.Up until a couple of months ago we didn't even know her name, but we knew her and a small glimpse of her humor through her Taco Cabana commercials. She is a keen student of people and their quirks, and she amplifies them just a bit for her routine.Part of the reason Johnson is so effective is her personality, she has a ready smile and uses facial expressions and body language to great effect. In fact, you can just listen, and find her funny, but what you see is at least half of her effect, maybe even a bit more than half.She is a rare gem, for my time spent viewing probably the best stand-up comic working. And her routine is clean, 'fart' is about the worst you will hear, but her "parking attendant farted in my car" segment is great.