Urban AZ’s first Spoken Word Showcase brings together a range of poetic performers, along with R&B artists Dwele and Bilal with a band, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.

Using their talents for hilarious, family-friendly improvisational comedy, Jef and Shurlin Rawls of Mesa hope to lift spirits while lightening the load for a family in their neighborhood with an event they are calling a “FUN-draiser.”

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

The people of "Peeples" make a better impression than most collections of oddballs in the weary mold of comedies centered on meeting the prospective in-laws.

LOS ANGELES — Isabella Rossellini's search for the meaning of maternal instinct in "Mammas" looks at nine animals where things like polygamy, lying and dying convince her that "anything goes."

Among the not-so-favorite memories from high school, standing in front of the class to deliver a presentation ranks right up there. Remember, the clammy palms, racing heart, dry throat and jumbled nerves?

The straight man from “Tommy Boy” and “Just Shoot Me” performs his comedy routine in Phoenix.

Just about all the actors in “The Big Wedding” are severely typecast. Diane Keaton is a high-strung, divorced mother like in “Something’s Gotta Give,” Robert De Niro is the father of somebody getting married like in “Meet the Fockers,” Amanda Seyfried is a blushing bride like in “Mamma Mia,” Robin Williams is an eccentric minister like in “License to Wed,” Topher Grace is a deadpan, quick-witted nice guy like in “That ‘70s Show,” and Katherine Heigl is a needy single woman like in every movie she does. Even though the actors are in their comfort zones, not a single person feels natural in “The Big Wedding.” That’s probably because the film doesn’t understand its own characters or their motivations. Nobody behind the camera has any idea what they’re doing, resulting in one of the most awkward romantic comedies of recent memory.

Student artwork will be showcased during the fourth annual Gilbert Artfest in downtown's Heritage District.

There's a siege mentality about Michael Bay's movies, as though viewers are the enemy holed up in a bunker and he's the guy ordering heavy-metal music around-the-clock to wear down our morale and force us to surrender.

The Grammy-nominated comedian performs his “It’s Not Me, It’s You” show in Phoenix — for viewers 18 and older only.

Although we have yet to see an official trailer or production still, I already have mixed feelings about “The Delivery Man.” This upcoming dramedy starring Vince Vaughn follows a middle-aged slouch whose life is turned on its head when he discovers that he’s fathered more than 500 children as a sperm donor – 142 of whom wish to determine who their biological dad is.

The interior is revamped and the menu is fresh, but the jokes are still funny as ever. The Tempe Improv is reopening April 19 with a new look and a new owner, but a familiar headliner — comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo.

The interior is revamped and the menu is fresh, but the jokes are still funny as ever. The Tempe Improv is reopening April 19 with a new look and a new owner, but a familiar headliner — comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo.

Long before animated sitcoms like “Family Guy,” “Archer” and “Bob’s Burgers” hit the small screen, “The Simpsons” captured the hearts of viewers worldwide with its biting social commentary and lovable bunch of outrageous characters.

In “Wrong,” a movie playing through April 12 at Harkins Valley Art theater, Alexis Dziena plays a love struck pizza-shop employee who leaves her husband for Jack Plotnick’s sad-sack protagonist, whose canine's disappearance sets off a bizarre and unpredictable chain of events.

A poster advertising an upcoming event at Stand Up Scottsdale reads “Drink Specials ... We’re gonna need 'em” — and they just might.

The television humorist and star of “The Sinbad Show” performs stand-up comedy in Chandler.

Childsplay demonstrates the importance of manners in this quirky kitchen comedy about rival master chefs and the young apprentice stuck between them.

As a tween in the 1990s, Krissy Lenz loved the movie “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” We’re talking loooved it.

“The Sunshine Boys”: Neil Simon’s play about a retired comedy duo who hate each other but join forces for a final television performance is sure to keep audience members laughing.