6 Funny Movies to Watch When You Need a Mental Vacation
They say that laughter is the best medicine, and we totally agree! These Georgia-filmed comedies are the perfect treatment for those end-of-summer blues.
Identity Thief
Georgia film regular Melissa McCarthy (also seen in "The Boss" and "Life As We Know It") stars in "Identity Thief" alongside Jason Bateman in this comedy about a man who tracks down the woman who has stolen his identity to bring her to justice. A cross-country adventure ensues as Atlanta takes the place of Denver. Jon Favreau, Atlanta native T.I. and Amanda Peet also star. Other locations include The Colonnade Restaurant, The Georgian Terrace, Perimeter Mall and Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton.
Anchorman: The Legend Continues
In the much-talked-about sequel nearly a decade after the original, Ron Burgundy, played by Will Ferrell, returns as he and his crew face the new age of 24-hour cable news. Paul Rudd ("Ant-Man"), Steve Carell, David Koechner and Christina Applegate ("Vacation") return, along with appearances by James Marsden and Meagan Good ("Stomp the Yard"). Filming locations include The Silver Skillet, Woodruff Park, Piedmont Park, the Livingston Restaurant at The Georgian Terrace and Manuel's Tavern, all in Atlanta. The Old Coast Guard Station Beach on St. Simons Island also was used.
Vacation
Another follow up to a much-loved movie, "Vacation" follows a grown-up Rusty Griswold as he takes his family to the infamous Walley World to recreate his childhood vacation for his own kids. Things go wrong, just as in the original. Atlanta native Ed Helms stars alongside Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Chris Hemsworth and even Chevy Chase. Filming locations include Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Covington, the Olympic Flame Restaurant and Bellwood Quarry, both in Atlanta.
Madea's Family Reunion
Nearly all of Tyler Perry's television and film projects are set or filmed in Atlanta, and "Madea's Family Reunion" is no different. The outspoken matriarch follows up "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" as she tries to solve her family's personal dramas. Perry stars as Madea, alongside Blair Underwood and Lynn Whitfield. Much of Atlanta was used for filming, along with Covington's Gaither's at Myrtle Creek Farm, which represented Madea's family home.
The Do-Over
Comedian pals Adam Sandler ("Blended") and David Spade reunite in Netflix's "The Do-Over," an adult comedy about two friends who fake their own deaths to assume the identities of people even worse off. Paula Patton and Kathryn Hahn also star. The film used the Georgia Coast extensively, shooting largely in Savannah and on Tybee Island. Among the most recognizable landmarks are Factors Walk, the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, and the Visit Savannah building on Bay Street.
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising
After surviving having a fraternity next door, a couple now must team up with their former enemies to battle the sorority that has now moved in. Zac Efron ("Baywatch," "Dirty Grandpa") stars with Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne ("The Internship"), Atlanta-native Chloë Grace Moretz and Ike Barinholtz. Filming took place near the Marietta Square, Perimeter Mall, Stone Mountain Park and Inman Park.
