Short and sharp: 6 movies under 90 minutes

In this fast-paced world, we need things done yesterday, information at our fingertips and entertainment that transports us. When we’re chasing deadlines, burning the midnight oil and keeping on top of our hectic lives, time can be at a premium. To save time, you could listen to a podcast until you take a power nap. You could eat your takeaways as you sprint on the treadmill. You could even listen to an audiobook as you drive to your next meeting. As productive as this multi-tasking may or may not be, there’s nothing quite like stretching out on the couch with a bucket of popcorn and hitting play.

As nutty as things get, it’s important to decompress and create space to relax, reinvigorate and refuel. So when you find the time to just sit down and watch a movie – you want it to count! That’s why we’ve saved you a whole bunch of time by cutting to the chase with this list of popcorn-friendly movies that clock in under 90 minutes – even less if you skip the closing credits!

Fast Charlie

Based on the novel Gun Monkeys comes Fast Charlie starring Pierce Brosnan. Having gone from Remington Steele and James Bond only to reinvent himself as Dad-ready in Mamma Mia, Brosnan still has the charm, skill and sophistication to toast a couple of bad guys in style. In Fast Charlie, he plays an experienced mob hitman who discovers a target on his back as part of an intercity clean up from a rival boss.

This crime caper proves Brosnan’s still got it, wielding his star power against some gritty action sequences with touches of dark comedy. A twisty and unpredictable action thriller that also serves as James Caan’s final movie, Fast Charlie is a cheeky and slick movie with a few tricks up its blood-spattered sleeve.

Happy Gilmore

When it comes to breezy feel-good comedies, it’s hard not to think of Adam Sandler. Having risen through the ranks of Saturday Night Live, Sandler has built an empire of comedy classics from The Wedding Singer to Click. Now that there’s a Happy Gilmore sequel underway, it’s a good time to revisit this movie about an aspiring hockey player turned unexpected golfing legend. In an elitist sport, it’s easy to see why a shake-up could result in a guy like Happy Gilmore upending 19th-hole etiquette as the everyman shows up the toffee-nosed sticklers.

From getting paid in meatballs to standing off to golfing legend Shooter McGavin, Happy Gilmore combines the best of underdog sports stories with an unassuming nice guy who stumbles into fame as he tries to save his grandma’s home. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments that border on the ridiculous, Sandler gives us a reason to smile with his vital brand of comedy with a little something for everyone.

Retribution

If a school run wasn’t bad enough, try doing it with a bomb rigged under your car seat. Based on the Spanish film El Desconocido, comes the explosive action thriller remake Retribution starring Liam Neeson. Known for thrillers on planes and trains, it only seemed like a matter of time before he added automobiles too. Playing a businessman who’s married to his job, Matt Turner discovers what’s truly important in life when a phone call from a stranger casts him and his family into a do-or-die situation.

Receiving a series of instructions and missions in order to arrive alive, Turner races across the city in a bid to uncover the identity of his mysterious caller and rescue his family from the edge. Pulsating action set pieces and intense drama compel this suspenseful action thriller with Neeson behind the wheel.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Filled with quotable quotes, ridiculous characters and wild news stories, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy remains funny as ever. Lampooning the macho male archetype of the 1970s, Anchorman explores the competitive and cutthroat world of prime time news at a critical juncture when women were suddenly allowed to do whatever they damn-well pleased. A comedy masterpiece or pure fluke, Will Ferrell commands a stellar cast in this outrageous and dare we say epic comedy.

From rival news team street fights and hilarious one-liners to a rousing rendition of Afternoon Delight, this campy and decidedly juvenile Adam McKay comedy is a joy to behold. Laden with memorable sketches and bubbling with ludicrous absurdity, Anchorman and his “yazz” flute remain hugely entertaining and supremely rewatchable.

Easy A

One of Emma Stone’s breakthrough roles is as Olive Penderghast in Easy A, an entertaining, heartfelt and witty teen romcom and commentary on social media, reputation and the nuances of navigating high school. Tipping the hat to John Hughes classics from the 80s, Easy A follows a high school “non-entity” who leaks a story about losing her virginity to a college boy in order to shatter her flawless reputation and gain popularity.

Coming off the hype of Zombieland, the rising star continued her upward trajectory with a charming, funny and sarcastic performance as an outsider with a cunning plan. Stone is supported by Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd and Cam Gigandet, with a star-studded entourage in Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.

Liar Liar

Jim Carrey is a comedy legend who will surely go down as an all-time great. Liar Liar showcases his wide array of comic abilities, a high concept comedy that lands a lawyer in hot water when his son’s unusual birthday wish comes true. Unable to utter a lie, Carrey discovers a series of hard truths about being an absent father, a loving husband and a fork-tongued lawyer. Tackling timely rat race issues, Liar Liar takes a simple premise and turns it into a brilliantly acted and witty comedy that pokes fun at the legal profession.

Taking a dig, Liar Liar serves up hilarious physical humour and wild situational comedy all thanks to the comic genius of Carrey, who goes all out for a laugh. Insanely funny and equally heartwarming, this dexterous and rewatchable movie plays to all of Carrey’s strengths with partner-in-comedy Tom Shadyac in the director’s chair.