Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

The folks who gave you Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) return with another lengthy-titled comedy, in which stock-car racer Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) becomes a NASCAR superstar. Then hubris destroys Ricky’s legacy, and he’s got to earn his way back to the top. It’sall a convenient excuse for gay jokes, French jokes, gay Frenchmen jokes, digs at vulgar Americana and several scenes involving flabby Ferrell stripping down to his tighty-whities. Even when moments of improvisatory brilliance hit, like the dinner-table discussion over the merits of Baby Jesus, the wait until the next belly laugh comes round the track can seem like an eternity. (Now playing; Click here for venues.) — David Fear