The Nice Guys (Rated C)
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Margaret Qualley, Kim Basinger
Genre: Action Comedy
Dwight's Rating: 3 STARS

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (Rated C)
Cast: Seth Rogan, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloe Grace Moretz
Genre: Comedy
Dwight's Rating: 2 STARS

It's not very often these days that two R-rated comedies would be released in theaters on the very day. That would seem to go against all intuitive distribution rules and counterprogramming trends, with the likely result being the two films would go after similar audiences and probably cannibalize each other.

Well, besides both featuring a good amount of nudity and very adult themes, this past weekend's new comedies, "The Nice Guys" and "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising", are different in some very significant ways -- one is actually funny, and the other is a disposable waste of time.

Let's begin with the bad news. To call "Neighbors 2" a "disappointment" would mean that there would have been some higher expectations for it. The original "Neighbors" of 2014 was a quite a surprise. An extremely raunchy comedy filled with irreverent frat-boy humor, it was also quite thoughtful and even sensitive. It was also well-written and featured impressive performances from stars Seth Rogen, Rose Bryne and Zac Efron.

It was a completely satisfying hit -- emphasis on the word "complete". That there would be a sequel, and only two short years later, is beyond bizarre.

The wonderful cast is back. But things just aren't the same. All of the energy and pizzazz we saw previously is largely gone. It's like we're watching a dress rehearsal; either that, or the life has been sucked out of the actors. And that's probably because of the vapid and lifeless script and been-there-done-that plot.

We learn that life has been going pretty well for Mac Radner (Rogen) and pregnant wife Kelly (Byrne) until the unruly sisters of Kappa Nu move in next door. As the loud parties threaten the sale of their home, the couple turns to ex-neighbor and one-time enemy Teddy Sanders (Efron) for help. Now united with the former college student, the trio devises schemes to get the wild sorority off the block. Unfortunately, the rebellious young women refuse to go down without a fight.

So we've replaced the fraternity with a sorority. Somebody thought that was going to be good enough. There are a few funny moments. But mostly, and not surprisingly, it is nowhere near as fresh and original as what we saw with the frat: not as raunchy, not as funny, not as smart, nowhere as clever.

Add this to the endless list of bean counter-driven, weak and absolutely unnecessary comedy sequels. Had "Neighbors 2" been the original film, there would definitely not be a sequel. And as such -- unless Hollywood gets even more desperate than it already is -- it's now all but guaranteed that there will not be another.

Ironically, I am actually hoping we get to see more of "The Good Guys".

Firstly, I have to admit I was wrong. A few weeks ago I predicted this film would be a disaster, as it was being heavily and excessively promoted. However, this apparently wasn't because the producers were desperate to draw attention to their substandard product. Rather, it's because they knew it would likely be the least attractive offering in a crowded weekend, against the aforementioned adult competition, and the animated "The Angry Birds Movie", along with the still thriving "Captain America: Civil War".

Indeed, "The Nice Guys" did end up a distant fourth place behind all those films in the U.S. (I was the only person in the theater when I saw it here this week!) But "The Nice Guys" is a must-see! Hilariously well done, it is as wonderful and refreshing as the original "Neighbors" was two years ago.

Ryan Gosling stars as Holland March -- a down-on-his-luck private eye in 1977 Los Angeles. Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) is a hired enforcer who hurts people for a living. Fate turns them into unlikely partners after a young woman named Amelia (Margaret Qualley) mysteriously disappears. Healy and March soon learn the hard way that some dangerous people are also looking for Amelia. Their investigation takes them to dark places, as anyone else who gets involved in the case seems to wind up dead.

This very adult comedy deals with some really shady underworld material -- the porno film industry, murder, drugs, Detroit automakers! This clever mystery is wrapped in a funky, exciting and often-thrilling package, filled with high-energy surprises.

Great performances abound, but Crowe, Gosling and teenage Australian actress Angourie Rice, playing Gosling's young daughter Holly, really stand out.

Crowe and Gosling make a great team. Crowe seems to be having fun, playing largely the straight man. But Gosling steals the show.

He follows up on his scene-stealing work in "The Big Short" with a memorable turn here as quite possibly the worst detective ever. Blessed with some of the best lines, his character Holland is a snarky, shrieking and screaming hoot!

This not-quite-buddies buddy comedy is an amazing blend of slapstick and zany action. It finds a very intriguing middle ground between amusing crime adventures like "Lethal Weapon" and all out farces like "The Naked Gun".

"The Nice Guys" would actually make a fantastic TV series, if this quality of writing could be maintained. And it would be great to see Crowe and Gosling reunited in a movie sequel. However, it's relatively low box office numbers this past weekend means that's highly unlikely. And big time competition this weekend from yet another sequel of yet another comic book super hero movie franchise, means we can definitely forget about any second weekend boost.

That's really sad and unfortunate. I'll keep my fingers crossed that word of mouth will spread about it. But it seems this immensely enjoyable early-summer romp is destined to find out what's been said for eons about "nice guys" everywhere - they finish last!

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian