Comedies and comedic actors do notoriously poorly at the Academy Awards. So while the “serious” films are being honored with Oscars on Sunday, Hollywood is offering up two comedies and a fashion documentary in theaters this weekend in hopes of lightening things up and hearing the box office say, "You like me, you really like me!"

Those looking to ogle orange jumpsuits over designer gowns should line up to see Madea Goes to Jail, the latest in a series of movies written and directed by Tyler Perry, which follow the character Mable "Madea" Simmons, played by Perry in drag. In this film Madea, well known for her quick temper and willingness to pull a gun from her purse on just about anyone, lets her anger get the best of her one too many times and winds up behind bars. While there, she comes to the aid of young woman named Candace, played by Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show), and teaches all of her fellow inmates life lessons in the process. The film has one connection with the Oscars in the form of Viola Davis, nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award for her work in Doubt, but the film hopes to show a more light-hearted side of the actress and reward loyal Madea fans with the kind of comedy they love.

Another comedy, Fired Up, opens this weekend and seeks to take audiences back to high school rather than prison. The film follows Shawn, played by Nicholas D'Agosto (Rocket Science, Heroes), and Nick, portrayed by Eric Christian Olsen (Eagle Eye, Brothers & Sisters), stars of the high school football team who decide to attend cheer camp in order to meet girls. Because the school’s squad is so bad, they let the boys join, and when Shawn falls for the team captain they have to prove they're serious about cheering after all. While Fired Up isn’t likely to earn any Oscar nominations itself, it hopes to reward movie-goers with some good old fashioned juvenile humor in an all-too-serious world.

Anyone who considers the Academy Awards’ red carpet to be Sunday’s real main event will need to see the fashion documentary Eleven Minutes. Serving as a fitting ending to the just-concluded New York Fashion Week, the film follows Project Runway Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll as he spent months preparing for a single runway show which ultimately, as the title suggests, lasts only about 11 minutes. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to Project Runway contestants like McCarroll after the reality TV cameras stop rolling, this film documents an entire year in the life of the designer, as he prepares for his first independent fashion show and attempts to get his creations sold in stores. Take in this film before Sunday if you want a greater appreciation of all the hard work it takes to get those fabulous frocks from the mind of the artist to the bodies of glamorous award-show nominees.

—John Bavoso