Women love her because she's down to earth and funny. Men lover her because she's beautiful. Basically, everyone loves Sandra Bullock.
In celebration of Sandy (and because I CAN'T WAIT to see her new movie with Melissa McCarthy this summer) I'm giving y'all my list of her best films -according to me, obviously. In no particular order, here they are:
Speed
First time I saw Miss Bullock in a movie, and she had me captivated. It can't be easy to star in a film that has you on a bus for the majority and still be interesting, but she pulled it off.
Miss Congeniality
I thought she was hilarious in this film. Rude, dirty, mannish FBI agent-turned beauty pageant contender. Awesome. Michael Caine is also a plus as pageant trainer Victor Melling. (Plus Benjamin Bratt is HOT.)
Love Potion No. 9
Although this was one of her first films, I didn't see it until I was in my late teens (circa 2000ish). I LOVED it. Sandy showed off a bit of her comedic talent, and Tate Donovan was adorable. Can't beat this kind of cheese.
The Net
This is one of her not-so-well-known movies, but it's on my list of all time favorites. Think back to the time before computers were in every home, and most people had never even heard of the internet. It's suspenseful conspiracy theory stuff. Greatness.
The Proposal
I love Sandra Bullock. I LOVE Ryan Reynolds. Put them together in a rom-com and add Betty White, and I'm there. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this movie.
Two Weeks Notice
First time I saw this one, thought it was just okay. Watched it again, and it got better. By the fifth or sixth time, it was one of my favorites. Hugh Grant's sarcasm mixed in with Sandra's makes for great comedy. Heather Burns is an entertaining supporting role (you'll remember her from Miss Congeniality). Oh, and I love to hate Alicia Witt's character June.
The Blind Side
I didn't think I'd like this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised. Sandra definitely deserved the Oscar she won for this one. Tim McGraw was another surprise in this one.
Hope Floats
Sandra as the scorned wife forced to move home to momma's house with smart aleck kid and readjust to smalltown life. How could you not like that storyline? Plus, Harry Connick, Jr. Aahhhhhhhh.
Honorable Mentions:
Murder By Numbers, Crash, 28 Days and While You Were Sleeping
"Hasta la vista, baby." I know we've all found an occasion to use this famous quote from the Governator (well, anyone over 20, for sure). Life is full of opportunities to insert a favorite line from a film, song or brilliant mind. Some of my most favorite quotes are from our Founding Fathers. I love the way people spoke in the old days, with passion and fluidity. Here are some of my favorite (and probably overused) quotes from various sources, and be forewarned- there's a bunch of 'em!
"I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific." ~Lily Tomlin "Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers; and once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it." ~Bill Cosby "The Lord loves a workin' man; don't trust whitey; see a doctor and get rid of it." ~Steve Martin as Navin (The Jerk) "Faith is a gift from God, but it's also a responsibility. It's not enough to have it. You've got to live it out, even when times are tough." ~Drew Brees "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." ~Robert Frost "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." ~Albert Einstein "It's amazing the clarity that comes with psychotic jealousy." ~Rupert Everett as George (My Best Friend's Wedding) "Are you crying? There's no crying! THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! No crying!" ~Tom Hanks as Jimmy (A League of Their Own) "I do the very best I know - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." ~Abraham Lincoln "I don't condone fascism. Or any -ism, for that matter. -Isms, in my opinion, are not good." ~Matthew Broderick as Ferris (Ferris Bueller's Day Off) "Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit." ~Bill Cosby "Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it." ~P.J. O'Rourke "In case I don't see ya: good afternoon, good evening and good night." ~Jim Carrey as Truman (The Truman Show) "You're not getting jiggy with some boy, I don't care how dope his ride is. Momma didn't raise no fool." ~Larry Miller as Walter (10 Things I Hate About You) "We must all hang together, or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately." ~Benjamin Franklin "A hickie from Kenickie's like a Hallmark card." ~Jeff Conway as Kenickie (Grease) "You can't handle the truth!" ~Jack Nicholson as Col. Jessup (A Few Good Men) "I'm your Huckleberry." ~Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday (Tombstone) "I'm telling you the devil gypped me for a hamburger!" ~Brendan Fraser as Elliot (Bedazzled)
"Mama Cass. Ham sandwich." ~Mike Myers as Austin (Austin Powers) "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" ~Patrick Henry "Yo, my brethren. What up with thee?" ~Jim Carrey as Bruce (Bruce Almighty) "You are too twisted for color TV!" ~Shirley Maclaine as Ouiser (Steel Magnolias) "Hello, Clarice." ~Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal (Silence of the Lambs) "You're gonna need a bigger boat." ~Roy Scheider as Martin (Jaws) "It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care." ~Ron Livingston as Peter (Office Space) "Who knows where thoughts come from? They just appear." ~Rory Cochrane as Lucas (Empire Records) "Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns." ~Paul Gleason as Richard (The Breakfast Club)
Unbeknownst to manic Monday, we have an antidote to her hellish ways. Yes, indeedy, it's time for
MOVIE DELIGHT MONDAY!
I know, you're ecstatic.
In accordance with my rebellion, I have popped myself a bag of movie butter popcorn (it's so good!), and will now share with you one of my most favorite 80s gems:
Just One of the Guys
The first time I ever saw this movie, I thought Joyce Hyser was quite possibly the coolest chick on the planet. Not only was she brave enough to chop off her hair, but she also went into the BOYS' BATHROOM! Eww. (Think 12-year-old mentality.)
Summary: hot chick Terry wants to be a writer, but her sexist journalist teacher chooses a boy over her for a piece to be published in local paper. Anger provokes hot chick to cut off hair, dress like a boy and attend a separate school in order to have her piece published. Uncomfortable situations and hilarity ensue.
Lead Hyser isn't the greatest actress, but you'll get surprising pleasure from watching shy guy Rick ("male" Terry's only friend) morph into confident cutie throughout the film. His sarcasm is pretty entertaining as well. Another one to watch is Terry's little brother Buddy. He's the average horny teenage virgin, only witty.
WARNING TO PARENTS: Adult language, content and one scene of nudity.
Movie treat: Character Greg Tolan is none other than badass Johnny Lawrence of The Karate Kid films.
I know, I know. Everybody and their cousin is blogging about Harry Potter right now with the fantastic, gargantuan, epic finale coming this weekend. I told myself I would not join the hooplah, even though I am a Potter fan. I did put off reading the books until last September, but hey, at least I jumped on the bandwagon before it all ended. (For those of you who want to inform me I'm not a true Potter/Rowling fan because I haven't been on pins and needles for the past decade waiting for each book and subsequent movie to come out......sorry, but I had other stuff going on. There just wasn't enough time, what with getting married and having children, to immerse myself in Potterpalooza.)
I figured the best way for me to go about sharing my thoughts on HP is to just give you guys a list of my favorites from the series. It gets a bit confusing, because some of my favorites from the books are not the same as my favorites from the films. Tricky, isn't it? Nonetheless, here we go:
Favorite Nonimportant Character
It's hard to consider any character nonimportant in Harry Potter, because they all have a purpose or reason about them. One that had very little to give in the way of storyline, yet managed to catch and keep my attention, was Luna Lovegood. She was so odd, but funny and sometimes uncomfortably honest.
I loved her in the books, and thought they made an excellent choice in Evanna Lynch for the films. She portrayed Luna perfectly and beautifully.
Best Teacher at Hogwarts
Minerva McGonagall
Seriously, this chick was awesome not only in the novels but also in the films (portrayed by the fabulous Maggie Smith). I love that she was strict and somewhat intimidating, but also had a bit of fun here and there. I also admired how fiercely loyal she remained to Dumbledore and Hogwarts.
Favorite mythical creature
Gotta go with hippogriffs on this one. I thought it was great how Buckbeak was a creature that demanded respect, but once he accepted you he was a tender and playful pet. He also saved Harry and Hermoine from Lupin (as a werewolf) and helped Sirius escape. Winner.
Course at Hogwarts I'd most like to take
At first I jumped to Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I probably wouldn't really enjoy that class, mostly because I'm a chicken, but partly because of the weirdos who passed through that class posing as professors. I think the class I would most enjoy would be Transfiguration with McGonagall. Who wouldn't want to turn stuff into other stuff?
Favorite parents
No question about this one, most definitely Arthur and Molly Weasley. I'd have to say they're my favorite family as well. I love how Arthur is infatuated with Muggle objects, and he's got the most amusing personality. Molly is sassy and bossy, but is a wonderful mother to her children, and practically adopts Harry. I would love to spend a day inside the Weasley house with that family!
On a side note, I've seen Mark Williams (Arthur) give interviews, and he seems like a cool, fun dude. Bonus points to the Weasleys!
Favorite BFF to Harry
This one is a toughy because Ron and Hermione are both such great friends to Harry. I sorted it out by breaking it up. My favorite BFF to Harry in the novels is Hermione. She's brilliant, quick-witted, honest and loyal to Harry, although a bit of a prude half the time. If it weren't for her, Harry would've bit it in the first book.
My favorite BFF to Harry in the films is Ron. He's such a dork, and can't help but envy Harry's constant place in the spotlight, but he was Harry's very first friend at Hogwarts and stuck with him through the worst of it all. He's also pretty funny.
Best Quidditch match
Gotta go with Harry's first ever match. Being the youngest Seeker in a century, having just learned how to fly and managing to win the match while nearly choking on the snitch? Greatness. I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the matches in the novels. It was even better to see the games brought to life in the films (although in the first film they all resembled stick figures on a computer screen - thank God for advancement in digital art!)
Favorite villain(s)
This was another tough one, because honestly Voldemort wasn't my favorite villain. Yeah, he's terrifying. Yeah he's freaky looking. Still, not my fave. Again I had to divide my favorite into film and novel.
Novels: Dolores Umbridge. That chick was psycho. I spent most of the book just waiting for the kids to do anything and everything to piss her off. Plus, she forced the creation of Dumbledore's Army. When twenty-something kids have to form a secret army to fight a tiny little woman, you know she's badass.
Films: Bellatrix Lestrange. Maybe it's because Helena Bonham-Carter already weirded me out, but this character was scary good. Her maniacal laughter and cackling all the time.....creepy. She also killed Sirius, the only good family Harry had left, which makes her a pretty evil lady in my book.
Favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher
Gotta be Remus Lupin. He was kind, honest and the only truly decent D.A.D.A. professor those poor kids had. I loved that he was once one of James Potter's best pals in school, and his immediate need to look out for Harry.
Favorite Member of Dumbledore's Army
Neville Longbottom. I felt so sorry for this kid throughout the majority of the books, and was pleased to see him begin to come out of his shell, gain confidence and turn out to be one of the most important characters in the series. Matt Lewis did a great job portraying Neville, and I can't express how glad I am that he grew up to be a cutie. I was worried for a few years there that he'd never catch up to those teeth.
Characters I'd most likely have a crush on if I were a student at Hogwarts
Obviously, Fred and George Weasley. I have a thing for troublemakers who are also funny, and these two are the epitome. Loved them in the novels and adored them in the films. This is part of the reason I was so upset while reading Deathly Hallows. I know I'll be crying my eyes out at some point during Part Two on Saturday. Sheesh.
Favorite novel (and film)
Would have to be Order of the Phoenix. Umbridge was so deliciously bad. Fred and George were at their most creative and daring. Bellatrix was there. Dumbledore's Army. The Order. The only part I hated, of course, was Sirius being killed.
By the time we're on year five, the characters are all solidly developed, relationships have been forged, enemies made and the Dark Lord is back. I was swept up in this novel from start to finish.
Most Favorite Character in the Novels (and films)
Surprisingly (even to me), Severus Snape. J.K. Rowling was brilliant in the creation of Snape. Additionally, they could not have picked a better man to portray Snape than Alan Rickman if they tried. The man is a genius. I went back and forth on whether or not I thought he was good guy/bad guy until the very last novel. You hate him so much, but at the same time have to appreciate his ability to confuse you. The way he treats Harry is abysmal, but multiple times he was there to protect the kids from harm. He's the guy we all love to hate.
Well there you have it. Do I share any of your favorites? If not, who would you pick?
I always share precious gems with you guys, but today I want to promote a few films from the 80s and 90s that have no street cred but are awesome in their own rights. I'm talking about the movies you rarely admit to liking, but secretly love. You know what I'm talking about!
Mannequin: On the Move
Yeah, the first one was great. Yeah Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy are awesome, blahbety blah blah. Personally, I prefer the sequel. Kristy Swanson and William Ragsdale are so freakin' cute as Jessie and Jason, and Meshach Taylor is much funnier this time around.
Back in medieval times, Jessie is planning to run away with Prince William, her true love. His mother, the Queen, gets evil sorceror guy to put a spell on a necklace to turn Jessie into a mannequin for 1,000 years - or until she finds a new true love. Flash to present-day 1980s, and Jason is a decendant of Prince William who just got a job at a mall. As luck would have it, Jessie the mannequin is being transported to that same mall on a tour. Jason removes the necklace and - voila! - Jessie the mannequin is now Jessie the real girl. She immediately falls in love with Jason, and of course he thinks he's going crazy. Jason's coworker Hollywood Montrose (Taylor) is the only one who believes him. The evil sorceror's great-great-great-great-whatever-grandson is also after Jessie, and hilarity ensues. Seriously, it's great.
Granted, the storyline is total cheese, but that's the basis of it's appeal. Who doesn't like some outlandish fairytale-turned-modern-day romance?
Hiding Out
Most people know Jon Cryer as either "that guy from Charlie Sheen's show" or as Duckie from Pretty in Pink. I, however, was first introduced to this adorable dweeb in little-known Hiding Out.
Cryer plays Wall Street broker Andrew who, after having to go into hiding from the mob, pretends to be a high school student at his younger cousin's school. Then unknown Annabeth Gish also stars, along with Keith Coogan. Andrew's alter-ego Maxwell Hauser accidentally ends up as the most popular guy in school and gains the attention of beautiful Ryan (Gish). Andrew goes back and forth from terrified guy to king of the school. It's a really fun movie to watch!
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
I've personally caught several friends with copies of this dvd after having previously heard them deny ever even watching it. I've also heard multiple people quote this film without realizing it's a giveaway of their guilty pleasure. ("I'm on top of that, Rose!")
Sue Ellen (Christina Applegate) is psyched that her mom is going to Australia for the entire summer - leaving Sue Ellen to a summer of sun and fun, parent-free. Unfortunately the day mom leaves Sue Ellen and her four younger siblings find out mom hired a - gulp - BABYSITTER. Sue Ellen is pissed, but mom feels it's necessary. Enter sweet old lady, who seems like a pushover....until mom is gone. Suddenly sweet old lady turns into evil old lady with a whistle. Sue Ellen decides to tell the old broad how things are going to be, only to find she had died.
Instead of calling mom - or the police - they kids decide to take the body to a funeral home, then just take care of themselves for the summer. Unfortunately they forgot to get the money mom left them out of evil old lady's pocket before they dropped her off at the funeral home. Sue Ellen is forced to get a job to support everyone. So much for a sun-filled summer of fun...
and it only gets better.
If you've been unfortunate enough to never have watched these, please rent them now. I know Netflix will have them. They have everything.
Do you have any favorites that you think should get more credit? Please let me know, and I'll be sure to watch them! I might even cover them in a Movie Delight Monday post!
If you haven't completely immersed yourself in Christmas by now, you're either not a Christmas celebrator or you're a scrooge. If you're like me, you've already watched every single Christmas movie you own at least three times. Now that we have kids, we tend to watch the cartoons more than anything else, but I'm attempting to ease them into White Christmas and a few other grownup films. Unfortunately Christmas Vacation can't be watched until the kiddos are in bed. Language, among other things.
I love ABC Family this time of year because they make so many cute little Christmas movies. (We all know I love all things cheese.)
To continue the sharing of my most favorite Christmas films, I've picked four of the best for today. Ready? Alrighty then.
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen cracks me up as sarcastic Scott Clavin. Also, Charlie's ex-wife's husband Neil (played by the awesome Judge Reinhold) is hilariously dimwitted.
Neil: "Scott, what was the last thing you and Charlie did before you went to bed Christmas Eve?"
Scott: "We shared a bowl of sugar, did some shots of brown liqour, played with my shotguns, field-dressed a cat, looked for women..."
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I don't know anyone who doesn't love this classic. Hermey the elf is my favorite character.
"I want to be a dentist!"
Home Alone
You know, Macaulay Culkin - back before he spent all of that time with Michael Jackson....
I'm not making accusations, but COME ON.
"Keep the change, you filthy animal."
Scrooged
This comedy is a classic in its own right. Bill Murray as the scrooge Frank Kross, with one of the best ghosts in the history of ghosts - Carol Kane - as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
"Niagara Falls, Franky Angel."
Next Monday will be the last Christmas Edition of Movie Delight Monday. I plan to cover at least five more. Let me know what your favorites are! I'll cover some suggestions, I promise!
Hey guys. I'm back. I've really missed writing on my blog and following my blogging buds, keeping up with you guys. I am trying to get back into the swing of things, so bear with me. Thanks to those of you who have stuck with me.
I'm sharing a post from last year with you to get the ball rolling, and will (hopefully) soon have some new stuff for you! Cheers!
Well y'all, it is officially the most wonderful time of the year:
CHRISTMAS.
This is - by far - my most favorite time of year. All of the Christmas specials on television, Christmas music playing endlessly on radio stations, those people dressed like Santa with bells outside Walmart. The tree, the lights, the window decals. The PRESENTS. Ah, Christmas, I think I love you.
Not to mention - and those of you who are not people of faith, don't get angry - the celebration of the birth of my Lord, Jesus Christ. I am a Christian, and as such believe completely in the birth of Jesus to Mary, coming to earth in the form of man to later be sacrificed so that we all could be saved. Some of my readers are athiest or of different faiths, and that's cool. I think it's great that we can all be blogging buds and accept each other's similarities AND differences without offending each other. So yay for bloggerhood. (I hereby claim the rights to the word "bloggerhood." All use of the word will be credited to me, Jess. Please and thank you.)
So anyhoo, for Movie Delight Mondays this month I will share my most favorite Christmas movies in all of their fantabulousness. I'll pick three or four each week since there are only four weeks in December and I obviously have more than four favorites. Now that I think of it, we should petition Congress to make December eight weeks instead of four. We could do away with August. I mean, really, what's good in August? Nothing. Who's with me?!
Okay, I've rambled enough. For today I'm going to share my three MOST favorite Christmas movies, simply because I love them so much and don't feel like waiting until the week of Christmas to write about them. I won't be giving actual reviews because I'm assuming that we've all seen these movies at least once in our lives. Here we go.....
Christmas Vacation
If you've never watched this movie starring Chevy Chase as the hilarious Clark Griswold, Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and a plethora of other awesomely funny talents, then it is my suggestion you either watch it immediately or be flogged. (I don't really even know what that means, but I hear it's bad. I'm assuming it's similar to being tarred and feathered.)
I spend ALL year waiting for Thanksgiving day, just so I can start watching this movie. As a rule I do not watch it at all from January 1st until Thanksgiving Day. It makes for a very exciting Turkey Day!
White Christmas
I actually didn't watch this musical until 2006 when hubs brought it home one night. He had found it at the store and went on and on about how he couldn't believe he'd never bought it before because it's just the best Christmas movie EVER.....all the while I'm staring at him, confused, because we both know Christmas Vacation is the best Christmas movie EVER. After a brief explanation of who Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby were I caved and agreed to watch it - especially after the realization that this is the movie Clark was referring to in Christmas Vacation. LOVED IT. This is such a classic, wholesome, good-natured, fun musical, and Danny Kaye is really funny. I even developed a small crush on him.
Even if you aren't a huge fan of musicals, it's still a pretty good watch. Check it out!
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Toddler. Kid. Preteen. Teenager. Young adult. Adult. Old folk. Doesn't matter what age you are, this movie rocks. Every year I find myself wishing the film was just a little bit longer. Thirty minutes of Grinch and Max just isn't enough. P.S. When in Home Alone 2 Tim Curry grins and then a shot of the Grinch flashes looking almost exactly the same....awesome!
The Jim Carrey version is just okay, which surprised me because I LOVE Jim Carrey. Can't beat the original. Sorry, Jim.
Check back next Monday for another group of my favorite Christmas films! Comment and share yours, or blog about them, too!
I have a vivid picture in my head of myself at around age twelve. I was at my grandparent's house on a Sunday afternoon, and I walked back into my grandparent's room where the kids watched movies (because grandpa always watched football or some other sport in the living room).
They were watching a movie about a cop who was always screwing up, was really goofy and at the same time completely endearing (no, I didn't know what that word meant at twelve).
My older cousins thought it was hilarious, so of course I did as well. After this, every time it came on television I watched it, determined to learn all of the funny parts so my cousins would think I was cool like them. Somewhere around the 15th time, I started getting the jokes and I suddenly came to a realization: this guy was hilarious.
Thus began an admiration of one of the funniest silly guys in Hollywood: Leslie Nielsen. He cracked me up in Airplane!, then as Lt. Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun films (which many people don't know were based on a television series called Police Squad!).
After he became known as the spoof guy, he had small roles in tons of films, but his most popular were, of course, more spoof movies. There was Spy Hard, Dracula: Dead and Loving It and Mr. Magoo. I was thrilled when he showed up in Scary Movie 3 and 4, too. It was like Christmas!
Unfortunately, this awesome dude passed away this week at the ripe old age of 84. Although I'm sad he's gone, at least I know he'll live on in film. Love ya, Frank!
Alas, only six more days remain until one of the most fun holidays ever - HALLOWEEN.
I was racking my brain trying to think of the best movie for today, but I didn't just want to go with the obvious, super-popular films. Instead, I'm going to give y'all the horror/suspense films that are hilariously scary (ie: freaky movies that contain great comic relief). The Scream trilogy, for example, would be considered "hilariously scary" thanks to Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy and Parker Posey.
The following are movies that are freaky with some much-appreciated comic relief OR just ridiculously funny, with a bit of scary built in:
13 Ghosts
I first came to really appreciate Matthew Lillard in the first Scream.
He's so funny I forgot to be scared - for a while, at least - during this movie.
House on Haunted Hill
When it comes to remakes, obviously I'm partial to the originals. Kris Kattan in this
version, however, is fabulous. He plays paranoid better than anyone else I've ever seen.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Aside from the all of the other hilarity that goes on in this film, I have only two words:
Paul Reubens. The scene where he's slayed is HILARIOUS.
American Psycho
You'd have to read the novel to fully understand how funny it is.
Bateman's thoughts, which cannot properly be portrayed on film, are so abnormal
and funny that you almost feel sorry for him and can understand his need to kill people.
Tremors
Everyone knows this is one of the best nonsensical "horror" movies ever made,
but I still love it. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward's constant bickering cracks me up.
What are some of the movies you find hilariously scary?
That was in honor of THE END OF THE WEEK. We made it! It's Fantabulous Friday, baby! Wohoo!
For today's totally fantabulous subject, I have decided to share with y'all my favorite spoof movies of all time. Some of them might not technically be classified as spoofs, but trust me, they are. I know these things...
So, here they are:
Best cop spoof:
The Naked Gun
I know many of y'all would say, "Nuh-uh, Police Academy is the best spoof movie!" However, you would be mistaken. The Police Academy movies are specifically comedy genre. What's the difference? I really don't know. I'm just a huge Leslie Nielsen fan. Plus, you can watch OJ back before he went psycho killer on us. (Yes, I'm aware he was found not guilty. My mother still maintains that he was framed. Haha.)
BEST Star Wars spoof:
Spaceballs
We all know Mel Brooks is the KING of spoof. I mean, really, the man's a genius.
Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, John Candy, Bill Pullman, Joan Rivers, Dick Van Patten - you can't beat a cast like that! Even (sometimes especially) hardcore Star Wars fans love this film. I wish they'd make a sequel....with the same cast, of course (and honor John Candy somehow or other in a humorous way).
Best Robin Hood spoof:
Men in Tights
Mel Brooks combined the talent of Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Tracy Ullman, Dick Van Patton (again), Dave Chappelle.....how could he go wrong? This movie is hilarious, from the one-liners to the dance numbers.
Best Horror Spoof:
Scream
This movie is one of my all-time favorites. I'm a big 'ol chicken, so making fun of scary movies is sort of my revenge for these films scaring me nearly to death all the time. Mocking the "rules" of horror films (and later the sequels) was done in such a manner that I can appreciate it, and even laugh now when watching real horror movies. Plus, I LOVED Matthew Lillard.
Best Literary Classic Spoof:
Young Frankenstein
Another Brooks film, this time starring the man, the myth, the legend: Gene Wilder. Seriously, the man should have a town named after him. Also in the film is Teri Garr, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn and Peter Boyle. The cast and ridiculous storyline make for excellent spoof.
Best Spy Spoof:
Austin Powers
Yeah, baby! Honestly, I'm partial to the second installment, but the first one started it all. The film turned super spy into man-whore with psychedelic views on everything (I loved the innuendos and name jokes). Mike Myers is comedic genius, and I'm hoping to see another Austin movie in the near future....
Best History Spoof:
History of the World
Yet again, Brooks (they might as well change the genre from "spoof" to "Brooks method"). There's really no way to explain this film -actually two, because there's a Part II - other than to say it's the history of the world, only really, really funny. Brooks' favored actors appear throughout the film, so keep your eyes open.
Best movie no one realizes was a spoof (of romance movies):
The Princess Bride
I know! If you asked ten people whether or not Princess Bride is a spoof, 9 of them will say no. This film, starring Robin Wright and Cary Elwes, was intended to poke fun at the overly sappy and dramatic romance films that were being made en masse during the 80s. One of the various taglines used was a pretty good giveaway: "A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather)." Surprisingly it became such a hit without needed the spoof title that eventually everyone just forgot.
Best documentary spoof:
Best in Show
This movie is one of the move hilarious movies ever made. IF you like this kind of humor (which some people don't, although I'm not sure why). The hubs doesn't find this film funny. I maintain that he's lying, because otherwise I'd have to file for divorce.
The cast of this film is a plethora of talent: Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Christopher Guest are just a few. These people: yuppie couple, white trash couple, redneck, gay couple, rich woman and female dog trainer - all head to a national dog show. In the format of a documentary, the individuals are interviewed as they plan and prepare their dogs for the show and then we follow them all to the show and throughout. It's HILARIOUS. The opening scene is Parker Posey and her husband (the yuppie couple) in therapy with their weimaraner. The dog is distraught because she saw them having sex. THE DOG IS IN THERAPY.
I can't do enough promoting of this film. If you haven't seen it, go watch it NOW.
Best TV show spoof:
The Brady Bunch Movie
Have to include this movie, if only because it's totally awesome. It's so ridiculously stupid that you can't help but love it. Shelly Long (who I LOVE), Gary Cole, Michael McKean and Christine Taylor (Mrs. Ben Stiller) are four of the major players as Mr. and Mrs. Brady, Larry Dittmeyer and Marcia. There's even cameos by Florence Henderson (original Mrs. Brady) and Ann B. Davis (original Alice).
Did I miss any FANTABULOUS spoof movies? If so, let me know!
Speed
Posts
