Dre Rivas,
Mar 28, 2008
I wouldn't be caught dead catching a showing of Superhero Movie this weekend. I'm just so over the spoof movie genre that was reinvigorated after Scary Movie became a success. I don't know anybody that had the slightest interest in Epic Movie or Not Another Teen Movie etc. But they all seem to have those big opening weekends so somebody is laying out the coin. That or the studios are pulling the greatest con since Pet Rocks.
I really don't have anything against the genre per se. I just think the spoofs they're spitting out are uninspired, lame and lazy. But here's a group of five films that don't suck and that know how to wink at the audience without insulting their intelligence:
Airplane!
The Zucker brothers used to be able to do spoofs in their sleep. They've lost their edge in my book, but here is probably their best work and likely my favorite film on this short list.
Highlight moment: In this film there's a gajillion, but I've always been partial to this one: "I like my coffee black. Like my men."
The Naked Gun
The Zucker brothers struck gold again by bringing their short-lived television series to the big screen. Leslie Nielsen used to be my Will Ferrell, someone who merely needs to be on screen to make me chuckle (pre-Spy Hard). This was the funniest movie I'd seen in a theater when it was released in 1989.
Highlight moment: Nielsen (a.k.a. Enrico Pallazzo) murdering the National Anthem.
Young Frankenstein
Mel Brooks's take on Mary Shelley's dark tale is a movie miracle. Brooks was on a brilliant run for a while and this is my favorite of his entries. His genius -- and Gene Wilder's – lives on DVD. If you have somehow managed to miss this one, don't be a fool. Get this now.
Highlight moment: Wilder and Peter Boyle's version of "Puttin' on the Ritz."
This is Spinal Tap!
Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Rob Reiner will always be gods to me for this watershed mockumentary. It took me forever to finally see this movie and I felt more foolish for my tardiness than most rockers do today about their '80s hair.
Highlight moment: Christopher Guest explaining to Rob Reiner why their sound system is superior because the amp volume maxes out at 11 rather than 10.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
I was dragged kicking and screaming to this movie because I was never much of a Mike Meyers fan (I always preferred Dana Carvey's comic stylings in Wayne's World). It ended up being one of my most shocking discoveries in a movie theater. I was, and still am, mad about this movie. Long live Basil Exposition!
Highlight moment: Will Ferrell's death scene. "I'm very badly burnt!" Or Dr. Evil's monologue about his upbringing. Both make me cry.
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Dre writes three times a week for Film.com. Email him!
