Watching it in the 1980s? Maybe. Watching it today is cringey cliche. I couldn't even force a laugh after being told for years it is a top 10 comedy in the history of cinema.
Of course I've tried to watch Best in Show twice and turned it off after 10 minutes, so maybe Christopher Guest films just don't ring my bell.
It only seems cliche because it has been imitated so many times over the years. It's a weird complaint.
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If comedy is subjective, then my opinion on how this film has been praised and reviewed as a comedy masterpiece - which I don't believe it is - is no more or less valid than those that do.
Typically, I find this style works best in a series opposed to a film. The whole fake but trying for real dynamic is hard to buy in a short amount of time unless you go absurd with it, like What We Do in the Shadows.
The first seasons of The Office and Parks and Rec were borderline insufferable, but once you're able to flesh out their quirks and relationships that fake/real dynamic takes a backseat to the characters. You just don't notice the style any more, which is something I couldn't get over with This is Spinal Tap. It all felt so forced with stereotypical jokes.
I can respect it as an innovative film, but that's where the praise should end. It's not a good comedy.
And while I'm inflaming this thread, Wes Anderson can just #### all the way off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
It only seems cliche because it has been imitated so many times over the years. It's a weird complaint.
I was referring to the stereotypical jokes about bands, not the style.
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
-'Badger' Bob Johnson (1931-1991)
"I see as much misery out of them moving to justify theirselves as them that set out to do harm." -Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran
Woah woah woah...let's not say things we can't take back.
Okay, it's clear that you have a very different sense of humor than I, and many others, do. So be it.
Quirky and surreal rarely flies for me. I just don't get that type of humour.
Like Cecil said, sometimes a certain thing just doesn't hit the funny bone. I doubt our senses of humour are that far apart except for a couple of specific instances. Or that mine, in particular, is abnormal somehow.
I've consistently been told that This is Spinal Tap is one of the best comedy films of all time, but all I could think while I watched this was "how can anyone find this funny?".
And maybe hype has something to do with it, too. I don't know. I had always been told Casablanca was the GOAT and I loved it, so it's probably just different tastes in a genre.
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
-'Badger' Bob Johnson (1931-1991)
"I see as much misery out of them moving to justify theirselves as them that set out to do harm." -Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran
I would also say Wes Anderson is both niche and polarizing. Lots of people hate his movies. But his fans tend to be dedicated.
I used to hate the office but have since warmed to it. Generally though, I struggle with cringe/second hand embarrassment humour. I want to laugh, not feel awkward. However, I don't really put this is spinal tap in that category.
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Quirky and surreal rarely flies for me. I just don't get that type of humour.
Like Cecil said, sometimes a certain thing just doesn't hit the funny bone. I doubt our senses of humour are that far apart except for a couple of specific instances. Or that mine, in particular, is abnormal somehow.
I've consistently been told that This is Spinal Tap is one of the best comedy films of all time, but all I could think while I watched this was "how can anyone find this funny?".
And maybe hype has something to do with it, too. I don't know. I had always been told Casablanca was the GOAT and I loved it, so it's probably just different tastes in a genre.
Hype is absolutely a big factor. You'd think you'd bust a gut watching it, but you don't. I get it.
But there's a lot of reasons why that film is unique, important, and yes, exceptionally funny. It's just been part of the zeitgeist for so long that references to the jokes in it are ubiquitous, so it dulls it for a first time viewer. But viewed in isolation, especially at the moment it came out, it should be seen as a great film.
But you don't dig it, and that's valid too.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
I would also say Wes Anderson is both niche and polarizing. Lots of people hate his movies. But his fans tend to be dedicated.
I used to hate the office but have since warmed to it. Generally though, I struggle with cringe/second hand embarrassment humour. I want to laugh, not feel awkward. However, I don't really put this is spinal tap in that category.
100% of the first season of The Office was me feeling bad for Michael Scott. I've known people like that at school or work that are completely oblivious to their own social awkwardness. It's entirely uncomfortable.
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
-'Badger' Bob Johnson (1931-1991)
"I see as much misery out of them moving to justify theirselves as them that set out to do harm." -Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran
Yes, past members died is hilarious. And also cliche before the film debuted.
Quote:
Fred Willard is amazing as usual.
That a lot of these lines were improvised makes them even more special. I get that you don’t like it but it’s a classic for a reason.
Was he? Or is it just another forgettable "cameo" since he wasn't known before this at all? That it was improvised means nothing if it wasn't funny. It's a classic because it was technically the first in its genre. The same way The African Queen birthed The Mummy and Jungle Cruise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by getbak
"As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll."
Never heard that reference. And if I did, again, that's totally a cliche of the music industry.
I might have to die on this hill, but dear Xenu does it have a glorious view.
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
-'Badger' Bob Johnson (1931-1991)
"I see as much misery out of them moving to justify theirselves as them that set out to do harm." -Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran
This week's horror movie theme is a sub genre of horror that I actually don't know too much about, werewolf movies. Here are my recommendations, please give me your suggestions as well:
Ginger Snaps
An American Werewolf in London
The Howling
The Wolfman (2010) - I actually enjoyed this one, while not perfect there is enough in there to enjoy.
Trick R Treat
Wolf
Twilight (jjk)
Here are a few I haven't seen but have heard great things about, they are going on my watchlist:
Dog Soldiers
The Wolfman (1941)
Silver Bullets
Underworld
Cursed
