Parody or Spoof Films
This round we are looking at parodies and spoof films, I have been quite loss with the rules here because I think a lot of films can do that without being when of the dreadful attempts at comedy.
We will be opening entries for the ext round which will be Sport Movies, if you would like to enter email [email protected] by 26th July 2015.
Darren – Movie Review 101
22 Jump Street (2014)
When it comes to parodies most people instantly look at Airplane!, Naked Gun or Scary Movie but I like to look a little more into a film. I have picked 22 Jump Street because the whole opening 15 minutes pokes full blown fun at how popular the first film is as well as how many times sequels just use the same ideas again. It makes a clear point that they will be doing the same point again with a bigger budget, having to move to 22 Jump Street. The quote ‘Do the same thing as last time. Everyone’s is happy.’ it took me ages to see both of these two films and I found that this bought something fresh to the sequel idea that we don’t normally see but just accepting itself as not too serious.
Rob – Movie Rob
Galaxy Quest (1999)
This movie was done so well.
They took what we know about (cheesy??) sci-fi TV shows, their actors and their fans and made a hilarious movie both showcasing the pluses and also poking fun at the same time.
Tim Allen was a great choice to parody Shatner (Kirk) and his outburst at the convention reminded me of the classic SNL skit “Get a Life”
The cast that was chosen for the crew are excellent. In addition to Tim Allen, they have Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Daryl Mitchell (who was tragically paralyzed not long after this movie was made) and Sam Rockwell. Enrico Colantoni is great as the leader of the aliens who think that the actors are real heroes. Justin Long is also perfect as the “trekkie” who adores the show and knows everything about it.
Carry on Screaming (1966)
I am a huge Carry On fan. Being British I was brought up on rain and Carry On movies and I’m still a big enthusiast to this day (of the Carry On movies, not the rain). The mere sight of Kenneth Williams can reduce me to giggles. So Carry on Screaming was the twelfth Carry On film and was parodied from well-known British franchise Hammer Horror, also popular at the time. The film stars the usual faces, as well as Harry H.Corbett, Fanella Fielding and Jon Pertwee. No Sid James or Barb Windsor and I must say it is slightly less smutty than others from that decade (Camping and Up the Kyber for example). Screaming is widely regarded as one of the more ‘solid’ Carry On films with cameos from non-Carry On actors and portrays a clever spoof of the Hammer Horror movies whilst retaining its classic style. Like all Carry On films this was made at Pinewood Studios and only took about a month to film. It’s also my grandad’s favorite Carry On, which is reason enough to vote for it. “Fryyyying Tonight!”
Drew – Drew’s Movie Reviews
Airplane!
I feel dirty for choosing Airplane! for another category but really, there is no other choice for me (plus I didn’t win that round so… yea…). Airplane! is a disaster movie that is anything but a disaster. So many aspects just clicked. If you haven’t seen this movie, I’m at a lost for words and would recommend you stop whatever you are doing and go watch it. NOW! If you are like everyone else, I really don’t need to go into any reason as to why it’s the best, so instead I will make my case with some of the iconic lines that make it a classic:
“Can you fly this plane?” “Surely you can’t be serious?” “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.”
“Nervous?” “Yes.” “First time?” “No, I’ve been nervous before.”
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quite drinking.”
“You’d better tell the Captain we’ve got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.” “A hospital? What is it” “It’s a big building with patients, but that’s not important right now.”
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines.”
“Captain, how soon can you land.” “I can’t tell.” “You can tell me. I’m a doctor.” “No. I mean I’m just not sure.” “Well, can’t you take a guess?” “Well, not for another two hours.” “You can’t take a guess for another two hours?”
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.”
“Would you like something to read?” “Do you have anything light?” “How about this leaflet, ‘Famous Jewish Sports Legends?'”
Allie & Jenna – Flicks Chicks
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Spoof movies are a guilty pleasure of mine, but I have no guilt whatsoever when I talk about Shaun of the Dead. It’s one of my favorite movies ever, let alone favorite spoof movie! From throwing old vinyl records at zombie’s heads to walking and groaning like a zombie to fit in with the hoard, Shaun of the Dead is the best zombie spoof movie out there. Now, let’s head to The Winchester, have a nice cold pint (it’s far too warm in the UK right now) and wait for all this to blow over.
Kim – Tranquil Dreams
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Being a huge fan of zombie films and British humor, Shaun of the Dead was the obvious choice for this category. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is a fantastic duo in these films. There’s a lot to be loved about this one. Who doesn’t love Shaun’s weapon of choice against zombies, right? How about, just how long it takes for them to figure out that they were getting attacked by zombies. With a crazy fun and entertaining story, and a great supporting cast, like Bill Nighy, there was really no way that I wouldn’t love Shaun of the Dead to death. Just to prove that zombie movies don’t have to be scary at all, even though there are still some pretty decent looking zombies (like scary and bloody). All in all, a great movie that gives a fun twist to the zombie movie genre.
Khalid – Blazing Reel
Tropic Thunder (2008)
As far as parodies go I honestly can’t think of a better film than Tropic Thunder.
Ben Stiller is someone who’s obviously grown-up in showbiz and is pretty well-aware of the business and boy does he put his knowledge to good use here. Tropic Thunder is easily one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, its a brilliant satire on basically everything about Hollywood from method acting to big-budget flicks. The story is inventive, the dialog is endlessly quotable – ”Never Go Full Retard” – and the film is above all, extremely enjoyable. In the two-hour run-time Stiller makes sure to make a mockery of everything he can put his hands on and it works, it works very well. The cast is one of the best things about this movie and everyone from Stiller to Robert Downey Jr. to Tom Cruise (in a literally unrecognizable WTF performance) feels fully utilized. Ultimately however, RDJ is the stand-out in a brilliant oscar nominated turn as Australian actor Kirk Lazarus, who seems to be something between Russell Crowe and Daniel Day-Lewis.
S.G. Liput – Rhyme & Reason
Young Frankenstein (1974)
The tale of Frankenstein is a pretty heavy story. After all, a mad scientist digs up corpses to conglomerate dead body parts into a hulking monster that ends up being feared and despised, even as it despises and longs for normal life and love. So what to do with such a serious horror? Retain a little bit of pathos and turn every character into a celebrated caricature, infusing moments of dread with hilarity. In doing so, Mel Brooks created one of the funniest movies ever, casting Gene Wilder as the titular mad genius and capturing him at his wild-eyed, frizzy-haired craziest. Remember Inspector Kemp’s ridiculous accent and that game of darts? Remember Marty Feldman’s immortal lines as Eye-gor (“Walk this way.”)? Remember Peter Boyle’s dance moves during “Puttin’ on the Ritz” or, as he said, “Muttin’ mon da Wriiiiits!”? Remember what always follows “Frau Blücher”? From hilarious cameos to scenes in which the actors themselves can barely keep a straight face, Young Frankenstein has all the subversive humor one could desire in a parody, the kind of humor everyone needs and without which we would all collapse like a bunch of broccoli!
Hot Fuzz (2007)
When thinking on this subject, a few films came to mind. But, after deeper thought, I came to the correct answer: Hot Fuzz. At first, I doubted whether the film could truly count as a parody or a spoof, but I am confident in my decision by now. Hot Fuzz is the second (and best) film in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, a series of three collaborations between him, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and a few others.
Hot Fuzz is a spoof of the typical 90’s to early 2000’s cop movie, like Point Break or Bad Boys II. In fact, there’s a scene in the film in which Frost’s character shows Pegg’s these two movies from his quite impressive DVD collection, and the film ridicules the outright ridiculous unreality present in these movies, only to turn into an example of one with incredibly over-the-top action in its incredible third act. The movie’s hilarious and thrilling, and is the perfect example of blurring the line between parody and not.
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