It’s hard to believe that at one point in time, Brendan Fraser was a bigger star than Adam Sandler. Where in Adam Sandler was a general up and comer in “Airheads,” Fraser takes top billing, even over character actor Steve Buscemi. While a childhood favorite, “Airheads” is one of those nineties comedies that hasn’t aged well at all. Surely, back then it was a fun film and has survived mainly by fans of Sandler, and nostalgiaddicts from the nineties, but objectively “Airheads” is a lame comedy that is sparse on laughs. I have fond memories of watching this movie repeatedly when it was on VHS, but these days it’s merely just a sub-par vehicle for its cast of character actors.
Tag Archives: Comedy
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Watching this almost twenty years ago, and again a few days ago, I am still left pondering: Who exactly did this movie appeal to? What was the niche audience? Director Tim Burton bases an entire science fiction film on specialty trading cards from the sixties, he creates a meta-alien invasion movie that throws comedy and menace at every turn, and then piles every moment of the film on with big celebrities and actors. Who exactly did this movie appeal to, but Burton?
The Three Musketeers (1993)
Many people comment on how Disney took a generally dark and adult novel and watered it down for their audience. To those people, I ask: Have you ever seen Paul WS Anderson’s version of the Dumas novel? If anything, what “The Three Musketeers” lacks in poeticism, it makes up for in entertainment value, at least. And I am a big fan of the casting of Keifer Sutherland as the leader of the Musketeers. Basically, Alexandre Dumas’ tale remains fairly in tact save for one caveat. The Musketeers live happily ever after. But then Disney took “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and turned Quasimodo in to a kind hearted gent with a mild facial disfigurement who becomes the hero of his city in the end of the movie, so it comes with the territory.
LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite [Blu-ray] (2013)
For fans tired of the R rated animated Batman films, DC and Warner team up with Lego (who takes a break from the awful “Ninjago” series) to deliver a G rated Batman adventure the entire family can enjoy! Based on the hit video game, Lego pays homage to many of the Batman tropes with a fun crossing of superheroes and supervillains for the fate of Gotham and the world. Lex Luthor and the Joker team up to take down Batman and Superman, when a robbery at a local awards dinner goes awry for the Joker and his team of super villains. Lex takes the opportunity to join forces with the evil Clown, as Batman learns the meaning of team work through his young ward, Robin, who encourages the Dark Knight to call for back up at every opportunity. Batman, of course, shies away from any and all help, even when in danger.
Big Bang Theory: A XXX Parody (2010)
If you want to revel in the sexuality of “Big Bang Theory” and want to avoid all of the stuff like plot and comedy, “Big Bang Theory: A XXX Parody” really will do the trick. Fans of the series will especially enjoy how the parody skirts copyright infringement by copying every set piece from the show. Sans the comic book and science fiction paraphernalia. So uber-Sheldon doesn’t wear superhero shirts, so much as he wears shirts that kind of look like they could be superhero emblems.
Joe Bob Goes Back to the Drive-In [Paperback]
“I will never do anything that violates my personal and professional code of journalistic ethics. However, I will do anything for money.”
Joe Bob enters the video age! Don’t worry, though, he’s still all about the drive-in. It’s just Joe Bob is now in the era where studios are sending critics screeners, and half of the book is mainly reviews for drive-in movies, and movies on VHS that Joe Bob either really liked or really hated. He’s hardly ever middle ground. As his loyal readers express anger at his changing of format for the sake of keeping his job, Joe Bob devotes a column in the book to explaining why he’s suddenly reviewing VHS tapes, and of course it’s a necessary evil.
I mean it was the late eighties after all. And during this time, Joe Bob was no longer just cruising drive-in movies, as now he was being sent VHS tapes, and was going to cable television for his famed show on The Movie Channel in US cable television. But hey, Joe Bob is still the same guy. And he’s still as funny as ever. In this second compilation, Joe Bob spares no one with his rants about the government, and public education, while reviewing movies that he feels warrant mentioning for his reader.
Hook (1991)
Say what you want about “Hook.” Many people do. And many movie fans love it because it’s been a part of their childhood. Those who didn’t have the fortune of watching “Hook” as a child consider the 1991 Peter Pan throwback to be a gaudy Spielberg misfire dripping with sap. By virtue of nostalgia, “Hook” is still great. But as a fan of JM Barrie’s “Peter Pan” novel, and the mythos in general, “Hook” is a solid effort, that still manages to pack in the entertainment at all corners. True, it’s by no means a mastepiece with cloying acting by most of the child stars, and some odd casting. I mean, bringing aboard Robin Williams as the dashing Neverland warrior is still poor casting, and while Williams does his best, the movie suffers with him on board.