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Dad's Top
20 Parody & Spoof Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
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Honorable
Mention |
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The Brady Bunch Movie
(1995)
They're back to save America from the '90s
Director: Betty Thomas, rated PG-13 for crude humor
  Starring:
Gary Cole, Shelly Long, Henriette Mantel, Christine Taylor, Paul
Sutera, Jennifer Elise Cox, Jesse Lee Soffer, David Graf,
Michael McKean
DML Rating:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
- above average
"I live next door to
her, and she's harder to get into than a Pearl Jam concert." -
Eric Dittmeyer talking about
Marcia
Brady
Why watch this? If
you watched this family sitcom on TV, then this is for you.
Plot Summary: The
Brady family, stuck in their 1970s sensibility, finds themselves
transported to the 1990s where their house is in jeopardy of
being sold due to unpaid taxes. A scheming neighbor, Larry
Dittmeyer, hopes to acquire their property to build a shopping
mall. The Brady kids, discovering the financial dilemma, work
together to try and raise the necessary funds to save their
home.
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Dad's Preview: In the idle
days of my youth,
The Brady Bunch was always
on TV. I loved it, regardless of how innocent
and hokey it came across. It still cracks me
up... I mean, they had Astroturf in the
backyard! This is precisely why the movie here
works. Imagine the Brady family today in our
modern world! It's a riot. Their hair. Their
mannerisms. Their wise-cracking maid Alice! All
actors perfectly play a member of the bunch, and it is a ton
of retro-fun. |
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The Ladd
Company; Paramount Pics
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#20 Top |
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Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Evil Just
Messed With the Wrong Hillbillies.
Director: Eli Craig, Rated R for
violence, language
Starring:
Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss, Philip
Granger, Brandon Jay McLaren, Christie Laing,
Travis Nelson
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Oh hidy-ho officer,
we've had a doozy of a day. There we were minding our own
business, just doing chores
around the house, when kids started
killing themselves all over my property." - Tucker, to
the inquiring sheriff
Why watch this? Some
films grab you from the start. This role-flipping
dark comedy is a riot!
Plot Summary:
Good-natured hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at
their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for
murderers by a group of really dumb preppy college students. A
series of comical and tragic misunderstandings escalate as the
students accidentally cause their own demise. Tucker and Dale
struggle to prove their innocence while simultaneously trying to
protect the lone surviving student.
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Dad's Preview:
I have reached my limit of "teens go into the forest and are
murdered one by one" films. But I regress... This film flips
that horror sub-genre on its head and delivers one of the best dark
comedies you'll find. Tucker and Dale are just sweetly ignorant
rednecks trying to get by in this crazy world. But they do like
a little scary. A group of
incredibly stupid teens convince themselves
that Tucker and Dale are, you guessed it, serial killers. This
hidden gem is grisly at times,
but in a funny way (yes, I just said that). Of course, there is a wood chipper involved.
Yuck! |
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Eden Rock Media,
Kintop Pictures, Urban
Island,
Looby Lou; Magnet Releasing
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#19 Top |
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Spaceballs (1987)
May The Farce Be
With You.
Director: Mel Brooks, rated PG
Starring:
Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rock Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne
Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, George Wyner, Michael Winslow, Joan
Rivers
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"Yes, we're gonna have
to go right to ludicrous speed." - Dark Helmet
Why watch this? Too
many space films deserved a spoof - Mr. Brooks delivered.
Plot Summary:
On the planet Spaceball, the air supply is running low, forcing
the evil President Skroob to send his henchman Dark Helmet to
steal the air from the peaceful planet Druidia. To accomplish
this, Dark Helmet kidnaps Princess Vespa, hoping to ransom her
for the code to Druidia's atmospheric shield. However, a
renegade space pilot named Lone Starr and his loyal half-man,
half-dog sidekick Barf are hired by Druidia's King Roland to
rescue the princess.
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Dad's Preview:
It's zany. It's out of this world. It plays on every Star Wars
scenario and catchphrase. Parody mastermind Mel Brooks works with an all-star cast to pull off a
very funny movie, despite campy scenery and garage-level special
effects... perhaps that is the point. The plot is secondary. Our space travelers jump from bad joke, to pun, to
sight gag, and back again, all at
ludicrous speed. Just strap yourself in and enjoy this
raunchy, often hilarious, rocket ride. |
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Brooksfilms;
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#18 Top |
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What We Do in the Shadows
(2014)
Some
interviews with some vampires.
Directors: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, rated R for
language, comedic vampire violence
Starring: Taika
Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer,
Stu Rutherford, Jackie van Beek, Jason Hoyte
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Why does it matter? You
bring them over, you kill them! Vampires don't do dishes!" –
Deacon
Why watch this?
Taika
Waititi is on a roll. His off-kilter films are so creative, as is
this one.
Plot Summary: Three
vampires, Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav, navigate the
difficulties of modern life in New Zealand. A documentary crew
films their daily lives, which include paying bills, completing
chores, and interacting with other supernatural beings and the
human world. The vampires' lives change when a human familiar is
turned into a vampire, and they must adjust to a new member.
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Dad's Preview:
This off-the-wall vampire comedy bit me right from the
start. True, the four main characters are blood-sucking fiends,
but they're also just roommates, sharing a flat in Te Aro, New
Zealand. They endure many of the same issues all co-habitants
have: a messy kitchen, noisy guests, blood all over the couch,
dead bodies lying around. It's hilarious. Each vampire hails
from
a different time in history, which leads to constant cultural bickering.
My favorite (of course) is the pale Nosferatu, who mostly stays in his creepy
dank, basement
coffin. |
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Resnick
Interactive Dev., Unison Films,
Defender Films,
New Zealand Film
Comm.;
Madman Entertainment
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#17 Top |
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A Hard Day's Night (1964)
The Beatles
starring in their first full-length, hilarious action-packed
film!
Director: Richard Lester, rated
G
Starring:
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Wilfrid Brambell,
Norman Rossington, John Junkin, Victor Spinetti, Anna Quayle
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Turned left at
Greenland." –
John, when asked how he
found America.
Why watch this? At
the risk of riling England's snooty demeanor, four lads decided
to rock... and have fun.
Plot Summary:
There's a plot?... Just kidding. This follows The Beatles as
they navigate the chaotic demands of their newfound fame while
preparing for a televised performance. Their attempts to evade
screaming fans and fulfill their commitments are complicated by
Paul's mischievous grandfather, who adds a layer of comical
mayhem to their escapades. Despite the antics and challenges,
the band ultimately makes it to their performance, showcasing
their music and signature wit along the way.
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Dad's Preview:
It's fast-paced, hard to follow, manic, disorienting,
irreverent, and very juvenile. These behaviors
were what 1960's parents loathed. Cut your hair! Stop making that
noise! Don't talk to me that way! Do what you're told! Well
these blokes from Liverpool were not having any of it. The fab
four spoke to millions of disenchanted teens across the globe
and had a great time doing it. This film is a semi-mockumentary
about how much these guys loved to misbehave. It is also a metaphor
for the evolution of their musical style. They quickly became
icons and would create music that changed the hearts of those
eager to listen. |
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Walter Shenson
Films; Proscenium Films;
United Artists
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#16 Top |
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Dr. Strangelove or
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
the Bomb (1964)
The
wild hot-line suspense comedy.
Director: Stanley Kubrick, rated PG
Starring:
Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn,
Slim Pickens, Peter Bull, James Earl Jones, Tracy Reed
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Gentlemen, you can't
fight in here! This is the War Room!" -
President Merkin Muffley
Why watch this? This
is THE great black comedy about the Cold War.
Plot Summary:
In this Cold War satire, a paranoid US General unilaterally
initiates a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. This forces the
President, his advisors, and a British liaison officer to
desperately try and recall the bombers before the situation
escalates into global catastrophe. However, unforeseen obstacles
and misunderstandings complicate their efforts to prevent a
devastating worldwide nuclear exchange.
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Dad's Preview:
This film is often in the discussion for greatest dark comedy ever
made. I do like it, but it's just too satirical for me. I
guess I just don't think nuclear annihilation is that funny.
From the film's standpoint, launching the bomb IS the
point. This Kubrick project has an all-star cast, and features
the brilliant Peter Sellers playing several roles. The final scene,
as cowboy actor Slim Pickens rides the ballistic missile, is a
iconic dark comedy image for the ages. |
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Hawk
Films; Columbia Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#15 Top |
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Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
(1997)
If he
were any cooler, he'd still be frozen, baby!
Director: Jay Roach, rated PG-13 for crude humor,
language
Starring:
Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling, Michael
York, Fabiana Udenio, Will Ferrell, Mimi Rogers
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"You know, I have one
simple request, and that is to have sharks
with frickin' laser
beams attached to their heads!" –
Dr. Evil
Why watch this? All
great comedy bits need an introduction. This one blows the lid
off.
Plot Summary: A hip
British secret agent from the 1960s is cryogenically frozen and
thawed out in the 1990s to combat his arch-nemesis, Dr. Evil,
who has also been frozen and resurrected. Austin must adapt to
the vastly different world of the 90s while trying to stop Dr.
Evil's latest plan for global domination.
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Dad's Preview:
As silly as it is absurd, this film is a deep dive into the mind
of the talented Mike Myers. I remember thinking "what a dumb
concept". Boy, was I wrong. You can't help but fall in love with
this James Bond spy spoof. Myers' comedic genius shines through
as he portrays two characters: the out-of-his-time British Secret Agent, and his
greatest foe, the chrome-domed mastermind Dr. Evil. Elizabeth
Hurley also shines as his sexy assistant, Vanessa Kensington. If you don't find this humor funny, I can't
help you.
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New Line
Productions, Eric's Boy, KC Medien,
Moving Pictures; New
Line Cinema
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#14 Top |
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This is Spinal Tap
(1984)
Prepare to crank those amps up to eleven
Director: Rob Reiner, rated R for language, crude
humor
Starring:
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner,
June Chadwick, Tony Hendra, Bruno Kirby
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Well, I'm sure I'd
feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." -
David St. Hubbins
Why watch this?
It's entertaining to watch these faux rock stars, and their screwed-up
values.
Plot Summary:
British heavy metal band Spinal Tap is on their ill-fated 1982
United States tour. The film chronicles the band's struggles
with declining popularity, botched performances, and internal
squabbles, offering a satirical look at the music industry.
Ultimately, it captures the band's relentless pursuit of success
despite numerous setbacks and their exaggerated sense of
self-importance.
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Dad's Preview:
This is the original film that coined the term "mockumentary".
Director Carl Reiner and the three lead actors: Guest, McKean
and Shearer, immerse us into the world of '80's heavy metal rock
and roll. It's as outrageous and over-the-top as the music it
parodies. The band is about success and more, more, more -
all with hilarious results. This same team of actors would go on
to give us
Waiting for Guffman (1996),
Best
In Show (2000) and several more fine films spoofing the
odd aspects of human experience. |
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Karen Murphy;
Embassy Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#13 Top |
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Airplane! (1980)
What's
slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall
buildings at a single bound?
Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, rated PG for language,
suggestive humor
Starring: Robert
Hayes, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd
Bridges, Robert Stack, Stephen Stucker, Barbara Billingsley
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"There's no reason to
become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your
flight. By the way,
is there anyone on board who knows how to
fly a plane?"
- cabin
announcement by Head Flight
Attendant Elaine Dickinson
Why watch this?
A superb comedy if you just want to laugh and not have to think.
Plot Summary:
(as if the plot matters...) When the crew and passengers of a
commercial flight fall victim to severe food poisoning, a former
fighter pilot, who is afraid of flying, must step up to the
challenge. With the help of a gruff air-traffic controller and
his old commander, he faces his fears and attempts to land the
plane safely. He navigates difficult weather and personal trauma
to ensure the lives of everyone on board.
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Dad's Preview:
"Surely, you must love this film?"... "I do... and please don't
call me Shirley". This is the spoof of all film spoofs, taking
aim at the lauded Airport film franchise. It's a series of absurd situations,
snappy one-liners, and it is ALL hilarious! You'll find
something you like amid all the segments, be it a sex-craved inflatable
autopilot, the ding-bat stewardess, or the airport control tower
loaded with morons and drug-addicts. And there are a slew of
Hollywood legends lending a hand including, Lloyd
Bridges, Peter Graves and Leslie Nielsen! |
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Howard W.
Koch Productions;
Paramount Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#12 Top |
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Shaun of the Dead (2004)
A romantic
comedy. With zombies.
Director: Edgar Wright, rated R for language, zombie
gory violence
Starring: Simon Pegg,
Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy,
Nicola Cunningham, Keir Mills, Matt Jaynes
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Who died and made you
f***ing king of the zombies?" - Shaun
Why watch this? It was high-time for a zombie comedy,
a zomedy, if you will!
Plot Summary:
Shaun, an ordinary electronics salesman, faces the challenge of
a zombie apocalypse sweeping through London. He decides to
embark on a quest to rescue his girlfriend Liz, his mother, and
their close friends, intending to seek refuge in his favorite
pub, The Winchester. Alongside his best friend Ed, Shaun must
navigate the chaotic, undead-ridden city and find a way to
survive this unexpected challenge to his mundane life.
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Dad's Preview:
Like the oncoming undead themselves, Zombie films had over-run
the film market. This fresh take on that genre is creative and
really, REALLY funny. It strikes the right balance between
comedy, satire, and playful gore. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost together are
an unstoppable comedic duo. You'll have to chuckle when the two
unwilling, unqualified heroes resort to flinging selections from
their vinyl LP collection at the slow-plodding ghouls. |
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StudioCanal, WT2
Prod., Big Talk Prod.;
Universal Pictures
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Genres:
Action-Horror,
Comedy-Buddy,
Comedy-Dark,
Comedy-Parody,
Comedy-Physical,
Horror-Mad-Science,
Horror-Survival,
Horror-Zombie,
Sci-fi-Apocalyptic,
Sci-fi-Comedy,
Dad's Genres:
Likable-Irreverence |
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#11 Top |
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The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
(1988)
If you see
only one movie this year...you ought to get out more often.
Director: David Zucker, rated PG-13 for
language, crude humor
Starring: Leslie
Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy,
O. J. Simpson, Susan Beaubian, Nancy Marchand, Raye Birk,
Jeannette Charles
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"It's true what they say:
Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano.
Sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." –
Frank Drebin
Why watch this?
To laugh... A lot. It's non-stop.
Plot Summary:
Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad investigates the attempted
murder of his partner, Nordberg. This investigation leads him to
uncover a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during her
visit to Los Angeles. Frank must work to thwart the
assassination attempt, find out who shot Nordberg, and manage
his romantic entanglement with Jane Spencer, the assistant to
the suspicious businessman Vincent Ludwig.
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Dad's Preview:
I thought the silly
Airplane!
(1980) was
entertaining with its puns and
goofy skits and sight gags. It also starred straight-faced Leslie Nielsen. Why
Naked Gun impacted me so differently I cannot guess, but I
love this film. It is a spin-off from a failed TV show that was
surprisingly cancelled after 8 episodes. Nielsen plays dead-pan police Lt.
Frank Drebin. He bumbles his way through every scene with
hilarious skill (or lack of). Every gag and funny line feels new.
You'll find it hard to stop laughing. I DO recommend the two sequels -
they are almost as funny as the original.
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Robert K. Weiss; Paramount Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#10 Top |
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Mystery Men (1999)
We're not your
classic heroes, we're the other guys.
Director: Kinka Usher, rated PG-13 for
language/crude humor
Starring: Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Greg
Kinnear, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Reubens, Wes Studi, Geoffrey
Rush, Tom Waites, Lena Olin
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"We've got a blind
date with destiny... and it looks like she's ordered the
lobster." - Eddie, The Shoveller
Why watch this?
It's so much fun to watch a bunch of screw-ups win the day.
Plot Summary:
A group of underachieving, self-proclaimed superheroes in
Champion City are constantly upstaged by the city's popular and
corporate-sponsored hero, Captain Amazing. When Captain
Amazing's nemesis, Casanova Frankenstein, is released and
kidnaps the hero, the misfit team must band together to save
both Captain Amazing and their city. Along the way, the Mystery
Men recruit other heroes with peculiar powers and learn to work
together despite their quirks.
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Dad's Preview:
The Plot Summary above makes this film sound so sanitized. Well, it's
not. It's fugly. It's irreverent. It's hilarious. Personally,
I'd never make it as a real super-hero, but with these guys, I
might have a
chance. I'd call myself The Procrastinator! This cobbled-together team of misfits must find a
way to save the day. This flick manages to develop its
characters and be completely snarky along the way. The actors,
even the stern Wes Studi, seem to
be having a great time. None more than the masterful Geoffrey
Rush as the notoriously flamboyant villain: Casanova Frankenstein. |
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Golar Productions,
Dark Horse Ent.;
Universal Studios
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#9 Top |
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Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
It took God
six days to create the earth, and Monty Python just 90 minutes
to screw it up.
Director: Terry Jones, rated R for language,
violence, gore, crude humor, sexual situations, nudity
Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry
Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland, Simon
Jones
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"You
always talk, you Americans. You talk and you talk and say 'let
me tell you something'
and 'I just wanna say this'. Well, you're
dead now, so shut up!" -
The Grim Reaper
Why watch this?
If you don't mind a little fake blood, I recommend the segment called
Live Organ
Donors.
Plot Summary:
This absurdist comedy explores the various stages of human
existence from birth to death through a series of darkly
humorous and often surreal sketches. The film delves into themes
such as religion, sex, war, and the mundanity of everyday life,
all with the unique and irreverent style of the Monty Python
troupe. Ultimately, it offers a comedic and philosophical
inquiry into the nature and purpose of life itself.
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Dad's Preview:
This Python dark comedy is a series of skits pertaining to life,
how humans kill each other, and
larger humanity's search for the "why are we here". If you are easily offended
or squeamish,
then you might want to keep walking. This pokes bloody fun at
everything... and everybody. It's absurdist satire at its most
vitriolic. If you can get past that, it also happens to be
extremely hilarious.
Mature audiences ONLY! |
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Celandine Films,
Monty Python Partnership;
Universal Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#8 Top |
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The Man With Two Brains
(1983)
Steve Martin
is a world famous surgeon. He invented screw top, zip lock brain
surgery. Trust him.
Director: Carl Reiner, rated R for language, sex,
brief nudity
Starring: Steve
Martin, Kathleen Turner, David Warner, Paul Benedict, George
Furth, James Cromwell, Merv Griffin
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"The only time we doctors
should accept death is when it's caused by
our own
incompetence!" – Dr. Hfuhruhurr
Why watch this?
This is Steve Martin at the pinnacle of his "wild and crazy" era.
Plot Summary:
World-renowned brain surgeon, Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr, has his
life takes a bizarre turn after marrying a conniving femme
fatale whose life he saved. Driven to distraction by his wife's
antics, he falls in love with the disembodied, telepathic brain
of another woman, Anne Uumellmahaye, stored in a jar at a Vienna
laboratory. Amidst a series of murders in the city, the doctor
finds himself entangled in a comedic search for a body for his
new jar-enclosed sweetheart.
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Dad's Preview:
As fan of Steve Martin's off-the-fall films, I instantly fell
for this zany,
absurdist comedy. You'll have to suspend
all
logic and believability (ala
Airplane!), which is really the point. The
collaboration of director Carl Reiner and comedian Martin proves to
be a
comedic gold mine. The film, with all its ridiculous skits, is
hilarious, start to finish. And remember: don't drink and drive in Austria.
Their drunk driving test is impossible! |
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Aspen Film
Society; Warner Bros.
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#7 Top |
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The Lego Movie (2014)
The story of a
nobody who saved everybody
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, rated PG
Starring:
(the voices of) Chris
Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman,
Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Hey,
I can be dark and brooding too - Guys, look, a rainbow!" -
Emmet
Why watch this?
A movie... using Legos... to make characters... and I love it.
Wow.
Plot Summary:
Emmet is an ordinary, rules-following construction worker in
Bricksburg who is mistakenly identified as "The Special" – a
prophesied hero destined to save the world. He is recruited by a
group of Master Builders to stop the tyrannical Lord Business
from using a super-weapon called the Kragle to freeze the entire
Lego universe into eternal stasis. Despite being completely
unprepared for such a task, Emmet embarks on an epic journey to
prove that even an ordinary mini-figurine can be extraordinary.
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Dad's Preview:
There is no way a mature film critic such as myself can become
emotionally involved with a bunch of CGI-generated Lego creations. That would
be INCORRECT! It is
so easy to enjoy this film. It's crazy, chock full
of pop and comics references, witty... and so darn funny! Hats off to the script
writers and animators. And Will Arnett may be the second best
Batman voice in all of nerd-dome (nobody can touch
Kevin Conroy's Batman). Here - Everything is
Awesome - literally. Pew, pew, pew! |
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Warner Animation
Gp., DC Ent., RatPac-Dune
Ent., Lego
System A/S,
Lin Pictures,
Lord Miller Prod.; Warner Bros.
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#6 Top |
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Galaxy Quest
(1999)
The show has
been cancelled... But the adventure has only begun.
Director: Dean Parisot,
rated PG
Starring: Tim Allen,
Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell,
Daryl Mitchell, Enrico Colantoni, Missi Pyle, Jed Rees, Justin
Long
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Never give up. Never
surrender!" - Commander Taggart
Why watch this?
... it's a parody of Star Trek's campiness, and it has a heart
of its own.
Plot Summary:
The alumni cast of a canceled space opera television series,
known for their roles on the spaceship NSEA Protector, find
themselves stuck attending conventions and making other trivial
appearances. However, their mundane lives are disrupted when
they are approached by an alien race, the Thermians, who, having
watched the old show, believe it to be real historical
documents. The Thermians enlist the cast's help in battling a
formidable reptilian warlord, forcing the actors to navigate a
genuine interstellar conflict while pretending to be the heroes
they once played.
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Dad's Preview:
An all-star cast makes this Trek parody a
laugh-a-minute. I was
pleasantly surprised by the comedic chops displayed by Tim Allen
and Sigourney Weaver. Alan Rickman also slays it as the Spock-like
alien character (that's right, with a British
accent). However, the big surprise for me was Sam Rockwell, as
red-shirted Crew Member #6, who is convinced he's going
to die, because all red-shirts get killed in the
TV episodes!
He steals every scene. |
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Gran Via
Productions; DreamWorks Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#5 Top |
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Best in Show
(2000)
Some
pets deserve a little more respect than others.
Director: Christopher Guest, rated PG-13 for
language, sexual topics
Starring: Jennifer
Coolidge, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Michael
Hitchcock, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch, Michael McKean, Catherine
O'Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I went to one of those
obedience places once... it was all going well until
they
spilled hot candle wax on my private parts." - Buck Laughlin
Why watch this? ...
it's an oddball comedy about oddballs, and it's so rewardingly humorous.
Plot Summary: This
story follows a quirky group of dog owners and their beloved
canines as they compete in the prestigious Mayflower Kennel
Club Dog Show. It highlights the eccentric personalities and
relationships of the participants in this competitive world.
Through a series of interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses,
we see the various preparations, anxieties, and comical
situations that arise on their journey to win "Best in Show".
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Dad's Preview:
This is such a wonderful effort from the warped minds of
Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy. It follows the strange cult
of the Dog Show circuit and the quirks of show canine owners.
Present are over-obsessive yuppies, the gay power couple, the old
country boy and his bloodhound - just to name a few. As they
enthusiastically compete for the grand prize, there are plenty
of laughs for us to chew on. So "Sit!"... and enjoy this spoof
comedy. |
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Castle Rock Entertainment;
Warner Bros.
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#4 Top |
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Blazing Saddles (1974)
Mel Brooks' comic saga of cowboys and imbeciles.
Director: Mel Brooks, rated R racial language, sexual
innuendo
Starring: Clevon
Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, David Huddleston, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn,
Mel Brooks, Alex Karras, Claude E. Starrett Jr., Carol Arthur
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Where the white women at?"
- Sheriff Bart
Why watch this? ...
because this hilarious comedy could not be made today.
Plot Summary: In
order to drive away the townspeople of Rock Ridge and acquire
their land, a corrupt politician appoints a Black man, Bart, as
their new sheriff, expecting him to be run out of town. However,
the new sheriff, aided by a skilled but troubled gunslinger, The
Waco Kid, defies expectations and rallies the reluctant citizens
to defend their home. Together, they face down a variety of
absurd and dangerous obstacles, ultimately exposing the
villain's scheme.
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Dad's Preview:
How do you talk about racism in 1974? You make a comedy about it, of
course! Then you set it in the most racist chapter of American
history - the Old West. Thank you, Mel Brooks. Oh, it's
funny, like off the charts funny. It also would never have
happened this way in real life. That absurdity makes the
whole thing even more humorous. The white townsfolk serve as the
film's "comic relief", turning the
typical Western trope on its head. Clevon Little
and Gene Wilder are wisely allowed to steal the show. Madeline Kahn
is at her loveable, sleazy best. Warning - the "N" word is used...
a lot. |
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Crossbow Productions;
Warner Bros.
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#3 Top |
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Dead
Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
Laugh... or I'll blow your lips off!
Director: Carl Reiner, rated PG-13 for crude humor
Starring: Steve
Martin, Rachel Ward, George Gaynes, Reni Santoni, Carl Reiner and special
appearances by Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Burt
Lancaster, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart to name a few
noir stars.
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 100
#93 -
Dad's Full
(Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Dead Men Don't Wear
Plaid
"Carlotta was the kind of
town where they spell trouble T-R-U-B-I-L,
and if you try to correct them, they kill you." - Det. Rigby Reardon
Why watch this?
This Steve Martin comedy stands alone for its incredible creativity.
Plot Summary:
Hardboiled private eye Rigby Reardon is hired by a beautiful
woman to investigate the suspicious death of her scientist
father, who was killed over a secret cheese recipe. While
navigating 1940s Los Angeles, Reardon uncovers a sinister plot
involving lists of friends and enemies, encountering various
suspicious characters along the way.
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Dad's Preview:
Martin's SNL skits were getting stale. His first movie,
The Jerk
(1979),
has its moments, but didn't knock me off my feet. Next
Mr. Martin releases this
comedic effort... and Wow! The film's who-done-it plot consists of
inter-spliced scenes from many of
Hollywood's most famous noir films of the 1940's. We follow detective
Rigby Reardon as he encounters gangsters (Burt Lancaster,
Alan Ladd, Vincent Price) and femme fatales
(Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Bette Davis) on his way to solving the
big case. Rachel
Ward fogs up the camera as his sultry cohort. The film's editing
is so good, many
of you will never guess that Martin is interacting
with actors who have been dead for years. |
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Aspen Film
Society; Universal Pictures
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#2
Top |
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Young Frankenstein (1974)
The scariest
comedy of all time!
Director: Mel Brooksr, rated PG
Starring: Gene
Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr,
Kenneth Mars, Madeline Kahn
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Are you saying that I put
an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, fifty-four
inch wide GORILLA? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME?" - Dr.
Frederick Frankenstein
Why watch this?
It's perhaps now more of a classic than the films it spoofs!
Plot Summary:
Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor
Frankenstein, is a respected neurosurgeon who tries to distance
himself from his family's eccentric legacy. He inherits his
ancestor's Transylvanian castle and, after discovering his
grandfather's scientific journals, becomes intrigued by the
potential of reanimating the dead. Aided by his hunchbacked
assistant Igor and a lab assistant named Inga, Frederick
attempts to bring a corpse to life, inadvertently creating a
monster.
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Dad's Preview:
This comedy, along with
Blazing Saddles
(1974), was made at the
height of director Mel Brooks' popularity. It goofs on the classic
Universal Studios Frankenstein movies. Presented aptly in black and
white, Brooks really captures the mood of those foggy classic horror
films. Much
of this film's success can be attributed to its leading cast. There
is a chemistry between them, and you can tell they were having a
good time, especially the impish, bug-eyed Marty Feldman - that
guy was a notorious on-set prankster, and he has always makes me laugh. |
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Gruskoff/Venture
Films, Crossbow Prod.
Inc., Louer
Limited;
20th Century Fox
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Top 20
Parody-Spoof Films
#1 Top |
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(1975)
Sets the Cinema
Back 900 Years!
Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, rated PG for
mild violence, rabbit-induced gore
Starring:
Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Connie
Booth, Carol Cleveland, Neil Innes, Bee Duffell
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#22 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Rabbit Hole of Monty Python
and the Holy Grail
"We better not risk
another frontal assault. That rabbit's dynamite!" - King
Arthur
Why watch this? This
irreverent, Medieval comedy from Python is legendary.
Plot Summary:
King Arthur gathers his Knights of the Round Table and is
instructed by God to embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail.
Their journey is filled with absurd and surreal encounters,
including taunting French soldiers, the Black Knight, a killer
rabbit, and the Knights Who Say Ni. The film follows their
individual and collective misadventures as they brave various
obstacles in pursuit of the mythical relic.
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Dad's Preview:
This may seem adolescent, but I am certain there is genius
within some offensive comedies. Said genius is on par with
classic films, the likes of
Casablanca (1942),
Pulp Fiction
(1994),
Tucker & Dale
vs. Evil (2010). However, critics will always dismiss these
gems as
"in poor taste", "vulgar" or "you need therapy". I get it - not classy enough... One too
many jokes about flatulence. Fie! What a disservice! Holy
Grail is entertaining from start to finish. It will always
make ME laugh, and therein lies its genius. |
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Python Pictures,
Michael White Prod., National
Film Trustee Co; EMI Films
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Genres:
Adv-Swordplay,
Animation-Live-Action,
Comedy-Adv,
Comedy-Dark,
Comedy-Parody,
Comedy-Physical,
Comedy-Satire,
Fantasy-Adv,
Fantasy-Comedy,
Fantasy-Low,
Historical-Fantasy,
Musical-Comedy,
War-Medieval
Dad's Genres:
Likable-Irreverence, |
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