This is, I think, the earliest of the Marx Brothers films I've seen. Although I still liked it, it was definitely one of my least favorite. The problem is, for some reason, the movie thinks we'll give a shit about a bunch of scenes and subplots involving characters who aren't the Marx Brothers. My ass. Do they really think I give two squirts of piss about the plot? Fuck the plot, just get to the comedy.
Showing posts with label Klassik Komedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Klassik Komedy. Show all posts
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sons of the Desert
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
I've seen some Laurel and Hardy movies before, but when I saw this was on TCM a few weeks back I figure it would still be worth doing one for the K2K. I give old comedy a lot of shit, but I do actually like some it, just not in large helpings. Sons of the Desert is funny, I always thought these guys had a goofy charm, and they've always been good for a lot of smiles and a few good laughs. The comedy isn't as inspired or unique as the Marx Brothers, but although it's fairly low class stuff it made me laugh a lot more than a supposed great comedy like Kind Hearts and Coronets. Maybe I'm just not cultured, but I much prefer the spirited, zanier old comedies than I do the subtle, classy ones.
I've seen some Laurel and Hardy movies before, but when I saw this was on TCM a few weeks back I figure it would still be worth doing one for the K2K. I give old comedy a lot of shit, but I do actually like some it, just not in large helpings. Sons of the Desert is funny, I always thought these guys had a goofy charm, and they've always been good for a lot of smiles and a few good laughs. The comedy isn't as inspired or unique as the Marx Brothers, but although it's fairly low class stuff it made me laugh a lot more than a supposed great comedy like Kind Hearts and Coronets. Maybe I'm just not cultured, but I much prefer the spirited, zanier old comedies than I do the subtle, classy ones.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Duck Soup
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Probably the best of the Marx Brothers movies that I've watched. A weird, exuberant joy, and I think better directed than the others. The director was Leo McCarey, who also made the really funny The Awful Truth with Cary Crant, so I'm thinking maybe I should seek out more of his movies. Both that I've seen a superior examples of comedy from an era that doesn't usually yield movies that make me laugh. That's got to count for something.
Probably the best of the Marx Brothers movies that I've watched. A weird, exuberant joy, and I think better directed than the others. The director was Leo McCarey, who also made the really funny The Awful Truth with Cary Crant, so I'm thinking maybe I should seek out more of his movies. Both that I've seen a superior examples of comedy from an era that doesn't usually yield movies that make me laugh. That's got to count for something.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Gold Rush
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Okay, I had neglected to mention that I enjoy Charlie Chaplin when I was bitching about how older movies don't make me laugh. I'm not madly in love with Chaplin like a lot of film buffs seem to be, but I have greatly enjoyed everything I've seen by him. And this is no exception.
Okay, I had neglected to mention that I enjoy Charlie Chaplin when I was bitching about how older movies don't make me laugh. I'm not madly in love with Chaplin like a lot of film buffs seem to be, but I have greatly enjoyed everything I've seen by him. And this is no exception.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Sunday, July 13, 2008
We're back to the same old conundrum here... I'm trying to broaden my horizons, I decide to check out another beloved klassik komedy, and although I recognize the humor and craft of the film, it just doesn't make me laugh. I know it's not an absolute with old films... the Marx Brothers make me laugh, Buster Keaton makes me laugh... hell, some of Alfred Hitchcock movies are hilarious, even though they aren't primarily comedies. For the most part, though, I just don't share the sense of humor film goers had back in the day.
The one great thing about this movie is Alec Guinness, who plays something like 8 different characters in the movie. It's like he beat Eddie Murphy to his shtick by like 50 years.
We're back to the same old conundrum here... I'm trying to broaden my horizons, I decide to check out another beloved klassik komedy, and although I recognize the humor and craft of the film, it just doesn't make me laugh. I know it's not an absolute with old films... the Marx Brothers make me laugh, Buster Keaton makes me laugh... hell, some of Alfred Hitchcock movies are hilarious, even though they aren't primarily comedies. For the most part, though, I just don't share the sense of humor film goers had back in the day.
The one great thing about this movie is Alec Guinness, who plays something like 8 different characters in the movie. It's like he beat Eddie Murphy to his shtick by like 50 years.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Young Frankenstein
Monday, May 19, 2008
More Mel Brooks.... It's pretty insane that I had never seen all of Young Frankenstein before.
This was probably the funniest of the 3 Brooks movies I've watched (with Shenan) in the last few weeks. Although, I have to say, I suspect that I'm never going to see another Brooks movie as funny as The Producers. We'll see. I haven't seen Blazing Saddles since I was little, so maybe I should watch that one soon. But I'm suspecting that Brooks may have peaked with his first film.
More Mel Brooks.... It's pretty insane that I had never seen all of Young Frankenstein before.
This was probably the funniest of the 3 Brooks movies I've watched (with Shenan) in the last few weeks. Although, I have to say, I suspect that I'm never going to see another Brooks movie as funny as The Producers. We'll see. I haven't seen Blazing Saddles since I was little, so maybe I should watch that one soon. But I'm suspecting that Brooks may have peaked with his first film.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Silent Movie
Friday, May 9, 2008
Oh what the hell, a little more Mel Brooks. Although no klassik, I liked this one a little more than High Anxiety. There's just something about the premise that adds a little extra joy and magic to this one. It's far from the funniest Mel Brooks movie I've seen, but it might be the most delightful.
If I do any more Brooks for my K2K, I should probably do Young Frankenstein next.
Oh what the hell, a little more Mel Brooks. Although no klassik, I liked this one a little more than High Anxiety. There's just something about the premise that adds a little extra joy and magic to this one. It's far from the funniest Mel Brooks movie I've seen, but it might be the most delightful.
If I do any more Brooks for my K2K, I should probably do Young Frankenstein next.
Monday, May 5, 2008
High Anxiety
Friday, May 2, 2008
This is so obvious I feel like an idiot. I had complained before that too many of my explorations into comedy for my K2K ended in failure. And then I would blame social/cultural differences between now and then. You know like, if the movie was from the 1940's and it wasn't funny, I could point out that overseas at the time millions of Jews were being slaughtered, so almost anything would seem funny in comparison. Watching klassik komedies, which should be the most fun part of my K2K, was starting to feel like a chore. (Meanwhile, movies like Tokyo Story and Aguirre feel like a chore going in, and end up blowing my mind).
How the fuck did it never cross my mind until last week to throw a Mel Brooks movie on my queue? I already know he can make me laugh (The Producers is, like, one of the funniest movies ever), but I haven't seen much of his filmography. I don't know why I immediately equated klassik komedies with the 1940's, but there you go. I am retarded.
I selected this one at Shenan's recommendation. It's Brooks' take on Hitchcock, which sounds like a great idea, but the results are mixed. I laughed enough that I liked this one, but it's not one of his best. I think maybe my main complaint is that the movie isn't Hitchcockian enough... A lot of the specific Hitchcock parodies are really funny, but too many of the story elements and scenes and shots don't seem to recall Hitchcock much at all. And then there is what seems to be an extended reference to Blowup, which is an almost anti-Hitchcockian film.
Still funny, though, and I'm going to add Silent Movie to my queue.
This is so obvious I feel like an idiot. I had complained before that too many of my explorations into comedy for my K2K ended in failure. And then I would blame social/cultural differences between now and then. You know like, if the movie was from the 1940's and it wasn't funny, I could point out that overseas at the time millions of Jews were being slaughtered, so almost anything would seem funny in comparison. Watching klassik komedies, which should be the most fun part of my K2K, was starting to feel like a chore. (Meanwhile, movies like Tokyo Story and Aguirre feel like a chore going in, and end up blowing my mind).
How the fuck did it never cross my mind until last week to throw a Mel Brooks movie on my queue? I already know he can make me laugh (The Producers is, like, one of the funniest movies ever), but I haven't seen much of his filmography. I don't know why I immediately equated klassik komedies with the 1940's, but there you go. I am retarded.
I selected this one at Shenan's recommendation. It's Brooks' take on Hitchcock, which sounds like a great idea, but the results are mixed. I laughed enough that I liked this one, but it's not one of his best. I think maybe my main complaint is that the movie isn't Hitchcockian enough... A lot of the specific Hitchcock parodies are really funny, but too many of the story elements and scenes and shots don't seem to recall Hitchcock much at all. And then there is what seems to be an extended reference to Blowup, which is an almost anti-Hitchcockian film.
Still funny, though, and I'm going to add Silent Movie to my queue.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Horse Feathers
Monday, April 28, 2008
This one is funny, but probably my least favorite Marx Brothers movie I've seen so far. The pacing and timing seems off in places, and then the big football game finale is kind of mediocre when it really should be the great payoff. This and Monkey Business are the only 2 Marx Brothers movies that Netflix has for instant viewing, so I may not being seeing any more any time soon. I don't know why exactly, but I can't bring myself to actually put these movies on my queue. Like, I'm not willing to wait for them to ship or something, I need them now or never. Maybe I just have a hard time giving a spot on my queue to movies this short.
This one is funny, but probably my least favorite Marx Brothers movie I've seen so far. The pacing and timing seems off in places, and then the big football game finale is kind of mediocre when it really should be the great payoff. This and Monkey Business are the only 2 Marx Brothers movies that Netflix has for instant viewing, so I may not being seeing any more any time soon. I don't know why exactly, but I can't bring myself to actually put these movies on my queue. Like, I'm not willing to wait for them to ship or something, I need them now or never. Maybe I just have a hard time giving a spot on my queue to movies this short.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The General
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I had a little to make up for on the K2K front after watching Stone Cold, so I thought watching some Buster Keaton would really go above and beyond the line of duty. I've very much enjoyed the Keaton I've seen in the past, but ultimately I'm largely ignorant of his work.
This didn't blow my mind right out my asshole quite as hard as I would have liked, but it still gets the thumbs up. A lot of it is brilliantly done... just not as funny as I was hoping. Actually, I would say it's a lot more exciting than it is funny. The action set pieces are huge... a lot more spectacular than something I'd expect from the 1920s. It's like some old timey version of Jerry Bruckheimer or something. Most of the movie is an extended chase sequence involving 2 trains, and one train even goes flying off a cliff Bridge On the River Kwai style. And there's a big Civil War battle sequence at the end!
So, I enjoyed it, much of it is awesome, but I can't recommend it as a great "comedy." I mean, I laughed more (and harder) during the 44 minutes of Keaton's Sherlock Jr. than I did in all 75 minutes of The General.
I had a little to make up for on the K2K front after watching Stone Cold, so I thought watching some Buster Keaton would really go above and beyond the line of duty. I've very much enjoyed the Keaton I've seen in the past, but ultimately I'm largely ignorant of his work.
This didn't blow my mind right out my asshole quite as hard as I would have liked, but it still gets the thumbs up. A lot of it is brilliantly done... just not as funny as I was hoping. Actually, I would say it's a lot more exciting than it is funny. The action set pieces are huge... a lot more spectacular than something I'd expect from the 1920s. It's like some old timey version of Jerry Bruckheimer or something. Most of the movie is an extended chase sequence involving 2 trains, and one train even goes flying off a cliff Bridge On the River Kwai style. And there's a big Civil War battle sequence at the end!
So, I enjoyed it, much of it is awesome, but I can't recommend it as a great "comedy." I mean, I laughed more (and harder) during the 44 minutes of Keaton's Sherlock Jr. than I did in all 75 minutes of The General.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Monkey Business
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
OK, I am prone to giving older comedies a lot of shit for not actually being funny. I've popped on a lot of supposed classics, only to find that they barely make me crack a smile. I guess mostly it's a cultural/generational thing going on.
Or so I'd like to think. But then how come the Marx Brothers actually make me laugh? And I mean real laughter, not just a smile of recognition that says "Oh, I get what they were going for. How clever."
Here's one that's pretty funny, but has a really disappointing finale. It keeps a steady momentum of laughs throughout then film, but then it's like someone forgot to put a good joke in the last 5 minutes. So you leave a little unsatisfied, but on a whole it's a good one.
OK, I am prone to giving older comedies a lot of shit for not actually being funny. I've popped on a lot of supposed classics, only to find that they barely make me crack a smile. I guess mostly it's a cultural/generational thing going on.
Or so I'd like to think. But then how come the Marx Brothers actually make me laugh? And I mean real laughter, not just a smile of recognition that says "Oh, I get what they were going for. How clever."
Here's one that's pretty funny, but has a really disappointing finale. It keeps a steady momentum of laughs throughout then film, but then it's like someone forgot to put a good joke in the last 5 minutes. So you leave a little unsatisfied, but on a whole it's a good one.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Stalag 17
Monday, March 17, 2008
Well, I typically enjoy Billy Wilder a lot, but I wasn't as hot on this one. It's a comedy/drama set in a WWII POW camp, and it suffers from my typical old-tymey movie complaint: the comedy isn't funny enough. Which, actually, is pretty weird because Wilder has made some pretty funny movies. So I dunno. I enjoyed a lot of the more typical POW movie aspects, but a lot of the humor and runing jokes just didn't tickle me as much as they should have, making the movie kind of boring at times.
It wasn't bad, and actually I even kinda liked a lot of it, but it's just not one of the better klassiks I've watched so far. Oh well.
Well, I typically enjoy Billy Wilder a lot, but I wasn't as hot on this one. It's a comedy/drama set in a WWII POW camp, and it suffers from my typical old-tymey movie complaint: the comedy isn't funny enough. Which, actually, is pretty weird because Wilder has made some pretty funny movies. So I dunno. I enjoyed a lot of the more typical POW movie aspects, but a lot of the humor and runing jokes just didn't tickle me as much as they should have, making the movie kind of boring at times.
It wasn't bad, and actually I even kinda liked a lot of it, but it's just not one of the better klassiks I've watched so far. Oh well.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Is Audrey Hepburn considered attractive? Because, as an actress, I find her a charming and irresistible screen presence, etc etc, but she looks like a creepy, evil skelletized zombie or something. A charming zombie, sure, but still a zombie.
Anyway, did this one for my K2K. It's a pretty funny, charming, but not great movie that I'm glad I saw. It's also an accidentally fascinating cultural artifact, because Mickey Rooney plays an asian man with giant teeth who has a ridiculously exaggerated accent. The character is already an offensive stereotype, and then having a white man play the role (yellow face?) makes it an unforgettable experience. They still did this kind of shit in the early 60's? Hot damn.
Is Audrey Hepburn considered attractive? Because, as an actress, I find her a charming and irresistible screen presence, etc etc, but she looks like a creepy, evil skelletized zombie or something. A charming zombie, sure, but still a zombie.
Anyway, did this one for my K2K. It's a pretty funny, charming, but not great movie that I'm glad I saw. It's also an accidentally fascinating cultural artifact, because Mickey Rooney plays an asian man with giant teeth who has a ridiculously exaggerated accent. The character is already an offensive stereotype, and then having a white man play the role (yellow face?) makes it an unforgettable experience. They still did this kind of shit in the early 60's? Hot damn.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Hail the Conquering Hero
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Hail the Conquering Hero is a beloved, WWII era Preston Sturges comedy. It's about a dude who is discharged from the Marines for his hayfever, and is too embarrassed to tell his mom back home. So he lies to her and tells her he's overseas, until he runs into a group of real Marines, who decide (against his wishes) to stage a fake homecoming for him where they pretend he's a war hero. The town's outpouring of affection towards him reaches such a fever pitch that they eventually nominate him for mayor.
This is a good idea for a comedy/satire, and I think I enjoyed it, but it suffers the same problem for me that a lot of old comedies do... it didn't make me laugh enough. There is some kind of cultural-generational gap with comedies where it just doesn't tickle us young people's funny bones like it did to the old timers.
Yeah, there are some movies or filmmakers that are just timelessly funny, but this is the second Preston Sturges film I've seen, and I don't think he quite transcends generations. I think you know the feeling... there are a lot of jokes that you recognize as being funny or clever, but you don't actually find yourself laughing at them. You appreciate it, maybe, but you don't respond enough.
It's enjoyable though, and damn sure is charming. And it might play better if I watched it with others instrad of by myself. Still, it might be best limit the number of pre-late 1960s comedies I watch during my K2K.
Hail the Conquering Hero is a beloved, WWII era Preston Sturges comedy. It's about a dude who is discharged from the Marines for his hayfever, and is too embarrassed to tell his mom back home. So he lies to her and tells her he's overseas, until he runs into a group of real Marines, who decide (against his wishes) to stage a fake homecoming for him where they pretend he's a war hero. The town's outpouring of affection towards him reaches such a fever pitch that they eventually nominate him for mayor.
This is a good idea for a comedy/satire, and I think I enjoyed it, but it suffers the same problem for me that a lot of old comedies do... it didn't make me laugh enough. There is some kind of cultural-generational gap with comedies where it just doesn't tickle us young people's funny bones like it did to the old timers.
Yeah, there are some movies or filmmakers that are just timelessly funny, but this is the second Preston Sturges film I've seen, and I don't think he quite transcends generations. I think you know the feeling... there are a lot of jokes that you recognize as being funny or clever, but you don't actually find yourself laughing at them. You appreciate it, maybe, but you don't respond enough.
It's enjoyable though, and damn sure is charming. And it might play better if I watched it with others instrad of by myself. Still, it might be best limit the number of pre-late 1960s comedies I watch during my K2K.
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