Asking for movie recommendations following my delightful viewing experience after reading this on the blue
March 25, 2011 10:03 AM Subscribe
Asking for movie recommendations following my delightful viewing experience after reading this on the blue.
Based purely on the wonderful commentary about Top Secret! in this post, I bought the dvd & am all the richer having absorbed this gem.
What other recommendations would you make for something so delightful that lines & scenes beg to be repeated in real life, or at least make me smile goofily to myself in public when I think about them?
(Ironically, I recent re-watched Airplane! which, I was sad to note, did not hold up quite as well to the test of time, even though I do still take my coffee black simply to quote the line.)
Based purely on the wonderful commentary about Top Secret! in this post, I bought the dvd & am all the richer having absorbed this gem.
What other recommendations would you make for something so delightful that lines & scenes beg to be repeated in real life, or at least make me smile goofily to myself in public when I think about them?
(Ironically, I recent re-watched Airplane! which, I was sad to note, did not hold up quite as well to the test of time, even though I do still take my coffee black simply to quote the line.)
Raising Arizona
posted by Lucinda at 10:08 AM on March 25, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by Lucinda at 10:08 AM on March 25, 2011 [7 favorites]
Pulp Fiction
posted by empath at 10:14 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by empath at 10:14 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
Better Off Dead
posted by cross_impact at 10:42 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by cross_impact at 10:42 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
I am loathe to admit that I found The Hangover to be laugh-out-loud in many scenes.
posted by Gilbert at 10:43 AM on March 25, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Gilbert at 10:43 AM on March 25, 2011 [4 favorites]
Space Balls (or any Mel Brooks, movie, really)
posted by empath at 10:44 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 10:44 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Empath reminded me of another silly-fest: Young Frankenstein.
posted by Gilbert at 10:48 AM on March 25, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Gilbert at 10:48 AM on March 25, 2011 [4 favorites]
To add to the Coen Brothers comedy recommendations, The Hudsucker Proxy.
You know. For kids!
posted by davidjmcgee at 11:04 AM on March 25, 2011
You know. For kids!
posted by davidjmcgee at 11:04 AM on March 25, 2011
Best answer: Yet another Coen Brothers film: Fargo
Not a movie, but comedian Jim Gaffigan's Beyond the Pale is hilarious and will radically alter your reaction to Hot Pockets in a very quotable way.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:19 AM on March 25, 2011
Not a movie, but comedian Jim Gaffigan's Beyond the Pale is hilarious and will radically alter your reaction to Hot Pockets in a very quotable way.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:19 AM on March 25, 2011
Unsnooty foreign films first!
Der Bewegte Mann (The most desired man) is substantially funnier than the description would have it. Like, rolling on the floor laughing at numerous intervals, especially with Waltraud/Walter.
Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown (ah, gazpacho!)
Harold and Kumar go to White Castle
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 11:19 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Der Bewegte Mann (The most desired man) is substantially funnier than the description would have it. Like, rolling on the floor laughing at numerous intervals, especially with Waltraud/Walter.
Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown (ah, gazpacho!)
Harold and Kumar go to White Castle
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 11:19 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: These suggestions are wonderful! Please keep them coming. I am crossing my fingers for more rainy weather to justify more viewing time.
posted by PepperMax at 11:27 AM on March 25, 2011
posted by PepperMax at 11:27 AM on March 25, 2011
I remain aghast at the swiftness with which Austin Powers quotes were left behind. Maybe it's because they were so heavily used during the years around the three releases, but I still go back to several Austin quotes and rather more Fat Bastard quotes.
GET IN MY BELLY!
posted by carsonb at 11:28 AM on March 25, 2011
GET IN MY BELLY!
posted by carsonb at 11:28 AM on March 25, 2011
Wonder Boys. The rare story that I find equally enjoyable in book or movie form.
Staying in the vein of "anything with Frances McDormand in it is probably worth watching", I'm going to second Fargo and Raising Arizona, and also recommend Almost Famous (especially the director's cut) and Burn After Reading. You'll need to be willing to accept Nicolas Cage and Brad Pitt and their sometimes insufferable mugging for RA and BAR, though, so be warned.
posted by Leta at 11:30 AM on March 25, 2011
Staying in the vein of "anything with Frances McDormand in it is probably worth watching", I'm going to second Fargo and Raising Arizona, and also recommend Almost Famous (especially the director's cut) and Burn After Reading. You'll need to be willing to accept Nicolas Cage and Brad Pitt and their sometimes insufferable mugging for RA and BAR, though, so be warned.
posted by Leta at 11:30 AM on March 25, 2011
(or any Mel Brooks, movie, really)
This. I have a soft spot for History of the World, Part I.
Also Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid is amazing.
posted by juv3nal at 11:53 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
This. I have a soft spot for History of the World, Part I.
Also Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid is amazing.
posted by juv3nal at 11:53 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Real Genius
"I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, '... I drank what?' ..."
posted by Ochre,Hugh at 11:55 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
"I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, '... I drank what?' ..."
posted by Ochre,Hugh at 11:55 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Police Squad, perhaps? I haven't seen the show in years, but I find myself quoting from it still. The movies were alright, but I preferred the television show.
posted by backwards guitar at 12:40 PM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by backwards guitar at 12:40 PM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think the scene in Spaceballs where they just pop the tape of Spaceballs into the VCR during the movie was the funniest thing I had ever seen at the time and completely blew my mind (and reminds of some of those unexpected moments in Top secret).
In a similar vein as Top Secret and also similar in era, for me anyway, would be:
- Spies Like Us
- Stripes
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (probably just because the Cow Scene in Top Secret reminds of the cow catapult scene)
For some reason, I am also thinking of another movie I saw around that same time that was just so off the wall that it always pops in my head:
- The Gods Must Be Crazy
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 1:01 PM on March 25, 2011
In a similar vein as Top Secret and also similar in era, for me anyway, would be:
- Spies Like Us
- Stripes
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (probably just because the Cow Scene in Top Secret reminds of the cow catapult scene)
For some reason, I am also thinking of another movie I saw around that same time that was just so off the wall that it always pops in my head:
- The Gods Must Be Crazy
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 1:01 PM on March 25, 2011
In the immortal words of John Paul Sartre: Caddyshack
posted by chrisulonic at 1:04 PM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by chrisulonic at 1:04 PM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Another surprisingly bizarre and funny movie is The Beatles Help!
posted by fshgrl at 1:08 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by fshgrl at 1:08 PM on March 25, 2011
The Pink Panther. A classic. A hilarious, hilarious classic.
posted by grapesaresour at 1:16 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by grapesaresour at 1:16 PM on March 25, 2011
Danny Kaye's The Court Jester -- the pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle!
It Happened One Night
More recent-- Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is a totally unexpected brainy one-liner-fest.
posted by Erasmouse at 1:30 PM on March 25, 2011
It Happened One Night
More recent-- Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is a totally unexpected brainy one-liner-fest.
posted by Erasmouse at 1:30 PM on March 25, 2011
I Heart Huckabees has many quotable moments.
How am I not myself? How am I not myself?
Eight minutes of heaven! It's quantity not quality!
posted by mefireader at 1:58 PM on March 25, 2011
How am I not myself? How am I not myself?
Eight minutes of heaven! It's quantity not quality!
posted by mefireader at 1:58 PM on March 25, 2011
One more and I swear I'm done: So I Married an Axe Murderer. Criminally underrated.
posted by fshgrl at 3:22 PM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 3:22 PM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
A fish called Wanda
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:42 PM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:42 PM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
Second the Pink Panther, but the more recent Steve Martin version for some reason seemed funnier to me.
I also find some parts of No one Messes with the Zohan really funny (for its cliched potrayal of super hero types).
posted by theobserver at 4:04 PM on March 25, 2011
I also find some parts of No one Messes with the Zohan really funny (for its cliched potrayal of super hero types).
posted by theobserver at 4:04 PM on March 25, 2011
Seconding So I Married an Axe Murderer.
Adding:
Anchorman
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Napoleon Dynamite
Clerks
Mallrats
O Brother Where Art Thou
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
posted by D.Billy at 4:23 PM on March 25, 2011
Adding:
Anchorman
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Napoleon Dynamite
Clerks
Mallrats
O Brother Where Art Thou
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
posted by D.Billy at 4:23 PM on March 25, 2011
I can't believe no one recommended the original The Producers.
Mel Brooks first film, infinitely watchable. There is a season of Curb Your Enthusiasm that revolves around Larry David in the Broadway production that is sweet sweet Comedy Gold.
posted by jbenben at 5:34 PM on March 25, 2011
Mel Brooks first film, infinitely watchable. There is a season of Curb Your Enthusiasm that revolves around Larry David in the Broadway production that is sweet sweet Comedy Gold.
posted by jbenben at 5:34 PM on March 25, 2011
Speaking of Curb, there is an episode called The Christ Nail that you Must Not Miss!
posted by jbenben at 5:36 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by jbenben at 5:36 PM on March 25, 2011
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python's Life Of Brian
Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Especially "Mitchell"
posted by Decani at 6:08 PM on March 25, 2011
Monty Python's Life Of Brian
Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Especially "Mitchell"
posted by Decani at 6:08 PM on March 25, 2011
The Tall Guy (criminally unknown Jeff Goldblum/Emma Thompson movie, which includes a musical adaptation of The Elephant Man)
OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
Rustler's Rhapsody, and Support your Local Sheriff are both fantastically funny Westerns making fun of Westerns (Rhapsody goes further, lovingly satirizing several different eras of Westerns, from the singing cowboys to the overdubbed Italians of the 1970s)
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 7:26 PM on March 25, 2011
OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
Rustler's Rhapsody, and Support your Local Sheriff are both fantastically funny Westerns making fun of Westerns (Rhapsody goes further, lovingly satirizing several different eras of Westerns, from the singing cowboys to the overdubbed Italians of the 1970s)
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 7:26 PM on March 25, 2011
I was also inspired to watch Top Secret! for the first time ever because of that thread.
My recommendation would be The 39 Steps, and then if you get a chance see this seriously great play.
posted by ridiculous at 7:43 PM on March 25, 2011
My recommendation would be The 39 Steps, and then if you get a chance see this seriously great play.
posted by ridiculous at 7:43 PM on March 25, 2011
Late to the party, but armed with the ultimate: CHRISTOPHER GUEST.
Any film written/directed/perfomed in by Christopher Guest.
Spinal Tap has already been mentioned, so see if you can watch Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind or For Your Consideration without at least once having to hit the pause button until your laughing fit subsides.
Guest recently blew me away with his rendition of a cabinet member in Mrs. Henderson Presents - also recommended btw - but was woefully underutilized in a very edited Ivan the Terrible in Night at the Museum 2 (see the lengths I go to to keep tabs on my favs? This one had both Guest and Hank Azaria, two of the best and most original actors working today).
posted by likeso at 7:07 AM on March 26, 2011
Any film written/directed/perfomed in by Christopher Guest.
Spinal Tap has already been mentioned, so see if you can watch Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind or For Your Consideration without at least once having to hit the pause button until your laughing fit subsides.
Guest recently blew me away with his rendition of a cabinet member in Mrs. Henderson Presents - also recommended btw - but was woefully underutilized in a very edited Ivan the Terrible in Night at the Museum 2 (see the lengths I go to to keep tabs on my favs? This one had both Guest and Hank Azaria, two of the best and most original actors working today).
posted by likeso at 7:07 AM on March 26, 2011
Definitely check out the Kentucky Fried Movie, the Top Secret! writer/director tandem's first movie. It's less a straight up feature, and more a collection of sketches and spoofs, but you'll be quoting it for years to come. And if you like that, follow it with
Some classics along the Abrams&Zucker/JohnLandis/NationalLampoon/HaroldRamis lines that you may have already seen: Animal House, Amazon Women on the Moon, Blue Brothers, Strange Brew, Caddyshack, Stripes, Meatballs, Real Genius, Spies Like Us, Hot Shots!, Three Amigos, Ghostbusters, Fletch, NL's Vacation, Ground Hog Day
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka does for blaxploitation what Top Secret! does for Spy movies and Elvis' movies.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension -- it's a much more deadpan spoof, but one of my favorites.
Big Trouble in Little China - like Buckaroo Banzai, this plays it (a little) straighter than your average spoof, but it's still really funny, and also works as a work of the mystical martial arts action genre its satirizing.
Wet Hot American Summer - this goes the other way, and is actually even narratively looser and more out there than Top Secret!, but, IMO, might be the funniest movie of all of these.
posted by patnasty at 11:46 AM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Some classics along the Abrams&Zucker/JohnLandis/NationalLampoon/HaroldRamis lines that you may have already seen: Animal House, Amazon Women on the Moon, Blue Brothers, Strange Brew, Caddyshack, Stripes, Meatballs, Real Genius, Spies Like Us, Hot Shots!, Three Amigos, Ghostbusters, Fletch, NL's Vacation, Ground Hog Day
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka does for blaxploitation what Top Secret! does for Spy movies and Elvis' movies.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension -- it's a much more deadpan spoof, but one of my favorites.
Big Trouble in Little China - like Buckaroo Banzai, this plays it (a little) straighter than your average spoof, but it's still really funny, and also works as a work of the mystical martial arts action genre its satirizing.
Wet Hot American Summer - this goes the other way, and is actually even narratively looser and more out there than Top Secret!, but, IMO, might be the funniest movie of all of these.
posted by patnasty at 11:46 AM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seconding Monty Python--the movies and the sketch shows too. I have to stop myself sometimes because the quotations want to pop out unbidden. Fawlty Towers with Python member John Cleese is great too.
One I didn't expect to like but ended up being charmed by: Elf with Will Ferrell. I saw it years ago, but every once in a while I'll still say "You sit on a throne of lies!"
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:14 PM on March 26, 2011
One I didn't expect to like but ended up being charmed by: Elf with Will Ferrell. I saw it years ago, but every once in a while I'll still say "You sit on a throne of lies!"
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:14 PM on March 26, 2011
Lots of these are great, but I'm seconding The Tall Guy, so that other people who look at this thread might check it out. As ivan ivanych samovar said--criminally unknown. Also features Rowan Atkinson in asshole mode, not Mr. Bean mode.
Speaking of Rowan Atkinson in asshole mode and things that are endlessly quotable, you must, must, must watch seasons 2-4 of the television series Blackadder. Every single line in each half-hour episode is hilarious and endlessly quotable. Skip Season 1; despite the fact that it has the excellent Brian Blessed in it, they really hadn't found their footing.
Also, seasons 2-4 have Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in them, among guest stars such as Robbie Coltrane and Tom Baker.
posted by tzikeh at 8:41 AM on March 27, 2011
Speaking of Rowan Atkinson in asshole mode and things that are endlessly quotable, you must, must, must watch seasons 2-4 of the television series Blackadder. Every single line in each half-hour episode is hilarious and endlessly quotable. Skip Season 1; despite the fact that it has the excellent Brian Blessed in it, they really hadn't found their footing.
Also, seasons 2-4 have Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in them, among guest stars such as Robbie Coltrane and Tom Baker.
posted by tzikeh at 8:41 AM on March 27, 2011
The Burbs
Joe vs. The Volcano
Big
Wow. I really love 80's Tom Hanks.
Then, of course, there's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Planes Trains & Automobiles and the movie that I quote the most... Groundhog Day.
You want a prediction about the weather, you're asking the wrong Phil. I'll give you a winter prediction: It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life.
posted by anoirmarie at 10:05 AM on March 27, 2011
Joe vs. The Volcano
Big
Wow. I really love 80's Tom Hanks.
Then, of course, there's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Planes Trains & Automobiles and the movie that I quote the most... Groundhog Day.
You want a prediction about the weather, you're asking the wrong Phil. I'll give you a winter prediction: It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life.
posted by anoirmarie at 10:05 AM on March 27, 2011
I got "Top Secret" in the 3-pack with Airplane and Naked Gun (how was that one not mentioned yet?), but I never got around to seeing it. I think I'll have to now.
I'd suggest MST3K also (esp the Cave Dwellers, Amazing Colossal Man, and Manos episodes).
And Spinal Tap also. ("...In danger of being trampled by a dwarf!")
I'd add Pee-wee's Big Adventure. ("You know those 'Do not remove under penalty of law' labels they put on mattresses?")
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:51 AM on March 28, 2011
I'd suggest MST3K also (esp the Cave Dwellers, Amazing Colossal Man, and Manos episodes).
And Spinal Tap also. ("...In danger of being trampled by a dwarf!")
I'd add Pee-wee's Big Adventure. ("You know those 'Do not remove under penalty of law' labels they put on mattresses?")
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:51 AM on March 28, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Blazing Saddles
Hot Shots part deux
Princess Bride
Zoolander
posted by biffa at 10:07 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]