Read A Book. See A Movie. Maybe These Ones.

Hey MonDavers. Things have been getting a mite serious on the ol’ blog here lately, and I have very much appreciated your indulgence while I’ve been working through some of my thoughts and feelings here in this space. Y’all are the best.

When I started this blog a few years back, the intention was to bring a little smile to what is otherwise a bummer of a day. This is supposed to be a place to escape from Monday (or whatever else is going on), even if just for a few minutes. I’ve gotten away from that recently, but let’s see if we can’t start getting back on track.

Speaking of escaping, I’d like to share with you a few of the ways I have been escaping lately, by sharing a few good books I’ve been reading (two rather new and one not so new), and also one movie that’s just absolutely bonkers. First, the books.

“GOD’S COUNTRY” by Percival Everett (1994)
-How this book and its author have managed to elude my consciousness for so long is surprising to me, almost embarrassingly so. Still, there’s never a bad time to discover a good book, and that is what’s happened here. I may be a latecomer, but I’m all in!
“God’s Country” is a Western that is both comic and gravely serious, often at the same time. It follows a man (I hesitate to call him a “hero”) named Curt Marder, a gambler, drunkard, liar, cheat, and all around no account character who is, of course, oblivious to all of these traits in himself, though keen to point them out in others. His obliviousness also extends to the world around him and, often, the true meaning of the situations he is in. The book opens with Marder’s house and farm being burned by marauders, resulting in him losing his home, wife, and dog in one swell foop. Sorry. Fell swoop. I like that though, “swell foop”, I think I might keep that one.
Anyway, Marder decides that the only thing a man in his situation can do is to go after the group, save his wife, his pride, and what little social standing he may have had. To do this, he hires the best tracker in the land, a black man named Bubba, who fits the traditional Western hero mold far more than Marder does, but being an African American in the old west…well, I don’t have to paint you that picture.
This is where you are likely to think “Oh, it’s like “Blazing Saddles”, but no. Sure, the book deals largely with race and social status, but the humor in the writing is much darker than anything Mel brooks (who is a genius) would have ever come up with. While it’s easy to laugh and smile at Curt Marder and his pathetic shenanigans, I couldn’t do so without feeling a twinge of (Guilt? Shame?) uncomfortableness. See, sometimes comedy has a lot of truth in it, and all smiles have teeth. Sometimes they bite.
The drama in “God’s Country” hits so intensely that the humor can’t quite soften the blow. This is what sets the novel apart from any other in the genre that I have read. It really is a fantastic read and highly recommended, whether you like Westerns or not.

“THE SPAMALOT DIARIES” by Eric Idle (2024)
-This book is exactly what the title says. Eric Idle (of Monty Python and The Rutles fame) kept a diary of his experiences in bringing the show “Spamalot” to the Broadway stage. Kind of like “The Producers” but in real life. Huh. Another Mel Brooks reference. Wild,
For those who may be unaware, “Spamalot” is a Broadway musical version of the film “Monty Python And The Holy Grail”, adapted for the stage by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, Eric’s long time musical partner. While it does help to have some knowledge about both the movie and the musical, I don’t believe it’s totally necessary for the enjoyment of this book.
Yes, this book is a diary, but it’s hardly boring. Being a comedian, Idle has a natural way of writing that is very funny. It is also honest, emotional, and charming. Being a diary, we don’t get too much technical gobbledygook to bore someone who knows nothing about the theatre world, but we do get a behind the scenes look into the arguments, egos, difficulties, breakdowns and breakthroughs it takes to bring a big time show to life.
If you are a fan of Monty Python, or just of the theatre itself, I believe there is much here for you to enjoy. I also believe that even if you’re not a fan, but you are interested in the creative process, or perhaps you are a project manager looking for a different perspective on how to get things done, this may also be for you.

“YOU LIKE IT DARKER” by Stephen King (2024)
-I know, I know, a lot of people don’t like Stephen King for a lot of different reasons, and many of them are justified. I’ve read a large majority of his work, and although I consider myself a fan, I have issues with a lot of his stuff too. Especially when you get into the longer novels.
That’s why I’m always excited when I hear there’s a new King short story collection. I love short stories of all kinds, horror and fantasy doubly so. When done right, the short story can encompass everything that’s great about the novel in a way that quickly cuts to the chase and doesn’t get bogged down in too much detail, less than interesting side stories, or it’s own self-righteousness. For my money, Stephen King is one of the best when it comes to short fiction.
Sure, some of the stories hit the mark better than others, but that’s the nature of these types of collections and you know that going in. There are some longer tales in this book that I could tell really wanted to be novels, but just couldn’t quite hit that mark. That’s assuming, of course, that a story is a living, breathing thing. Which it is. There are also a few that go by in a flash, stinging quick as a hornet, but leaving a mark that lasts much longer.
Favorite stories here include “The Turbulence Expert”, “Willie The Weirdo” (shudder), “The Fifth Step” (double shudder), “On Slide Inn Road”, “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” and “Laurie”. I’ll tell you though, there was nothing here that I didn’t like and I quite enjoyed the ride.

Okay, now that that’s in the books (sorry), I now have the unenviable job of trying to figure out how to describe the out and out comic insanity that is the film…

“HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS” (Self release 2002-streaming/home release 2004)
-Let’s start with the official synopsis from the movie’s own website. “In this 19th century, supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers”.
That barely begins to cover it.
“Hundreds Of Beavers” is a slapstick comedy film that feels like one of the old Warner Brothers cartoons has come to life. Well, at least the first half feels this way, Comedy aficionados will also notice the influence of Buster Keaton, The Three Stooges, and Charlie Chaplin as well. Each gag lands with accuracy, and even the repeated gags don’t get old.
Then the movie takes a slight tonal shift into Dudley Do-Right territory with a little bit of “Return Of The Jedi” thrown in for good measure. There is also a brief parody of a courtroom drama, and what begins to feel like a video game play through, while still keeping the story together and not losing any slapstick elements.
Let’s face it folks, this shouldn’t work. But it does. Wonderfully.
“Hundreds Of Beavers” is a modern take on some old formulas, so it is self aware, but without being obvious or pompous about it. There’s lots of cartoon violence, but nothing overly disturbing. Unless you’re one of those. In which case you probably won’t like this film. For the rest of us though, it’s a blast.
Otherwise, there’s no profanity (apart from one well timed bleep), the sexual humor is mild, few references to smoking are made, and as far as alcohol goes, well, that’s what started our heroes problems to begin with-and he learns his lesson. My only complaint is that the movie is a little bit too long. I think trimming a few minutes here and there could have helped the flow overall and brought us to a quicker resolution. I feel that comedy movies work best at around 90 minutes, and this one clocks in at 108. Not bad, mind you, but the third act felt a little long. Still, if the only bad thing I can say about the movie is that it’s too much of a good thing, then how bad can it be? Also there are a few gross jokes, but nothing worse than an 11 year old boy would come up with so let’s let that slide.
Let’s see, what else? Oh, did I mention this was all shot in black and white? And that the Beavers (and other animals) are all played by people in Mascot type costumes? The physical and digital effect mix make the whole thing feel like the 30’s while being a masterful achievement of today’s technology.
And that’s the key to the success of this movie, I think. It’s all about the juxtaposition of ideas and styles that don’t go together, but do. “Hundreds Of Beavers” also pulls off one of the hardest things a comedy can, in that it’s stupid, yet smart. This in and of itself is a lost art these days, and it is refreshing to see. Quality stuff.
I’d recommend seeing this with a like minded friend (or more) for maximum fun and laughs. But even if you see it all by your lonesome, see it! “Hundreds Of Beavers” is on Apple tv, Amazon Prime, and Blu ray.

Aright. Well. That’s what’s been keeping me entertained. If any of these pieces sounds good to you, check ’em out, and tell me what you think.

See you next time!

RIP Joe

Hey, all. Special edition of the blog tonight. Normally I publish on Mondays (duh), but as I was preparing a new blog last night I saw a post come across my Twitter (I refuse to call it X) feed that stopped me in my tracks. I knew I needed to write about it, but since the date was April 1st, I decided to put everything on hold and make sure there wasn’t just another hoax going around.

Sadly, this was true. Joe Flaherty has died. Another hero gone.

This name may not be immediately familiar to everyone-at least not in America. In Canada, he’s considered comedy royalty. In this country Flaherty is well known, but perhaps not as much as he should be. You’ve seen him though, and you have laughed.

Perhaps you know him from Freaks And Geeks, the 90’s show that was too good to survive more than one season. He played the dad, Mr. Weir. He was the ultimate dad: caring, funny and sarcastic.

If you were a kid in the 1990s you may remember Maniac Mansion from The Family Channel. Yep. The wacky Dad again, only this time he’s a scientist.

But maybe you’re a movie person. Remember the guy who delivers Marty McFly the letter in Back To The Future II? How about the Serbian border guard in Stripes? Or, maybe you know him best as the spectator who heckles Happy Gilmore. Better yet, how about his role as the blubbering bad guy Sid in Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird? One of my favorites, for sure.

Joe Flaherty had a habit of popping up lots of places, from television shows to movies to Saturday morning cartoons. He was never short of brilliant in anything. In fact, he often made an average scene ten times better just by showing up. Check out his Wikipedia page and do a deep dive. You’ll find lots of laughs along the way.

Now, apart from all that, what Flaherty may be best known for (at least as far as comedy nerds are concerned) is his genius run at the Canadian/American television show SCTV. It’s a cult classic certainly, but one that is a touchstone for generations of comedy. This show served as a big break for-you ready for this list?-Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Andrea Martin, Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas, and, of course, Joe Flaherty. Just think about all the talent that sprung forth from that pool. Joe may not be the biggest name in the bunch, but he was arguably the funniest-and he was often the glue that held it all together both on screen and off.

For those unfamiliar, SCTV was a show that centered around the broadcast day of a fictional television station. Not only did the viewer see the shows being “broadcast”, but also got a glimpse behind the scenes at the people who ran the station and starred in the shows. This was the genius of SCTV. Not only were the actors able to create their own characters, but they could do parodies of popular movies and TV, and impersonate the real life stars.

Back in the day (early 1980s this would have been), the cast was known mostly for their impersonations, which could be mercilessly accurate, though I believe mostly came from a good place. Watching this stuff nowadays, the parodies and impersonations take a back seat to the original characters and conceptual pieces. It doesn’t always age well (I sometimes don’t even know what or who the jokes are about), and some of it is very hit-and-miss, but SCTV is still a classic. Mostly because you are pretty much required to love these people, and I do.

Joe Flaherty is my favorite cast member. Many of the others have gone on to do bigger and better things, but in the context of the show at least, he was the absolute best. Want proof?

Count Floyd.

Yep, that’s Joe. The Count Floyd sketches are a masterclass in hapless comedy. These sketches are a parody of the “horror hosts” of the 1960s-70s who would present old, bad movies while dressed up in ghoulish attire. Count Floyd was colossally bad at his job. Not only did he get the worst movies-but he couldn’t preview them before air time, so he had to roll with whatever was available and try to convince all the kids watching that the film would “scare the pants right off of you!” Floyd was also under the impression that vampires howled at the moon. Class stuff!

Other great Flaherty characters included station owner Guy Caballero, who used a wheelchair “for respect”, and was smarmy, but also a soft touch and a decent guy underneath. Another favorite was small time criminal/businessman Vic Hedges who could rob you blind, but he’d “save your life in a minute.” I always loved watching the Farm Film Report (later Celebrity Farm Film Blow Up) with Big Jim McBob. Flaherty’s cheesy, old school show-biz talk show host Sammy Maudlin was always good for some laughs as well. When it comes to impressions, Flaherty did a great Bing Crosby, a hysterically over the top Kirk Douglas, and a bizarrely wonderful Gavin McCloud. If you know who that last guy is, then this show is for you.

SCTV is comfort food for me. When I was in grade school, the 90 minute version aired for two years on NBC, occupying the same time slot as SNL did, only one night earlier. I would stay up watching it with my dad until I fell asleep in front of the screen, both of us laughing at these crazy people and wild ideas, though I suspect we may have been laughing at different things. As a youngster, I don’t know that I truly appreciated what Joe Flaherty brought to the show, but now he’s my favorite thing about it. I watch through the (edited but still indispensable) DVDs once a year.

All Joe Flaherty has to do is be on screen and it makes me smile. Let him go on a tirade and forget it, it’s over, I’m laughing my head off. He was so prolific in big roles and small that he could and would just show up in any production that needed a little comic relief, or any comedy that needed a little extra class. It makes me sad to know that he won’t be doing that anymore.

Joe Flaherty had a good run, he was 82 when he passed. So he was a little older than his co-stars on SCTV. He’d done work with The Second City comedy troupe (of course), and appeared on at least one album and a few stage shows with The National Lampoon in the 1970s. I’ve been watching his work to different degrees for around 40 years now, so he’s been a comedic presence and influence in my life for almost all of it! The man had a long career, so you can’t really say that this is a case of someone being gone too soon. Yet, it does feel that way. Doesn’t it always?

I’ve been watching some of my favorite clips today-it’s amazing how one can be laughing so hard and feeling so sad. If you’re a fan then you get it. If you’re only just discovering Joe, get ready to laugh long and hard.

RIP Joe Flaherty. Thanks for all of it.

Thanks to you for dropping by, MonDavers. Come back next time for some happier stuff. And go watch some Joe! Plenty of SCTV clips are available on YouTube…as is a bizarre sketch called Abraham Lincoln and His Time Machine (not the animated one) which stars actors from SCTV, SNL and The Kids In The Hall, premiered on a “Toonces The Driving Cat” TV special in the ’90’s and concerns Abe Lincoln trying to prevent his own death…it’s dark, a little twisted, and a personal favorite.

Under Construction

Gonna get real here for a minute. You have been warned.

Over the weekend someone I knew back in the old days passed away. This wasn’t somebody I knew well. We weren’t friends, more like acquaintances. His name was Tom Johnson.

I knew Tom back during my stand up comedy days. He was an established comic on the local scene, and I was just starting out as an open mic-er. I always thought he was next level funny. He had a sense of the absurd that was dark and irreverent, and his jokes could surprise and shock just as much as they could delight. These were qualities I looked up to in a comic back then, and to a degree I still do today.

Not only was he hysterical, but he was a decent guy. He never made me feel “less than” like some other established comics did, and accepted me and my comedy pals into the fold. I mean, he didn’t go out of his way to help us get a leg up (you have to earn your place in that world!), but he didn’t make fun either, which to my impressionable self was just as good. I remember getting a few small pointers form him as well after a set one night at the now defunct Comedy Etc. in Collinsville, IL.

I only knew Tom for a short while before he moved away to seek his fortune, which he did. He wound up as one of the writers on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” back in it’s 1990s heyday (which always made me proud that I knew that guy) and I believe he was still writing for that show when he passed.

Like I said, I wasn’t at all close to him, and he probably wouldn’t remember me in the slightest, but his death really hit me. Hard. Way harder than it should have. I mean, I don’t think I’d even thought about him for years. Still, when I was scrolling through the entertainment news on my phone and read the article in “Variety” I let out an audible gasp and a “nooo….”, and was shocked speechless for a while.

Part of this reaction was, of course, nostalgia for the old days, and part the loss of someone I respected. Yet, it’s bigger than that. I think I was also reacting to me.

This unfortunate news really got me thinking. I started thinking about some of the old gang of comics I used to pal around with and what they are doing now. I am still in touch with some, but others I lost contact with years ago. A little googling (not in a creepy way) showed me that some are still active in the comedy game, and others have moved on. I know a few who are still performing in other ways such as being in bands, local television, writing books, etc. One old friend works seasonally in haunted houses and making appearances as Santa. Good for all of them, they have found a way to keep things going! I admire that.

I also miss that. It’s been a number of years since I have done anything creative, outside of this blog that is. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy doing it and I’m glad you all read it, but it’s not quite the same thing as what I’d done before. I have been a comic, an actor in small theater productions, and a musician over the years. The last project of note I did was in 2016. For someone who considers themselves a creative type, that’s a long dry spell. Okay, so the pandemic didn’t exactly help matters, but still.

Somewhere along the way during that time I lost my spark. I lost that part of my personality. I think it happened slowly, to where I didn’t really notice, as I just busied myself with life and what was around me. I have a good life, to be sure, and I can’t complain. Still, I can’t help but feel that loss.

Without a steady creative outlet, I don’t feel quite as complete, and I am just now realizing it has been affecting me in ways that I hadn’t been aware of. I am not as jovial as I used to be. I’m not as sharp either. As I’ve fallen into the same old routines, I’ve become slower, duller, and more, well, boring. Some of that can be attributed to age, sure, but not all of it. I haven’t really felt like myself for quite some time, in fact my self confidence and self esteem have both dropped to lower levels than I would like to admit. I’ve grown complacent and ambivalent about a lot of things. Not completely, mind you, but it’s there all the ame. Again, it happened so gradually I didn’t really notice. Now I have. I’ve lost a part of myself, and I miss me.

So, I need to figure some things out. I need to find my fire again. My passion. I need to take a long look in the mirror and work on that guy who’s staring back at me. He’s not a bad guy, I don’t hate him or anything, but he could use some work in a lot of different areas. This loss of sense of self has affected my day to day just as much as my overall state of being. That’s not good, y’all. It’s time to do a little self re-evaluation. It’s time to go to work.

Now, please don’t misunderstand, this is all internal stuff that needs to happen, not external. I’m not about to have a mid-life crisis and leave my family or anything like that. I love them deeply and wouldn’t swap them for all the riches in the world. So don’t hear what I didn’t say. I just need to find my way back to me. It’s going to take a little time, a little work, and some intentionality, but I’m betting on a big payoff down the road.

Okay, there we are. Thanks for sticking with me guys, I really needed to get that out. I’ll be back to the usual stuff next week.

One more thing. To Tom: you inspired me as a young comedian, and in a way, you have inspired me again. Thank you. Oh, and say hi to Bernie. His song still haunts my dreams, and I am better for it! Rest in peace.

What’s Dave Watching?

With all of the holidays, snow days, and “I’m not leaving this house in single digit temperatures” days, I have been able to catch up on some of my recent blu ray purchases (and gifts) that I’ve been meaning to get to, but haven’t had the chance. Most of this stuff is probably available to stream somewhere or other, but you know me, I like physical media, and I have the “collector gene”, so these have been in the “to be watched” pile for a little while now.

Most of these movies fall into two categories, “music movies” and “comedies”. Atnd one of them is kinda both. So I thought I’d share my finds with you all in case you’re looking for something a little bit different to view while we wait out the long winter months. Here we go, in alphabetical order.

Arsenic And Old Lace (1944)
-This is an all time classic that still plays just as well today as it ever has. For those who may not be aware, this is a dark comedy directed by Frank Capra and starring Cary Grant, with a small though vital role played by Peter Lorre. The story sees Grant’s character newly married coming home to visit his dear, sweet, aunts to tell them the good news before heading off to his honeymoon. It turns out these two sweet little old ladies have a habit of offing little old men. Add in one brother who is convinced he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another who returns home a violent criminal and things get a little weird.

Grisly subject matter, sure, but it’s all handled with class, and the laughs are piled on thick throughout the first act of the film, with some real tension and danger mixed in until the manic conclusion. The reason this film works so well, apart from the cast who are all spot on, is that we are really seeing multiple stories unfold, involving well defined characters in a movie that goes off the rails about ten minutes in and doesn’t let up.

I know there are many people my age and younger won’t watch films made in black and white. This is a shame. The arguments are along the lines of the films being out of touch with modern thinking, the actors speaking in ways that sound peculiar to our ears, the inclusion of cultural references that modern audiences just won’t get, and that it’s just flat out hard to relate to the black and white imagery. While each of these arguments may have some truth to them, seldom will they all come into play in the same picture, and many viewers who drop their guard long enough to get into older movies are often pleasantly surprised. Give the old black and whites a shot. Trust me, you’re missing out. Especially so with a movie as great as Arsenic And Old Lace.

Elvis (2022)
-This movie biopic came out to mixed reviews, mostly stating that the film is a case of style over substance. While that isn’t entirely untrue, I don’t think it hurts the film any. Besides, it did win several non-Oscar awards so I think quite a few people would agree.

I enjoyed this film quite a lot. It’s interesting that our window into the Elvis story is through that of his infamous manager, Col. Tom Parker. Not only does the movie pull back the curtain a little bit on both men, but also examines their level of dependency on one another. It doesn’t really judge either man, but lets the viewer make up their own mind about the events within. Neither one is completely innocent or completely guilty when it comes to their own role in how Elvis’s story unfolded. Music biopics are quite popular these days, and I believe this one goes after the facts just a tiny, little bit more than most, which is nice. More on that later.

My only real complaint, and I hate to make it, is with the casting of Tom Hanks as Col. Parker. I love Hanks, but as with any actor, there are certain roles where the actor melts into the part to the point that you almost forget you are watching them act, and some where that doesn’t happen. Hanks did it brilliantly in movies such as Forrest Gump and The Green Mile among others. Not so here. I never forgot that I was watching Hanks in a fat suit, using a dialect that he never quite mastered. Don’t get me wrong, he gave a valiant effort, but came up short this time out.

All in all though, I thought it was a really good film, and an interesting view for Elvis fans and non fans alike.

It Happened One Night (1934)
Remember a few moments ago when I said that the supposed negatives of black and white films seldom come together in the same picture? Well, a lot of them do come into play here, but I still think it is an important cultural film.

Briefly, the story is as follows: a spoiled runaway socialite is joined on a cross country trip by a newspaper man who is determined to get the story of her disappearance. Hijinks ensue.

To the modern sensibilities, this plot is about as far fetched as you can get. The jokes are hackneyed and predictable, and there are a few unfortunate, cringe inducing lines about women that don’t play well at all these days. It would be easy to dismiss this film because of these qualities.

But also, it was 1939. Things were different. That doesn’t make bad ideas or actions any less wrong, or more acceptable, but that’s how things were, and a certain amount of understanding must be used. Even if it is done while shaking your head.

Remember, many of these gags were not old hat yet. There are more than a few scenes where the set ups and delivery of the jokes are very well done. Also, even though the attitudes displayed in the film are quite patriarchal, and wrong, our socialite heroine is still a fairly well written character for the time. The movie stars Claudette Colbert and Clark gable, both of whom are excellently cast. Gable clearly had a lot of fun making this movie, and it shows, which makes his performance a treat to watch.

It Happened One Night swept all five top categories at the Oscars (beat picture, actor, actress, director, and screenplay), and was a massive hit, breaking box office records across the country. It is an important movie in the history of comedy (often being called the first screwball comedy-though the jury is out on that one), and a fine example of early editing and cinematography. So, if you’re a film buff, it’s worth a view if you’ve not already seen it. For the rest, it may be worth a watch just to get a glimpse into the tastes of American movie goers in the 1930’s. Also, who doesn’t want to watch a five time Oscar winner?

Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023)
-Not a biopic, but a full fledged documentary about “The Architect” of Rock And Roll. I am a fan of Little Richard’s music. His stuff roared out of the speakers back in the day-and it still does. The entire runtime of the film could be spent just on his contributions to popular music. Not only did he redefine popular music for an entire generation, but the after effects of what Little Richard did are still being felt today. Yet there’s so much more to this film than that.

This documentary is just as much about the man as it is the music. It explores his conservative upbringing, his sexuality, and his spirituality. Little Richard was a complex man who was never able to get all of the pieces of his personality to fit together. He was a walking contradiction, often condemning the very music he helped create, and his own lifestyle with one breath, only to proclaim it and celebrate it the next. Some of the interviews can be hard to watch, and some stories hard to hear, but any worthwhile documentary should be this way.

Little Richard’s story is inspiring, frustrating, sad, joyful, engrossing, and extremely relevant to our times. Just like the man himself was, and continues to be.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
-And we’re back into the biopics. Sort of. It’s also a comedy, but what else would you expect from the National treasure that is Weird Al Yankovic?

Okay, so I can’t really talk about this movie without discussing the Queen/Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, or BoRap for short. BoRap was overseen by the surviving members of Queen during production. They had input on the script, the look, the music, everything. It’s a good movie, but it’s filled with erroneous details and historical inaccuracies-that the band okayed because they thought it made for a better movie that way. Many fans were not happy about these changes, but it still went on to be a highly successful film.

Now, back to National treasure Weird Al. He had been toying with the idea of an exaggerated biopic for some time (even doing a smaller scale version of this idea in the 1980’s home video release “The Compleat Al“). Well, when he saw the Bohemian Rhapsody movie and recognized the errors within, it gave him complete (compleat?) confidence to go forward with the idea and make it as big and crazy as possible.

That he did. As with any biopic there just enough glimpses of the truth to ground the movie a bit, but the comedy takes over quick and goes into directions that no one could possibly see coming. It’s almost like the Airplane! of biopics. There are a lot of snickers and a few flat out belly laughs to be had here, and the poolside party scene with its plethora of cameos is worth the watch on its own.

Seen as a straight up comedy, this movie is very good. Viewed as a parody of the entire biopic movie genre, it’s genius.

Alright, well, that’s been my viewing experience over the past few weeks. Check these movies out if you haven’t seen them, there may be a new favorite waiting for you. Until next time, happy viewing.