This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Featuring: Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer. Director: Rob Reiner.

The thing about cult classics is that if you don't see them before they become known as "cult classics", they can disappoint you a little because you're expecting too much. That is sort of what happened to me with This Is Spinal Tap.

Don't get me wrong, this was an extremely funny movie. The writing was incredible, the performances were spot on and the style was ingenious for the time. But, you know, I didn't piss my pants. I was really expecting to piss my pants. This movie just has that sort of reputation, especially if you're a huge fan of rock n' roll. And really, who isn't?

Now, before you start calling me a picky asshole (which I am) for talking crap about a great movie (which it is), I want you to know I really did love this movie. I can't believe I'm seeing it nearly 30 years late. This is something I should have been pissing myself laughing at when I was 10 and close enough to the 80's to appreciate all the humor. Well, as best a 10 year old could. If, like me, you were sheltered from this movie as a child you definitely need to watch this. It was pretty damn funny. I would have thought it was even funnier if I had seen it when I was a kid like I should have. I guess you sort of have to blame bad parenting.

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The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's always talked about as a "cult classic" and I'm all about those.

Is it artsy? Not really, just a really well done mockumentary.

What stood out the most to you? How spot on so much of the satire was. It was almost like watching an episode of Behind the Music, but funnier.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Sick of listening to that 80's rock station at work.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars.

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Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Featuring: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden. Director: Eli Craig.

We've seen the story a million times. Naive college kids head out to the country and run into a house full of psycho-hillbilly maniacs. It's been done to death, literally. After a while, every overdone movie sub-genre becomes due for a send-up.

Tucker & Dale are just a couple of hard working good 'ol boys who bought a fixer-upper vacation home out in the woods. An array of miscommunications and misunderstandings leads a group of college students to think Tucker & Dale are out to get them. The college kids end up attacking Tucker & Dale and all sorts of horror-related comedy ensues.

Most spoofs put out these days are over the top and just add shock value to the movies they are taking over for. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil isn't that sort of movie at all. It doesn't go for the shock gags (for the most part), but instead plays off the ridiculousness of the fear many northerners have of southerners way out in the country. This movie was a really fun 90 minutes and I'd recommend it to anyone who is a horror movie fan. It's a lot funnier than you think it's going to be.

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The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It was recommended by the blog NETFLIX STREAMING.

Is it artsy? No way.

What stood out the most to you? The way it flipped around the typical killer hillbilly movies.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready for some good laughs with likable leads.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars.

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The Invisible Man: Special Edition (1933)

Featuring: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, Henry Travers. Director: James Whale.

The Invisible Man is probably my favorite of the old school Universal monster movies. The reason is definitely Claude Rains incredible performance. Rains plays a scientist who discovers a serum that turns whoever injects it completely invisible. As with most drugs, there are side effects. In this case... madness.

It's hard to pull off madness without it coming across as campy. Watching this movie now, as opposed to as a kid, I can really appreciate how good of a job Rains did. It's really unbelievable to me that an actor you can't even see can completely command all of your attention on screen. The most comparable performance I can think of to this one is Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. Rains and Ledger created characters that were both supremely creepy, insane, and completely unpredictable. The chaos caused by the Joker and The Invisible Man is some of the most random, and wild anarchy you'll see on screen.

This is one of my favorite movies. It's a technical marvel in old school filmmaking with wonderful acting. If you've never seen it and you like sci-fi type horror you really owe it to yourself to queue this one up. You won't be disappointed, The Invisible Man is way ahead of it's time.

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According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/14. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's a classic, it should be in everyone's queue.

Is it artsy? No, but Rains is an evil genius.

What stood out the most to you? Rains performance and spotting Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to witness sci-fi horror madness.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 5 Stars!
 

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