It’s fair to say “Best in Show” (2000) helped breathe new life into the mockumentary, as well as the repertory led by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy (which lives on to this day – thanks “Schitt’s Creek”). This behind-the-scenes look at dog shows also serves as a bridge that helped introduce audiences to newer ensemble comedians such as Jennifer Coolidge and John Michael Higgins. Theirs and other characters (Catherine O’Hara) are inspired in their quirkiness. Fred Willard is hilarious – he seemingly improvs his entire performance as the dog show TV announcer – but as a result probably gets too much screen time.
I feel sorry for the 16-year-old girls who chose to see “The Words” that weekend back in 2012 when “House at the End of the Street” was sold out. (“Let’s just see that thing with Bradley Cooper. OMG! He’s so gorgeous!”) Figuring out this film is a lot harder than any of the politically correct cryptofiction they’re force fed in their high school American lit classes. Hard, but good. It’s a story about a storyteller telling a story about a story. At the end, the movie gives you the finger and sends you off to figure it out for yourself.
When you come across a movie you’ve never heard of starring a bunch of people you have heard of, it’s usually artsy fartsy (think “Gosford Park” or “Magnolia”). But sometimes, it’s just fartsy. The methane delivery system known as “Airheads” (1994) features Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler, along with Michael McKean, Joe Mantegna, David Arquette, Ernie Hudson, Chris Farley, Judd Nelson and Michael Richards. Loser L.A. rockers with toy guns and underdeveloped career plans hijack a radio station. Hijinks ensue. Thin plot. Physical comedy. Ninety-two minutes of your life you’ll never get back. Are you ready to rock?