Zoolander

Is it possible to give an over-the-top performance when your character is a male model? What about a fashion designer? Or a talent agent? There’s so much scenery chewing going on in “Zoolander” (2001) you almost become numb to it and actually pay attention to the plot. Almost. To say it’s stupid is to say grass is green. But, you ask, what about crabgrass? It’s brownish. And what about that weird albino grass that grows under the kiddie pool when you leave it in the front yard for too long? To that, I say “Zoolander” is right up your alley.

 

There’s Something About Mary

“There’s Something About Mary” helped launch the modern era of bro-humor comedies (“Hot Tub Time Machine,” “The Hangover,” Seth Rogen’s entire career). In 1998, mining humor from the mentally retarded, catching your scrotum in your zipper and mistaking semen for hair gel was somewhat taboo. Now you see all that and more in the trailer for a Will Farrell flick. But “Mary” deserves credit for shock-humor originality. Cameron Diaz nails her part. And admit it, some scenes are a hoot (franks and beans; the serial killer sequence; Ben Stiller mispronouncing Brett Favre’s name). Plus, the minstrel/soundtrack is prominent and excellent.

 

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Mike Myers hasn’t made a bunch of great movies, but he has struck gold a handful of times. “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997) is an example of Myers at his best. His genius is attention to comic detail, so having screenwriter Myers star as a swinging ’60s Brit in a send-up of James Bond movies guaranteed it that would be crammed full of big jokes and little jokes (and witty asides to reward the initiated). It’s almost too detailed. The Roger Moore-era Bond films were a little hokey, plotwise. Myers seems to be mostly playing off that vibe.