I...MISSED...this one?

Anyways. One of the funniest movies. Gets better with each viewing...

A+

*points to avatar*

A

The slow decline of Spinal Tap is one of the most entertaining things to watch in movie history.

Plus, I finally know who that guy in Torrino's avatar is.

What an astonishingly brilliant film this is!


The stroke of genius in the film is two offer us two films in one, specifically, the film as it plays itself out from our viewpoint, and the way it would from the viewpoint of the band. To the band, everything they do is serious; to us, everything is grounds for ridicule. The great disparity between our viewpoint and theirs is the reason why this film is so funny.

Consider, for example, the entire episode with Stonehenge. Before the mini-structure appears on the stage, we are already told and shown how small it is. The band, however, has not seen it before (and that tells us that the manager has not informed them), and their reaction to it once it appears on the stage, when they realize how small it is, is incredibly funny, because at that moment, they and us are on the same level of comprehension, and this in turn makes us (unconciously) aware of how completely in the dark they were beforehand, and just how serious this is to them. (I consider this scene to be one of the funniest I have ever seen!). Similarly, we know that David's girlfriend is a parody of Yoko Ono, and we know where this will lead, in contrast to the characters themselves, to whom this knowledge is not granted (although, considering that the Beatles are referenced, one wonders whether it's their ignorance that makes them be in the dark about the repeat). Thus, we can lay back and enjoy the ridiculousness of it all as it unfolds before us.

Also, just on the album being black, and the satire in general: the film is in large part brilliant because it is so close to the truth; sometimes, so close as to seem wholly authentic. That is because reality has given us bands as bad and far worse than Spinal Tap, whose songs are actually not among the worst I have heard (far from it). In fact, their music is given a sufficient element of authenticity for it to pass as 'real rock'n'roll', and it is only bogged down by occasional (and no doubt intentional) lyrics that deflate it entirely (e.g., the 'cat' line in the Stonehenge song). Also, not only was the White Album an instance of a simply album cover; the Backstreet Boys, you might remember, came out with an album titled "Black and Blue", no doubt in part echoing the Beatles. Well, they might as well have been echoing Spinal Tap. And I daresay that the music contained within the Blackalbum trumps that of the Backstreet Boys'.

Some of the dialogue is absolutely brilliant, but I hardly need to tell you that. But, just for the heck of it:



If they are so unknown, then it completely devalues what the band is trying to do in adopting this as their theme. If no one knew what the Druids were doing, what is the logic behind picking them as your theme? Well, there is no logic. So, right from the beginning, the band essentially undermines their whole effort, by telling us that absolutely nothing consequential can be derived from the show's theme. You could say they are trying to be mysterious, but the only mystery is courtesy them picking a the Druids as a theme.



The line is brilliant for several reasons, but one thing that's going on here, I think, is that David's addition of "And Why not?" shows him anticipating a response from Marty as to his epitaph. I mean something like this:

"What epitaph would you choose"
"Here lies David St. Hubbins, beloved etc etc"
"Why this epitaph?"
"And why not?"

David is of course promptly asked, and replies by saying that he though of it on the spot, having already exhausted his reply as part of the answer. Heh.





At the same time as the reviews tells us of their pretentious album, its style and language tells us that reviewers too can be and often are pretentious and as bad as the art they critique. This is satire at its most effective.

There's so much more to talk about, and the film can be analyzed minute by minute ,but I don't have the time. It's just brilliant.


A strong A. Bravo to the filmmakers!

One of the best comedies ever. A

Though I always find it disturbing when I agree with Libs, this is indeed an all-time comedy classic.

I agree with Magnus... I love the movie, but it's definitley not one of the funniest movies ever, barring a few classics. I was surprised on first viewing at how dramatic it let itself get at points. But I actually credit the film for playing the characters and plotline dead serious, as said in the Tropic Thunder thread, I wish that film had played more to reality with its trailers opening the film.

Guys, if you liked this, check Fear of a Black Hat, similar mockumentary, but this time about hip-hop group. While not as good, still quite charming and funny.

11!!!

11/10 A+!

I hadn't actually seen this until I caught it on TCM last weekend. I'm glad I did. It's hilarious, of course, but also a lot more clever than I was expecting. It's quite a brilliant send-up of rockumentaries, while also remaining one itself. It's spoofing stuff like Dont Look Back and Gimme Shelter, but not overtly so; it's more of a satire or a parody than a spoof, really.

I didn't really find it got all that dramatic, though. The dramatic turns were mostly played for laughs, I thought. Maybe not gut-busting humour, but still pretty hilarious.

And the music is even awesome!

I was in the same situation as trixster - - I hadn't actually seen it until I saw it too...

Anyways, here's the funniest scene, imho:

I don't really like this movie. B-

Funny, not an all-time classic for me, but nice cast and does a very good job of making fun of the rock scene at the time with some hilarious bits. The Stonehenge part had me completely in tears laughing.

B+