Wet Hot American Summer

2001

Directed By: David Wain

Written By: David Wain; Michael Showalter

Starring: Janeane Garofalo; David Hyde Pierce; Molly Shannon; Paul Rudd; Christopher Meloni; Michael Showalter

Wet Hot American Summer is a 2001 American teen comedy film directed by David Wain from a screenplay written by Wain and Michael Showalter. The film features an ensemble cast, including Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Michael Showalter (and various other members of the sketch comedy group “The State”), Elizabeth Banks, Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper (in his film debut), Amy Poehler, Zak Orth, and A.D. Miles. It takes place during the last full day at a fictional summer camp in 1981 and spoofs the sex comedies aimed at teen audiences of that era.

The film was a critical and commercial failure, but has since developed a cult following, as many of its cast members have gone on to high-profile work. Netflix revived the franchise with the release of an eight-episode prequel series starring most of the film's original cast on July 31, 2015; and an eight-episode sequel series, set ten years after the original film, on August 4, 2017.

Fight Club

1999

Directed By: David Fincher

Screenplay By: Jim Uhls

Starring: Brad Pitt; Edward Norton; Helena Bonham Carter; Meat Loaf Aday; Jared Leto

Some of you may wonder why I labeled this movie as a comedy; actually, it is more correctly labeled as a dark comedy, an argument for satire could even be made. If you've never stifled a giggle while viewing this film, in fear of the person or persons watching it with you thinking you're deranged for chuckling at such dark content, or if you've never laughed out loud, unafraid of peer pressure and what other people think of you, then you must revisit this movie and the novel. It's definitely a social commentary on consumerism, lending itself to the satire label, and it definitely forces one to laugh at situations one wouldn't normally laugh at in every day life, and if you do not recognize these situations or the message the film makers and the author are trying to impart, then a you just might need to read more satire. If you find yourself offended by the humor or the message, then you just might need to stop shopping to impress and call a therapist. 

When I first watched this movie I didn't know it was based on a novel (I was young and still believed movie producers and screen-writers actually wrote their own material, but we all know most of the good movies, the really good and thought-provoking movies are based on novels), and it wasn't until recently I revisited the idea of reading it. I purchased it a few years back, and due to an unfortunate incident in the middle of last summer, I was bed-ridden for some time so I cracked its cover. My perceptions of this story were already cross-contaminated, of course I envisioned Norton and Pitt and Bonham Carter and all the other actors in the movie, but not being able to create my own mental pictures of characters and events didn't weaken the novels impact. It still hit me hard, still made me re-question everything the movie did when I first seriously started to think about the movie's message, and I realized just how well-done and true the movie mirrored the novel. The endings were slightly different, the novel's ending cut short; the main reason probably was because the novel's ending didn't lend itself to a very dramatic cinematic scene, but the intent of the story remained honest and loyal. The actors' extraordinary performances added to the complexity of this story and to its presentation, and every time I cue up my VHS copy (yes, I never purchased it on DVD because I already had a copy on VHS, and I refuse to buy DVD copies of all my VHS copies until my VHS capabilities become non-existent) I get blown away again and again by the sheer power of the following two hours and handful of minutes.

American Psycho

2000

Directed By: Mary Harron

Screenplay By: Mary Harron; Guinevere Turner

Starring: Christian Bale; Willem Dafoe; Jared Leto; Josh Lucas; Samantha Mathis; Matt Ross; Bill Sage; Chloë Sevigny; Cara Seymour; Justin Theroux; Guinevere Turner; Reese Witherspoon

Based On: American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho is a 2000 American black comedy-horror film co-written and directed by Mary Harron, based on Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel of the same name. Producer Edward R. Pressman purchased the film rights to the novel in 1992. After discussions with David Cronenberg fell through, Harron was brought on to direct and cast Bale in the lead role. Lionsgate acquired worldwide distribution in 1997 and temporarily replaced Harron and Bale with Oliver Stone as director and Leonardo DiCaprio portraying Patrick Bateman. DiCaprio left in favor of The Beach and Harron and Bale were brought back. American Psycho debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2000, and was released theatrically on April 14, 2000. The film received generally positive reviews and was a financial success with critics mainly praising the screenplay and Christian Bale’s performance.

Galaxy Quest

1999

Directed By: Dean Parisot

Screenplay By: David Howard; Robert Gordon

Starring: Tim Allen; Sigourney Weaver; Alan Rickman; Tony Shalhoub; Sam Rockwell; Daryl Mitchell

Parodying television series such as Star Trek and its fandom, Galaxy Quest is about a defunct television series also called Galaxy Quest, in which the crew of a spaceship embarked on intergalactic adventures. A leader of an alien race asks the actors for help, believing the show’s adventures were real. The film’s supporting cast features Robin Sachs as the warlord Sarris and Patrick Breen as another alien; Justin Long makes his feature film debut as an obsessed fan of the television show.

The film received critical praise and reached cult status through the years, becoming popular with Star Trek fans, staff, and cast members for its affectionate parody. It won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, the Nebula Award for Best Script, the 26th Hochi Film Award for Best International Picture, and was also nominated for ten Saturn Awards including Best Science Fiction Film, Best Director for Parisot, Best Actress for Weaver and Best Supporting Actor for Rickman, winning Best Actor for Allen. The film was included in Reader’s Digest’s list of The Top 100+ Funniest Movies of All Time.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

1988

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Screenplay By: Jeffrey Price; Peter S. Seaman

Starring: Bob Hoskins; Christopher Lloyd; Charles Fleischer; Stubby Kaye; Joanna Cassidy

Based On: Who Censored Roger Rabbit? by Gary K. Wolf

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American fantasy, mystery, and comedy film. Combining live-action and animation, the film is set in Hollywood during the late 1940s in an alternative timeline where animated characters really exist. The story follows Eddie Valiant, a private detective who must exonerate “Toon” Roger Rabbit, accused of murdering a wealthy businessman.

Dude, Where's My Car?

2000

Directed By: Danny Leiner

Written By: Philip Stark

Starring: Ashton Kutcher; Seann William Scott; Kristy Swanson; Jennifer Garner; Marla Sokoloff

Dude, Where's My Car? is a 2000 American stoner comedy film directed by Danny Leiner. The film stars Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott as two young men who find themselves unable to remember where they parked their vehicle after a night of recklessness. 

Though the film was criticized by most critics, it was a box office success and has managed to achieve a cult status, partially from frequent airings on cable television. The film’s title became a minor catch phrase and was commonly reworked in various pop cultural contexts during the 2000s.

As the first DVD I ever purchased, I still considered this an amazing comedy. Pure frivolity, it lends itself to humorous quotes and not easily forgotten characters. This film is definitely one of my “special treats.”  

Office Space

1999

Directed By: Mike Judge

Written By: Mike Judge

Starring: Ron Livingston; Stephen Root; Gary Cole

Based On: Milton animated shorts by Mike Judge

Office Space is a 1999 American comedy film written and directed by Mike Judge. It satirizes the everyday work life of a typical mid-to-late-1990s software company, focusing on a handful of individuals tired of their jobs. The film’s sympathetic depiction of ordinary Information Technology workers garnered a cult following within the field, but also addresses themes familiar to white collar employees and the workforce in general. Shot in Austin, Texas and Dallas, Texas, Office Space is based on Judge’s "Milton" cartoon series. It was his first foray into live action film-making and second full-length motion picture release, after Beavis and Butt-Head Do America. Although not a success at the box office, grossing $12.8 million against a $10 million budget, the film was well received by critics, and it sold well on VHS and DVD, and has earned “cult classic” status.

Clue

1985

Directed By: Jonathan Lynn

Screenplay By: Jonathan Lynn; John Landis

Starring: Eileen Brennan; Tim Curry; Madeline Kahn; Christopher Lloyd; Michael McKean; 

Martin Mull; Lesley Ann Warren; Colleen Camp

Based On: The Board Game Cluedo (England)/Clue (North America) by Anthony E. Pratt

In keeping with the nature of the board game, the theatrical release of Clue included three possible endings with different theaters receiving one of the three endings. In the film’s home video release, all three endings were included. The film initially received mixed reviews and did poorly at the box office, ultimately grossing $14,643,997 in the United States, although it later developed a cult following.

The Princess Bride

1987

Directed By: Rob Reiner

Screenplay By: William Goldman

Starring: Cary Elwes; Mandy Patinkin; Chris Sarandon; Christopher Guest; Wallace Shawn; Andre the Giant; Fred Savage; Robin Wright; Peter Falk; Peter Cook; Mel Smith; Carol Kane; Billy Crystal

Based On: The Princess Bride by William Goldman

A grandfather visits his sick grandson, offering to read him a story, The Princess Bride. As his grandfather begins to read the first few paragraphs, the boy is hesitant: He doesn't want to hear a "gooey" love story. The grandfather stops reading, assuring the boy the story is an adventure with sword fighting, pirates, treasures, criminals, giants, and a brave hero, so the boy concedes to continue listening. These scenes persist in this fashion, each time with the grandfather supposedly convincing the boy to continuing listening, although the boy demonstrates obvious interest in the story's characters and plot.

As the grandfather reads to his grandson, the scene switches to a live version of the story. We meet Buttercup, a young woman living on a farm, and her farm boy, Wesley. Eventually, they realize they both love each other, so Wesley leaves in search of his fortune to garner his worthiness in the eyes of her parents and society; however, word reaches Buttercup that Wesley's ship is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who is infamous for not leaving anyone he encounters alive. Years later, Buttercup agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, but before the wedding she is kidnapped. The story unfolds with Buttercup encountering a variety of characters who each seem to have their own private intentions concerning her personal and romantic well-being. As Prince Humperdinck and a mysterious masked man dressed in black (obviously presented as Wesley finally returned but unnoticed by Buttercup) pursue the kidnapped Buttercup, we discover the true sentiments and motivations behind both of her relationships with each man.