Anytime anyone breathlessly mentions The State, my first reaction is to get excited. Then, I remember that 75% of what comes out of the brains and pens of writers like Michael Ian Black isn't funny. Case in point: I was all wound up to see Michael and Michael Have Issues, but it made me softly chuckle once during its premiere.
Today I caught wind of a new mockumentary with the same cast of characters that pop up in the State/Judd Apatow comedy universes, which now seem to have formed one big, kind-of mediocre super-universe, called The Bridge Bash. Hey! There's Paul Rudd!
Did you laugh? Do you imagine that DJ Blue is going to be Ben Stiller and you're going to be really, really disappointed?
The mockumentary form is lazy and doesn't work unless you're working with really smart improv actors. It's the fastest way to get Paul Rudd on a movie screen without actually writing a word. Or having to film him outside of his own house. As much as I love Paul Rudd, I wouldn't call him a sharp-witted comedian first and foremost. And, oh my God, would you people stop putting Justin Long in movies?
Christopher Guest notwithstanding (though, to be honest, This is Spinal Tap was the best of his films by far, and each gets progressively less funny, though still often admirable), can you name me some actually funny examples?
This is Spinal Tap is definitely the funniest of the Guest/McKean bunch. Best in Show maybe second ...
All You Need is Cash, the Beatles mocukmentary, is kinda funny though really you need to be a Beatles fan or at least know some Beatles history to get the jokes.
And thank you for stating what has confused me for a while now - Justin Long. WTF?
The only mockumentary I've ever liked was Spinal Tap. So yeah... I don't believe in the genre either. I think a mockumentary has to be quotable to be funny otherwise it'll be too insider'y sounding ... Thusly, "but these go to 11" will always give me a chuckle.
Yeah, the mockumentary is dangerous territory unless you are Christopher Guest or a part of his posse. I agree that Spinal Tap, followed by Best In Show are the two funniest of the Guest/McKean projects. However, I will always have a special place in my heart for A Mighty Wind, which managered to work sweetness and sadness into the usual perfect improv work that they do.
Also, Justin Long gets a pass from me, at least temporarily, for appearing in DRAG ME TO HELL. That wonderful, wonderful movie....
beg to differ - this totally made me laugh. and what about "guffman"? one of my faves
It's too early to tell if this is funny. They made this trailer pretty far in advance. In any case, we interviewed the guys responsible for this if anyone's interested in learning about their thought process: http://apolloscred.blogspot.com/2009/08/exclusive-mock-interview-filmmak...
Post new comment