Movie #326 - John Candy Collection: Going Berserk

Going Berserk
1983 - Rated R - 1 hr 24 min
Director: David Steinberg
Starring: John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Alley Mills, Pat Hingle, Dixie Carter, Richard Libertini, Ernie Hudson

I'm not really even sure why this movie was made.  I can't even really say what happens here... But those sneaky people at Columbia Pictures know how to get royalties paid on their lesser-selling titles --  just sneak 'em into a collection with two movies people have heard of.  After watching the first two movies (both written by John Hughes), this one seems like an afterthought, a lowlight from John Candy's career.  But the DVD is on the wall, so I gotta watch it.  Them's the rules.

Honestly, who made up these stupid rules anyway?

John Candy is a drummer/limo driver inexplicably engaged to a hot chick (played by Alley Mills, the mom from Wonder Years) who is also the daughter of a congressman.  His adventures with his male friend Chick and a sleazy film director (who cast Candy in his low-budget kung fu movie... as the lead) get him into trouble. He gets handcuffed to a dead Ernie Hudson, which was my favorite four-minutes of the film, and then makes enemies with the leader of an aerobics cult.  Yes, that's what I said: Aerobics Cult.

While the movie does provide for some fantastic "Let's Get Physical" workout moments, it's a terrible movie overall.  Don't waste your time. Seriously, people.

Movie #209 - For Your Consideration

For Your Consideration
2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 26 min
Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, Ed Begley Jr, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Jane Lynch, Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachael Harris

This is my least favorite of all the Christopher Guest & Co. movies. That said, it's not that bad. It's just not as good as his others, so it's a bit disappointing.

In this mock-umentary, Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, and Parker Posey star in a movie that generates quite a bit of Oscar buzz for them.  It's meant to be a revealing and comical look at the road to Oscar, and of course, the road that fails to reach the Oscar.  The performances are good, but overall the movie is lukewarm.  You feel bad for them, rather than root for them, especially O'Hara's Marilyn Hack.  And Christopher Guest isn't in this movie nearly enough. Not my fave, not by a long shot.

Movie #123 - American Wedding

American Wedding
Universal Pictures
2003 - Rated R - 1 hr 36 min
Director: Jesse Dylan
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Thomas Ian Nicholas, January Jones, Fred Willard

Oh yay, they're grown-ups now...at least that's what we're lead to believe by this very mature-looking movie poster.  And yet, in the first scene, where is Michelle?  Under the table 'servicing' Jim at a four-star restaurant.  And oh, who's come to give Jim a pep-talk on proposing to Michelle, but doesn't know she's under the table and can hear him?  Jim's dad.

Who writes these scenes? Does this person have a cringe filter? Is anyone else really uncomfortable watching this? I deal with it, but man... opening every movie with a Jim gimmick is tired by now.  Still, the actors manage the scene well and it becomes more funny than awkward after a bit, so it redeems itself.

In this movie, we get to see Stiffler truly ostracized, and then redeemed, so hooray for him. But where are Chris Klein and Mena Suvari? Are we even going to mention that one of Jim's best friend's has disappeared into the black abyss somewhere between freshman year and graduation? No? Okay then.

This one's not bad - it's a good blend of recycled jokes that stay true to the franchise and new material that will make you laugh, cringe, and laugh again.  That bachelor party? Dear God, people.  That Schadenfreude affect is still very much alive in this film.

And no, after this one, we don't own any other American Pie films... Stiffler's little brother doesn't get to have a spot on the Wall.

Movie #122 - American Pie 2

American Pie 2
Universal Pictures
2001 - Rated R - 1 hr 48 min
Director: J.B. Rogers
Starring: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy, Eddie Kaye Thomas

As sequels go, this one isn't so bad... mostly because the entire cast came back to do it (unlike the third movie in this trilogy).  No desserts are harmed in the making of this, but Jim's awkward sex streak rages onward and even lands him in the hospital, glued to himself.  How charming.

I think someone wrote his character to make us all feel better about ourselves. Schadenfreude is a beautiful thing.  And it kept selling movie tickets, so here we are. 

The story lines progress in a believable way in this one, with all the couples split apart because of college-related circumstances.  It's interesting to see them all regroup and try to recapture their high school days a year into college.  They do a pretty good job of it, too.  Some of the jokes are reused a bit too much, and Stiffler's little brother is a pain in the ass, but it's watchable.  You'll laugh and definitely feel better about your own awkard sex-capades after this movie.

Movie #121 - American Pie

American Pie
Universal Pictures
1999 - Rated R - 1 hr 35 min
Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Coolidge

Iconic film of the 90s/00s? This is probably in the running.  It has hot girls, teen sex, comedy, fart jokes, and Stiffler.  So yeah... it's up there.  It also has one of the most notable lines in Gen-Y filmography: "No longer will our penises remain flaccid and unused!" As well as sparking a term that's still sticking with us - the MILF.

That aside, Jason Biggs is adorable, Eugene Levy is awkward in the way only he can manage, Mena Suvari is slightly less annoying than she was in American Beauty, and Tara Reid wasn't a crazy bitch yet.  Also, there's a LOT of young actors with three names in this movie... check out that cast list. Weird, huh?

So it is what it is.  There's pie humping, underage drinking, and jokes at a band geek's expense.  Also, there's now an irritatingly huge film franchise thanks to this little movie (honestly, why are they still making these? And why is Eugene Levy still in them?) But none of them are as clever and fun as the original.

Have your pie and eat it too!
(Sorry, I can't help myself sometimes...)

Movie #69 - Best in Show

Best in Show

Castle Rock Entertainment

2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 30 min

Director: Christopher Guest

Starring: Parker Posey, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Bob Balaban, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Ed Begley Jr., Fred Willard
I can't help it. Next to Guffman, this is my favorite Christopher Guest and company movie. The characters are great, the dogs adorable, and the utter seriousness with which they handle difficult situations is hillarious.

Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins are probably my favorite characters, with Parker Posey and her hubby a close second. And of course, who doesn't love a good Jane Lynch character? Before she was Sue Sylvestor, she was kicking dog butt and taking names as Butch's butch dog handler Christie Cummings.

So if you always wondered what the "real" world of dog shows was all about, this mockumentary is one you can't miss. It's fun, it's funny, and it's full of that usual Guest charm.