Tag Archives: parody

March 26, 2012

The Muppets: Wocka Wocka Fun!

By David Budo

Jason Segel and Amy Adams star alongside the wackiest puppets in The Muppets. Courtesy of Disney Pictures


In the 1960’s, Jim Henson created The Muppets, dawning a new era of puppet entertainment for the young, old and everyone in the middle. Twelve years after the last theatrical release, The Muppets are back in a fun new musical parody starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the rest of the gang.

Walter, the newest Muppet, travels to meet his Muppet idols with his brother and his girlfriend (Segel and Adams), only discover a plot by an evil oil tycoon to destroy the Muppet Studios.

It’s non-stop entertainment from beginning to end. Every member of the cast has a world of fun with their characters and jabs at movie clichés every chance they get.

Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller wrote the screenplay and all of the incredibly memorable songs (Beware: you’ll be singing them for days after watching the movie).

This super home release includes a Blu Ray, DVD, and Digital Copy, as well as a copy of the soundtrack. Could you ask for anything more? Disney thought you would, so they included a bountiful array of special features, including Scratching the Surface: A Hasty Examination Of The Making Of The Muppets, Deleted Scenes, A Little Screen Test On The Way To The Read-Through, Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song, Unreleased Theatrical Spoof Trailers, Audio Commentary with the writers and director, The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History), and Disney Intermission. Lots to explore!

They’re all self-explanatory, but the coolest feature is most definitely the Disney Intermission. This feature is automatically activated when you pause the movie, prompting fun, original skits by the Muppets that keeps everyone waiting entertained.

Bottom Line: This is a jam packed home release that will tickle everyone in your home.

Movie Grade: A-
Blu Ray/DVD Grade: A

Runtime: 103 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

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March 20, 2012

The Legend of Awesomest Maximus: Expect the expected

By David Budo

Will Sasso stars in The Legend of Awesomest Maximus. Courtesy of Entertainment One


The National Lampoon film franchise started back in 1978 with the party classic Animal House and went on to deliver the beloved Vacation series of films over the following decade. Over 30 years later, the franchise is still plucking away with their latest parody home release of The Legend of Awesomest Maximus.

This movie pokes fun at a combination of stories and characters from Braveheart, Gladiator, Troy and 300. The story centers around a moronic Awesomest Maximus who must prove himself a worthy general of the Trojan army while the Greek/Arabian army tries to conquer their country.

If you’re looking for witty dialogue and a cohesive storyline, look in the complete opposite direction of this movie. If you’re in the need of a lot of female nudity, obscene sexuality, racial humor and corny one liners, you’ve come to the right place. Not to say there isn’t some fun to be had in this parody, you just have to look past a lot of the nonsense to get to it.

The movie stars Will Sasso (MadTV), Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills, 90210), Sophie Monk (Date Movie), Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines), Rip Torn (Men in Black) and a brief cameo by Canada’s own, Russell Peters. Acting? They don’t need no stinking acting… Or at least that wasn’t their concern.

There are no special features in this home release, but you weren’t really expecting a full length audio commentary with the cast and crew on this one, right?

Bottom Line: You know what to expect with this movie, so have fun if it’s your cup of tea.

Release Date: March 20, 2012

Movie Grade: D+
Blu Ray/DVD Grade: D

Runtime: 128 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

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March 16, 2012

21 Jump Street: Comedy around every corner

By David Budo

Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill star in 21 Jump Street. Courtesy of Sony Pictures


Twenty-five years ago, Johnny Depp was catapulted from unknown actor to teen-heartthrob when he landed a role on 21 Jump Street. Now, he takes on a cameo role in the 2012 comedic adaptation which borders heavily on parody – Not that parody is a bad thing.

Jonah Hill (Superbad, Knocked Up) and Channing Tatum (Step Up, The Vow) star as a couple of misfit cops, who due to their youthful looks are resigned to a high school undercover investigation.

The chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum is solid and their comedic timing is on point. Tatum (surprisingly) kept up with Hill every step of the way. In fact, everyone seemed well cast, particularly Brie Larson, who delivered a very natural performance that could have been construed as corny in the wrong hands.

The success of this movie lies in the mere celebration of its ridiculousness. Michael Bacall’s script balances the parody of cop/action genre clichés with a great deal of original humor.

Let’s not forget the directors. With only the animated feature Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs under their belt, Phil Lord and Chris Miller show they can successfully handle live action.

Remarkably, this unexpected comedy finds balance in every aspect of production. From the humor to the action, and even the minute level of emotional drama, you just can’t help being sucked into this one.

Bottom Line: Expect the unexpected and enjoy the plentiful laughs this movie serves.

Grade B+

Runtime: 109 minutes
IMAX: No
3D: No

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