man bites dog and wet hot american summer

[bonanzataz]

Wet Hot American Summer is one of the funniest movies i have ever seen. And the commentary on the dvd is one of the best i have heard. If you like this, check out their live show.

yeah, i can tell you like it from your av. my favorite is the soundtrack with extra farts. that's funny.

[Weak2ndAct]

I guess I'll revive this thread...

So, I had never seen Wet Hot American Summer.  A friend saw it at a film festival and said it blew, and soon after, it died quickly in release.  8 bucks saved for me.  Or so I thought.

Now it's turned into one of 'those movies.'  The kind that all your iffy friends put as one of their faves in their friendster profiles.  Or someone who's really annoying and wasted at some party keeps telling you it's the best movie ever and begins to describe all of the best bits.  The kind that snobbery prevents you from seeing, but morbid curiousity ends up sucking you in sooner or later.

And so I finally got around to seeing this.  I was warned before I brought it home: "man, this movie fuckin' sucks."  My expectations were in the gutter.

And boy, did I get blown out of the water.  I LOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVED this movie.  Everything about it.  I just can't believe it.  The sheer volume of jokes and the wonderful performances puts any comedy to shame I've seen in ages (are there any good comedies anymore?).  While the movie is a 'parody,' I didn't feel at all left out by not knowing the specific references.  There are so many archetypes and movie cliches that are riffed on that it doesn't matter.

I won't describe my favorite things here (and be that guy), but if you haven't seen the movie, or were on the fence like me, give it a shot.  Who knows, you might have your socks rocked off.  Or you might feel justified in your disdain.  But at least you know where you stand with 'those people.'  

My hat's off to Wain, Showalter, and the rest of the gang.  I haven't laughed that hard in ages.  How this movie didn't get more hype on release just baffles me.  Well, I guess dickwads like me were too stuck-up to see it

[Sleuth]

Good, now go here and watch the videos

www.stellacomedy.com

[modage]

i went through a period where whenever anyone came over who HADNT seen the movie, i would put it on and make them watch it.  (in the process i ended up watching it about 8 times in the span of a few months), but spreading the word was worth it.  i'm glad its cult is growing.

[Stefen]

Man bites dog was great! It was funny and perverse at the same time. Some parts of it made me want to vomit all over the world in the good kind of way . Haven't seen Wet Hot American Summer though. I think i'll netflix it if I can.

[grand theft sparrow]

i went through a period where whenever anyone came over who HADNT seen the movie, i would put it on and make them watch it.  (in the process i ended up watching it about 8 times in the span of a few months), but spreading the word was worth it.  i'm glad its cult is growing.

If you're talking about Wet Hot American Summer, I went through the same thing.  In fact, afterwards I would sit people down and show them the Stella Shorts that they did which, as great as WHAS is, are even funnier.  Anyone going to the Stella site needs to check out the "Raking Leaves" short.  Genius.

As for Man Bites Dog, I saw it when it was first released on video years ago (I'm not sure what version it was - the NC-17 or the unrated, slightly trimmed one) and I thought it was a major letdown.  The gag with the other camera crew was pretty funny but I felt like it was ultimately a one-joke thing stretched out way too thin.  I think it's been long enough for me to give it a second shot though.

[bonanzataz]

so, showalter is looking for interns in the NYC area for his new film "the baxter." i read the script to this one a while back and it was pretty funny. reading it, i was like, why does this movie seem so corny and cliched? then i realized, it's all just a big joke. i think it's going to be really good. i wish i wasn't still in school, otherwise i probably could have gotten the internship. anyway, here's the announcement. looks like a last minute thing, so any young hopefuls should jump on this soon.

HARDWORKING AND DEDICATED INTERNS NEEDED! Michael Showalter is in production in NYC on a movie he wrote and is directing called, "The Baxter." The movie is being produced by IFC and will start shooting in mid-March and will end in April.  Help is needed IMMEDIATELY.  A full-time committment is preferred but part-time help is possible. These are unpaid internships but it will be an amazing experience for anyone interested in pursuing a career in production and comedy.  Please send me a letter ASAP and tell me who you are, what you've done, how we can reach you and why you want to do this.   I look forward to hearing from you!  Thank you.  Please send letters by email at CENTRESTREETNY@YAHOO.COM , or FAX at (212)989-5505.  

[kotte]

Man bites dog. I didn't like this film because of three reasons. It's a mockumentary and I hate that format. That's the reason why I won't call it a bad movie, that'd be unfair.
There's very little story and therefor moves painfully slow.
And the crew, the filmmakers. They looked like 4 belgian surfers. And why god did they put Rémy in front of the camera?

There was some good bits in it though. Benoît Poelvoorde did an excellent job as Ben, very funny and very cold. The dialogue, the issues he talks about, how he cares about some things so much and human beings so little, that is fascinating and very funny.

SPOILER
The rape scene where Ben engages the whole crew in the act is haunting
END SPOILER

A mediocre movie with some very good bits in it.

[SiliasRuby]

Man Bites Dog is extremely disturbing and beautifully done.  I loved it's rediculousness.

[mogwai]

can anyone post some caps from "man bites dog"?

[Cecil]

It's a mockumentary and I hate that format.

even hard core logo?