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mconklin
Reviews
A Mighty Wind (2003)
A Blast
Face it, if movies were graded on a curve, any Christopher Guest offering would be at least a letter grade better than any other comedy out there. Is A Mighty Wind the best/worst of the three mockumentaries? Who knows? Who cares? I had a hard time hearing all the jokes over the laughter at the packed Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, where people waited in line in 30-degree weather with gusty winds (appropriately enough) on opening night. The premise and performances are once again outstanding. I disagree with the handful of critics who have said Fred Willard is off-pitch in this movie. He's hysterical as usual. In fact, he gives the movie the occasional pick-me-up it needs. If I had any criticism, it would be that Eugene Levy's character (not Willard's) doesn't quite hit the mark this time, and that more time and attention should have been given to the songs, which in and of themselves are such brilliant satire, it's scary.
The Big Picture (1989)
An early winner from genius Guest
Thank God for Christopher Guest. Anyone who loved him as Nigel Tufnel in Spinal Tap and has since appreciated his mockumentaries "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best in Show" should take a look back at The Big Picture. As with his other films, the humor is subtle and a bit "inside," but the more you see it, the more you love it. Kevin Bacon and J.T. Walsh are perfect, and Martin Short steals every scene he's in. (Added bonus: the Pez People song at the end, obviously sung by Michael McKean, sounds like Spinal Tap with keyboards instead of guitars. Very funny.)