Date Movie

2.5 Licks

2006

(Unrated version)

Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Eddie Griffin, Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge, Tony Cox, Carmen Electra.

If you’re looking for a funny movie take-off of romantic comedies, skip this in favor of Not Another Teen Movie, as that one easily outranks this one.

Date Movie is still good for laughs and entertainment, but it’s not exactly going to inspire a woman to have hot, steamy sex with you, if that’s what you were hoping for with this "date movie." (Sorry, guys.)

Guys may actually enjoy this "date movie" more than the females, as much of this film’s humor comes in the form of more cheap or raunchy type humor that tends to appeal to males more so than to the fairer, more demure of the sexes.

The only "date movie" relevance of this film is that the movie parodies stories and characters from those types of movies. However, it’s a pimped-out parody that’s made to sound like it’s for women but it’s really strong enough for men!

Male or female, though, there are moments of the movie that will have all ROFL’ing. Some of the movies referenced in this one include Hitch, Shallow Hal, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Meet the Fockers, Wedding Crashers and a host of others you’ll just have to figure out for yourself!

Epic Movie

3 Licks

2007

Rated PG-13

Adam Campbell, Kal Penn, Jennifer Coolidge, Crispin Glover, Tony Cox, Darrell Hammond, Fred Willard, Carmen Electra, Kevin McDonald, David Carradine.

Epic Movie is an enjoyable, easy-going movie. The most enjoyable part of any spoof movie is picking out each of the films, characters and storylines the movie chooses to spoof. It’s even better when those playing the roles really know or "own" their parody performances.

Darrell Hammond excels as Captain Jack Swallows, though there are also many other great parodied roles, including Kevin McDonald as Harry Potter! Both are stand-outs in the film, but the Harry Potter portion may be the funniest of the film overall.

Epic Movie is the tale of four kids gaining prized entry into a chocolate factory, finding their way into a coat closet and out to the make-believe world of Gnarnia where they may allegedly be future kings and queens. Along the way are also many other movie parodies.

If you enjoy parodies and are an avid movie fan, especially familiar with The Chronicles of Narnia, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Harry Potter, you’ll enjoy this movie and will delight in discovering the host of other movies Epic Movie parodies or pays homage to in any way!

Farce of the Penguins     Writer/Director: Bob Saget.

4.5 Licks

2006

Rated R

Voices of: Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Saget, Lewis Black, Christina Applegate, Whoopi Goldberg, Tracy Morgan, Gilbert Gottfried, Carlos Mencia.

As a spoof of March of the Penguins, this movie is not just a farce…it’s hilarious for humans! For penguins…consider it soft-core porn. (Underage penguins should not be watching this even with adult penguin supervision.)

Though I have never seen March of the Penguins, I imagine Farce of the Penguins to be much better and much more “true” in spirit. You don’t need to know the original movie to know writer/director Bob Saget got it right and had a lot of fun in the process. If you saw the previews for March of the Penguins or heard its premise, you’re good to go. And if you enjoy the type of adult humor mainly derived from sex, farts, sex and farts, farts and sex…this is a must see, even if you – like me – don’t see penguins as cute, cuddly and adorable.

This movie showcases Bob Saget’s adult “stand-up” type of humor, not the Full House / America’s Funniest Home Videos persona you may equate with him. The sex jokes and fart jokes may get a little old to some of you, but being that the movie is about penguins…those jokes have a whole new flair and fresh approach that I found enjoyable throughout the entire movie.

Granted, the actual scenes are no great eye-candy and there is no animation, as the movie is comprised of penguin “stock footage” pieced together. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for some lowbrow laughs, Farce of the Penguins can easily fulfill those needs and help you forget your troubles even for just awhile!

Samuel L. Jackson is the perfect narrator for this parody, and the voiceovers by various actors and actresses are great! Lewis Black makes for a fun sidekick…even as (the voice of) a penguin.

Also notable is an owl as a penguin psychiatrist. Who would’ve thought, penguins need therapy?! Saget! Now that I know, I couldn’t agree more! =p See this movie and find some smiles and laughs, even after a rough day or week.

Hot Shots!

2.5 Licks

1991

Rated PG-13

Charlie Sheen, Valeria Golino, Lloyd Bridges, Cary Elwes, Jon Cryer, Kristy Swanson.

Prior to this point in his career, you wouldn’t have thought Charlie Sheen could pull off as comedic a role as parodies require, but he does and he’s perfectly cast in this film! He is the only truly memorable character in this movie.

You’ll be entertained by Hot Shots, though you’ll wish it was funnier at some points. If you’re male, you may also wish that Golino’s curves (or just her breasts) had more airtime.

Hot Shots! Part Deux

2.5 Licks

1993

Rated PG-13

Charlie Sheen, Lloyd Bridges, Valeria Golino, Richard Crenna, Miguel Ferrer, Rowan Atkinson.

Sequel to Hot Shots! Review is exactly the same for this film as for its predecessor.

Just for extra emphasis – and at the personal request of many a man out there – Golino’s breasts deserved more airtime and probably more licks, too!

Scary Movie

3 Licks

2000

Rated R

Carmen Electra, Dave Sheridan, Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Shannon Elizabeth, Cheri Oteri, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans.

As the first of the Scary Movie empire of films, this is a great introduction and predecessor to the "scary movie" parodies that are its follow-ups.

Scary Movie is a great comedy, parodying horror films and other movie scenes that make this an enjoyable montage of spoofs for any fan of the horror genre with a solid sense of humor.

Some movies spoofed herein include Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Blair Witch Project, The Sixth Sense and even The Matrix. The more of those movies you’re familiar with, the more you’ll enjoy Scary Movie!

Scary Movie 2

2 Licks

2001

Rated R

Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Tim Curry, Chris Elliott, James Woods, Andy Richter, Natasha Lyonne.

Not as memorable or well done as the first Scary Movie, and not as solid in its aim as the next two in the series. Still an enjoyable spoof, just not as noteworthy.

The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, 13 Ghosts, Poltergeist, Hollow Man and The Silence of the Lambs are just some of the movies you’ll see spoofed in this film.

Scary Movie 3

4 Licks

2003

Rated PG-13

Charlie Sheen, Anna Faris, Simon Rex, Jeremy Piven, Darrell Hammond, Eddie Griffin, Denise Richards, Leslie Nielsen, Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, George Carlin.

Of the first 4 in the Scary Movie empire (in existence at the time of this review), this one is the absolute best! The writers, creators, producers, casting crew, actors and entire staff (even the food service) deserve credit for making this montage of parodies one that meshes together so completely well!

You’ll enjoy parodies involving the movies Signs, The Ring, The Matrix and 8 Mile among others! The more of those films you’ve seen, the more you’ll enjoy the spoofing Scary Movie 3 does of them!

Scary Movie 4

3.5 Licks

2006

Rated PG-13

Anna Faris, Charlie Sheen, Simon Rex, Leslie Nielsen, Bill Pullman, Regina Hall, Craig Bierko, Chris Elliott, Michael Madsen, Molly Shannon.

As with Scary Movie 3, the casting in this one is superb, however, this film is not as polished or quite as funny as the third movie.

Movies spoofed include War of the Worlds, The Village, The Grudge and Saw plus others!

The scene I most enjoyed in Scary Movie 4 is a parody of Tom Cruise on Oprah’s couch. That reality-based scene alone makes for a scary movie! Who wouldn’t be afraid of an almost pre-pubescent-like Cruise excitedly jumping on one’s couch? I’d be checking those couch cushions for pee, as his antics were highly reminiscent of an accident-prone, excitable puppy.