Hola, Sneakers. Welcome to Episode 253 of the podcast that cares just that little bit more!
This week: the times they are a-changin’; unforgettable; autograph hounded; crashing it; thin skin storm; hi-ho silver linings; let’s get together; the towel of babble; faithfully yours; occulture club; not dead…yet; the master of dreck; shopping; slow cooking; it’s not a wash; surprise petunia; a big watershed; painful self-awareness; fuddy duddies; hit the road; careful viewing; breaking ghosts; vague Abbott and Costello; funny films; pro-Buster; pretty fishy; hunk o’burning priest; celebrity Christ; nice compliment; Question of the Week – Sneakers respond; a tail of murder; nice to ba an afterthought; Insta-Pot spokesperson; a pizza story; and, finally, some tusslin’.
Question of the Week: What’s your favourite funny movie?
Sub-question: What’s something you’re trying to get done this summer?
Thanks for listening.
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Hey Ian and David,
My favourite funny movies usually relate more to the age I was when I saw them. Some hold up, some don’t.
But a long list of films I loved when I saw them would have to include Groundhog Day, Back To The Future, the wedding Singer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Life of Brian, the Naked Gun, When Harry Met sally, Four weddings and a Funeral, Broadcast news, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Napoleon Dynamite, Muriel’s wedding, The castle, Bridesmaids, Book Smart and finally, my favourite film, the understated Scottish comedy Local Hero.
It’s still mid-Winter here in Australia so no summer plans as yet.
Mick
Favorite funny movie: I got into Sneaky Dragon via Full Marx, so just about any Marx Brothers film would be pretty high on my list. Out of their films, Animal Crackers is probably my personal favorite. It was the one I saw first, and it’s probably the one that best balances all four brothers.
Speaking of funny movies, Dave mentioned the Peter Bogdanovich film What’s Up, Doc? on a previous episode. I gave it a watch and liked it a lot, so thanks for the recommendation.
Since “Sparks! Double Dog Dare” models having empathy for your foes as well as your friends, I’m going to assume the writer of that negative review is going through some stuff. She says the book is mostly action but I disagree. Like the first book, it has lots of heart and character development, snappy dialogue and fun details (like that Big Spicy Tunes reference to Big Shiny Tunes.) Perhaps the action sequences are a little more explosive this time around as befits a Charlie-focused story, but it’s mindful violence.
Speaking of being a brave cat, that’s what I’m trying to do this summer. For instance last Friday, I went to the dentist. Before I left home, I had to answer their online questionnaire. It turned out the Disney character I’m most like is Belle – no, wait, it turned out I didn’t have any symptoms of Covid-19. The office looked super-pandemic. The receptionist’s desk was behind plexiglass and each room was sealed off with a zippered plastic wall and had an air purifier running in it. I also went to a library. 5 branches in town are open for browsing but with hand sanitizing on entry, one-way aisles between the stacks and a 30-minute time limit. Yes, I could get by on borrowing ebooks, but sometimes you need a paperback to read in the bathtub that isn’t “Sparks Double Dog Dare” cuz you don’t want to drop that definitely-not-disappointing book it in the water.
I’ve mentioned Groundhog Day before, so my second-favourite funny movie is A Room With a View (1985). It’s smart-funny rather than screwball-funny. I like its message about how self-deception and conformity can get in the way of finding your passion. The whole cast is note-perfect, but Maggie Smith stands out as Helena Bonham Carter’s dithering chaperone, and Daniel Day-Lewis is almost unrecognizable as a pretentious upper class twit. It has lush visuals, an operatic soundtrack that ISN’T annoying and…title cards!
I love handing out treats to trick-or-treaters but not if the trick is asymptomatic virus transmission. Maybe we’ll rig up a chute to slide the candy down from a second-floor window.
I quickly understood what happened when I tried to be silly and clever at the same time and post here as “Indiana” Draganski. Play stupid games and win stupid prizes and your post might disappear! I’ve heard Dave say in the past that he’s meticulous when writing anyone…so am I. I craft it and reread it, edit it, so I understand. It’s also the reason why I copy and paste what I’ve written before submitting the post because it doesn’t always go as planned when the internet throws you curve ball. I work hard on my writing, so I take safeguards to save it when the outside chance of losing it may occur. I’ll answer your questions now, but through an email this time…
We’ve been having lockdown movie nights as a family, and one film everyone enjoyed hugely was Galaxy Quest. Like Spinal Tap, as well as being a great comedy, it also matches and in some ways surpasses the quality of the thing it’s sending up – in this case, Star Trek. Not my favourite funny movie – I’m totally ducking that challenge – but a real gem.