SPOOF

I have placed "sizzler ratings" next to movies to give you an idea of how good they are

EVOLUTION (2000)

Starring: David Duchovney, Julianne Moore, Orlando Jones
The plot: A meteor crashes into the Arizona desert. Two down and out professors from a local college go out investigate, and find more than they bargained before. Although initially Kane (biologist) is unexcited by his geologist friend's discovery, they quickly find themselves defending it from the Government as some lifeforms on the meteor evolve quickly into an entire ecology bent on making Earth their new home.
Comment: The premesis of this movie seems fine, and but somehow it all collapses in the making through no defineable reason. Very quickly, it deteriorates into humour barely skating above teen comedy before devolving into a straight parallel of the familiar Ghostbusters film. David Duchovney continues to prove he has grown beyond the lifeless drone of early days (early X-Files) but is a pale shadow to his last movie appearance in "Return to Me." Julianne Moore effortlessly turned her talents to comedy this time, and its just a shame that the script wasn't up to it. Orlando Jones provides some nice visual comic relief.
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GALAXY QUEST (1999)

Starring: Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver
The plot: After 20 years in type-casting hell, the cast and crew of the Galaxy Quest are prevailed upon by an alien race who believes the actors were all part of a historical document and thus the necessary power to defeat thier foe, Saras. With no idea (initially) that they are REALLY being asked to go into space and help defeat an alien, the crew eagerly sign up for the chance at some extra money.
Comment: This is the FUNNIEST spoof I have ever seen! It was done perfectly - no vague beating around the bush with some undefined notion of producing a moralistic; this film goes right to the heart of Star Trek and mercilessly and briliantly tears it apart in the funniest way imaginable. My hat goes off to the David Howard for writing his magnificent film. However, credit it also owed to the cast - Tim Allen for playing the lazy but egotistical Captain Taggart, Alan Rickman as the eternal-suffering shakespearean actor, Alexander Dane, and Sigourney Weaver as Gwen DeMarco (who gets the added bonus of playing the exact opposite of her Alien movie character, Ripley...). But, having dished out these kudos, credit also has to go to the supporting characters - especially Tony Shalhoub as the very dry and unflappable engineer. And you know what the thing I liked the most was? The funniest scene was purely visual - a stroke of sheer genius on the special effects guys for pulling it off... For a really, really, really good laugh - you HAVE to see this one!
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MYSTERY MEN (1999)

Starring: Hank Azaria, Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, Greg Kinnear
The plot: In a Dick Tracy meets Batman scenario, the superhero, Captain Amazing is captured by the terribly evil Casanova Frankenstein from Champion City. Due to Captain Amazing's incredible ability to rid Champion City of all evil, there is also no need for any more superhero's. So, with Captain Amazing off the scene and Casanova Frankenstein in control, it's up to Mr Furious, The Shoveller and The Blue Raja to rescue Captain Amazing from the terrible clutches of evil.
Comment: Well, you have to be on the mood for something light - and at the same time, enjoy humour with bit of a perverse twist. For the most, this movie would be what you would expect with many missed opportunites to truly spoof the superhero magazines, but then there are some dark moments which had this writer helpless with laughter at the irony of it all. Greg Kinnear and Hank Azaria and the sincere William Macy put in strong performances, as does the rest of the cast. If you crave nothing to deep yet still a little twisted this could be the film to see tonight!
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WILD WILD WEST (1999)

Starring: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh
The plot: It's 1869 and cowboys and outlaws are rife in America. Captain Jim West and US Marshall Gordon are dispatched by President Grant to deal with Bloodbath McGrath, believed to be a mass-murderer of black slaves. However, when they track him down, it turns out he was naught but a puppet for the evil, scheming Dr Arliss Loveless. Loveless wants US to himself - although he wants to give generous portions back to Mexico and Spain...
Comment: After reading countless reviews about how bad this movie was, I expected the worst. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see a movie with a witty script with lots of puns, although the film though was riddled with plenty of anachronisms, scenery mishaps and other directing errors. The script also contained plenty of references to the 'N' word to make this a classically un-PC movie which would offend the sensibilities of American critics, and who knows, countless Americans as well... However, if you have the ability to laugh at yourself (the Americans?) and enjoy tongue in cheek humour, then this is a highly entertaining movie. Shame about the closing scene as our hero's ride west off into the sunset on their way back to Washington DC...
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AUSTIN POWERS (1997)

Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley
The plot: Austin Powers is accidentally frozen for 30 years and defrosted in the 1990's. Powers boogies his way through this Bond Movie spy spoof, spreading 60's flower power and showering everyone with his big, flawed smile. All in the name of shagging Ms Kensington.
Comment: When a spoof is done, this is how it should be done! Mike Myers is, as ever, the brilliant chameleon playing many roles and exaggerating all the qualities of Bond and Britain in the '60's.
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AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME (1999)

Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Felicity Graham, Tim Robbins
The plot: Oh, Baby! Dr. Evil wants to make sure Austin doesn't mess up his NEXT plan to rule the world - so he goes back in time to steal Austin's 'mojo. However, never fear, Austin; superiors are up to the task and capably send Austin back to retrieve his mojo - and thwart Dr. Evil in another attempt to rule the world...
Comment: Hilarious as ever, Mike Myers is back in 3 roles here to make sure Austin keeps on shagging those babes. A worthy sequel to the original and still a brilliant James Bond spoof film. So go and have a shagadelic experience but afterwards, remember, behave!
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