This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

-

Director: Rob Reiner

Writers: Christopher Guest & Michael McKean & Harry Shearer & Rob Reiner

Stars: Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, Tony Hendra, R.J. Parnell, David Kaff, June Chadwick



Documentary filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) chronicles the final US tour of the unappreciated heavy metal band Spinal Tap (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer). 



This hilarious parody of the rock scene is so good that it is often credited with starting an entire sub-genre of mock documentaries (although I seem to recall Eric Idle in a film about a fictional group "of no fixed hairstyle" called the Rutles back in the 70s).

 


Fans of 70s and 80s metal will catch many references that will slip by others.

 


The real miracle of this film is that it skewers its target so mercilessly, and yet avoids becoming cruel. 



The enthusiasm of the Tap members for being rock stars is so pure and joyful, even after many years and despite the reality of their crumbling tour, that we can't help but wish them well.






















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ranked: Horror Movies

-
Image
A ranking of all the horror films that have been reviewed on this blog. 144   Jonah Hex (2010) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2023/10/jonah-hex-2010.html 143 Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/10/beyond-black-rainbow-2010.html 142 Night of the Demons (1988) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/10/night-of-demons-1988.html 141 House on Haunted Hill (1959) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/10/house-on-haunted-hill-1959.html 140 The Last Exorcism Part II (2013) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-last-exorcism-part-ii-2013.html 139 Monsturd (2003) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/09/monsturd-2003.html 138 Hannibal (2001)  https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2023/10/hannibal-2001.html 137 The Gift (2000) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-gift-2000.html 136 Infection (2004) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2022/10/infection-aka-kansen-2004.html 135...
Read more

Lust, Caution (2007)

-
Image
Director: Ang Lee Writers: James Schamus, Hui-Ling Wang, based on a story by Eileen Chang Stars: Tang Wei, Tony Leung, Joan Chen, Leehom Wang, Chung-Hua Tou, Zhi-Ying Zhu, Ying-Hsuan Kao, Lawrence Ko, Johnson Yuen, Lar Lok Chin A young woman living in China during the Japanese occupation (Tang Wei)  becomes entangled with a collaborator (Tony Leung), whom she has been assigned to seduce and set up for execution.  The assignment eventually becomes the context for her entire life, until her very sense of self is wrapped up in layers of deceit and betrayal.  Ang Lee's masterful film introduces us to our characters when they are young college students swept up in idealistic fervor and then rejoins them years later when they are older and wearier, fighting the same battle more out of necessity than idealism.   This is a long film because Lee takes his time fleshing out these characters, but it is time well spent.  I was thoroughly engrossed and shattered by the ...
Read more

Ranked: The 1990s

-
Image
  A ranking of all the films released during the 1990s that have been reviewed on this blog. #65 Angels in the Outfield (1994) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/08/angels-in-outfield-1994.html #64 Showgirls (1995) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/11/showgirls-1995.html #63 Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1997) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/08/knocking-on-heavens-door-1997.html #62 The Living Sea (1995) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-living-sea-1995.html #61 The Ninth Gate (1999) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-ninth-gate-1999.html #60 Thelma & Louise (1991) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/11/thelma-louise-1991.html #59 Forget Paris (1995) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2022/11/forget-paris-1995.html #58 Superstar (1999) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/11/superstar-1999.html #57 The Mummy (1999) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-mummy-1999....
Read more